In the fall of 1997, Covenant House Michigan opened its doors to Detroit’s young people facing homelessness with the establishment of the Eastside Community Service Center. In less than three years, CHM expanded to include a Street Outreach program (1997), a second Community Service Center  and a Job Development Center (1998), and a Crisis Center (April 2000). In the fourth year of operation, the Rights of Passage transitional living program (October 2000) opened. Our Detroit campus opened the House of Hope, co-occurring disorders day program in 2017 and in the fall of 2018, CHM opened our second emergency shelter in Grand Rapids, serving 28 youth through the generosity of the west Michigan community.

Over our 25 years, we have served over 80,000 young people across our core programs and services. Our alumni have become independent, confident successful adults, creating their own amazing lives. Our staff, some of whom have been with us the entire 25-year journey, have supported, uplifted and provided unconditional love and absolute respect to every young person who enters our campuses, many of whom have no other place to go. We have laughed and cried with them, becoming friends and mentors in their lives.

Every person deserves a safe place to sleep and hope for a brighter tomorrow. For young people, homelessness interrupts progress toward adulthood and a future of independence and self-sufficiency.

Covenant House’s doors are always open to all young people who need housing and help, regardless of their race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression. Our trauma-informed services help bridge the gap between potential and progress, and we also advocate for systemic change through public policy, while promoting awareness of critical issues related to youth homelessness. The Covenant House mission is centered and built on community, where youth, staff, volunteers, and partners love one another unconditionally, respect each other absolutely, and dedicate ourselves to a covenant of compassion and hope.

As we celebrate 25 years of transforming lives, we are asking our donors to help celebrate by helping us reach our campaign goal of $1 million to continue our mission of changing the lives of young people in Michigan. Can we count on you?

For campaign gifts of $25,000 and up, donors will receive recognition at the Covenant House International Homeless Awareness Month Livestream, November 1, 2022:

• Name on Livestream website and in closing credits
• Name in Sponsor scroll during Livestream
• Name in Livestream eblasts

For more information, or to make a multi-year pledge, please contact Carolyn Millard, Development Manager Major and Planned Giving, Detroit campus at cmillard@covenanthouse.org or Diane Hyland, Major Gifts Officer, Grand Rapids campus at dhyland@covenanthouse.org.