Covenant House x Street Smart - Help Us Make a Difference
This winter season, homeless youth nonprofit organization Covenant House and Street Smart have come together to make try and make a difference. For every beanie we sell we are donating one to Covenant House in an effort to make things just a little bit easier for these kids come Christmas Eve.
Covenant House provides 24/7 crisis care and ongoing support for homeless kids and teenagers in need. Since 1972, the organization has pursued its mission of helping homeless kids escape the streets. Each year, more than two million kids in America will face a period of homelessness. While on the street, 28 percent of youth have been victims of multiple types of assault or violence.
The realities of youth homelessness in America are staggering, but you can make a difference by donating any amount you can to Covenant House here. If you'd like to purchase a beanie, you can do so here.
The best way to combat this homelessness problem is to educate oneself.
To understand youth homelessness, one must examine the issues that lead to these unfortunate circumstances. Kids become homeless for a variety of reasons which include running away from home, being abandoned by parents or guardians, emancipation, and aging out of state or foster care. Once homeless, few safety nets are available for young people who are still financially, emotionally and legally dependent on adults. Without resources, an adequate support system, and the skills to live independently, the streets can become one of the only options for homeless youth.
Behind the face of every homeless young person is another heartbreaking story – a teenage boy abused by his alcoholic parent, a pregnant girl rejected by her guardian, or a teenager trying to escape gang membership or a life of forced prostitution.
Acknowledging the depth of the homeless crisis is America is the first step in fixing it. Here are some statistics to get you thinking.
57% of homeless kids spend at least one day every month without food.
In the United States, as many as 20,000 kids are forced into prostitution by human trafficking networks every year.
According to a study of youth in shelters, nearly 50% reported intense conflict or physical harm by a family member as a major contributing factor to their homelessness.
More than 25% of former foster children become homeless within two to four years of leaving the system.
50% of adolescents aging out of foster care and juvenile justice systems will be homeless within six months because they are unprepared to live independently and have limited education and no social support.
Almost 40% of the homeless in the United States are under 18.
In addition to these heartbreaking stats, a study issued by the Covenant House Institute revealed that:
41% of Covenant House kids witnessed acts of violence in their homes.
36% of Covenant House kids indicated that someone in their family used drugs regularly.
19% of Covenant House kids reported being beaten with an object.
19% of Covenant House kids reported that they have endured sexual abuse.
15% of Covenant House kids reported that someone close to them had been murdered.
That's why Covenant House works day and night to provide shelter and support for kids who have endured lives of abuse, neglect, and homelessness.
Please try and help Covenant House reach their $500k goal by 12/31 by donating whatever you can. Thank you for your support.
