Covenant House International

It's pretty simple: if there's not enough housing to go around, many young people trying to get by without a safety net are going to be priced out. That's why building affordable-for-youth housing is a key part of our path to ending youth homelessness as we know it today.

"¡Resistiré!" sings the band at La Alianza - Covenant House Guatemala. "I will hold on, I will overcome." Teenagers at our shelter for boy survivors of sexual violence and trafficking in Guatemala are using music to reclaim their joy and break cycles of violence. Jamming out on guitars, drums, and horns, they're demonstrating how the love and respect they receive at Covenant House is helping them overcome pain and fear. Miguel, the residential coordinator, knows how much the band means to this group of boys. “We were raised with violence and fear," he says, "and now we have to find a new pathway that lets us hear our feelings and emotions.” /// "¡Resistiré!" cantan los jóvenes en La Alianza . "Resistiré para seguir viviendo." Los jóvenes de nuestro refugio para sobrevivientes masculinos de violencia sexual y trata en Guatemala encuentran en la música una forma de recuperar la alegría y romper los ciclos de violencia. Con guitarras, batería y metales, se han convertido en roqueros, expresando cómo el amor y el respeto que reciben en La Alianza los ayudan a superar el sufrimiento y el miedo. Miguel, el coordinador residencial, sabe lo mucho que la banda significa para este grupo de jóvenes. "Crecimos con violencia y miedo," dice, "y ahora tenemos que encontrar un nuevo camino que le dé voz a nuestros sentimientos y emociones."

Can you raise $111 this month to completely cover a young person's first night of safety? Start your campaign: https://lnkd.in/e7Cd_JQE

A few weeks ago, we convened more than 150 leaders from across our federation to learn and grow together in Chicago. CEO Bill Bedrossian shared his insights from the conference on this month's installment of Bill's Blog!

Food and shelter are always free for youth at Covenant House. Our residents don't usually have much spare cash, even for resources they truly need. Our supporters ensure that young people at Covenant House never have to pay for the chance to get back on their feet. The Covenant House model lets young people stop worrying about the day-to-day stress of survival and start building toward a stable future. It doesn't take much to give them that gift.

When we end youth homelessness, we also reduce the risk of young people being exploited or trafficked. Our advocacy team was proud to participate in the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Coalition this week. We met with survivors, advocates, and members of Congress to work out real, bipartisan solutions for ending human trafficking and creating healing pathways for survivors. Shout out to Congressman Chris Smith for recognizing the great work of many in the room, including Covenant House New Jersey. He has been a steadfast leader of the anti-trafficking movement and we applaud his continued leadership! Covenant House has always been a place of refuge for survivors, but our support goes much further than direct care. By participating in this coalition with more than 60 organizations and eight members of Congress, we're working toward a future where no young person is subjected to the horrors of human trafficking.

If we do nothing, youth homelessness in the U.S. could triple in the next 10 years. So we have to do something about it. Covenant House is using data, collaboration, and our core principle of absolute respect for young people to address the roots of the crisis — not just the symptoms. There is room for your voice in this movement. Get on board today. https://lnkd.in/dgrfceP

What was once an abandoned dirt lot behind Covenant House Greater Washington is now a youth-run hydroponic farm that produces over 100 pounds of produce per week. Over the last year, youth who access our services center in Washington D.C. have worked with OurFarm DC to turn an empty shipping container into a fully-functioning hydroponic farm and community garden. The produce they harvest feeds youth overcoming homelessness at Covenant House, food insecure communities in D.C. through Martha's Table and even customers at local fine-dining restaurants and farmers markets! Covenant House Greater Washington CEO Angela Jones-Hackley says “I envision expanding this partnership to reach even more individuals, build sustainable food systems, and provide job opportunities for those we serve. Together, we will grow more than produce. We will grow hope, resilience, and a brighter future for our community.”

First things first: our door is open 24/7 and there will always be someone there to greet you. Getting help from Covenant House is completely free. We welcome young people ages 18-24 from all backgrounds. No one is ever turned away without support of some kind, and you do not have to pass any tests, get a referral, or present any evidence that you are in need of sanctuary. No matter when you walk in, your immediate needs are the first concern. At any of our sites, you will be offered a meal, a shower, laundry or clean clothes, and a safe place to rest — all before anyone asks why you've shown up. Most Covenant House locations have clinics on-site to provide immediate healthcare, and those that don't have partnerships with local providers. The average length of a stay in our short-term housing program is 78 days, but everyone's timeline is different. You can leave and come back to Covenant House as many times as you need. If you choose to stay and participate in our programs, we develop an individual case plan to meet your specific needs and interests so you can begin your next steps toward a meaningful and independent future. "When I entered the open arms of Covenant House, they lifted me up, cleaned me up, and directed me down the right path. I’m convinced I would have never redirected my life without them, and at 18 years old with almost a decade of repeated homelessness, domestic abuse, and nowhere to turn, they were truly my guiding light!" -Amy, former Covenant House resident https://lnkd.in/ePYk8YnP

Last month we had a great panel discussion diving into the specific challenges young women face while experiencing homelessness. RSVP for our next Telephone Town Hall in May to get insights into our big-picture strategy to #EndYouthHomelessness!