The leaves aren’t the only thing changing this season, Covenant House New York has a new place to call home! CHNY originally opened its doors 50 years ago, however, we’ve never had a building designed intentionally for our youth. Because of this, many programs were situated inconveniently and inefficiently, creating what often became a challenging environment for youth and families to navigate. Responding to the need for a more dynamic space, Covenant House began construction on our new 80,000 square foot facility in fall of 2019. Two years later, the building opened, welcoming the 1,600 youth who receive shelter and services each year.
As with our previous building, our new facility puts shelter, health care, legal aid, educational services, and job training under one roof—this time with a layout more accessible and easier to navigate than ever before. “It feels like a fresh start, which is exactly what our young people need when they seek our support” expressed Fatou Camara, our in-kind donations specialist and coordinator of Covendales, a place where all youth can access new free clothing and toiletries.
Every decision in our new building, from the selection of the colors, to the emphasis on sunlight, to the high ceilings, to the wide hallways, to the outdoor space … all were made to provide our young people with the feeling they are welcomed and valued.
