A couple weeks ago I had the privilege of invading the world of Covenant House, on a tour of its New York Branch. With our late summer supplies drive coming up, I needed to take a closer peek at the organization that would be receiving our collections.
My tour began in the main lobby Crisis center, open 24/7 for kids turning to CV for shelter. Here I met Brandi, the director of the New York location. Awaiting me was the image of two girls, both not older than 17, eyes glazed, fists clenching the little belongings they had. They waited to speak to a case worker who would determine if Covenant House was the place for them, and if it was they would be put in a 30 day program. The girls resembled any teenager hanging out and being carefree on our New York streets. I couldn't even begin to guess what brought them here, I was just happy that they knew to come to the center.
We continued to a residential mothers and babies floor, part of a transitional program, where the kids can stay for up to 2 years. The hallways were colored with art work from the kids strewn all across the walls. At the time the floor was peaceful, with the young mother's off to work, or job searches, while the kiddies napped in the comfort of the nursery. (too cute)
We headed back down to the recreation room, a place for the kids to hang out when they returned for their 9 pm curfew. A banquet table was set up with a couple of girls waiting to serve up dishes they had prepared themselves, including creating the menu. I got to sample some white chocolate chip macadamia cookies, that were so damn scrumptious, I briefly considered running off with a tray of whatever I could get my hands on from the table. As Brandi spoke to me about the rec room, Perry, one of the Kids in the transitional program blessed us with some tunes on the piano. Someone get that kid a deal.
On to the other facilities, there were the class rooms were kids got job training, and took GED prep classes. CV hooks kids up with scholarships, encouraging a pursuit of higher education.
"Covindale's" CV's department store for boys, girls and babies; basically a place kids at the center can get some fresh duds for work and play.
We weren't allowed to talk to kids in the center; but they all appeared to be happy, healthy and excited about life.
Covenant House serves as a safe haven for teens and young adults, who have nowhere else to turn. With the economic downturn, more families are forcing kids out of the home once they are 18 in order to be able to provide for their younger siblings (sad but true), causing the center to witness an increase of kids arriving at their crisis center. Please help us help them by donating to our supplies drive.
For more information on how you can help; or even to get a tour of the center email us at info@no1sdoneitright.org.
xo Nos
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