What if a homeless child can't reach us?
Homeless kids find Covenant House and our youth shelters in many ways, from online to family or friends to other city agencies, including state-assigned social workers and school guidance counselors. But for the homeless teens who are not in a position to find us… we go to them.
That's where our Outreach team comes in
Our Outreach specialists are there for any child with sandwiches to eat, vital information about our homeless youth shelters and on-the-spot assistance.
They gain homeless kids' trust and, when ready, the team will get them to our crisis shelters, where they're given love and support to stay off the streets permanently.
Our Outreach goes beyond the vans
Reaching homeless boys and girls where they are means more than combing dark street corners at night. Our Outreach teams are deeply invested in the communities that they work within to ensure kids on the streets have the very best chance to find help. Including:
Education
Our teams attend committee meetings, sit on mayoral councils, and visit local schools, hospitals, YMCAs and community group events to help inform and teach on the issues of teen homelessness.
Collaboration
Working with local child welfare organizations, Outreach builds a channel for organizations to connect at-risk kids with our Crisis Care and transitional living programs.
Prevention
Addressing homeless factors through prevention, Outreach staff visit hundreds of schools to help young people get the services they need before they're made to turn to the streets.
Entering the doors at Covenant House
Once a homeless child walks into Covenant House, their journey from the streets to self-sufficiency can begin – and that starts by meeting their most critical needs through Crisis Care.