Agency Description
Covenant House International is a youth homeless shelter in New York. The agency offers shelter to young people and adults who have survived trafficking or are going through homelessness. However, its scope transcends beyond the provision of shelter as it equips the youth with transformative and affirming experiences to foster their independence (Covenant House, 2024a). The agency offers explicitly transitional living support to empower young people and encourage them to rebuild their lives.
The Population they Serve
Covenant House International became operational in 1972. Since its inception, the agency has served more than 1.5 million youth aged between 16-24 years that have survived trafficking or experienced homelessness (Covenant House, 2024b). The agency mainly targets young adults aged between 16-24 years who are at risk of homelessness due to family conflict, neglect, and human trafficking, among other factors. Therefore, the agency’s programs and services are designed to help the affected youth overcome the harsh experience of homelessness. Therefore, every young person in the facility is accorded absolute love and respect. Consequently, Covenant House offers them a haven where they are guaranteed shelter, support services, counseling, and education, enabling them to rebuild their lives and practice independence.
What Is The Mission Of The Agency?
Covenant House’s mission is to shield young people from the hardships of homelessness. This is evidenced through the agency’s intent to create a safe haven for all youth despite their identity and life experience and a commitment to servicing all without prejudice (Covenant House New York, 2024a). The agency’s mission is to provide shelter and immediate housing for homeless youth, meet their basic needs, offer support services, and empower them to attain a fully independent life.
The Organization Chart for the Management Team
An astute leadership team represents the agency’s management. The entire agency is governed by a board of directors to whom the executive reports. The executive director sits at the helm of the organization’s leadership. She is deputized by a chief financial and administrative officer, a program officer, and a planning and performance officer (Covenant House New York, 2024b). Others are the vice president of operations, as well as development communications.
How Effectively the Agency Has Met Its Mission
The agency’s leadership has effectively met the organization’s mission. Covenant House is known for its commitment and efforts in serving the homeless and at-risk youth. The organization is often praised for its comprehensive approach to addressing the needs of young people facing homelessness or saved from human traffickers. Most youth enjoy immediate shelter through the organization and have received essential services, education, job training, and counseling. Hence, they have effectively transitioned to independent living. Consequently, the agency has significantly impacted many young individuals’ lives as it housed more than 27,000 homeless individuals between 2019 and 2021. Moreover, 12,000 individuals have benefited considerably from the facility’s mental health services, while 6,900 have gained employment (Guiding Star, 2023). The facility has offered shelter to more than 2.1 million young adults since 2019.
What to Change
While Covenant House New York has largely achieved its mission, I recommend expanding mental health support and traditional services. Considering that mental health challenges are highly rampant and prevalent among homeless youth, the expansion of such services and resources is beneficial. Therefore, I would hire more counselors and trainers with knowledge of trauma-informed care to address the youth’s mental health needs. I would also consider strengthening the agency’s transitional support programs to ensure those leaving Covenant House can access resources and guidance as they seek to live independently. Further, I would provide mentorship and follow-up services to the various youths so they would enjoy long-term success even after leaving the agency’s care.
References
Covenant House (2024a). About us. Retrieved from: https://www.covenanthouse.org/aboutus
Covenant House (2024b). We help youth facing homelessness in New York, New York. Retrieved from: https://www.covenanthouse.org/homeless-shelters/new-york-new-york
Covenant House New York (2024b). Leadership. Retrieved from: https://ny.covenanthouse.org/about/about-us/board-executive/
Covenant House New York. (2024a). Mission, Vision & Values. Retrieved from: https://ny.covenanthouse.org/about/about-us/mission-vision-values/#:~:text=Covenant%20House%20provides%20a%20safe,identity%20%E2%80%93%20are%20served%20without%20judgment.
Guiding Star (2023). Covenant House. Retrieved from: https://www.guidestar.org/profile/13-2725416
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