ABOUT US

Helping Youth Facing Homelessness and Human Trafficking Survivors

Since 1989, Covenant House New Jersey has provided housing, support services, and opportunities for young people experiencing homelessness and survivors of human trafficking.

Our Mission

Inspired by faith, we are a community driven to ensure all youth experiencing homelessness can lead lives full of purpose and joy.

Who We Help

Youth age 18-21
Pregnant young women 18-21, or a parent with a child less than 1 year old
Open to all individuals regardless of race, religion, or sex

Our Principles

Covenant House New Jersey provides housing and supportive services to youth ages 18-24 experiencing homelessness with absolute respect and unconditional love. In support of our mission, Covenant House is guided by five principles:

Immediacy

Immediacy

Sanctuary

Sanctuary

Value Communication

Value Communication

Structure

Structure

Choice

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 Engagement Center (formerly known as the Crisis Center) in Atlantic City at 929 Atlantic Avenue with 28 beds.

OUR HISTORY

2000

Newark Youth Engagement 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.

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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