Jon Bon Jovi, Local Officials Celebrate New Facility For The Homeless In Camden
By Mike DeNardo
CAMDEN, N.J., (CBS) -- Rocker Jon Bon Jovi returned to his home state Tuesday to open a homeless shelter in Camden.
"We want to thank a great friend to Camden, Jon Bon Jovi."
Mayor Dana Redd welcomed Jon Bon Jovi to the ribbon cutting at Joseph's House, a 75-bed shelter that opened in January at 555 Atlantic Avenue with the help of the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation.
"We were honored to be able to support Joseph's house, as they work hard to connect with men and women who may not have a safe place to sleep tonight," Bon Jovi said.
In addition to meals and cots, the shelter offers social services including addiction counseling and legal services. Renovations cost $1.2 million, but Bon Jovi says the work is far from over.
"We shouldn't fool ourselves into thinking that we've met the need. But it's one step towards the solution," he said.
The shelter has housed nearly 500 people since opening two months ago.