Covenant House Pennsylvania Launches "Am I Cut Out?" Campaign To Raise Awareness Of Homeless Youth

PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 18, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Covenant House Pennsylvania, the region's largest shelter exclusively serving homeless youth, is taking over Dilworth Park with an art installation entitled "Am I Cut Out?"  The installation features hundreds of life-sized cutouts representing the 546 homeless youth who Covenant House turned away last year because it was full – homeless youth who were "cut out" of a safe place to call home.

Covenant House serves homeless teenagers and adolescents, including young mothers with babies of their own, who have been victims of abuse or neglect, who have been in and out of foster care, or who have been pushed out or thrown away because they identify as LGBTQ.  "At Covenant House, we see the opportunity of adolescence.  Our young people are still learning and growing, which gives us the chance to help them transform their lives from the despair of the street to stability and success," said John Ducoff, Executive Director of Covenant House Pennsylvania.  

Last year, Covenant House's youth shelter served 512 homeless youth but turned away 546 more because it was full.  "We're here today to stand up for the hundreds of youth we have to turn away each year because we're full," said John Ducoff, Executive Director Covenant House Pennsylvania.  Ducoff added: "Within the last several months we've seen good steps from City Council and the Office of Homeless Services, but we have to do more.  We have to come together as a city and a community and help these remarkable young people so they see that they are indeed cut out – cut out to lead lives of hope, inspiration, and opportunity." 

The activation at Dilworth Park is in a highly visible area that will educate visitors about the significant number of homeless youth in Philadelphia and how Covenant House Pennsylvania works to help them.  During the activation, there will be representatives of Covenant House Pennsylvania in the area talking to Philadelphians about homeless youth and encouraging donations to help these young people. Donations can also be made by visiting http://covenanthousepa.org/get-involved/financial-support/ or by texting CHPA to 56512.

Covenant House Pennsylvania's mission is to help homeless youth leave the streets and move into housing programs that provide the support, skills, and encouragement that they need to graduate high school, go to college, and turn their dreams into reality.

For more information about Covenant House Pennsylvania, please contact Natalie Buyny at [email protected] or 717-231-5341.

About Covenant House Pennsylvania
Established in Philadelphia in 1999, Covenant House Pennsylvania (CHPA) is the largest provider of services exclusively for homeless and runaway youth in the city. CHPA serves runaway, homeless, and trafficked youth, including mothers with children, through 21 years of age, working to help youth escape the streets and transition to a life with stable housing, a solid educational foundation, and sustained employment.  CHPA also provides longer–term living accommodations and support for youth through 24 years of age. CHPA's primary goal is to create a relationship with their kids based upon unconditional love and absolute respect. CHPA is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization. For more information, please visit www.covenanthousepa.org.

FOR MORE INFORMATION  
Natalie Buyny
Tierney
Phone: 717-231-5341
[email protected]

SOURCE Covenant House Pennsylvania

Related Links

http://covenanthousepa.org