Jewel Debuts New Song "Home to Me" to Raise Awareness for the Importance and Benefits of Public Housing

New song, in collaboration with public awareness initiative ReThink, inspired by stories from around the country

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Sep 16, 2014, 10:00 ET

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 16, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the ReThink initiative and four-time Grammy Award nominated singer-songwriter Jewel will unveil a new song, "Home to Me," to raise awareness for the benefits of public housing and to encourage Americans to rethink their perceptions of public housing. "Home to Me" is available for free download at www.ReThinkHousing.org.

The ReThink initiative and four-time Grammy Award nominated singer-songwriter Jewel unveil a new song, "Home to Me," to raise awareness for the benefits of public housing and to encourage Americans to rethink their perceptions of public housing. "Home to Me" is available for free download at www.ReThinkHousing.org. (PRNewsFoto/Housing Authority Insurance, Inc.) (PRNewsFoto/ReThink)

Once homeless, Jewel knows firsthand that a home is more than a place to live. "I'm so honored to share 'Home to Me' and my hope is that the song causes people to stop and rethink the importance of home. Millions of families, veterans, disabled and elderly citizens rely on public housing and I hope that through this new song people consider the positive impact of public housing," says ReThink Ambassador Jewel.

Earlier this year, ReThink launched a contest asking Americans to share stories, photos and thoughts of why housing matters to them. Hundreds of people participated, and after a voting and judging process, ten finalist entries served as the inspiration to Jewel. A grand prize was awarded to Silvia Kearney of Akron, Ohio, and today, she meets Jewel at music venue The Mint in Los Angeles to hear a performance of the song her entry inspired.

"Americans believe that U.S. citizens deserve a safe and decent place to live, but there is little support for public housing. Public housing provides hope for a better future and it gives people a chance to get back on their feet," says J. Len Williams, Chief Executive Officer at the Housing Authority of Columbus, Ga. "Jewel gives an incredible voice to this issue, and we're thankful her new song 'Home to Me' speaks to the impact a home can have on the lives of individuals, families and communities."

Public housing provides homes and services for approximately 2.2 million people in the U.S.; however, the need is much greater than that. At least half a million people including families, veterans, the elderly and disabled across the U.S. are waiting for public housing to become available.

ReThink: Why Housing Matters is an initiative that aims to encourage Americans to realize the benefits that public housing communities offer the greater community. Visit www.ReThinkHousing.org to hear Jewel's perspective, and experience inspirational stories of public housing – and rethink its impact on individuals, families, and your own community.

Get involved and learn more on Facebook at Facebook.com/ReThinkHousing, Twitter at @ReThinkTweets, and YouTube at YouTube.com/ReThinkHousing.

About ReThink
The ReThink initiative was developed by Housing Authority Insurance, Inc. (HAI, Inc.) with the support of its trade partners in the public housing industry. HAI, Inc. is a part of HAI Group, which is a family of companies that serves the public and affordable housing community with special, niche insurance programs as well as other value-added products and services such as training and software solutions. HAI Group and its trade partners believe in supporting ReThink to further the mission and purpose of public housing to provide housing and services to millions of Americans who might otherwise be homeless.

About Housing Authority Insurance, Inc.
Housing Authority Insurance, Inc. (HAI, Inc.) sponsors programs for its membership, including insurance and risk management programs, scholarship and internship programs, and charitable activities. HAI, Inc. advocates for and supports legislative and regulatory issues that help to improve the public and affordable housing industries. HAI, Inc. is a nonprofit association incorporated in 1987.

About Jewel
From the remote ranch of her Alaskan youth to the triumph of international stardom, four-time Grammy nominee Jewel, hailed by the New York Times as a "songwriter bursting with talents," has enjoyed career longevity rare among her generation of artists. Whether alone with her guitar or fronting a band of ace musicians, Jewel has always been a charismatic live performer, earning the respect of other singer-songwriters such as Merle Haggard, Bob Dylan and Neil Young, who, not only invited her to open their shows, but mentored her in the early phases of her career. After a tremendous amount of success as a singer-songwriter and over 27 million albums sold, Jewel released a Greatest Hits album in 2013. The album features a collection of her most known songs as well as two new duets with Kelly Clarkson and The Pistol Annies, in addition to a new track called "Two Hearts Breaking." She also starred as June Carter Cash in the Lifetime biopic "Ring of Fire," which earned four Emmy nominations. In December of 2013 Jewel joined NBC's "The Sing Off" as a new judge as well as released her much anticipated follow-up holiday album, "Let It Snow." Currently, Jewel is recording her 13th studio album, a follow up to her first album "Pieces of You" due in 2015.

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SOURCE ReThink