Steven Tyler Opens Janie's House in Atlanta
The first Janie's House is open in Atlanta! Just when I think I couldn't love Aerosmith's Steven Tyler more than I already do, he creates a safe place for abused young girls.
Speaking as a child abuse survivor, music was and still is my safe haven. Aerosmith, along with so many other bands and musical artists is my source of mental therapy. I wouldn't have survived my childhood without the world of music to escape the physical and emotional abuse. “Dream On” is one of my favorite Aerosmith songs and a song that I use to escape into because the lyrics seem so realistic. I wanted to dream on and wake up in a home where people loved me and didn't want to hurt me or force me to do things that I didn't want to do and that no child should have to endure.
Steven Tyler | Photo Credit: Ultimateclassicrock.com
Sing with me, sing for a year, Sing for the laughter, and sing for my tear
Sing with me, if it's just for today
Maybe tomorrow, the good Lord will take you away-Aerosmith
I always took these lines to mean that life has its ups and downs and that we need to live in the moment as life passes by quickly and tomorrow is not promised.
Steven Tyler | Photo Credit: Forbes and Janie's Fund
I Want to See Aerosmith in Concert!
Sadly, I have yet to see Aerosmith in concert, but I hope to one day soon. A friend offered me tickets to a concert in Atlanta over 10 years ago that I declined. My husband's mother was in town and he thought it would be rude for me not to spend time with her. Little did I know that after I declined the ticket offer, my husband would be offered Atlanta Hawks tickets for that same night as the concert and HE accepted leaving me to entertain his mother. Needless to say, we got into an argument over that little incident. Note to self: Never decline Aerosmith tickets under any circumstances.
Janie's Got a Fund
When I heard Steven Tyler on the Ryan Seacrest morning show talking about the opening of Janie's House, I wanted to write about it and help spread the news. My goal is to volunteer there and to be an example to the girls that there is a way out of the life they were forced to endure. There is a way to forgive the people that caused you harm, although you can never forget what was done to you. You can find love and have a family and be everything to your children that you didn't receive. With the help of therapy and exercise, I believe anyone can heal and live a happy and healthy life.
Steven Tyler told Ryan Seacrest that while he was in rehab in the 1980s, he discovered that most of the women in there were battered and beaten and abused verbally and sexually in huge numbers. He said it was seven to eight out of 10 of the women he encountered there told him similar circumstances. These women told Steven how the gruesome events during their childhood put them on a path of suffering that eventually led them to abuse drugs to mask their pain.
Youth Villages
In 2015, Steven Tyler partnered with one of America's most effective nonprofits, Youth Villages, to create Janie's Fund. Janie's Fund is a philanthropic initiative designed specifically to bring hope and healing for many of our country's most vulnerable girls who have suffered the trauma of abuse and neglect.
Photo Credit: Janie's Fund
First Janie's House in Atlanta
Janie's Fund, through Youth Villages, opened the first Janie's House in the Atlanta area in 2017. Janie's House provides a home for up to 30 girls. Therapy and medical care are provided for each of the girls to help them reconstruct their lives.
Mother's Don't Always Know Best
Steven co-wrote the song “Janie’s Got a Gun” in 1989, which tells the story of a young girl who is abused by her father. Over the 26 years since that song was released, Steven says he has often thought about the impact of sexual abuse. With Janie’s Fund, Steven is using his big voice to give a voice to the thousands of victims who haven’t had one. He feels this is his life’s work and legacy.
Watch the Grand Opening of Janie's House – Atlanta:
Video courtesy of Janie's Fund
Steven Tyler
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and four-time Grammy winner Steven Tyler has established himself as an artist of the highest caliber as the frontman of the legendary rock band Aerosmith. Despite his lengthy resume and many achievements, he considers Janie's Fund to be his life's true mission.
Janie's Fund logo (PRNewsFoto/Youth Villages)
Donate Today!
Janie's Fund is currently accepting donations for at-risk girls at janiesfund.org/give.
Janie’s Fund is a restricted fund and is part of the Youth Villages Foundation (a 501c3 charitable organization) that is governed by a six-person board of directors. The Foundation is charted to solely support the work of Youth Villages Inc. (a 501c3 organization). Janie’s Fund has an Executive Council board comprising 12 individuals who are charged with offering strategic advice and support for ongoing awareness, advocacy, and fundraising efforts.
Get Social with Janie's Fund!
Website | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
What is Child Abuse?
Child abuse is when a parent or caregiver, whether through action or failure to act, causes injury, death, emotional harm, or risk of serious harm to a child. There are many forms of child maltreatment, including neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse, exploitation, and emotional abuse.
If you see signs of abuse with anyone you know or are a victim of child abuse, get help right away.
We hope you enjoyed Simply Amazing Living's “Steven Tyler's Janie's House Grand Opening in Atlanta” post.
69 Comments.
This is such an amazing story. I too am an abuse survivor and you are correct, mothers dont always know best. Sometimes they are the culprit. Janies House is such a gift to these young girls. Thank you Autumn for your insightful blog! The more people know about this house the better!
Thank you so much Marie! I appreciate your support!
Wow, this is super awesome, Steven Tyler, that says alot about a person who has a passion to helps those in need. I live in NW Atlanta, I will definitely look up Janies House. Your story was beautifully written and I love your passion, more people need to be aware of thjs issue.
Thank you so much Magan!
My heart aches as I read!It is so painful to see too many victims .Hope all these end soon and more people come forward to support such causes !
Mine does as well. Thank you for your comment!
it is always wonderful when people who have the voice (literally, in Steven Tyler’s case 🙂 ) work on causes that are so important
LOL! So true! Thank you for your comment.
I admire Aerosmith for supporting this cause! Everyone please support Janie’s fund to help victims of child abuse.
So nice to see big stars using their popularity for a gold cause! Such a great article, had no idea he was doing such wonderful things!
Thank you! This cause is very personal to me!
Ahhh, Aerosmith a group of my youth, lol. I always love to hear when celebrities with the money help causes that are near and dear to them. He was able the see women and hear theor stories and turn around and make a difference which is great. I fully believe everyone should support a cause or two. Support doesn’t always have to involve money.
I agree – support comes in so many ways!
What an amazing event! I love Aerosmith and Steven Tyler, especially! Such great music and he’s got such a unique voice. 🙂
Thank you! This cause is very personal to me.
I am a longtime fan of Steven Tyler and of Aerosmith, and I’m SO psyched to hear that he is awesome in yet another way. It is so amazing that he is doing this!
Wow I had no idea he created this place for abuse victims! So amazing!
This is such an awesome program and I never imagined that Steven Tyler would start something this amazing. I’m sure this will help a lot of young girls. And it’s nice to hear that you’re planning on becoming a volunteer.
I’ve always liked their music and it’s so awesome that Steven Tyler is doing this for young girls. I’m glad he’s doing everything he can to help out. Thanks for sharing this news!
I am happy to help spread the word on Janie’s House as this cause is very personal to me. Thank you for your comment!
Aaaaw this is so sweet. I love to see when celebrities use their voice for a worthy cause. Love it!
Thank you! Celebrities definitely help to spread awareness with their notoriety.
Aerosmith remind me of when I was growing. I think it is great that they are supporting such a worthy cause. It is an amazing feeling when you help someone rebuild thsir lif.
I completely agree! This cause is very personal to me.
I never really looked deeply into those dream on lyrics until now…really powerful.
Speaking of power, what Steven Tyler has done with Janies house is truly a blessing and going to help countless individuals.
Thank you! I love that song! This cause is very personal to me and love all that he is doing to help these young girls.
This is a fantastic cause! I had no idea it existed before this post. Thank you for sharing! Everyone needs support no matter where their struggle lies.
So true. This cause is very personal to me. Thank you for your comment.
It’s always nice when celebrities use their celeb power for good. It’s important to use your platform for good.
I completely agree!
I have never been into aerosmith and I am not familiar at all with what they do but it is great that steven tylers is so involved in the community and dedicated to help others! xx corinne
Helping others is always a great thing to do! Thank you.
What a great cause this is. It is wonderful to see Steven Tyler supporting and brining awareness to Janies house.
Thank you! It is a cause that I care about deeply.
indeed that’s interesting to know this side of him ! I’m a fan of their music and his voice is just amazing ! I swear his voice can calm me down , instant shoote! Is so lovely of you to write and let people know about this side of him
Thank you! I am a huge fan of Aerosmith/Steven Tyler and this cause is very important to me.
Janie’s got a fund. Lol! This is so exciting. I can’t wait to see more. So fun!
thank you!
I had no idea this was a thing and I love it! Makes me love Steven Tyler even more now!!! It makes me so happy hearing stories of celebrities doing wonderful things <3
wow, this was eye-opening!
Thank you. It is a cause I care about deeply.
Nice, spreading this details about Janie’s house, will let the people know about them, and might give donations too. Since it’s for the neglected abused kids. That’s really great/kind of Steve Tyler to do this one!
Thank you! It is a cause that I care about deeply.
How interesting, I didn’t know about this. This looks like an awesome place…and such a great cause.
It is a cause that is near and dear to my heart!
Boy did have a crush on him. My hubby wote me out the lrics to I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing after our first date. This is an amazing place,cheers to Janies House!
LOL! Me too! And I LOVE that song – I don’t want to miss a thing!
Your husband has excellent taste!
Thanks for sharing this! I never knew much about Steven Tyler’s philanthropic work. Also good to hear that you have turned your life around and left the painful past in your past. Yes sadly parents do not always know. Hope you get to enjoy your Aerosmith concert soon! 🙂
Thank you, Cinnamon, for your kind words. I hope I get the chance to see Aerosmith soon as well!
Hope you get the opportunity to see the Aerosmith concert soon and yes this is an amazing program!
Thank you! I hope so as well!
I love when celebrities use their authority to influence someone`s life. It makes us realise how powerful and kind people are. At the end of the day, we are human beings, famous or not we can change the world.
Truer words have never been said! We all can help make the world a better place.
Oh I love this, what a great cause! Steven Tyler is someone I have a lot of time for, Janies House sounds like such a wonderful thing!
I agree! It is a cause near and dear to me!
Oh, I like it. This is such a great cause. That story is so pretty amazing. Very well written.
Thank you Angela!
That’s a wow. Never heard about this. Such a very good deed for a great cause. Kuddos to you Steven. ~~ thanks for sharing this.
You’re welcome. It is a cause that is near and dear to my heart!
thanks for sharing
Happy to help spread the word of this great cause!
O wow such a great post. I too love the song Dream On and thanks for reminding me of it. I do hope you are able to volunteer there and it is such a great cause. Pls keep us updated on how it goes and Good luck!
Thank you! I am looking forward to being a volunteer at Janie’s House soon!
What a great cause! Always so nice to see celebrities actually giving back!
I completely agree! Steven rocks in more ways than one!
Yes indeed. Thank you!
Such a great cause! I didn’t even know this about him. Very touching.
Thank you! It is a cause near and dear to my heart!
I completely agree! And it is a cause that means a lot to me.