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We have a large number of migrant young people who cross the southern border and looking for safety and sanctuary,” Shakeema North, interim executive director at Covenant House New York, said. The project aligns with and reflects New York State’s efforts to identify and address root causes of homelessness and at-risk youth unemployment. These grants will also support the retention of CHNY’s 236 existing jobs and the creation of 25 new jobs. For just $19 per month, you can provide meals, shelter and love to youth who sleep at a Covenant House each night. Reasons vary with every case, but there are commonalities as to why these runaways decide to flee their homes. “Often times there’s domestic violence or mental health issues in the family.
Opening of Covenant House New York’s Manhattan Facility
For over 45 years, Covenant House New York has served as the New York City’s largest home for young adults, ages 16 to 24, who have been left on the streets. Within the COVID-19 epicenter, the shelter faces some added challenges but has committed to giving these abandoned individuals new opportunities. Council Member Erik Bottcher said, "I've never facility seen a facility like this before. It's designed to be the kind of place you want to be, rather than a place you need to be. Combined with great programs and staff, this facility has the potential to transform countless lives." Lee, a Republican, had announced his support for the proposal just the day before while flanked by top Republican legislative leaders who had helped shepherd the bill through the GOP-dominant General Assembly. Despite having a board of directors, Covenant House's public face has tended to be its presidents. Father Bruce Ritter founded Covenant House and served as president from 1972 to his resignation in 1990.
Intake and Crisis Shelter
Throughout the 1970s, Covenant House continued to grow its social service programs in New York City; by 1980, Covenant House began expanding to other cities in the United States, and eventually Canada and Central America. Since its humble beginnings nearly fifty years ago, Covenant House has opened locations in 34 cities across five countries and changed the lives of millions of young people. Under CEO Bill Bedrossian’s current leadership, Covenant House International now serves more than 80,000 young people who experience homelessness each year.
New York City Investigates Youth Shelter Accused of Fraud (Published 2016) - The New York Times
New York City Investigates Youth Shelter Accused of Fraud (Published .
Posted: Tue, 17 May 2016 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Mother & Child Programs
For over 50 years, Covenant House New York (CHNY) has been a leader in providing residential services to vulnerable homeless, runaway, and exploited youth. As the largest provider of runaway and homeless youth services in New York City, CHNY serves over 1,600 young adult ages annually with an operating budget of over 30 million dollars. Our doors are open to all young people who need help, regardless of their race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression. We facilitate our services using trauma-informed principles to help homeless youth leave the streets and achieve independence. We also advocate for systemic change through public policy while promoting awareness of critical issues related to youth homelessness. Since 1972, we've opened our doors to more than 1.5 million young people experiencing homelessness and survivors of human trafficking.
During the final vote, protesters chanted “Blood on your hands” and many members of the public who oppose the bill harangued Republican lawmakers after the vote, leading House Speaker Cameron Sexton to order the galleries cleared. Supporters of new legislation to allow some teachers to carry firearms say it will make the state’s schools safer. This is our reaction to teachers and children being murdered in a school. Throughout the late 1970s, Covenant House expanded its social service programs in New York City and began to branch out to other cities in 1980. For the next four decades, Covenant House grew, led by Sister Mary Rose McGeady (1990–2003), Sister Tricia Cruise (2003–2008), Kevin Ryan (2009–2023), and Bill Bedrossian (2023-Present), opening centers in 34 cities in the United States, Canada, and Latin America.
He was succeeded by Sister Mary Rose McGeady, D.C., who served from 1990 to 2003. Patricia A. Cruise resigned her position as president of Covenant House International in 2008. Kevin Ryan, formerly the Child Advocate of New Jersey, became president in 2009, and retired from the position on February 12, 2023. William “Bill” Bedrossian, former CEO of Covenant House California, became CEO & president of Covenant House International on February 13, 2023.
Parenting support, counseling, and education workshops help new moms learn how to care for themselves and their child. As part of the FY 2023 Enacted Budget, Governor Hochul prioritized a statewide effort to address street homelessness and support New York’s most vulnerable. Furthermore, the Governor increased funding by $2 million for Runaway and Homeless Youth Programs to support the expansion of crisis and transitional living beds for vulnerable youth. As part of the FY 2023 Enacted Budget, Governor Hochul prioritized a statewide effort to address street homelessness and support New York's most vulnerable.
Some of our youth are eligible for asylum, others may be eligible for special immigrant juvenile status, which would normalize their lives. It’s an area where CHNY is working hard through the efforts of our in-house attorney and in collaboration with the City Bar Justice Center. When asked if the shelter has seen an uptick during these times, Downing responds that it hasn’t had an issue yet but is expecting an imminent surge. “We’re able to reconnect the youth with family when safe to do so...We expect in the coming months that we’ll see an increase in youth using our services as we did during the economic downturn in 2008,” adds Downing. Nancy Downing describes the changes made behind the shelter’s front doors in a recent interview with NBC New York. As most administrative staff are working from home, the organization has transformed their offices into wellness rooms, used for quarantining youth suffering with COVID-19.
More Than 4 Million Young People Will Experience Homelessness This Year
When a young person from Chad came to our shelter speaking one of the country’s 120 local languages, but neither French nor Arabic, the dominant languages, CHNY turned to Chad’s consulate in New York for help. The dynamic has changed over the ensuing months, as newcomers filter out throughout the city. Today, they arrive from a greater diversity of countries, most notably from African countries. CHNY saw the largest influx of young people from the migrant trail last summer, when southern governors began busing asylum seekers to New York City and other destinations far from the southern U.S. border.
As many as 4.2 million young people will experience a period of homelessness this year in the U.S. alone. The causes of homelessness are complex, and many of the most vulnerable young people in our communities face the greatest risk. "Some of the youth advisors really connect with you. They helped me with my mental health a lot." Part of the solution has been to steer youth toward alternatives that help them advance their education and language learning, Lisa says.
Ritter resigned but was never charged with sexual abuse.[6] Soon after, more accusations surfaced. Four men came forward publicly claiming to have been in sexual relationships with Ritter for years, including multiple who stated the relationships started when they were minors receiving services through Covenant House. A report later prepared for Covenant House counted a total of 15 reported cases of sexual acts between Ritter and youth and young adults who were living or volunteering at the shelter. Mental health support was available as they set up an evacuation center nearby.
You can make a difference in the lives of youth overcoming homelessness by donating your time and money to Covenant House. "They provided me with immediate services and helped me to understand how to navigate my life. Before I was living in stress and fear." In 2021, over 4.2 million young people experienced homelessness of some kind.
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