Opening of HELP Genesis JBJ Soul Homes
11:15AM on January 14 2010
Jon Bon Jovi, Mayor Cory A. Booker, HELP USA Chairman Maria Cuomo Cole, North Ward Councilman Anibal Ramos, Jr., and other local leaders opened HELP Genesis JBJ Soul Homes on Oriental Street and Mt. Pleasant Avenue in the City's North Ward on December 8, 2009. This public-private partnership with Mr. Bon Jovi's JBJ Soul Foundation and HELP USA has produced 51 new units of affordable housing with support services for low-income and special-needs person. The residence includes environmentally-friendly "green" features such as a green roof, other components of New Jersey's Green Futures program and qualifies for LEED certification. There will be a 2500 square-foot community center as well."These new homes will provide much needed stability and comfort to Newark families. High quality, affordable housing, connected to community activities, social services, employment training and opportunities, this is the model for successfully redeveloping our neighborhoods. The public-private partnership with HELP USA, the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation, the State and the City is just the most recent of a number of exciting new projects that we are supporting to create new, quality, affordable housing," said Mayor Booker. Under the Mayor's leadership, the City has doubled the production of affordable housing and is moving to continue the trend.
"Newark's time is now," said Jon Bon Jovi, "As the Mayor enhances the city's offerings to attract visitors, businesses and new residents, we are working together to meet the needs of current residents who may not be able to afford market rate rents. Many of the residents who will live in these homes will have some type of special need, be it rehabilitation, medical care, child care, or vocational training, and we want to see to it that those needs are affordably and realistically met."
Over the past four years, Mr. Bon Jovi and The Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation have been instrumental in providing homes to more than 200 low-income individuals and families throughout the country. The estimated construction cost of the Newark project is $10.4 million.
"HELP USA is proud to be a part of this dynamic public private partnership. Under the innovative leadership of Mayor Booker, Governor Jon Corzine, visionary and philanthropist Jon Bon Jovi and the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation, HELP USA will be able to bring its years of experience in developing service enriched permanent housing to working families and people living with HIV/AIDS in Newark's North Ward," said Ms. Cuomo Cole.
The families residing at HELP Genesis JBJ Soul Homes will receive a continuum of services to promote family stabilization, case management, and employment services provided both by HELP staff and local providers. In addition, HELP's community center will offer programs designed to meet the needs of both the HELP Genesis JBJ Soul Homes tenants and the residents of the North Ward. HELP's Mentoring USA program will provide one-on-one onsite mentoring for Newark's children. HELP will work with the City of Newark, community leaders, such as Council Member Ramos, and local service providers from the North Ward to tailor the specific services provided at the community center.
"HELP's Newark Genesis Apartments is a major part of the redevelopment of the area around Rafael Hernandez School. With market rate and affordable housing, and an integrated facility with post-acute care AIDS services, this housing complex will connect residents with each other, their community, and a continuum of care. We are grateful for the support of Jon Bon Jovi, Mayor Booker, and the Municipal Council for supporting our efforts to improve the quality of life for Newark residents," said Council Member Ramos.
