Youth Congress is a youth leadership and empowerment program. It strives to enfranchise youth to address personal, social and political issues. Youth Congress participants are the face and the soul of our organization.

Our Youth Congress program at both our Newark and Atlantic City locations provides these young adults with the opportunity to develop the skills and to acquire the knowledge necessary to become advocates. The young people are then encouraged to work to change their own situations, Covenant House, city, state or national issues that impact them. Composed of new leaders who are rising from at-risk situations, the objective is for these young people to demonstrate self-esteem and commitment.

Youth Congress helps our youth realize that their opinions count; their voices can be heard and that change can happen through their efforts. Through weekly meetings and monthly workshops, the participants develop leadership skills, foster group cohesion, and take an active role in decisions that affect them and the Covenant House community. In addition, each year the group identifies a community issue or concern and develops a project to address the situation.