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Jon Bon Jovi's Listening Tour for Youth
Updated: Monday, 06 Jun 2011, 6:30 PM EDT
Published : Monday, 06 Jun 2011, 6:30 PM EDT
By CHRISTINE PERSICHETTE
MYFOXNY.COM - Jon Bon Jovi took time off from his world tour with his band to be the headliner on a listening tour. He made his latest appearance in Newark.
"This was an opportunity for my voice to be heard while I was listening," Bon Jovi said.
Instead of singing to thousands of screaming fans in a stadium, he sat quietly and listened to about a dozen young people who talked about the challenges they face growing up in the inner city.
"A lot of these kids are just looking for a chance; some a second chance," he said. "But they don't want to be given up on and they don't want to give up."
The New Jersey-born rock star is part of the White House Council for Community Solutions. He has been touring the country to shine the spotlight on youth programs like the Yes Center in Newark that are helping 16- to 24-year-old people find mentors, jobs and diplomas.
Dariel Veras, 19, turned to the program after dropping out of high school.
"The bullying and the getting up and dreading to go to school I just didn't want to deal with it" Veras said.
Bon Jovi wants other young people to get the help they need. He said that making that happen has less to do with money and more to do with community involvement.
"Billionaire X can donate to any center," he said. "But without really able bodied and passionate people who want to mentor these young people, it's just dollars. We need people, we need hearts and minds."
While Bon Jovi goes back to his day job -- selling out concerts for the next 10 weeks in Europe -- he will continue to sing the praises of these successful youth organizations and try to help others learn from them.
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