Stand Up, Stand Strong
Dolly Parton Offers Message of Support
"I thought, 'You know, I really need to dig deep inside and think about who I am, where I'm going, what I want to do with my life.' And we do have every chance in the world if we just take it," she shares, before singing her song, "Light of a Clear Blue Morning."Stand Up, Stand Strong
LGBTQ+ youth are far more vulnerable to homelessness than their peers. In fact, about 40% of all young people facing homelessness identify as LGBTQ+. "Good Morning America’s" Robin Roberts welcomes Nicholas, a trans youth and Covenant House resident, to talk about his inspiring journey of “becoming” and the continual openness of his “unruly heart” to self-discovery. His story is bookended by Ben Platt, who speaks to the gift of acceptance that wrapped him in love in his family, and Ariana DeBose and Jo Ellen Pellman, stars of “The Prom.”
In a poignant tribute to the toll the COVID pandemic took on us all as it swept across the world, Amanda Kloots, who lost her husband, Nick, says that COVID need not have the last word. The love we shared with those we lost can still transform our world when we carry it forward and strive together to make our world one where every young person can rise. Amanda’s words are followed by a tender dance, choreographed by Paul McGill, and a moving melody, “Remember Me,” sung by Capathia Jenkins.
Grammy Award-nominated singer-songwriter Jewel knows what it is like to suddenly find yourself homeless and alone. While pursuing her dream of a career in music in California, the Alaska native lost her day job when she refused a boss’ advances. She ended up living in her car. She never gave up on her dream, and, in introducing her song, “No More Tears,” assures young people experiencing a tough time that “if you keep lifting that proud face, I know there’s a beautiful place for you and I.”
"Girls5Eva" Star Sara Bareilles Dedicates Performance of "Uncharted" to Covenant House Youth
Whatever drives a young person to homelessness, the experience is an overwhelming one. Suddenly alone and with no one to rely on can feel very much like being lost in uncharted waters. Singer-songwriter and actor Sara Bareilles assures youth experiencing homelessness that there is “a giant community of love and support” waiting for them at Covenant House, and she dedicates to them her performance of the song “Uncharted.”
Our young people at Covenant House have incredible star power and their light shines even more brightly when their stories are shared by Hollywood’s finest: Morgan Freeman, Meryl Streep, and Jon Hamm. Listen in as these great actors share letters from Elijah, Stephanie, and Allan in New Orleans, Georgia, and Missouri, respectively, youth who are taking the next steps in their lives toward becoming an artist, a parent, and a computer tech expert. This segment is introduced by the iconic Dionne Warwick and performed by Broadway superstar Stephanie J. Block.
When the COVID-19 pandemic shut down our cities and towns, Covenant House went into crisis mode. We knew we couldn’t shut down while young people needed a safe place to stay. With the support of our community, we adapted our spaces, programs, and methods. We kept our youth and staff safe and didn’t lose anyone to COVID. And, we stayed open 24/7. Actor Rachel Brosnahan, and program staff from our sites talk about the challenges of the pandemic and how we met them, together.
The cast of “Six the Musical” usher us out of Night of Covenant House Stars and, with that great Carole King anthem, “Beautiful,” into the new dawn that’s breaking for young people facing homelessness. The song is all about our Covenant House community, about getting up every morning “with a smile on your face” to “show the world all the love in your heart.” Giving love, encourages love, and that is what will dispel the darkness and allow every young person to thrive.
You can watch the full show here: nightofcovenanthousestars.org.
Here is how the national media covered this special night:
Good Morning America:
Entertainment Tonight:
Fox National News with Bill Hemmer:
