The Soul Kitchen (Red Bank, New Jersey)

Jon Bon Jovi serves up a heaping plate of soul food and philanthropy, topped up with a whole lot of Hope.

Livin’ On A Prayer

Once upon a time
Not so long ago

Tommy used to work on the docks
Unions been on strike
He’s down on his luck… it’s tough, so tough
Gina works the diner all day
Working for her man, she brings home her pay
For love – for love

She says we’ve got to hold on to what we’ve got
Cause it doesn’t make a difference
If we make it or not
We’ve got each other and that’s a lot
For love – well give it a shot

Chorus:
Whooah, we’re half way there
Livin’ on a prayer
Take my hand and we’ll make it – I swear
Livin’ on a prayer

Tommy’s got his six string in hock
Now he’s holding in what he used
To make it talk – so tough, it’s tough
Gina dreams of running away
When she cries in the night
Tommy whispers baby it’s okay, someday

We’ve got to hold on to what we’ve got
‘Cause it doesn’t make a difference
If we make it or not
We’ve got each other and that’s a lot
For love – well give it a shot

Chorus:
Whooah, we’re half way there
Livin’ on a prayer
Take my hand and we’ll make it – I swear
Livin’ on a prayer

We’ve got to hold on ready or not
You live for the fight when it’s all that you’ve got

Chorus:
Whooah, we’re half way there
Livin’ on a prayer
Take my hand and we’ll make it – I swear
Livin’ on a prayer

[Songwriters: BON JOVI, JON / CHILD, DESMOND / SAMBORA, RICHARD]

The concept of “Paying it forward” is something that Jon Bon Jovi knows well.   Singer, musician, actor, businessman and philanthropist ― Bon Jovi  is a New Jersey native who never forgot where he came from.   In 2006, he formed the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation, a non-profit organization whose mission is to help people (one soul at a time) who are experiencing economic hardship. 

Kindness is infectious.  And so, as part of this foundation,  several  JBJ Soul projects have come to fruition:

†♥ JBJ Soul Homes (a joint venture with Project H.O.M.E., in Philadelphia)  ― a four-story, mixed-use development building, scheduled for completion in November 2013.  With retail, offices and 55 apartments to house previously homeless and low-income adults and children, the  residents will have access to basic medical care, employment assistance, education and fitness facilities.

†♥ Rebuilding Together (a joint venture with Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation and Rebuilding Together Philadelphia) ― to rehabilitate nearly 30 homes in the Overbrook neighborhood.

†♥ Northern Children’s Services Merrick Hall (a joint venture with Northern Children’s Services) ― to provide permanent housing for homeless teenage mothers and their babies.

and, a community restaurant that does not have any prices on the menu:

†♥ JBJ Soul Kitchen ― where customers volunteer their services at the restaurant, in lieu of payment.  Soul Kitchen accepts donations from those who can pay.  In the words of Bon Jovi, “At a time when 1 in 5 households are living at or below the poverty level, and at a time when 1 out of 6 Americans are food insecure, this is a restaurant whose time has come. This is a place based on and built on community – by and for the community.” 

And yes, Mr. Bon Jovi, Hope is Delicious.  Your dedication, passion and sense of community is truly inspiring.

For more information, please go to:  http://www.jbjsoulkitchen.org/.

Image via nhne-pulse.org.