CNN Heroes: Bon Jovi's homelessness heroes

(CNN) -- Jon Bon Jovi's heroes are two women who live and work by a simple motto: "None of us are home until all of us are home."

Billl Clinton, left, with Bon Jovi and Project H.O.M.E.'s Mary Scullion, right, and Joan Dawson McConnon.

Sister Mary Scullion and Joan Dawson McConnon founded Project H.O.M.E. in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1989 in an effort to eradicate homelessness wherever possible.

Word of their efforts soon reached the musician and actor, who is also co-owner of arena football team Philadelphia Soul. From the inception of the franchise, Bon Jovi's mission has been to use the team to give back to the community.

He met Scullion and McConnon about three years ago and has been using his rock star Rolodex to woo high-profile supporters and garner attention for Project H.O.M.E. ever since. H.O.M.E. stands for Housing, Opportunities for Employment, Medical Care and Education.

"They to me are what heroes can and should be," said Bon Jovi. "Ordinary people taking on an extraordinary cause and making a huge difference in that community."

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The National Coalition for the Homeless estimates that close 3.5 million people in the United States are without a home. Scullion and McConnon are determined to reduce those numbers.

"It just struck me that in this country, where there's so much that nobody should have to put their body on a vent or in a doorway to sleep. It was just unacceptable," says McConnon.

Scullion and McConnon knew they had to do more than simply get people off the streets and into shelters.

"We wanted to find a way to provide opportunities for employment where people could gain some experience, some confidence and then as a springboard to go out into the competitive employment," says Scullion.

"So from the very beginning ... it was free units of housing. But on the first floor we also provided space for a restaurant, a catering business, a bookstore and a thrift store ... And the residents would be employed through these various businesses." Watch Bon Jovi, Scullion and McConnon discuss Project H.O.M.E. »

The approach worked. Since 1989, through a combination of street outreach, housing, health care, education and employment, Project H.O.M.E. has helped thousands of people break the cycle of homelessness and poverty.

And since they met Bon Jovi, the trio have built a mutually beneficial working relationship.

Bon Jovi works with Project H.O.M.E. as a spokesperson, while Scullion offers advice and insight to his Philadelphia Soul Charitable Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the football franchise, which after three seasons has given $2 million to local causes.

"Jon Bon Jovi's leadership has truly been invaluable," says Scullion. "He's opened so many doors, so many venues, not just for Project H.O.M.E. but for the issue of homelessness."

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Recently, through Bon Jovi's efforts, former President Bill Clinton announced the Phase V Homeownership Project -- a unique partnership that Bon Jovi helped broker between Project H.O.M.E., Habitat for Humanity, the Philadelphia Soul Charitable Foundation and General Motors Saturn division.

Phase V is a project that will renovate 15 row houses in one of Philadelphia's most poverty-stricken neighborhoods. The project represents an innovative public-private partnership with funds coming in from both sectors.

Bon Jovi said Scullion and McConnon have inspired him, and that they deserve the credit for bringing about change.

"I think that what I lend to them is nothing more than a spotlight," he said. "When you look at Sister Mary and Joan, they didn't have the money and they didn't have the notoriety, but what they had was the desire to make this work."

CNN Producers Allie Brown and Lyda Ely contributed to this report.