"The high rate of youth homelessness and the dire need for housing in Southern Nevada was distressing to us," Bon Jovi, who is chairman of the foundation, said in a news release. Through Sands Cares, Las Vegas Sands is investing $100,000 in the project, the first contribution toward the goal of $500,000. "We hope to see a big community rally around the campaign momentum started by the JBJ Soul Foundation and Sands Cares," Ron Reese, a spokesman for the Las Vegas Sands, said in the release. "It's imperative that we give our community's vulnerable youth a fresh start." To supplement donations, the Bon Jovi foundation pledged to match additional donations dollar for dollar, up to $100,000, to encourage further gifts. The campaign is part of the Southern Nevada Plan to End Youth Homelessness, which was released in November and maps out a strategy of increasing housing through innovative funding partnerships with the public and private sector.