Jody Joseph Bongiovi brings harmony through local music nonprofit

By:  | November 11, 2024 |  Philanthropy | 

By Emma Sylvia

Since Jody Joseph Bongiovi, the founder of the music education-based nonprofit Heartstrings, was a child, she’s been singing. A colorful life that she describes as “almost famous,” Bongiovi, (yes, she is the cousin of famous Jersey rocker Jon Bon Jovi) had many unique experiences that brought her to the place she is at today. After recording several albums and even performing the Star-Spangled Banner in the Meadowlands, Bongiovi realized that her calling was not beckoning her to the music studio. Instead, her experience gained under these unique circumstances brought her back home to New Jersey to teach. Beginning years ago, with just a handful of students who had won gift certificates to her vocal lessons at a silent auction, Bongiovi — alongside her junior instructor — is now teaching over 60 private students. “It’s a lot, and I’m very blessed,” Bongiovi says.

However, Jody Joseph Music wasn’t the end of Bongiovi’s musical education journey. She reminisces, “A few years back, I met a woman, Lizzie Bailey. She said, ‘What do you really want to do?’ I said, ‘Teach students and help people in hard times.’” Bailey then asked Bongiovi why she didn’t begin a nonprofit to achieve this goal. Bongiovi was initially apprehensive, both due to lack of experience and lack of time. Bailey, heavily experienced in boards and committees, agreed to help her. “It was something that I loved, the concept of being able to reach so many more people. Bringing instructors in to go out to the field and teach groups. And so, we did it. We were small but mighty.”

Heartstrings’ mission is to benefit economically disadvantaged and potentially at-risk individuals with music programs. Bongiovi says, “Music is a universal language that sheds the tears, then soothes the soul to open the heart to the amazing power of healing one heart string at a time.”

Bongiovi staunchly believes in paying it forward. “I never turn anyone away.” With this mindset, Heartstrings began, with their first collaboration being with New Hope Integrated Behavioral Healthcare in Marlboro, which is dedicated to the treatment of adults and adolescents affected with alcohol, drug and gambling addiction. At first doing this with a small team, Heartstrings expanded. “I got a team behind me. It all grew.” Music lessons included songwriting, guitar and vocal lessons, and a newly implemented drum circle for handicapped children. 

However, like many nonprofits, Heartstrings was greatly affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. Heartstrings lessons moved online where Bongiovi could virtually teach. When restrictions began to lift, Bongiovi found herself having to start much of the nonprofit over again, searching for new instructors. Now, though, Bongiovi is enthusiastic about Heartstrings’ status, as new partnerships that have been fostered in recent years, enabling them to grow.

“We have so many things we’re doing now and so many groups we’re partnering with,” she notes. They’ve partnered with the Emmanuel Cancer Foundation (ECF), a nonprofit that has provided families faced with pediatric cancer a support system through counseling, advocacy, and material support for the past 40 years. Heartstrings also partners with K.E.Y.S., (The Knowledge Empowers Youth and Sobriety Academy), a recovery high school on the Lincroft campus of Brookdale Community College. K.E.Y.S. provides free programs to academically assist high school students with substance abuse disorders. Most recently, Heartstrings partnered with Prevent Child Abuse - New Jersey, which promotes family wellness, education, and provides training and technical assistance to youth and family-serving organizations and schools. “We’re doing this for them,” Bongiovi says of her nonprofit partners. “It’s very exciting.”

Bongiovi cannot help but thank the people around her that have helped Heartstrings come together. She acknowledges all of the volunteers and instructors before herself. Her friends and partners, Dr. Bill Heddaeus and Dr. Khani Nguyen from B+K Dental in Freehold, are just one of the sponsors of a Heartstrings recipient. Nguyen raves about Bongiovi and her work, lauding her “dedication, compassion, and faith.” Bongiovi, however, acknowledges the community. “Music is the universal language that soothes the soul. I’m humbled by it. It’s God’s work. I see it time and time again.”

This year, Heartstrings, alongside Jody Joseph Music, presents its 22nd Annual Christmas Show. The show will take place Sunday, December 21, at 11a.m. (with doors opening at 10:30 a.m.) at Bar Anticipation (Bar A), 703 16th Ave, Lake Como. The Christmas Show will feature a gift auction, as well as a Progressive 50/50. All donations will benefit Heartstrings and their mission. 

If you would like to learn more about Heartstrings and how to support their mission, head to HeartstringsMusicNJ.com