ASBURY PARK, NJ – In support of Covenant House New Jersey’s outreach program to homeless and at-risk youth in Asbury Park, the Charles Lafitte Foundation recently donated a $5,000 grant to the organization.
Covenant House reaches out to young people who are suffering on the street. They start with a van, some sandwiches, water, blankets and unconditional love.
“If a young person is on the street alone, we find nothing more important than offering an alternative, offering them hope, offering them love. The Charles Lafitte Foundation’s investment in our young people supports their journey from homelessness and hopelessness to independence,” said Jill Rottmann, Executive Director of Covenant House.
As part of Covenant House’s outreach program, outreach workers go out in to the community, making connections with young people in crisis and offering them guidance, support and shelter, if needed.
“Covenant House is a part of the solution for youth homelessness. That’s why we are thrilled to support the street outreach teams that work the most desolate streets, visit schools and try to reach young people without a place to stay,” said Jennifer Vertetis, President of the Charles Lafitte Foundation.
With funding from the Charles Lafitte Foundation, Covenant House is able to purchase food and supplies to distribute to the homeless youth they encounter on the street and those who come to the store-front seeking assistance.
“I was once one of the youth we service. Growing up in the Asbury Park community, I can see how valuable the services we provide are and I am happy to be able to humbly help and serve my community. Through my eyes, the Asbury Park community and youth are very receptive to our services and we hope to keep touching lives and encouraging the youth to choose a better path than I did,” said Darryl Bunting, Asbury Park Outreach Worker, Covenant House.
More information about Covenant House is available at www.covenanthousenj.org or by calling (973) 621-8705. For more information about the Charles Lafitte Foundation, visit www.charleslafitte.org.
About The Charles Lafitte Foundation
The Charles Lafitte Foundation (CLF) supports innovative and effective ways of helping people help themselves and others around them to achieve healthy, satisfying and enriched lives. The Foundation supports organizations working in four main areas: education, children’s advocacy, medical research & issues, and the arts. The Foundation underwrites programs that can become self-sustaining with long-term commitment and measurable impact. In determining grants, CLF looks for solutions that lead to independence and self-empowerment for individuals, and to the establishment of effective, long-standing programs and organizations. For more information about the Charles Lafitte Foundation visit www.charleslafitte.org