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.
July 30 is World Day Against Trafficking in Persons
Covenant House New Jersey (CHNJ) is on the front lines against human trafficking every day. July 30th is the United Nations’ designated World Day Against Trafficking in Persons and we continue to take action.
School’s out for summer and in the 2021-22 school year, students across the state stepped up again to help the youth we serve at Covenant House New Jersey (CHNJ). Student Sleep Outs throughout the year provided amazing support to us by raising a remarkable $334,000.
June is a month of celebrations and graduations for many families and so too at Covenant House New Jersey. This month we have the opportunity to celebrate Jatiana, who graduated with her Associate’s Degree from Essex County College.
As Mental Health Awareness month comes to a close, we’re proud of the work that we do at Nancy’s Place. Homelessness is a traumatic experience that can significantly impact the mental health of our youth.
A big thank you to all our female sleepers part of Sleep Out Women Unite on April 29th. - our biggest Women Unite to date! Your efforts will help support the great work we do providing services to promote resilience so our youth transition successfully to independent living.
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
32% victims of domestic violence
36% foster care history
33% justice system issues
36% mental health challenges
7% victims of trafficking
0
NIGHTS OF HOUSING PROVIDED
0
PERCENT OF YOUTH ENGAGED IN RESILIENCE BUILDING ACTIVITIES
0
YOUTH SERVED
Source: CHNJ FY21 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.