Covenant House Newsroom

“Every person deserves a safe place to sleep and hope for a brighter tomorrow.”

“Covenant House is centered on community. We love unconditionally. We respect absolutely.”

These are just two of the powerful messages that flashed across big screens in Times Square this August thanks to a partnership with Morgan Stanley. Lights on Broadway is a philanthropic program where Morgan Stanley generously donates media on its 13,000 square foot digital billboard in Times Square, one of the most visited places in the world, and seen by over 380,000 pedestrians daily. Covenant House used the opportunity to recognize the great promise of the young people in our care and to celebrate the community that moves our mission forward.

Our partnership with Morgan Stanley has been longstanding, and employee involvement in our work is significant. Employees at Morgan Stanley sit on Covenant House boards and committees, volunteer at local sites, and participate in the Sleep Out program. The company has embraced our mission and our approach to community engagement, and even more importantly, they are truly our partners in the fight against youth homelessness. 

As a Lights on Broadway partner, Covenant House had the opportunity to host a virtual engagement session with Morgan Stanley employees on Thursday, August 26. Morgan Stanley executive director and Covenant House champion, Christina Dacauaziliqua co-led a learning session focused on our work in Latin America. Over 55 Morgan Stanley employees joined us for an informative and inspiring conversation. 

Additionally, on Wednesday, August 25, a small group of residents along with executive director Nancy Downing from Covenant House New York visited Lights on Broadway in person. They were joined by Alan Thomas, Morgan Stanley managing director and Covenant House New York board member, who helped to secure this amazing opportunity to put our mission in front of millions of New Yorkers and tourists.

Michelle Foley, bank resource management analyst at Morgan Stanley shared, “Getting the opportunity to partner with Covenant House has been a very fulfilling experience for our group. Our projects allow us to be active in supporting the organization’s mission and principles. We appreciate every opportunity to connect with the young people and create a trusted environment for learning, making personal connections, and building confidence. Specifically, we have held several career readiness workshops that focus on topics such as interview tips and goal setting. We always look forward to our next event with Covenant House and the chance to positively impact young people’s futures.” 

Thank you to our friends and partners at Morgan Stanley for this gift to our community.