In the fall of 1997, Covenant House Michigan opened its doors to Detroit’s youth 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 (1998, Southwest Community Service Center), 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. In 2001, after a comprehensive capital campaign, CHM was able to renovate our Detroit campus to include separate living spaces for our youth, the Caritas Emergency Shelter, housing up to 45 youth and the Rights of Passage Transitional Living Center, housing up to 30 youth. In addition, the campaign allowed CHM to create communal spaces for our youth such as the Dining Hall, Chapel and basketball court. In the fall of 2018, CHM opened it’s second emergency shelter in Grand Rapids, serving 28 youth through the generosity of the west Michigan community.

On June 30, 2005 Detroit Public Schools (DPS) authorized CHM to open three charter schools in order to better serve the needs of youth facing homelessness as well as those youth in the community who lack a high school diploma. Covenant House Academy has three schools located on the east and southwest sides of Detroit and serve youth aged 16-22. In 2013, Covenant House Academy opened in Grand Rapids. Currently, all four schools are chartered by Grand Valley State University.

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 Michigan’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.

Our 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.

From the basics of food and shelter to educational and vocational training, Covenant House Michigan is serving the needs of homeless and at-risk youth in metro Detroit. CHM offers crisis shelter, street outreach, transitional housing, job development and placement, education services, substance abuse and domestic violence prevention, crisis intervention and other services to help young people take control of their futures and shape their destinies.