Covenant House International celebrated the opening of its Chicago location, its first new center in 17 years, on Feb. 14 with Mayor Rahm Emanuel. Covenant House Illinois offers a range of services for homeless young people in the city ages 18-24, including drop-in services, breakfast and lunch, personal lockers, laundry, crisis care, and a computer lab. These services, which are offered Tuesdays through Saturdays, also include support services such as substance abuse treatment and employment resources. By the end of 2017, the center is set to offer 20 beds for overnight shelter.
Executive Director of Covenant House Illinois, Joseph Mole, shares why the new Chicago location is so vital to the community. “After a comprehensive feasibility study, Chicago was chosen because of the level and urgency of the need (insufficient beds, extreme cold and high levels of violence involving youth), the openness of the provider community to welcoming a new agency serving homeless youth, and the enthusiastic support from city leadership,” he explains. “Our mission is to be an expression of God’s love as we protect the rights of homeless youth, welcoming them with absolute respect and unconditional love. Covenant House is playing an important role, adding capacity and innovation to the system that supports these kids. Steve Austin and Morgan Stanley have been a tremendous support as we’ve launched in Chicago. Also, Mattress Firm has generously donated mattresses for the beds we will use when we open the overnight portion of our programming later this year.”
Covenant House Illinois
30 W. Chicago Ave.
Chicago
312-759-7888
