CHNJ Advocates for Youth on Capitol Hill
On October 9th, Covenant House joined colleagues from across our federation for Hill Day 2025—a day dedicated to meeting with federal lawmakers and discussing the issues impacting young people facing homelessness and survivors of human trafficking.
Representing Covenant House New Jersey were CEO Julia Einbond, Jim Low, Wayne Paglieri, and Kaitlyn Zedalis, who joined CHI President Bill Bedrosian and other Covenant House leaders for a full day of meetings on Capitol Hill. The CHNJ team met with staff members from the offices of Representatives McIver (NJ-10), Pallone (NJ-6), Sherrill (NJ-11), Smith (NJ-4), and Van Drew (NJ-2), as well as Senators Booker and Kim.
Sharing the CHNJ Impact
During these meetings, our team highlighted the scope and impact of CHNJ’s work across the state:
- 2,372 youth reached last fiscal year; a 31% increase over the prior year.
- Record-high transitions to independent living, reflecting the effectiveness of our long-term support programs.
- Statewide provider of services to victims of human trafficking of all ages, with nearly 500 individuals served to date.
- Government partnerships representing about 30% of CHNJ’s funding, including vital programs such as HUD housing vouchers that help youth move from CHNJ housing into stable, independent living arrangements.
Advocating for Stronger Support
Our discussions focused on how government policy changes—particularly those related to funding restrictions and allocation—can directly impact our ability to serve youth effectively. We urged legislators to support initiatives under discussion that expand access to affordable housing and sustain critical services for both youth experiencing homelessness and survivors of trafficking.
Looking Ahead
We were encouraged by the engagement and understanding of the congressional staff we met with. Many expressed strong awareness of the challenges facing New Jersey’s youth, including the shortage of affordable housing and the growing need for trauma-informed care.
We look forward to continuing these conversations and welcoming legislators and staff to visit our sites to see firsthand the transformative work taking place at Covenant House New Jersey.
