Bon Jovi, the Rock Icon, Contributes $500,000 for Veterans’ Housing Aid to Construct a Residential Facility.
Rockstar Jon Bon Jovi dedicates his latest track “Unbroken” to pay tribute to veterans struggling with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), but his philanthropy doesn’t end there for the courageous individuals who served our nation.
Through his JBJ Soul Foundation, the Grammy Award-winning singer donates $500,000 to aid in constructing the veteran housing assistance facility at Walter Reed in Washington DC.
Speaking on CNN’s “The Lead with Jake Trapper,” Bon Jovi empathizes with soldiers coping with the lasting effects of war, even years after their service.
“Veterans often grapple with PTSD and the challenges of reintegrating into civilian life after leaving the battlefield. Life as they knew it will change, and sometimes, they need that extra support.”
The apartment facility, a collaboration between Jon Bon Jovi’s foundation and HELP USA, has been a decade in the making. “It’s finally here, a reality. 77 veterans will have a place to call home,” Jon Bon Jovi proudly states.
For homeless veterans like Clifton Braxton, this housing is a lifeline. “When I returned with those haunting memories and didn’t even know it was called PTSD… it took me another 20 years to confront it.” Braxton shared with CNN.
The newly established apartment complex serves not only as a shelter but also offers various programs to help homeless veterans rebuild their lives and find solace. Braxton’s life at the Walter Reed facility is a stark contrast to his past experiences. “Those are brand-new beds… if I do my part, I won’t be told to leave. They won’t tear this place down. I’ll have electricity, water, a protected environment. I can close my door—boom—that’s my place,” he expressed to the Washington Post.
The facility, accommodating 300 homeless veterans, welcomes those with 50 percent or less of the median income. Residents pay 30 percent of their income in rent, sourced from their job wages, Social Security, or pensions.
The veteran housing assistance site features a small gym, a courtyard, and a computer room. Residents can use the lounge, complete with a fireplace, as a communal space to interact with fellow occupants or host their families.
Social isolation is common among veterans transitioning from homelessness, as stated by David Cleghorn from HELP USA. Walter Reed’s facility aims to foster connections among the veterans.
Although progress has been made, the journey to provide a safe haven for the country’s heroes is far from over. As an additional effort to support veterans grappling with PTSD, all proceeds from Bon Jovi’s song “Unbroken” will be donated to the Patriotic Service Dog Foundation, which pairs veterans and first responders with service dogs.