Saquon Barkley on a Mission to End Youth Homelessness in New Jersey
Every night, thousands of young people experience homelessness on the streets of New Jersey.
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley finds this unacceptable … and he’s doing something about it.
For over three years, Barkley, with support from the New York Giants, has donated his time, talent, and resources to support Covenant House New Jersey, an organization that provides crisis and long-term housing and support that empowers young people to break the cycle of homelessness and poverty.
“This is a guy who gets it,” said Covenant House New Jersey Executive Director Jim White. “Before the pandemic, he quietly and without fanfare hosted groups of our young people on the field at all Giant home games and has been doing that since his rookie season. He greeted our kids on the field before the game, and spent time with them after each game. He takes our young people bowling and donates his time and talent in so many ways. Saquon is a true champion for kids overcoming homelessness at Covenant House New Jersey, and along with the support of the Giants they continue to find new ways to make an impact in the lives of our youth.”
Barkley’s injury has not slowed down his drive to help youth experiencing homelessness. Because of the pandemic, Saquon wanted to do more to help the young people at Covenant House in New Jersey and across the United States. As a result, Barkley partnered with the O'Shea Family Foundation to donate $125,000 that was used as a match challenge to supporters throughout the country. Thanks to Saquon's leadership and generosity, Covenant House was able to raise over $233,000 additional funds to help pay for food and immediate services to youth overcoming homelessness during the pandemic.
Barkley has also teamed up with Gillette to design a limited-edition razor that fans were able to enter for a chance to win. For every entry, Gillette donated $1 to Covenant House NJ, which in turn raised $20,686. Combined with an initial lump sum donation of $26,000 made by the brand in honor of Barkley’s #26, Gillette is donating a total of $46,686 to support young people experiencing homelessness in New Jersey.
For the entire 2020 season, Barkley and the Giants have partnered with Covenant House New Jersey with their “Inspire Change Initiative.” Giants players and coaches split themselves into nine teams and each team paired with an organization in a dedicated region within New York and New Jersey. Barkley, along with Pro Bowl cornerback James Bradberry and other Giants, chose to support Covenant House New Jersey.
“The New York Giants have been extraordinary partners to us,” said White. “During the pandemic they organized virtual workouts for our young people and invited our supporters to join and donate to our mission. The funds went to Covenant House New Jersey’s Dove Learning Center, which provides support services for education, job training, financial literacy, career exploration, and mental health and wellness. These initiatives are game-changers for our young people.”
Barkley has also teamed up with Campbell’s Soup and delivered meals to the youth at Covenant House New Jersey. And in November of 2019, he led a statewide night of advocacy by captaining Covenant House New Jersey’s Executive Sleep Out, where leaders from across New Jersey slept on the street for one night in solidarity with youth overcoming homelessness so that all young people can be protected, be safe, go to school, find jobs, and find long-term housing.
“All you have to do is take the time to get to know the young people at Covenant House to see how good they are, and how resilient, and brave, and funny, and talented,” said Barkley. “These are great kids, and their futures are filled with potential. I have been involved with Covenant House New Jersey for three years and have seen firsthand the difference this program makes in the lives of the amazing young people they serve. I’m grateful to the New York Giants for their support, and I look forward to finding new ways to empower the young people at Covenant House New Jersey to follow their dreams.”
