You can t dream of a future when the street is your reality.

Transcription

1 You can t dream of a future when the street is your reality.

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3 For 25 years, Covenant House New Orleans has provided a safe haven for homeless and at-risk youth ages Located on the edge of the French Quarter, we shelter neglected and abused kids from the New Orleans area and from across the United States. Covenant House is governed by a local, volunteer Board of Directors and staffed with experienced, dedicated professionals and volunteers. 3

4 Blessed is he who, in the name of charity and good will, shepherds the weak through the valley of the darkness, for he is truly his brother s keeper and the finder of lost children. Ezekiel 25:17. 4 Outreach Our specially trained team reaches out to homeless kids on the street and in abandoned buildings. We offer them food, support and transportation home or to Covenant House where we can help them. We also accept street kids that are referred by the police and other service providers. If you need our help: Call our Nineline Crisis Hotline Emergency Shelter and Crisis Care The doors of the Ciaccio Crisis Center are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. When kids walk through our doors, we provide a hot meal, clothes, a bed, caring staff and so much more. Our first goal is to reunite kids with family. All too often, that is not a viable option. So our case managers and counselors help them find jobs and housing, important steps in the transition to independent living. Individual medical assessments are provided within 72 hours. Adolescent and pediatric health services are provided on site by Tulane Medical

5 No matter how full we are we will never turn a child away. Jim Kelly, Executive Director School. For some kids, treatment for substance abuse and behavioral/mental health issues is important, and licensed professionals are here to help them. A personalized case plan is also developed with each youth. It includes goals in employment, education, health, parenting, and other areas. We enroll our kids in a variety of skill building classes based on their intake assessments. Classes cover life skills and parenting issues, computer literacy and job readiness training, job search, journaling, and values communication. Literacy and GED prep classes are provided off-site by NOPLAY and other community partners. We work with our residents every step of the way. Once they are working, they save 80% of each paycheck. When they have enough money, we help them locate an affordable apartment. Our support will continue as long as they need us. Our young mothers with children benefit from childcare and an Early Head Start program run by Total Community Action. Moms can continue their education, work, find an apartment and build independence while their young children receive pre-school education. 5

6 The staff here at Covenant House have had a big impact on my life, and if I hadn t come here, I don t know where I d be or what I d be doing with my life. 6

7 We are part of Covenant House International, the largest provider of services to homeless youth in North America. Rights of Passage Transitional Living Program Youth, who are highly motivated have another opportunity for housing and support while they work and finish their education. Our Rights of Passage (ROP) residential program is a university for street kids. ROP residents have their own residence on our campus. They attend school and work between 50 to 60 hours a week. We provide case management support while they build skills and resources for independent living. Kids save 40% of their income and contribute 20% for rent. Permanent Supportive Housing For our youth and young parents with a diagnosed disability, we offer Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH). PSH offers long term housing, supportive services, health and mental health care, and financial assistance. Job Training White Dove Landscaping is a full service landscape and design program run by Covenant House. Interns in our job readiness and training program learn about plant propagation, garden design, and landscape installation and maintenance. Then we help them find jobs. Our kids also enroll in other job training programs in the community, such as Café Hope, Café Reconcile, Goodwill, Job 1, Liberty s Kitchen and Youth Build. 7

8 I want to go to college and become a surgical nurse so I can make enough money to give back to the people at Covenant House. 8 PHOTO & #2, #6 on cover: Cheryl Gerber

9 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me... Matthew 25:31-46 Please Support Covenant House This year we will provide over 36,000 nights of shelter. 100% success rate for sheltering, feeding and clothing homeless youth in crisis +60% success rate for placing homeless youth and families in stable living situations Soon after I was born my mom went to prison and my dad died from HIV. My grandma took care of my sisters and me until she died when I was 11. They split my Average Daily Census: Youth Shelter/Crisis Center: 52 Rights of Passage: 14 Offsite Apartments: 36 Total: 102 Programs 83% Fundraising 6% Management 11% sisters and me up and I went to my aunt s but she was a drug user and couldn t take care of me. 9

10 I thank God and every staff here for providing me an opportunity to start over and have endless possibilities. 10 PHOTO: Jackson Hill

11 We would like to extend a warm thank you to our partners in service to youth: Café Hope, Café Reconcile, Catholic Charities, the City of New Orleans and Job 1, Goodwill, Liberty s Kitchen, St. Judes, Total Community Action, Tulane Community Health Clinic and Drop-In Center, UNITY, Urban League, VOA, Youth Build and the Youth Empowerment Project/NOPLAY, Our Guiding Principles Immediacy: In crisis, needing life s basics of food, clothing and shelter, the kids come to Covenant House day or night and are accepted without question or cost. Sanctuary: We offer kids protection from the streets and from their past. We stress the reality of the present moment, and encourage belief in their potential for the future. Values Communication: Lasting, caring relationships are built on trust, respect and honesty. We teach our kids that the values of street life are destructive. Structure: Stability is unknown on the streets. We offer kids guidelines, plans and options, not rules and regulations that will impede them. Choice: Change, freely chosen, brings the surest progress. We assist our kids in making positive decisions about their future. 11

12 Support our mission and our kids Advocate for Youth and Children Share our mission with your family and friends. Spend more time with your children and grandchildren. Support legislation that protects and safeguards children and families. Get Connected to Covenant House Volunteer By donating your time, you can become part of the positive change in our kids lives. Please contact us at (504) to learn about our current volunteer opportunities. Donate It costs over $200 a day to care for a youth in crisis. We are 82% privately funded and depend on individuals like you to continue our work. Donate online at MISSION STATEMENT We who recognize God s providence and fidelity to His people are dedicated to living out His Covenant among ourselves and those children we serve, with absolute respect and unconditional love. That commitment calls us to serve suffering children of the street, and to protect and safeguard all children. Just as Christ in His Humanity is the visible sign of God s presence among His people, so our efforts together in the covenant community are a visible sign that effects the presence of God, working through the Holy Spirit among ourselves and our kids. Pray Pray for our kids. With God s grace, we can help them turn their lives around and have futures filled with hope and peace. 611 North Rampart Street New Orleans, LA