2009 Annual Report (PDF) - Covenant House

For funding dollars, research initiatives,
corporate partnerships, better and
more comprehensive legislation and
federal policy, and for greater public
acknowledgment and awareness for youth
homelessness, Covenant House advocates
have been the voice for young people
in government, the media, and the
academic community.
In 2009, Covenant House established its
first Advocacy Office based in Washington,
D.C. where our staff work with lobbying
firms, special interest groups, and
Congress members to enact change and
raise awareness of the unique problems
homeless young people face; problems and
needs that are different than those of the
adult homeless population. Together, as
partners with the government, community
agencies, and associations, we seek to
improve the lives of families and young
people everywhere.
Also established in 2009, the Covenant
House Institute, the agency’s first formal
research arm, partners with universities
across the United States to study the
factors contributing to youth homelessness.
By painting a more complete picture of
what brings youth to Covenant House
through the “Youth in Crisis” reporting
series, we can provide better care for our
youth, create a more holistic approach to
rehabilitating their lives, and advocate on
their behalf across the Americas.
Covenant House Institute In the News
“Study Reveals Harsh Life for
Homeless Youth in New York”
The New York Times
March 10, 2009
“Many homeless youth in New York City
are victims of abuse who grew up in
foster care or other institutions and now
lack jobs, a high school education, birth
certificates and adequate health care,
according to a study…
…one of the largest-ever examinations
of young homeless people in New York,
found that their future did not look much
better – because they are dangerously
isolated from mainstream channels of
work, family life and basic schooling…
…Forty-seven percent of the group said
they had been disciplined physically
before entering the shelter, 37 percent
said they had been victims of physical
abuse, and 19 percent had endured sexual
abuse. Forty-one percent said they had
witnessed violence in their homes. The
vast majority said they found it difficult or
impossible to find a good job. Seventyeight
percent said they were unemployed
when they entered the shelter…
…‘It is a wake-up call to all of us that we
have to be incredibly vigilant on behalf of
our kids,’ Mr. Ryan said. ‘Especially in a
time of economic crisis, when families are
feeling the stress and strain that, in many
instances, can cause kids to become even
more disconnected from school and work
and family.’ ”
“Study of homeless teens at
shelter paints a grim picture”
Anchorage Daily News
April 2, 2010
“The first big study of homeless teenagers
and young adults in Anchorage paints
a disturbing picture. Nearly half of the
girls who show up at the Covenant House
shelter have been sexually abused…
Increasing numbers are coming from the
Bush, and only a few rural teens had a
high school diploma or equivalency…
…‘This report quantifies the tragic stories
of our kids and will help us better meet
their needs,’ said Deirdre Cronin, executive
director of Covenant House Alaska…
…Some of these emotionally troubled
children don’t have parents able to take
care of them …or they aren’t getting
the help they need in the community,
researchers say. So they end up at
Covenant House…
…‘We need to constantly make sure that
we are engaging the kids in a way that
shows them we are happy they made the
choice to walk through our front door,’
Cronin said.”
25