COVENANT HOUSE NEW JERSEY INC

DROP-IN SERVICES (FORMERLY THE COMMUNITY SERVICE CENTER):THE NEWARK AND ATLANTIC CITY YOUTH ENGAGEMENT CENTERS (YEC) ARE THE CORE OF OUR SERVICE PROVISION IN NORTH AND SOUTH JERSEY. THERE, WE PROVIDE AN ARRAY OF IMPORTANT SUPPORTIVE SERVICES TO RESIDENTS AND NON-RESIDENTIAL CLIENTS TO ENCOURAGE, ENGAGE AND EMPOWER YOUTH TO MOVE TO A POSITIVE LIVING ENVIRONMENT. THESE SERVICES INCLUDE CASE MANAGEMENT, LEGAL ASSISTANCE, PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH CARE, AND THROUGH OUR DOVE LEARNING CENTER: CAREER DEVELOPMENT, EDUCATIONAL SERVICES, FINANCIAL LITERACY, SOCIAL NAVIGATION, AND WELLNESS ALL WITH A FOCUS ON RESILIENCY. - LEGAL SUPPORT AND ADVOCACY: AT COVENANT HOUSE NEW JERSEY OUR YOUTH ADVOCACY CENTER (YAC) IS STAFFED BY LICENSED ATTORNEYS PROVIDING LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO OUR YOUTH IN A VARIETY OF LEGAL MATTERS INCLUDING FAMILY LAW, LANDLORD/TENANT, MUNICIPAL COURT, PUBLIC BENEFITS, IMMIGRATION, AND ADVOCACY. THE YAC ALSO WORKS ON ADVOCACY PROJECTS AND CONDUCTS EDUCATIONAL GROUPS FOR YOUTH ON A VARIETY OF LEGAL TOPICS. IN THE FISCAL YEAR 2023, OUR CHNJ LEGAL TEAM ASSISTED 187 YOUTH WITH LEGAL SERVICES.- HEALTH AND WELL-BEING: HOMELESSNESS IMPACTS YOUNG PEOPLE'S PHYSICAL AND MENTAL WELL-BEING IN MANY WAYS, AND BECAUSE YOUTH ARE STILL DEVELOPING COGNITIVELY, PHYSICALLY, PSYCHOLOGICALLY, AND EMOTIONALLY, THOSE IMPACTS CAN HAVE DEEP EFFECTS. THIS IS EVEN MORE THE CASE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE OF COLOR AND THOSE WHO IDENTIFY AS LGBTQ, WHO FACE UNIQUE CHALLENGES ASSOCIATED WITH RACISM AND PREJUDICE. COVENANT HOUSE WELCOMES ALL YOUNG PEOPLE FACING HOMELESSNESS WITH UNCONDITIONAL LOVE AND ABSOLUTE RESPECT AND PROVIDES THEM ACCESS TO A RANGE OF HEALTH AND WELL-BEING SERVICES THAT THEY CAN USE TO HEAL AND REDISCOVER THEIR POTENTIAL. OUR TRAUMA-INFORMED, RESILIENCE-FOCUSED PROGRAMS AND SERVICES RANGE FROM MEDICAL CARE AT OUR ON-SITE HEALTH CENTERS TO YOGA CLASSES, MUSIC LESSONS, COUNSELING, SPIRITUAL SERVICES, AS WELL AS SPORTS AND OTHER PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES. THROUGH THESE ACTIVITIES, YOUNG PEOPLE RETAKE CONTROL OVER THEIR LIVES, BUILD ON THEIR STRENGTHS, AND NOURISH THEIR SELF-CONFIDENCE.COVENANT HOUSE NEW JERSEY TAKES PRIDE IN ITS BEHAVIORAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT WHICH PROVIDES AN ESSENTIAL SERVICE WITHIN A SAFE AND TRUSTING ENVIRONMENT SO OUR YOUTH CAN OVERCOME THE OBSTACLES THEY FACE. THROUGH EARLY INTERVENTION AND PERSONALIZED CARE, YOUTH ARE ABLE TO APPROACH THEIR TREATMENT WITH CONFIDENCE. CHNJ PROVIDES ON-SITE GROUP AND INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING AS WELL AS ACCESS TO A CONSULTING PSYCHIATRIC APN. THIS EXTRA LEVEL OF MENTAL HEALTHCARE, IN ADDITION TO MEDICAL CARE HELPS YOUTH MEET THEIR GOALS AND OVERCOME BARRIERS TO TREATMENT. IN FISCAL YEAR 2023, 41% OF OUR YOUTH IN RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMS ENGAGED IN MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.- DOVE LEARNING CENTER (DLC): ADVANCING EDUCATIONALLY AND PREPARING FOR THE WORLD OF WORK ARE KEY TO A YOUNG PERSON'S PROSPECTS FOR LEAVING HOMELESSNESS BEHIND. EITHER DIRECTLY OR THROUGH REFERRAL, WE GUIDE YOUTH TO APPROPRIATE EDUCATIONAL AND VOCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES, MATCHING EACH YOUNG PERSON'S STRENGTHS AND ABILITIES WITH THEIR CAREER INTERESTS. WE HELP THEM HONE THE SKILLS THEY NEED TO JOIN THE WORKFORCE, BECOME INDEPENDENT, AND TURN THEIR BACK ON HOMELESSNESS. IN FY23, 255 YOUTH GAINED OR MAINTAINED EMPLOYMENT AND 77% OF YOUTH PARTICIPATED IN RESILIENCE-BUILDING ACTIVITIES IN THE DLC.COVENANT HOUSE NEW JERSEY HAS ESTABLISHED AN INNOVATIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT, CALLED THE DOVE LEARNING CENTER (DLC), TO FURTHER MOTIVATE YOUNG PEOPLE TO MEET THEIR GOALS. THE DLC USES A BLENDED LEARNING CURRICULUM THAT FOSTERS AUTONOMY, COMPETENCE AND RESILIENCE WITH A FOCUS ON FIVE SUBJECT AREAS: EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT, SOCIAL COMPETENCES, FINANCIAL LITERACY, AND PHYSICAL WELLNESS. IN THE FISCAL YEAR 2023, 224 YOUTH ENGAGED IN ON-SITE JOB READINESS PROGRAMS WHERE 97 OBTAINED EMPLOYMENT WHILE PARTICIPATING IN CHNJ AND ANOTHER 94 WERE ASSISTED IN MAINTAINING EMPLOYMENT WHILE ENGAGED IN SERVICES. 108 YOUTH ENROLLED IN SCHOOL.