Neighborhood Center West Volusia // Local Musicians to Support Homelessness Prevention at Charity Event

The Neighborhood Center of West Volusia is excited to share the inaugural Rockin' Hearts for the Homeless,

a charity concert to benefit the homeless-prevention programs at The Neighborhood Center. The show

features a variety of live bands ranging from folk, acoustic, contemporary rock, and Top 40 covers to the

headlining inspirational works of singer, songwriter, and inspirational speaker Joe Nester.

Joe shares his personal story of homelessness and addiction and his road to recovery through the searing

honesty and poetic delivery of his lyrics and music—unconfined to a single genre. After more than three years

on a nationwide tour, Joe has settled in DeLand with his wife and three children. In January, he joined the

staff at The Neighborhood Center as Shelter Coordinator at The Bridge. Joe's purpose in being here is to give

back. "A place with a heart is exactly what it is for me," says Joe. "What I love about The Bridge is that every-

one has their own strengths. Mine is peer support, inspiration, and planting seeds. My job is to assist clients

and see that they obey the rules. I know what it's like to be completely and utterly hopeless—feeling too far

gone to ever become a productive member of society. But God had different plans, and with a mustard seed

of faith and willingness, life can be turned around. If it weren't for places like The Neighborhood Center with

the means and resources to help, I would probably be dead right now. So I come to provide hands-on and

show people that anything is possible with God no matter how helpless a situation may seem."

The afternoon will be full of an eclectic selection of artists, including local folk music favorites the Jackson

Creek String Band. Ragin' Sun will be covering the sounds from the 80’s and the acoustic sounds of Jordan

Foley, Bryan Raymond, and the Robert Stephenson & Jessica Flood Duo as they return to the local music

scene. The entertainment lineup also includes another Neighborhood Center team member: Housing Director

Ricardo Meléndez and his band D'Monette, an English/Spanish Florida-based cover band will be performing a selection of Top 40 covers. All artists are

donating both their time and talents to the cause of homeless prevention.

The event is free and open to the public. Donations are encouraged. Food trucks and vendors will also be on hand. Bring your chair or blanket as seating is

on the lawn in front of the amphitheater at DeLand's Earl Brown Park.

It’s sure to be a fantastic, fun, family event that will help bring the community together and build awareness and funding for the cause of homelessness and

its prevention. Contact Debra West, Charitable Giving Coordinator, The Neighborhood Center 386-734-8120 EXT 209. Applications for vendors and sponsors

are available on The Neighborhood Center's website.