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Who We Are

Covenant House builds a bridge to hope for young people facing homelessness and survivors of trafficking through unconditional love, absolute respect, and relentless support. Our doors are open 24/7 in 31 cities across six countries and our high-quality programs are designed to empower young people to rise and overcome adversity, today and in the future.

Covenant House Founding Mission Statement

 

We who recognize God’s providence and fidelity to His people are dedicated to living out His covenant among ourselves and those children we serve, with absolute respect and unconditional love. That commitment calls us to serve suffering children of the street, and to protect and safeguard all children. Just as Christ in His humanity is the visible sign of God’s presence among His people, so our efforts together in the covenant community are a visible sign that effects the presence of God, working through the Holy Spirit among ourselves and our kids.

Five Principles of Covenant House

 

Immediacy:  Our young people are welcomed without question or cost. Our foremost goal is to provide quality services to youth in need in an immediate fashion. 

 

Sanctuary:  Covenant House provides a safe haven from the hardships of the street and emphasizes the inherent worth of the young people we serve.

 

Structure:  Street life is very unstructured. Often our kids go wherever their day takes them. Our program is structured in order to help our young people find direction and support to help them achieve their goals.

 

Value Communication:  Covenant House attempts to communicate values which are life enhancing and not destructive. We enter into a relationship with our youth based on honesty, love, trust and respect.

 

Choice:  Our goal is to empower the young people we serve. The first step is to show them that they enter this relationship freely. They must choose to change and Covenant House helps them make informed decisions about their future.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Covenant House PA’s History

 

Founded in 1999, Covenant House Pennsylvania (CHPA) is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year--ready at a moment's notice to offer safety and wellness to Philadelphia's most vulnerable youth. CHPA's doors are open to all young people who need help, regardless of their race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.

 

The moment youth walk into any of CHPA's three facilities in PA, our team moves into action to mitigate the crisis--giving them the food, shelter, and health care they need to feel safe. Once our youth have settled into CHPA and their situations have stabilized, our comprehensive and entirely free support helps them realize their fullest potential.

 

We have seen time and again -- over 20 years of sheltering and caring for young people -- the healing power of a stable, loving environment to inspire a fresh start in their lives. CHPA empowers young people to finish high school, start college, gain employment, live independently, and ultimately step out into the world knowing they are prepared to be successful.

 

CHPA is the largest provider for youth experiencing homelessness in Philadelphia and the only provider exclusively supporting youth age 21 and under. Philadelphia remains America's poorest big city with a poverty rate hovering around 30%. CHPA is forecasting that the COVID pandemic will propel already vulnerable youth into insecurity and crisis. 

Covenant House Pennsylvania is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization; (EIN/Tax ID number: 23-3003176) Built w/ love by P'unk Avenue