At Covenant House New Jersey, we provide immediate support to youth facing homelessness—including food, shelter, and essential services such as physical and mental healthcare, education support, financial literacy, and legal assistance. Our goal is to empower young people to build stable, independent futures.
In FY25, 64% of our youth transitioned to a positive living environment—an all-time high for our organization. (See our FY25 Impact Report.) Along the way, we celebrate milestones that remind us what’s possible, including high school and college graduations.
This year, we are especially proud of Elijah and Rehab.
If you attended our signature gala, Night of Broadway Stars in April, you may remember Elijah, who shared his story on stage. At the time, he spoke about his goal of graduating in May from the College of Mount St. Vincent—and he did. You can watch Elijah share his journey here.
Rehab is another young person whose determination and resilience led her to a remarkable achievement. She shares her story below.
We congratulate Elijah, Rehab, and all Covenant House New Jersey youth who are changing the trajectory of their lives with courage, determination, and support.
My name is Rehab, and I’m 22 years old. I recently graduated from New Jersey City University with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Social Work, becoming the first person in my family to earn a college degree.
That sentence means more to me than I can explain.
My mom never had the opportunity to pursue an education, and growing up, I saw how difficult life could be without stability or support. I loved my family deeply, but I knew I wanted to create a different future for myself.
When my father passed away during my freshman year of high school, everything changed. As the oldest of four children, I helped care for my younger siblings while also working to support my family. Despite the challenges, I graduated from Snyder High School determined to keep moving forward.
But when I was 21 years old, after years of instability and tension at home, I was suddenly kicked out and left without a place to go.
I will never forget sleeping on a park bench in Bayonne with only a backpack holding my laptop and a few pieces of clothing. I felt scared, exhausted, and completely alone. But even in that moment, I refused to let homelessness define my future.
I called every shelter and hotline I could find until someone from Covenant House answered and that call changed my life. For the first time in my life, I had my own bed, a secure place to sleep, and people who believed in me.
At Covenant House New Jersey, I began rebuilding my life step by step. I focused on school, spent countless hours studying in the Dove Learning Center, and created goals for myself that once felt impossible.
Today, I am proud to say that not only did I graduate college, but I have also started my new career helping others. After completing my internship at a local organization, I am now beginning the next chapter of my professional journey supporting women and families in need of stability, encouragement, and hope.
There was a time when I carried everything I owned in a backpack and wondered where I would sleep at night. Today, I carry a college degree, a career, and a future filled with hope.
Covenant House didn’t just give me shelter, they gave me the opportunity to rebuild my life and believe in myself again.
Thank you for believing in young people like me.
