Every day across New Jersey, young people struggling with homelessness face a hidden risk: exploitation. Traffickers prey on vulnerability — especially when a person doesn’t have a safe place to sleep, someone to care for them, or consistent access to food and support. That’s where Covenant House New Jersey (CHNJ) steps in — not just as a shelter, but as a statewide leader in anti-trafficking care, advocacy, and prevention.
As a leader in this space, we participated at a recent Covenant House Anti-Human Trafficking Panel.
How Covenant House New Jersey responds — statewide
Research shows the intersection of homelessness and trafficking is stark: among young people who experience trafficking, a large majority were without stable housing when they were exploited.
Panelist Kathy Friess, of the Office of the Attorney General of New Jersey, clarified that few trafficking cases resemble those depicted in the movies, and she dismissed the misconception that any young person chooses trafficking. “Being trafficked is not a choice,” she said. “That’s where the choice ended, and that’s where the victimization begins.”
By meeting the crisis of homelessness and trafficking at the same time — offering shelter, care, advocacy, and long-term support — CHNJ is helping survivors not just survive, but rebuild. CHNJ doesn’t just respond to trafficking cases. We’ve built one of the most comprehensive survivor support systems in the state.
Also on the panel was Rolidel Czekajlo, Senior Director of Services for Covenant House New Jersey, who shared:
“In human trafficking, there is a loss of agency. Our program is dedicated to giving that back to survivors. We offer them choices they never knew were possible. And we build trust with them, keeping our word and showing up when we say we will.”
That restoration of choice is where healing begins.
Together, we can ensure every survivor has the safety, support, dignity, and opportunity they deserve.
Background to Our Work:
From Shelter to Survivor Support — Comprehensive, Trauma-Informed Services
CHNJ’s commitment to survivors goes beyond crisis response:
Statewide Provider of Human Trafficking Services: Since 2020, CHNJ has been designated the official provider of human trafficking victim services for the entire state of New Jersey, serving survivors of sex trafficking, labor trafficking, and forced criminality regardless of age or housing status.
24/7 Support & Case Management: The Human Trafficking Victim Services team offers around-the-clock call center support, coordinated case management, access to mental health care, legal assistance, and safe shelter placements statewide.
Trauma-Informed, Survivor-Centered Care: CHNJ understands that healing starts with safety and choice. Survivors receive individualized support designed to restore agency and dignity — meeting them where they are and building trust with consistency and respect.
Expertise That Informs Practice Across the Country
CHNJ doesn’t just deliver direct services — it contributes to the field’s understanding of trafficking:
Innovative Screening: Through partnerships with researchers, the organization helped develop the Quick Youth Indicators for Trafficking (QYIT), a scientifically validated tool used nationwide to identify trafficking survivors among youth experiencing homelessness.
Research & Training: CHNJ’s Covenant House Action & Research Tank (CHART) conducts research on trafficking and homelessness and provides training and technical assistance to organizations and systems throughout New Jersey and beyond including law enforcement at the federal, state and local level as well as health care providers such as RWJ Barnabas here in NJ.
