| 2011
Click here for all of the latest on Covenant House New Jersey and other Covenant House Sites.
FEB 03 Squash Exhibition for Atlantic City’s Youth | Join for an exciting doubles match hosted by New Head Pro Greg Park at Great Bay Racquet & Fitness in Somers Point, New Jersey.
MARCH 20 NYC Half Marathon | Make strides for homeless youth! Join the Home Team by running 13.1 miles through New York City. Guaranteed entry is available. Register now! Download application by clicking here or start fundraising today >
APRIL 25 A Night of “Future” Broadway Stars | Enjoy a lively show performed by some of Bergen County’s most talented students in a show to benefit the youth at Covenant House. Performance will take place at Benjamin Franklin Middle School in Ridgewood, New Jersey.
MAY 02 Winged Foot Golf Invitational | Join us for our first outing at Winged Foot Golf Club in beautiful Mamaroneck, NY to benefit homeless youth in New York and New Jersey. Visit www.wfgc.org for more details.
MAY 07 Spring Shoot at Hudson Farm | A unique fundraiser inviting enthusiasts of all skill levels to shoot at an assortment of clay targets throughout the sprawling grounds of Hudson Farm.
MAY 11 A Night of Broadway Stars | An unforgettable evening of song and celebration featuring some of Broadway’s best at New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark. Visit www.nightofbroadwaystarsnj.org for more details.
JUNE 18 Wyckoff-Franklin Lakes Triathlon | Swim, Bike and Run for our kids! Apply through the lottery during the first week of February. If you get in, contact us to help us expand the Home Team at the event! Visit www.wycoffymca.org for lottery details.
JUNE 27 Covenant House Golf Invitational | Join us for a great day at Hackensack Golf Club, one of North Jersey’s top courses, to benefit homeless youth in New Jersey and New York.
AUGUST 07 Nautica NYC Triathlon | Swim, Bike and Run for our kids! Join the Home Team for its debut in this exciting event. We have guaranteed entry slots available. Register now!
AUGUST 29 Joseph C. Nugent Golf Outing | There is nothing below par about this event, except your score! Join us for a great day at Spring Lake Golf Club.
NOVEMBER 07 ING New York City Marathon | Run for our kids or cheer the Home Team on from the bustling sidelines of Manhattan’s First Avenue. More details to come!
Acker/Purcell Second Chance Open (date TBD) | Take a few swings in the brisk fall air and celebrate the 35th year of this fun and spirited outing at Forest Hill Golf Club.
Morris County Auxiliary Cocktail Party (date TBD) | Every year the Auxiliary hosts a spectacular themed cocktail party for local supporters. You won’t want to miss it!
If you have any questions, please contact Gina Butler at gbutler@covenanthouse.org or 973-286-3400.
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.
| JULY 2009
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.
Latest News | Calendar | Media Center | NOBS
Click to see related info or scroll to read all newsworthy events!
Celebrating Over 20,000 Youth Served in Twenty Years!
2011
WINTER/SPRING
Exciting new events for the new year!
SUMMER
Swim, run, bike, gold…all for our kids!
FALL
Looking ahead Fall 2011
Go hometeam!
_________
2010 PAST EVENTS
Running for the Home Team
_________
2009 PAST EVENTS
_________
