Youth Homelessness: Journey to Wholeness and Independence

Young people arrive at Covenant House with an array of lived experiences, including foster care, family trauma, substance use, mental health issues, domestic violence, sexual abuse, and human trafficking. Youth may come to us scarred by anti-LGBTQ discrimination and violence, or as parents of small children, or pregnant. Our staff meet them where they are and accompany them, through our high-quality services, on their journey to wholeness and independence. In 34 cities across six countries, Covenant House builds bridges to hope for young people facing homelessness and survivors of human trafficking, meeting their immediate needs for food, clothing, protection, and medical care and supporting them to advance their goals of education and employment. Covenant House encompasses a robust network of “houses,” with best-in-class services and a shared commitment to unconditional love, absolute respect, and relentless support for each young person who walks through our doors. Founded as a drop-in center in New York City in 1972, Covenant House now serves thousands of children and youth every year in our residential, outreach, and drop-in programs. Our dedicated staff across the United States, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Canada employ a strengths-based, trauma-informed practice model that helps young people discover and develop their power to overcome adversity now and into the future. Visit to learn more about us.