ABOUT US

Helping Youth Facing Homelessness and Human Trafficking Survivors

Our goal is to provide high quality services to as many people as possible, and offer them a chance to start a new chapter in their lives.

Reach Us

Our Mission

Back in 1989 we started by offering support to youth experiencing homelessness. Today, our organization has grown into a safe space that creates individualized programs for young people facing homelessness and Human Trafficking survivors.

Our Principles

Covenant House New Jersey’s (CHNJ) mission is to provide housing and supportive services to youth ages 18-24 experiencing homelessness with absolute respect and unconditional love regardless of race, creed, religion, ethnic origin, or sexual orientation. In support of our mission, Covenant House is guided by five principles:

Immediacy

Sanctuary

Value Communication

Structure

Choice

OUR HISTORY

1989

Covenant House begins serving NJ’s youth facing homelessness through street outreach, offering food, clothing, counseling and referrals for shelter.

OUR HISTORY

1992

Covenant House begins to house youth at the Broad Street Hotel, Newark and at various locations in Atlantic City.

OUR HISTORY

1994

CHNJ opens the Atlantic City Rights of Passage (ROP) providing 20 beds. This was the first of many ROP homes providing longer term housing on our youth's journey to independent living.

OUR HISTORY

1997

Opened our first Youth Empowerment Center (formerly known as the Crisis Center) in Atlantic City at 929 Atlantic Avenue with 28 beds.

OUR HISTORY

2000

Newark Youth Empowerment Center (formerly called the Crisis Center) opens at 330 Washington St. with 45 beds.

OUR HISTORY

2001

Opened Newark’s first Rights of Passage home providing longer term housing support.

OUR HISTORY

2003

CHNJ collaborates with Raphael’s Life House in Elizabeth to provide residential and support services for 12 young women who are expectant or with newborns.

OUR HISTORY

2008

Two new Right of Passages transitional living homes open Newark with a total of 14 beds providing apartment style supportive living and learning environment for youth.

OUR HISTORY

2008

New Right of Passage transitional living home opens in Atlantic City with 20 beds providing apartment style supportive living and learning environment for youth.

OUR HISTORY

2009

Nancy’s Place opens in Montclair with 8 beds for the youth whose mental illness poses an obstacle to their independence.

OUR HISTORY

2013

Supportive Apartment Living (SAL) program opens in Montclair with 10 beds.

OUR HISTORY

2016

Dove Learning Center launched to equip our young people with resilience skills to assist them with maintaining a positive living environment.

OUR HISTORY

2018

Interfaith Neighbors of Asbury Park (IFN) and CHNJ dedicate Rights of Passage I in Asbury Park providing 5 new beds.

OUR HISTORY

2019

Our trafficking screening tool, QYIT, is published in the Children and Youth Services Review.

OUR HISTORY

2019

Interfaith Neighbors of Asbury Park (IFN) and CHNJ dedicate Rights of Passage II in Asbury Park providing 5 additional beds.

OUR HISTORY

2020

As the world struggles to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, CHNJ continues to care for young people in need across the state of New Jersey.

OUR HISTORY

2021

CHART (Covenant House Action Research Tank) becomes a distinct part of CHNJ. It focuses on improving our work through services, research, and training & advocacy.

OUR HISTORY

2022

Long time Executive Director Jim White announces that he will be stepping down as Executive Director.

OUR HISTORY

2023

Julia Einbond assumes the leadership of CHNJ.

1989

1992

1994

1997

2000

2001

2003

2008

2009

2013

2016

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

Our Financials

Our Team

Join Our Extraordinary Team

Seeking talented individuals, motivated to help us carry out our mission of serving youth facing homelessness.

Comprehensive benefits package
Equal opportunity employer

See Open Positions

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Immediate services

Human Trafficking Victim Services

Supportive Services

Get to know our youth

Get Involved

Donate

Volunteer

Become a Partner

Our Events

The Sleep Out Initiative

About Us

Our Staff

Financial Audits

Our Partners

Careers - Apply Now

CHNJ Boards

Contact Us

Results

Helping Youth Facing Homelessness and Human Trafficking Survivors

Our goal is to provide high quality services to as many people as possible, and offer them a chance to start a new chapter in their lives.

Our Mission

Our Principles

Our Principles

Immediacy

Sanctuary

Value Communication

Structure

Choice

1989

Covenant House begins serving NJ’s youth facing homelessness through street outreach, offering food, clothing, counseling and referrals for shelter.

1992

Covenant House begins to house youth at the Broad Street Hotel, Newark and at various locations in Atlantic City.

1994

CHNJ opens the Atlantic City Rights of Passage (ROP) providing 20 beds. This was the first of many ROP homes providing longer term housing on our youth's journey to independent living.

1997

Opened our first Youth Empowerment Center (formerly known as the Crisis Center) in Atlantic City at 929 Atlantic Avenue with 28 beds.

2000

Newark Youth Empowerment Center (formerly called the Crisis Center) opens at 330 Washington St. with 45 beds.

2001

Opened Newark’s first Rights of Passage home providing longer term housing support.

2003

CHNJ collaborates with Raphael’s Life House in Elizabeth to provide residential and support services for 12 young women who are expectant or with newborns.

2008

Two new Right of Passages transitional living homes open Newark with a total of 14 beds providing apartment style supportive living and learning environment for youth.

2008

New Right of Passage transitional living home opens in Atlantic City with 20 beds providing apartment style supportive living and learning environment for youth.

2009

Nancy’s Place opens in Montclair with 8 beds for the youth whose mental illness poses an obstacle to their independence.

2013

Supportive Apartment Living (SAL) program opens in Montclair with 10 beds.

2016

Dove Learning Center launched to equip our young people with resilience skills to assist them with maintaining a positive living environment.

2018

Interfaith Neighbors of Asbury Park (IFN) and CHNJ dedicate Rights of Passage I in Asbury Park providing 5 new beds.

2019

Our trafficking screening tool, QYIT, is published in the Children and Youth Services Review.

2019

Interfaith Neighbors of Asbury Park (IFN) and CHNJ dedicate Rights of Passage II in Asbury Park providing 5 additional beds.

2020

As the world struggles to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, CHNJ continues to care for young people in need across the state of New Jersey.

2021

CHART (Covenant House Action Research Tank) becomes a distinct part of CHNJ. It focuses on improving our work through services, research, and training & advocacy.

2022

Long time Executive Director Jim White announces that he will be stepping down as Executive Director.

2023

Julia Einbond assumes the leadership of CHNJ.

Join Our Extraordinary Team