Some see their lives fall apart due to financial problems, drug, and alcohol abuse, while others are brought low by mental health issues. At his retirement celebration in 1994, Jordan committed $2 million toward the construction of a new Boys & Girls Club facility on Chicagos west side. Sign up for our daily newsletter for the latest financial news and trending topics. A-list actors, pop stars, football players and tech giants have two things in common: fame and money. During their years in the White House, the Obamas donated over $1 million to various charities and 54% of the money donated went toward causes for children. Why Are Moral Values Important in Children? The lives of thousands of homeless men and women we serve rely on donations like yours. Donation: $1 million. It is almost hard to phantom that Jennifer was ever homeless, but she was. She opened up about it a few years ago and let the world know about previous struggles that she faced before becoming an Oscar-winning actress. Lopez's mother put her out of the home when she was 18 years old. John Travolta and Kelly Preston have given fans glimpses into their family's lives over the years before the actress' death in July 2020. Pink. The "Luke Cage" actress also co-founded an ethicalfashion start-up withfashion executive Abrima Erwiah called "Studio 189," which enables poor Ghanaian communities to take advantage of the global fashion market. He moved to Hawaii when he was 19 years old and was unable to afford a place to live. Pacino has certainly had his, as he is one of the most influential actors in the American film industry. Children Michael was also known for secretly donating to strangers in need, including $21,307.80 to a contestant on "Deal or No Deal" who needed money for an IVF treatment. Read about the timeJohn Legend paid off $5,000 in school lunch debt for 99 Seattle schools. Beyonc donated $7 million to fund a homeless housing development in her hometown of Houston. So far, Water.org has helped provide clean water to over 17 million people. . Before Chris Pratt became a well-known actor that everyone knows and loves to do with a net worth of $60 million, he was actually homeless. That 41,000-square-foot building still stands today, where it serves 1,250 club members and offers programs and services including physical and health education, mentoring, computer education, social recreational activities and leadership clubs for the youth of Chicago. Additionally, Chance, who is a three-time Grammy winner, was presented with the 2017 BET Humanitarian Award byMichelle Obama. Snoop Dogg One of hip-hop's most iconic figures, Snoop should also be known for being a huge troop supporter. Eminem runs the Marshal Mathers Foundation, which according to CafeMom, "often gives money away on the condition that its source be kept secret." Obviously, he is very far from his days of homelessness or financial struggles. Fans of the "Ellen DeGeneres Show" know that the talk show superstar often surprises her live studio audiences with exorbitant giveaways but her generosity doesn't end with her fans. When shes not Imperator Furiosa on the big screen, Charlize Theron is a hero in the real world. Another lovely moment happened when he a woman who appeared on Deal or No Deal was given 15,000 by an "anonymous donor" after she talked on air about her reasons for applying for the TV show. Advertiser Disclosure: Many of the offers appearing on this site are from advertisers from which this website receives compensation for being listed here. . But before the Oscar winner was gracing the red carpet at glitzy awards events, most people don't realise that the actress had actually been homeless for a while before earning her big break. Diners can earn their meals by volunteering at the restaurant. The Ellen Fund is so honored to support the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund in their dream of finding a permanent home in Rwanda. I just want to bring awareness to this issue. Mike Windle/Getty Former talk show host and current billionaire media mogul Oprah Winfrey has used her fame and the affluence that comes with it to funnel hundreds of millions of dollars into various organizations and charities. There is still work to do so please continue to donate and do all you can to restore our city. These offers do not represent all available deposit, investment, loan or credit products. One of the most powerful filmmakers, writers, producers and actors in Hollywood today is Tyler Perry. Simply the Worlds Most Interesting Travel Site, Mariah Carey Fans Finally Understand Why She Doesn't Help Her Homeless Sister. Garcelle Beauvais has consistently donated her time and resources to homeless charities and centers such as the Los Angeles Mission. When Daniel Craig was 15 years old, he was totally broke. Through that, she has given more than $50 million to support literacy and children's education programs. A lot of these celebrities have actually overcome difficult struggles in the past before reaching high levels of success and fame. The "Scandal" alum served food to the city's homeless and spread awareness to help combat the issue. 6am - 10am, Take My Breath Away From ending world hunger to enriching childrens lives with STEM education click through to see what your favorite celebrity is doing to make the world a better place. She even published a cookbook from the recipes she cooked with the women with the proceeds used to raise funds for the facility. Oprah might be the queen of a media empire, but she hasnt let her staggering $3.2 billion net worth go to her head. Jon Bon Jovi A rock icon, actor and philanthropist, Jon Bon Jovi was the frontman of Grammy Award-winning rock band Bon Jovi. Sometimes the best charities are those with a deeply personal meaning; such is the case with the Michael J. She found herself homeless while living in New York City after her parents kicked her out since she did not want to pursue further education. Who We Are Celebrities use their star power to help homeless pets Best Friends Animal Society's Celebrity Supporters are public figures who have lent their names and voices to the help save the lives of dogs and cats in need. Taylor was then widely believed to have donated $4,000 to his cause, after three donations popped up, using the initials 'TS', 'MGS' and 'OBS' (the latter referring to her cats Meredith Grey and Olivia Benson). One of the biggest one-time donations ever given by a celebrity was from legendary rapper/producer Dr. Dre. In the 40s and 50s, child star Bobby Driscoll was one of the biggest names in Hollywood. You can click on the 'unsubscribe' link in the email at anytime. Damon's foundation hopes to eliminate poverty by creating clean water for disadvantaged communities in 13 countries that include Brazil, Uganda, and Indonesia. Unable to work, Moran's life fell apart, and at 52, she was evicted from the trailer she was living in and turned out onto the streets. It makes me feel really sad that people are just living like this, and the problem is getting worse.". Superstar Jennifer Lopez tops our list. When a Jewish elementary school in Montreal was firebombed, he donated enough to help rebuild the school's library. Miley is also the founder of theHappy Hippie Foundation, a nonprofit organization, whose mission is "to rally young people to fight injustice facing homeless youth, LGBTQ youth, and other vulnerable populations. In March 2020, the CLF. He recalled his meager beginnings during a commencement speech at Stanford University: "I would. Women. He revealed that he was living in Kansas City in a car with his father. They hope to build more inexpensive homes for needy families.At the end of the day, charity boils down to passion. These are those celebs. 2023 . He began this charitable endeavor when his sister, Kim, was diagnosed with leukemia. Per Huffington Post, Forbes reported that nobody at the Silver Mountain Foundation of the Arts takes a salary; rather, Streep and Gummer have donated about$1 million a year to a number of organizations including: Oxfam America, New Yorks Meals on Wheels, the Coalition for the Homeless, the National Womens Museum, Vassar College, and more. RELATED:How Much Was Jim Carrey Paid For How The Grinch Stole Christmas? Before undertaking any course of treatment please consult with your healthcare provider. Meryl has worked to empower women and girls with organizations like the United Nations' Girl Up. A separate foundation called the Seinfeld Family Foundation supports children's education, health, and the arts. Prince's dedication to several causes only became public after his death. 2. The. In 2011, he and his wife opened Jon Bon Jovi Soul Kitchen in Redbank, NJ. Her impressive nonprofit group currently supports six schools in the Colombian regions of Altos de Cazuc, Quibd and Barranquilla positively affecting more than 30,000 vulnerable children and their families. Other successful celebrity women who have been homeless include Halle Berry, Carmen Electra, and Jewel. The actor has been quietly donating millions and millions of dollars to children's hospitals and cancer research over the years. Nia Longs Mother Talita Long Is an Artist & Composer - Meet Her, New Mom Is Separated from Her Baby Right after Birth, Finally Meets Him 58 Years Later, Charlie Battles Was Reba McEntire's First Husband They Had a 10-Year Age Difference, Erin Moran 'Battled Demons' & Was 'Nobody' after Hollywood 'Chewed Her up and Spat Her Out', 'Family Affair's' Johnny Whitaker's Family Threatened to 'Divorce' Him after He Became Penniless, Scott Baio & Erin Moran got Real Close as a couple behind Their On-Screen Romance as Joanie & Chachi, The information in this article is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. "Grace Under Fire" actress Brett Butlerin the 90s | Source: Getty Images. Miley Cyrus has donated to and volunteered with a long list of charitable organizations, including the Red Cross, City of Hope, the Libby Ross Foundation, the Starkey Hearing Foundation, and Blessings in a Backpack. J.K. Livin, as the couple calls it, focuses on providing fitness programs for youngsters from Texas to California, where they use cardio and games to encourage wellness, community service and nutrition. Since those dark days, Bonaduce has recovered, married, and is a radio DJ in Philadephia. 50 Celebrities Turning the Big 5-0 in 2020! Even before she became royalty, Meghan Markle had been involved in many charities. Luckily, she and her husband, Tony Ressler, are very generous. Sometimes it's free to look so good. Now, that's how a King should behave to his people. During such events, fans and concert-goers are encouraged to donate non-perishable food items. He gave $1 million to a Harlem-based non-profit that worked with inner-city kids. Her efforts have helpedestablish a computer center, a reading program, two water wells, and more infrastructure for different villages in India. And he's been known to cook hot meals for first responders and victims of wildfires in his home state of California. They were able to stay at a five-dollar room at the downtown YMCA until they could save up the money they needed to put a deposit down on a one-bedroom apartment. Halsey is an extremely strong individual who overcame homelessness when she was a teenager. But she also has her own organization the Happy Hippie Foundation a non-profit dedicated to raising awareness of issues of homeless and vulnerable youth in the LGBTQ+ community. Later, when Twain was just 16, she took shelter by squatting in a vacant house and sleeping on buses. I don't know about you, but I don't think of Alec Baldwin as the most charitable soul. When the series was canceled in 1998, Butler, who had been battling drug addiction for years, moved to a farm in Georgia. Over the course of her career, Angelina Jolie has shown just how much she cares about the lives and well-being of others. Wonderwall.com is taking a look at a few of these celebs, starting with Emmy Rossum. Happy Hippie Foundation, a nonprofit organization. Not only did Nicki Minaj spontaneously pledgeto pay off a selection of her Twitter followers' student loans (and other school-related expenses) in 2017, but for years she's been sending money to villages in India via her pastor, Lydia Woodson-Sloley. 30. donating money to support an entire Indian village, gave $1 million to a Harlem-based non-profit, donated $200,000 to Wolverine Human Services, donated over $40 million to charitable organizations, supported St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital. Established in 2007 by the South African actor and UN Messenger of Peace, the Africa Outreach Program connects community organizations throughout the continent with the tools they need to thrive. These past few years, the band has made various efforts to address hunger in the United States. The trio were most recently seen volunteering at an Easter charity event in March 2018. Several stars have taken up the cause of homelessness and poverty, hoping to spark change in their communities. Civil rights leader Rev Al Sharpton tweeted to describe him as a "sincere humanitarian", and revealed how Prince would often give him money to give quietly to others, such as the family of killed teenager Trayvon Martin. Not only that, but he also bought his mum a house, bought Harley Davidsons for stunt crews on The Matrix, and took pay cuts so his films could hire other big name actors. Among his benefactors is the St. Francis Food Pantries and Shelters. After Prince's death, stories of his many behind-the-scenes charity work started to be talked about. I knew I liked her. At 103 years old, Kirk Douglas is the last surviving star of the film industrys Golden Age. List of famous people who were homeless, loosely ranked by fame and popularity. What do Beyonc, George Lucas, Shakira, and Bette Midler all have in common? The call to action raised a record amount, enough to finance an entire home, Habitat LA announced in September 2018. Watson, aU.N. Women Goodwill Ambassador and member of the HeForShe campaign, launched an ethical fashion line with PeopleTree in 2009, encouraged her fans to skip her birthday and donate to UNICEF's charity fund, and supports charities such as the Small Steps Project. Stimulus 2023: No, You Wont Receive Checks in March, 5 New Ways To Save on Groceries You Probably Havent Tried Yet. The rockstar also established the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation, an NGO that builds affordable houses. He once walked into a thrift store run by a cancer charity and wrote them a check for $1,300. Unfortunately, they had to move into a van because they were not able to afford the place that they were living in before. Actor and social activist Mark Ruffalo is a known environmentalist his support of green campaigns, such as "The Solutions Project," which pushes for a transition towards using 100% clean energy for everyone, and his standing as a member of "Artists Against Fracking" helped earn him The Humanitarian Award in 2014 for his work with Water Defense at the BAFTA Los Angeles Britannia Awards. She was found dead in 2017 from untreated stage 4 cancer of the throat. With your help, we can end homelessness! Shar Jackson has volunteered several times at the Los Angeles Mission in downtown L.A., serving food and spreading awareness about homelessness. Poverty In reality, a lot of these celebrities have actually overcome difficult struggles in the past before reaching high levels of success and fame. Kylie not only became a house sponsor, but she is also planning to help build the home alongside its future owners. After extensive research, the. Throughout it, they emphasized that the homeless were just . Despite his best efforts though, some stories have gotten out, like the time he donated $200,000 to Wolverine Human Services, an organization that helps at-risk youth in his home state of Michigan. He is known for his rough lyrics and upbringing in the notorious south central area of Los Angeles known as Compton. Like so many child stars, Bonaduce's transition to adulthood was difficult. It sounds like Keanu Reeves is exactly the guy he seems to be, and isn't that just the best? We need to demand change so that every homeless person can get the help they need," Ed told Glamour magazine. Back in 2009, Dr. Phil revealed that he dealt with homelessness struggles the summer before he became a teenager. After recovering from COVID-19, Pink donated $500,000 to the Temple University Hospital Fund in Philadelphia, in honor of her mother, who worked there for 18 years, according to an Instagram post. Long before she was a country music superstar, Shania Twain struggled with homelessness. RELATED: Celebs and their cute kids in 2018. Who is the most famous person who was homeless? 12 Cherished Celebs Who Did Terrible Things You Wish You Didn't Know About. She has a passion for writing about topics related to morality and helping the poor and homeless. ", wenty-two people were killed and an additional 116 were injured in a suicide bombing at on of herconcerts in May 2017, the singer hosted abenefit concertcalled ". A Complete Timeline Of J. Legend then established the Show Me Campaign, which "seeks to give every child access to a quality education," partnered withMillennium Promise Allianceto serve African villages in need, and established FREEAMERICA,a multi-year culture campaign that aims to transform America's criminal justice system. For the Colombia-born Shakira, the Barefoot Foundation hits close to home. Not only did Angelina create the Jolie-Pitt foundation with her ex-husband in 2006 in an effort to aid humanitarian causes around the world, Jolie was appointed Special Convoy to theUnited NationsHigh Commissioner for Refugees in 2012, following years of dedicated service to the program and the cause of refugee rights. She opened up about it a few years ago and let the world know about previous struggles that she faced before becoming an Oscar-winning actress. They donate to Project Night Night, which distributes blankets, stuffed animals, and bedtime story books . What do you think of all of the celebrities who used to be homeless? Rowling dropped off the list after donating an estimated $160 million in charitable donations, combined with Britain's high tax rates. I don't know if you know this I definitely didn't but Nicki Minaj has been donating money to support an entire Indian village for years. He just wants to do the good thing. If you have the heart for helping like theses celebrities helping the homeless, thats all that counts. "Thanks to everyone who donated to BeyGOOD and contributed to helping so many families in Houston," Beyonce wrote in a Instagram post. Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. In 2011, he and his wife opened Jon Bon Jovi Soul Kitchen in Redbank, NJ. Alongside her mom, Cynthia Germanotta, Lady Gaga founded the Born This Way Foundation in 2012 with the noble goal of creating a kinder and braver world. To achieve those means, Lady Gagas foundation focuses on empowering youth through mental health resources and providing other services that bestow a more positive environment for young people. But some of them do it more quietly than others. But Driscoll started taking drugs, and by 19, was on the downward slope to homelessness. , musician and activistJohn Legend reportedly traveled to Ghana to further his education on the problems faced by African countries. Michael Oher is an NFL player who primarily played the professional sport with the Baltimore ravens. A tight-knit tribe! The result of a charitable merger between WaterPartners and the Matt Damon-founded charity, H20 Africa, Water.org has a very direct mission: Provide as many people as possible with access to clean water. Among the organizations efforts to raise awareness for the 1.2 billion people worldwide who lack access to clean water, Damon teamed with the Oscar-winning documentarian, James Moll, to create the charitys feature documentary. With more than 100 acting credits, including roles as Nelson Mandela and God, Morgan Freeman knows the meaning of hard work. 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