This year, the Home Team will expand to at least 3 other races, with nearly 100 runners finishing the NYC Half Marathon (3.21.10), Wyckoff/Franklin Triathlon (6.19.10), Chicago Marathon (10.10.10) and at the ING NYC Marathon 2010 (11.7.10).
Bill Cannon, Team Coach and longtime Covenant House supporter, has helped the agency make its way into these coveted races. For him, it’s a chance to run, one of his favorite pastimes, while giving back to the community. On November 1, 2009, 27 runners crossed the finish line of the ING New York City Marathon after raising $100,000 on behalf of homeless youth. Bill’s dream is for the Home Team to raise $500,000 for Covenant House this year.
For many runners, joining a charity team is a win-win situation. Home Team runners can receive guaranteed entry into exclusive races, train with other passionate teammates, stick to their New Year’s resolutions -- all while helping those who face challenges much greater than a race mile-marker. If you are interested in learning more about our Home Team opportunities, please contact Gina Butler at 973.286.3400 or gbutler@covenanthouse.org.
If you are ready to sign up, please download an application today! Applications are available for the NYC Half Marathon and Chicago Marathon and the ING NYC Marathon 2010.
To sign up for the Franklin Lakes Triathlon click here or contact Gina Butler. More information to follow in the coming months about the ING New York City Marathon.
To read more on all the Marathon Opportunities click here.
Shannon Lynch, vocational specialist at Covenant House Atlantic City, had always dreamed of running a marathon. To run the ING New York City Marathon, one of leaders in marathons worldwide and attracting over 100,000 applicants worldwide, was a dream almost too impossible for Shannon to strive for…until now. With the help of longtime Covenant House supporter, and avid runner, Bill Cannon, Covenant House New Jersey has secured 25 guaranteed entries for the marathon. The ING NYC Marathon is one of the most coveted among runners, and for those who were unable to secure entries through the general lottery, their only way in is to obtain a number through a charity.
Even though this is a great opportunity, Shannon admits she has some concerns. "My biggest fear is how I'm going to feel afterwards!" Although she has run competitively before in 5 and 10k races and played basketball in high school, completing the 26.2 mile course will be one of her biggest challenges yet. When asked what will keep her motivated, Lynch replied, "I'm just going to run for all the kids and keep them in mind." Family, friends, Covenant House staff and youth will be on the sidelines on November 1 to cheer for Shannon and the rest of the Home Team! It will be a day for all to remember.
The CHNJ Home Team has a fundraising goal of $100,000. To run for the Covenant House New Jersey Home Team, each individual runner must raise a minimum of $3000. Like most runners, Shannon plans on networking through family and friends to raise the needed funds. To sponsor the team or an individual runner, please make a donation at www.firstgiving.com/chnj.
All proceeds raised by the team will go directly to support the kids of Covenant House New Jersey. If you are interested in running for the Home Team, spots are still available! Please contact Gina Butler at (973) 286-3400 or gbutler@covenanthouse.org for more information.
Justine Darling, a Jesuit volunteer in Newark, got a chance to witness the beauty of nature through the eyes of our young people. While sitting under a shade tree overlooking a serene North Jersey lake, a young man named Kevin said to her, "I feel comfort and peace here and I haven't felt either of those things in a very long time, thank you." Due to the generosity of GED tutor John Livelli, six young people enjoyed a full day of outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, archery and swimming games. For most of the Newark residents who took the field trip, it was the first time they had been exposed to the tranquility of natural surroundings, away from the all too familiar hustle and bustle of city streets. It was a much needed change of scenery, and an eye-opening experience for each and every one of them. After hours of play, John graciously welcomed the youth into his home for a lovely lunch, during which some of the youth tasted foods they had never even seen before! After lunch, John took the group to his father-in-law's home for an afternoon of recreational fun followed by a BBQ steak dinner the young people will not soon forget. Thank you to John, Bill, Ayse and family for opening your homes and hearts to our youth.
In the middle of winter, a young man named Matthew came with his father and stepmother, Jeff and Jennifer, to take a tour of our crisis center in Newark. They were so impressed by our youth, staff and work, that Matthew decided to try helping Covenant House youth as a way to prepare for his Bar Mitzvah. He collected donations of clothing and brought an entire van full to our Crisis Center.
Like the young boy from the Gospels whose gift of food inspired a miracle that fed 5,000, Matthew donated all the money he received for his Bar Mitzvah to Covenant House New Jersey and inspired others from his temple and his school to do the same. He raised over $10,000, which his parents matched, and which was matched again as gift for the Covenant House 20th Anniversary Night of Broadway Stars event. On May 19th, Matthew, his parents Jeff and Jennifer Satz Enslin, Sara Jane and Lenny Armuth, presented their gift in front of cafeteria full of grateful youth and staff. Thus, in an incredible first act in becoming a man, giving all he had for homeless youth, Matthew Enslin raised over $40,000 for homeless youth, an extraordinary gift that will not be used as a simple hand-out. These proceeds will go to help bring back our Vocations Specialist, so that Matthew's gift will go to help train homeless NJ youth how to find jobs, so that they can take care of themselves.
Celebrating over 20,000 youth served in 20 years, Covenant House New Jersey hosts a spectacular show—A Night of Broadway Stars! The Borgata in Atlantic City, May 6, NJPAC in Newark, May 7.
Casey Michael Moran
10/21/74 - 5/12/2009
Casey was an iron worker for the past 10 years in Jersey City. He met with an untimely death on May 12 while he was working on a bridge in the area. Casey truly "lived" his life and was known for his sense of humor and kind heart, and fearless spirit. It is our hope that his memory will live on by encouraging others to donate in his name to your organization.
In honor of our son, Janet Rucci Tinajero and Frank M. Moran, we've requested that friends make donations to Covenant House to help children in need. Casey had a very generous heart and always wanted to help those who were in need. We believe he'd be happy to know that he was helping the children who find their way to your doors.
To make a donation in Casey Moran's name:
By Mail - Send a check to Covenant House New Jersey with "In Memory of Casey M. Moran" in the Memo line
Online - Complete the online donation form, hit submit, then change the subject line of the email that appears to "In Memory of Casey M. Moran"
By Fax - Download the online donation form, complete all fields, note "In Memory of Casey M. Moran", and fax to 973-286-0190, Attention: Jennifer Williams
Our thoughts and prayers are with Casey's family at this time. We thank them for opening doors for homeless youth as they deal with the door that has closed for their son. Casey Michael Moran 10-21-74 thru 5-12-2009
An online urban dictionary describes a "warm fuzzy" as "the warm, pleasant sensations one feels...when emotionally moved by an act of goodwill or love". The warm fuzzies were certainly in abundance on March 27, 2009 when 5th grader Tara Lenahan presented Covenant House President and CEO, Kevin Ryan, with a load of hand-knit scarves at the Newark site. Tara describes "Fuzzies for the Homeless" as her "lifetime charity" and rallies friends, relatives, and others to knit scarves for those who could use a warm wrap in cold weather. Her website tells of her mission: "I am looking for people to knit or crochet scarves and hats for the homeless and the needy. The items collected will be donated to 2 organizations: Covenant House and the Pantry at St. Benedict's Prep in Newark, NJ. This is an ongoing project and plan to make deliveries monthly, forever, so even though the weather is getting warmer...it's not too late or too early to get started! I will also take donations of yarn if you don't knit." Even though Tara spearheaded this venture, she refused to take sole credit for such an act of generosity. "I don't want to take all the credit for the scarves. I was not the only one who made them...what I did was ask my aunts and their friends, my friends from my swim team and their moms, and there are about 6 moms and kids who did not know how to knit, but decided to learn so they can help... an aunt who started a scarf a year ago but never finished it decided to dust it off from under her bed and donated it... and my mom's friends. A lady from Bethlehem, PA who I don't even know, saw my story that we posted on the Lion Brand Yarn website and decided to send me the 35 scarves she knit last year but did not know who to give it to". Tara is always looking for more people to help add to the fuzzies she gives to Covenant House and the Pantry at St. Benedict's Prep. Please visit her website to see how you can get involved. (fuzziesforthehomeless.shutterfly.com)
Newark: So many people have fond memories of their high school proms—dresses, flowers, dancing, limos. But for some kids, the prom is nothing more than a dream. Kathleen O'Donnell, a Junior at Westfield High School, wanted to make sure that all of the young people at Covenant House had a prom just like the one she will enjoy with her friends this Spring. Last summer, this ambitious teenager came up with the idea to hold a dinner-dance at Covenant House as her Gold Award project for Girl Scouts. With the help of her family and classmates, Kathleen has coordinated an event that is sure to create many memories for everyone involved.
On Valentine's Day, the gym at Covenant House in Newark will be transformed into a banquet hall, decorated with scenes from the New York City skyline. Since August 2008, Kathleen has been soliciting donations to cover all aspects of the event. She collected 271 gowns, 150 suits, jewelry, shoes and accessories for all of the guests to wear to the prom. She secured a caterer, a DJ, a florist, and a photographer for the evening, as well as Nets tickets to give away as favors to all of the attendees! When asked why she would take on such a difficult task, Kathleen explained that it was important for her to make a difference by giving fellow teenagers something she otherwise takes for granted. Kathleen was also inspired by Do 1 Thing, an organization using "socially conscious photography to highlight the ills of society and help foster change." (See www.do1thing.org for more information.) She is a lovely young woman, who has certainly done more than one thing for our youth! Thank you, Kathleen.
On a steamy, late spring day, Atlantic City Male Service Manager, Nelson Nance, rounded up a group of willing Covenant House males who were all too eager to help move a mountain of mulch from the middle of the parking lot of the new Atlantic City Rights of Passage building, slated to open in a few days, to various parts of the property. The young men, encouraged and cheered on by Nance, toiled under the hot sun until every last bit of the mulch was moved and the parking lot cleared to welcome the hundreds of guests to the site's grand opening celebration on June 12, 2008. Within a few days, one of the males who had labored so vigorously for hours finally moved in to the brand new facility, a new place to call home.
On a beautiful summer evening in July, staff, donors, and members of the community gathered at The Palm restaurant in Atlantic City to celebrate the graduation of 9 youth from the Rights of Passage Program. Since its inception, Rights of Passage, Covenant House's Transitional Living Program, has served over 200 young people, teaching them independent living skills and preparing them to live on their own.
| OCTOBER 2008
35 volunteers from SAP America Inc. located in Washington D.C. arrived at Covenant House Atlantic City on October 1st ready to work. This energetic group spent the entire day painting, weeding, cleaning, and gardening at both Atlantic City site locations.
2 volunteers helped teach a Job Readiness Class to Covenant House youth.
Close to 40 folks attended a beautiful open house reception on Thursday, October 9th at the home of former Senator Jim Hurley to launch Covenant House outreach services in Cumberland County. Guests were treated to great food, breathtaking scenery, and information about both Covenant House and its dream to conduct outreach full time in Cumberland County.
This is an extraordinary year for Covenant House New Jersey as we celebrate the opening of 43 new beds in three different cities-Atlantic City, Newark and Montclair!
The new sites are the product of our statewide Campaign to Save More Kids which has been raising funds based on the vision of moving youth from "a life on the streets to a life of their own". At Newark Rights of Passage (ROP), Atlantic City ROP, and Nancy's Place in Montclair, our kids receive support from staff and fellow residents, they are employed, they pay monthly rent, and they are all working to further their education. The new sites offer them an environment within which they can thrive in all of these areas.
In January, Nancy's Place will open its doors as the first Covenant House program to serve homeless and mentally ill young adults between the ages of 18-21, making this a very special holiday season for staff and residents alike.
Thanks to the generosity of our individual donors as well as city, state and federal agencies, our youth are one step closer to gaining "a life of their own".
On December 4, Covenant House staff and youth introduced themselves to a new audience at the Gateway Center in downtown Newark. Throughout the day the Outreach Team sat at an information table in a central location in the middle of the Gateway walkways to answer questions and talk to people about Covenant House.
In the evening, through the generosity of Advance Realty Group, Covenant House has the opportunity to host a meet and greet in the Gateway One Lobby allowing youth and staff to talk about their experiences as people walked through on their way home. Fantastic food was donated by Covenant House's neighbors, Hobby's Deli and Eli's Pizza Pasta, and drinks were provided by Isbre Holding Corp. and Peerless Beverage. Overall the event was a success, and everyone involved enjoyed meeting new people and spreading the word about the work of Covenant House.
Newark, December 2008: The talented young men and women of St. Peter's College performed in a fun-filled entertaining show "Love and Conflict" to benefit the youth of Covenant House New Jersey on December 5 and 6, 2008. The students sang songs from popular Broadway shows, such as In the Heights and Wicked, and also got the audience involved with interactive and laughter-provoking improv comedy. Best of all, six residents from the Newark Crisis Center were in attendance and enjoyed every minute of the show.
Kaitlyn Flannery, co-director of the show and a Senior at St. Peter's, is an intern at Covenant House this semester. She has been contributing to the efforts of the Development Team for the past couple of months. During the upcoming weeks, she will share her show-stopping skills with the youth as they prepare for a holiday show with Momma Gwen. Thank you to Kaitlyn and her fellow classmates for putting on a wonderful performance to benefit our young people!
On Saturday, December 6, several families from Madison, New Jersey, brought holiday cheer to the Newark Crisis Center. Equipped with a tree and all the trimmings, these families turned Covenant House into a winter wonderland. Parents and their children spent hours crafting and decorating in Momma Gwen's classroom, the front lobby and the Day Room. Not a detail was missed! Youth and staff alike have not stopped commenting on the beautiful work done by the families. They certainly helped to make the holiday a little brighter for the Covenant House-Newark community.
On December 8, fifteen Covenant House youth attended a Jingle Jam 2008 sponsored by the reigning Super Bowl Champions - the New York Giants. Youth were treated to dinner, games, music, and the opportunity to meet Giants players. Some team members were dressed as Santa, distributing Giants gear, including duffle bags, coats, hats, special edition champion footballs and basketballs. Players were on hand to sign team pictures and participate in the festivities. Some even danced with our youth! Over 600 of the state's Foster Care Kids and homeless youth were in attendance. For many of our young people this was an experience they will never forget. To top it off, the Giants sent back gifts for all of the young people in our programs, so even those who did not attend received a special treat.
Despite the rainy and muddy conditions, three of our young people and a few staff members pitched in to beautify the outside of Nancy's Place in Montclair. Through the generosity of Susan DiMarco, a longtime friend of Covenant House, a beautiful landscaping plan was created for the home. She provided the plants, and the first phase of the gardening project was completed as our team put the bushes into place. The rest of the work will be completed in the Spring when the weather is more favorable for greenery. Many thanks to Susan and her friends who helped make this house look more like a home!
Volunteers serving dinner | Newark Holiday Party
In Newark, the community came together on December 18 to share a holiday meal, and A.C. followed on December 22. At both parties, current and former residents ate, laughed, prayed, and celebrated under one roof with their extended Covenant House families. On Christmas Day, each site was blessed with the help of volunteers who came to show their giving spirit on this most sacred of days.
Staff sorting through generous donations received
The holiday spirit was alive and well at Covenant House New Jersey this Christmas. Thanks to the generosity of individual donors, local churches in North and South Jersey, and several private businesses, all of our young people received gifts for themselves, and toys for their children.
Covenant House Community celebrating together
Due to the outpouring of support from others, Covenant House New Jersey was able to provide the peace, love and joy of the season with young people who need it most of all at this time of year. On behalf of staff and youth statewide, thank you to everyone who shared their holiday cheer with us.
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Celebrating Over 20,000 Youth Served in Twenty Years!
2010
Running for the Home Team
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2009 PAST EVENTS
JULY.09
Running for NJ's Homeless Youth
JUNE.29-30.09
Maya Group
JUNE.13.09
Youth in Great Outdoors
MAY.19.09
Matthew Enslin
MAY.12.09
Casey M. Moran
MARCH.27.09
Tara Lenahan
FEB.14.09
Dinner & Dance
Newark
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2008 PAST EVENTS
JUNE.08
Youth Prepare for
AC ROP Opening
JULY.17.08
Graduation Day
OCT.01.08
SAP America
OCT.09.08
Cumberland County
Open House
DEC.08
43 New Beds Statewide
DEC.06.08
Gateway Awareness
DEC.05-06.08
All Comedy, No Tragedy
DEC.06.08
Decking the Halls
DEC.08.08
Jingle Jam 2008
DEC.10.08
Landscaping Nancy's Place
DEC.18.08
Sharing a Holiday Meal
DEC.25.08
Holiday Spirit Alive
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