Helping Youth Facing Homelessness and Human Trafficking
We provide immediate shelter and care for youth age 18-21. We also provide an array of services to promote resilience to enable our clients to transition to independent living.
We provide immediate shelter and care for youth age 18-21. We also provide an array of services to promote resilience to enable our clients to transition to independent living.
We provide immediate shelter and care for youth age 18-21. We also provide services to promote resilience so our youth transition successfully to independent living.
Check out our video on our mission and our services.
On May 8, 2023, researchers from Covenant House New Jersey and Harvard Medical School publicly released a new article published in Criminal Law Bulletin, “A Case of Mistaken Identity: The Criminalization of Victims of Labor Trafficking by Forced Criminality.”
Mothers hold a special place in our hearts here at CHNJ, thanks in part to our moms and babies program at Raphael’s Life House (RLH). RLH first opened its doors in 1993 and became aligned with CHNJ in 2003,
April is Volunteer Appreciation Month and we wanted to salute all of our volunteers who are once again becoming an integral part of the services we provide to our youth as we help them transition to stable, independent living.
On Thursday, May 4, 2023, the New York Giants will host a powerful and unique event on the field at MetLife Stadium to support youth overcoming homelessness and survivors of human trafficking served by Covenant House New Jersey.
Our corporate partners have been incredibly important to our work. So we’re thrilled that an important partner has stepped up again. On Thursday, May 4th, the New York Giants will support CHNJ. They will present Sleep Out: Women Unite at MetLife Stadium.
As Women’s History Month comes to a close, CHNJ is amplifying the voice of women in our community because when Women Unite and bring their whole selves to create solutions the impact is felt by all of us.
We’re so proud of all the work we do to support the youth facing homelessness who arrive at our doors. But we also love to support our youth in imaginative ways like Open Mic Night on March 24th.
Our great friend and neighbor, 1Huddle, continues to grow their support of the work we do to help youth facing homelessness. Their latest endeavor was to field a team participating in Sleep Out Community Edition on March 10th.
Volunteers continue to make an impact with the youth facing homelessness that we serve. Volunteers help us deliver services in areas such as education, employment, financial literacy, physical and mental wellness, and social navigation.
As we start Women’s History Month, we salute our very own Rolidel Czekajlo as she takes on added responsibilities in the area of food services and safety.
The Problem – Understanding the Circumstances of Homeless and Trafficked Youth Who Find Us
Homelessness happens for a range of reasons. Youth who are homeless find themselves disconnected from the necessary supports and systems that we may take for granted. Parental or adult support is often missing or abusive. Many of our youth have been part of systems such as foster care that can perpetuate their trauma.
Homeless and trafficked youth suffer disproportionately from trauma, sexual and physical abuse, involvement in the foster care system, domestic violence, mental health challenges, and life on the street.
Youth Facts
Profile of Our Youth
27% victims of domestic violence
30% foster care history
35% justice system issues
37% mental health challenges
0
NIGHTS OF HOUSING PROVIDED
0
PERCENT OF YOUTH ENGAGED IN RESILIENCE BUILDING ACTIVITIES
0
YOUTH SERVED
Source: CHNJ FY22 Impact Report
We serve youth between 18 to 21 years old – a critical time for intervention, and a chance to change a young person’s life through the services we provide.
To better address the homeless and trafficked youth we serve, we have established CHART – Covenant House Action and Research Tank. CHART aims to contribute practical, evidence-based, and client-centered program approaches to regional and national dialogues about homelessness and trafficking. You can learn more about the work we’re doing at CHART by clicking here.
