Jon Bon Jovi Celebrates 10-Year Anniversary of the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation
Rocker Jon Bon Jovi and wife Dorothea celebrated the 10-year anniversary of their Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation with a little help from famous friends like former President Bill Clinton, Savannah Guthrie and Gayle King. Watch!
The Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation helps fund affordable housing, and addresses food needs with two JBJ Soul Kitchen restaurants in New Jersey. Patrons at the restaurants can pay for their meals or volunteer their time.
Now, Jon wants you to join him too! Make a donation and enter to win a chance to meet Jon and the band at
While many know Jon Bon Jovi as a musical legend with his timeless hits, behind the scenes, he is also admired as a dedicated social activist.
In 2016, Jon Bon Jovi and his wife, Dorothea Hurley, celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation—a non-profit organization created to combat poverty, homelessness, and support disadvantaged communities in the United States.
The celebration took place in New York City and was attended by many prominent figures in politics, media, and entertainment.
Among the special guests were former U.S. President Bill Clinton, journalist Gayle King, and Savannah Guthrie.
Their presence demonstrates the immense influence that Jon Bon Jovi’s charity has built over its decade of operation.
Unlike many celebrity charities that are merely symbolic, the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation is built on practical and long-term action.
Since its founding in 2006, the organization has focused on supporting affordable housing for low-income individuals, assisting the homeless, and developing programs to combat food insecurity in many US states.
One of its most well-known projects is the JBJ Soul Kitchen system—a place where everyone can eat regardless of their ability to pay.
The JBJ Soul Kitchen model is unique in that it doesn’t operate like a typical charity canteen.
Those who can afford it pay for their meals and contribute to the community, while those in need can volunteer to serve in exchange for free meals.
This helps protect people’s dignity instead of turning them into mere recipients of assistance. Jon Bon Jovi himself once shared that he didn’t want anyone to feel ashamed when they needed help.
At the 10th anniversary celebration, Jon Bon Jovi emotionally reflected on the journey he and his wife had built together.
From a small idea stemming from a desire to help the community, the foundation has grown into a nationally influential organization.
Hundreds of affordable homes have been built or renovated, thousands have received food assistance, and many families have had the opportunity to restart their lives.
What the public admires most is that Jon Bon Jovi not only uses his fame to raise funds but also directly participates in charitable activities.
He often appears at Soul Kitchens, chatting with customers, serving food, and listening to the stories of those in need.
The image of a world-famous rock star washing dishes or carrying food for the poor has changed many people’s perceptions of Hollywood artists.
Besides its philanthropic activities, the anniversary event was also an opportunity to look back on the enduring journey of Jon Bon Jovi and Dorothea Hurley.
The two have been together since high school and built a marriage that has lasted for decades amidst the turbulent world of entertainment.
Dorothea played a major role in the creation of the JBJ Soul Kitchen and in promoting the foundation’s community activities.
Many guests at the event praised Jon Bon Jovi not only as a talented artist but also as a compassionate person.
Former President Bill Clinton particularly appreciated the foundation’s efforts in addressing homelessness and poverty—major challenges facing American society.
Following its 10-year milestone, the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation continues to expand its activities and achieve new successes.
The organization was later recognized with numerous awards for its community impact, particularly for JBJ Soul Kitchen’s unique “Pay It Forward” model.
Jon Bon Jovi’s story shows that an artist’s power lies not only in hit songs or sold-out tours, but also in their ability to create positive change in society.
For Jon, music can inspire, but compassion is what truly connects people.
And perhaps, his greatest legacy is not just his legendary rock songs, but the thousands of lives that have been changed by his kindness and sharing, along with that of his family.
