Post by ibtfygirl™ on Apr 25, 2010 19:15:28 GMT -4
Last Thursday afternoon, after the big concert at the Bridgestone center Wednesday night, rock star Jon Bon Jovi visited the Oasis Center, Nashville's only shelter for homeless teens. I’ve always been a fan – talent and good looks, but this man has character and really cares about kids – about America. In this day of bizarre celebrities and some of their inappropriate if not illegal antics, it is refreshing to see one quietly giving back and expressing a genuine interest in social issues, particularly the plight of homeless youth.
Bon Jovi said: "The face of homelessness has changed dramatically. It's a lot of kids, a lot of single moms. It's a lot of hardworking Americans coast to coast that have been displaced these past couple of years. They don't need a handout. They need a hand up."
The Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation, a Philadelphia-based charity, builds affordable housing; 250 units over the past six years. Bon Jovi says he wants to change the culture that causes homelessness.
Jon spoke highly of Nashville’s Oasis center – calling it a beacon of hope. He spent about an hour with the kids; listening and empowering them by asking for their ideas about solutions. The kids shared their stories of how they became homeless in the first place, and the issues that arise when one has fled from abuse, family tragedy without even a birth certificate in order to get a job or financial aid.
"He was so engaged. He wasn't being a rock star," said Liz Workman, the center's educational coordinator. "He was just someone who is really, really passionate about this issue."
Of the approximately 300 homeless youths in Nashville at any given time, almost 2,000 in the past year have used the Oasis drop-in center, a small room with a couch, some chairs and a couple of computer terminals. Some days it has four or five kids; some days it's 15 or 16. They can eat, shower, talk to a counselor; make a telephone call or sleep. Also available are the overnight shelters, one for emergencies and one for long-term stays. According to counselor Jenny Gray, the two bedrooms for emergency overnight stays are full every night.
"It's going to take money and effort and getting the word out," he said.
"Over the years, I've had the ear of government officials. I hope that by being on the streets, and out of the Beltway, that I can provide information and have an impact, on the HUD secretary and even the president," Bon Jovi said.
Still a pretty face, but a whole lot more.
Bon Jovi said: "The face of homelessness has changed dramatically. It's a lot of kids, a lot of single moms. It's a lot of hardworking Americans coast to coast that have been displaced these past couple of years. They don't need a handout. They need a hand up."
The Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation, a Philadelphia-based charity, builds affordable housing; 250 units over the past six years. Bon Jovi says he wants to change the culture that causes homelessness.
Jon spoke highly of Nashville’s Oasis center – calling it a beacon of hope. He spent about an hour with the kids; listening and empowering them by asking for their ideas about solutions. The kids shared their stories of how they became homeless in the first place, and the issues that arise when one has fled from abuse, family tragedy without even a birth certificate in order to get a job or financial aid.
"He was so engaged. He wasn't being a rock star," said Liz Workman, the center's educational coordinator. "He was just someone who is really, really passionate about this issue."
Of the approximately 300 homeless youths in Nashville at any given time, almost 2,000 in the past year have used the Oasis drop-in center, a small room with a couch, some chairs and a couple of computer terminals. Some days it has four or five kids; some days it's 15 or 16. They can eat, shower, talk to a counselor; make a telephone call or sleep. Also available are the overnight shelters, one for emergencies and one for long-term stays. According to counselor Jenny Gray, the two bedrooms for emergency overnight stays are full every night.
"It's going to take money and effort and getting the word out," he said.
"Over the years, I've had the ear of government officials. I hope that by being on the streets, and out of the Beltway, that I can provide information and have an impact, on the HUD secretary and even the president," Bon Jovi said.
Still a pretty face, but a whole lot more.
