Covenant House

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Covenant House – Donation Opportunity

Well, with all my Pepsi Refreshing, one of the organizations I’ve been promoting asked if I would be willing to post a donation banner on my blog here.  I am honored to have been asked and gladly said YES!

The banner is over to the right, just below the “Tabs” and “Subscribe To” widgets.  If you want more info before you give, read below!

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Covenant House was founded 38 years ago with the mission to help homeless teens and young adults get off the street and into productive lives. Most of the kids Covenant House serves are running from abuse at home or they are thrown out by their parents. Many are kids who were abandoned or abused as young children and have bounced around in the foster care system until they reach 18.  Regardless of the reasons why they are on the street, the fact is that they are and need help. 

A huge percentage of them have not finished high school, have some emotional problems, and have no idea how to get or keep a job. Basically they are fodder for pimps and drug dealers. Covenant House takes these kids in and kind of re-parents them. They offer shelter and meet immediate needs (like a safe place to sleep and medical care) and then they work with the kids on a long-term plan that involves getting a GED diploma, learning a job skill and getting counseling.

Kids who stick with the program are offered a transitional housing program where they are coached in life skills, learn to hold a job, pay rent and take care of themselves. They pay rent to Covenant House for their apartments, and after 12-18 months when they graduate from the program, they are given all of their rent back as a start-up stake in life — to allow them to put a deposit on an apartment and set up a household.

The most interesting thing about Covenant House is that this is not a bureaucratic social services agency, the services are highly personalized for each kid, and they offer the kids parental care and love. Much of the program is about undoing the emotional damage to kids that their parental abandonment has left them with, helping them grow confident and happy with themselves.

Read this story about one of Covenant House’s “moms”:

Newark Woman Gives a Mother’s Love to Residents at Covenant House

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Check them out on:

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Pepsi Refresh – December *Hot Projects*

I showed you the projects I was supporting last month here. 

Of those, three projects got their funding!  Awesome!  You can check which ones won by going to the link above.

Here are the projects that have my vote for this month.  Again, you can vote each day for up to 10 projects!

Empowering DC teens to avoid & escape exploitation & human trafficking
by FAIR Fund, Inc. – $50k (top 10 get funding)

FAIR Fund is a registered 501 (c) 3 nonprofit working to prevent human
trafficking of youth worldwide by building community leadership, providing education and empowerment programs, and offering compassionate intervention services. We have reached over 15,000 young people 11 countries since 2003.

Goals

  • Educate 1,000 at-risk teens to stay safe from trafficking
  • Support teens in danger
  • Provide access to shelter, medical services, and more for teens
  • Build a community that can better assist exploited teens

Rebuild the lives of homeless, throwaway and trafficked youth
by Covenant House – $250k (top 2 get funding)

Covenant House is the largest privately funded agency in America providing food, shelter, immediate crisis care and other important services to homeless, throwaway, and runaway kids. We strive to move each kid forward toward an independent adulthood free from the risk of future homelessness.

Goals

  • To provide food to 1000 infants & toddlers in our Mother/Child program
  • To help homeless mothers build a future for themselves & their babies
  • To stay open 24/7/365 to any kid who comes to our door

Rehabilitate Victims of HUMAN TRAFFICKING
by International Sanctuary – $250k (top 2 get funding)

International Sanctuary (iSanctuary) empowers survivors of human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation. iSanctuary is working to ensure survivors receive all the elements necessary for restoration, including education, counseling, vocational training, and mental, emotional healing.

Goals

  • Provide survivors the means to self-sufficiency and reintegration
  • Provide a place and opportunity for survivors to grow professionally
  • The ability for survivors of human trafficking to earn an income

24 Hr Drop-In Center for Human Sex Trafficking Prostitution Victims
by Genesis Project – $250k (top 2 get funding)

I am a Police Officer in Seatac Wa, with KCSO. I’ve been in Law Enforcement for 13 yrs and in the last 9 yrs I’ve contacted and or arrested over 500 prostitutes. Many of whom are juveniles between the ages of 12-17. These girls are modern-day slaves forced into the life. We are taking a stand!

Goals

  • Provide Shelter / Safety / Food / & Rehabilitation for these girls

Expose, Fight and End Child Sex Slavery and Exploitation
by Redlight Children – $50k (top 10 get funding)

Redlight Children is a human rights based nonprofit organization aimed at generating conscious concern for, and ending the demand for child slavery and exploitation. We use mass media to promote awareness, and our efforts include the K11 project-3 films designed to expose the industry.

Goals

  • Expose the issue of child slavery and exploitation in the US
  • Fight against perpetrators through advocating for stricter legislation
  • Collaborate with other nonprofits, corporations, universities, etc
  • Raise awareness and promote our films in communities nationwide
  • Raise awareness and promote our cause on universities nationwide

Develop the Next Generation of Civic Leaders
by Center for Progressive Leadership – $250k (top 2 get funding)

Construct an English Language Learning Center in Omaha, Nebraska
by Alee Forsythe – $250k (top 2 get funding)
*I like this because it can be used to help educate and acclimate victims who are trafficked into the US by teaching them the local language*

Restore Outreach Services to the Homeless in Columbus, OH
by The Open Shelter, Inc. – $50k (top 10 get funding)

Provide Suicide Prevention and Education to People in Cincinnati, OH
by Centerpoint Health – $50k (top 10 get funding)

Provide Properly Fitting Shoes to Children in Desperate Need
by Shoes 4 the Shoeless – $50k (top 10 get funding)

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Pepsi Refresh – November *Hot Projects*

Thought I’d send you some links to great projects that could use your support this month.  You can go each day to Pepsi Refresh and vote for up to 10 projects!  Quite a few to fight against Human Trafficking, how exciting!

These are the projects with my vote (for more info and to vote for them, click on their Project Title):

Empowering DC teens to avoid & escape exploitation & human trafficking
by FAIR Fund, Inc. – $50k (top 10 get funding)
*Running again in December!*

FAIR Fund is a registered 501 (c) 3 nonprofit working to prevent human
trafficking of youth worldwide by building community leadership, providing education and empowerment programs, and offering compassionate intervention services. We have reached over 15,000 young people 11 countries since 2003.

Goals

  • Educate 1,000 at-risk teens to stay safe from trafficking
  • Support teens in danger
  • Provide access to shelter, medical services, and more for teens
  • Build a community that can better assist exploited teens

Rebuild the lives of homeless, throwaway and trafficked youth
by Covenant House – $250k (top 2 get funding)
*Running again in December!*

(Also registered for a $50k grant here)

Covenant House is the largest privately-funded agency in America providing food, shelter, immediate crisis care and other important services to homeless, throwaway, and runaway kids. We strive to move each kid forward toward an independent adulthood free from the risk of future homelessness.

Goals

  • To provide food to 1000 infants & toddlers in our Mother/Child program
  • To help homeless mothers build a future for themselves & their babies
  • To stay open 24/7/365 to any kid who comes to our door

Create a SMS: Freedom Helplines to combat trafficking in California!
by Survivors Connect – $50k (top 10 get funding)

I am an anthropologist who has spent the last 5 years studying modern-day slavery around the world. I have worked on the issue in several capacities – from Hill advocacy, victim service and research. My work earned me the Freedom Award in 2008 and since I have launched Survivors Connect.

Goals

  • To create a text-based helpline for people to contact about slavery
  • Train human rights advocates and aid workers about slavery
  • Coordinate a network of first responders to rescue victims
  • Prevent young people from becoming victim to slavery in the US

Fight Against Human Trafficking & Empower Survivors
by She Shall Go Free – $25k (top 10 get funding)
*Yay!  They got their funding!*

She Shall Go Free was founded by two USC college students dedicated to fighting against human trafficking, gender based violence, and exploitation of women and girls. We focus on empowering survivors, raising awareness of sex trafficking, and supporting projects that aid at-risk women and survivors.

Goals

  • To purchase 1,000 shirts for our AWARENESS & FUNDRAISING campaign
  • To fund SCHOLARSHIPS for survivors for job training/basic education
  • To purchase requested items for LOCAL SHELTERS aiding women/survivors
  • To provide emergency financial ASSISTANCE to women in need

Teach immigrants English in Philadelphia, PA tended by Project SHINE
by Project SHINE

Develop the Next Generation of Civic Leaders
by Center for Progressive Leadership – $250k (top 2 get funding)
*Running again in December!*

Educate and empower young adults in PA to improve their communities
by Haile B. Johnston
*Yay! They got their funding!*

Teach Hip-Hop and Respect to inner-city youth
by Elementz Youth Center for Hip-Hop and Respect
*Yay! They got their funding!*

Open a home and youth center for teens in downtown Birmingham, AL
by The Village