The Covenant House in Vancouver was established on September 22, 1997 to provide shelter, food, immediate crisis care, and an array of other services to homeless and runaway youth. The help that the organization has provided in the last 20 years made positive changes in our community. Their principles and goals aim at providing immediate help for struggling youth, making the place a safe haven, building strong relationships, creating foundation for a positive future, and fostering confidence for the young people to make informed decisions.

The current Covenant House building is located at 575 Drake Street and a new building across the street that is set to be finished in spring 2019. We were able to attend their open house and found out what great things will be happening in the near future. The new building will have 10 floors for 75 male and female youth. In addition, the building will have amenities such as a gym and fitness center, art room, classrooms, lounge, and library. Not only are they creating a space for youth to sleep but also a place to make friends and nurture their talents and passion which will allow them to become positive members of society. As for the current building, it will also be redeveloped with 5 floors, including a health clinic, to provide a short-term stay for youth, with 2 floors being drop-in. As youth become committed to transition into a new life, they will move to the new building. While aiming to help the homeless youth, the Covenant House has also vouched to be a responsible organization for the rest of the community as well with their “Good Neighbour Agreement”, which addresses neighbourhood concerns in regards to security and safety.

As a proud member and long-time resident of Yaletown, Aleya Bhaloo has volunteered to sleep outside, once again, to raise awareness for homeless youth on February 28^th, 2019. It takes $4,000 to take one youth off the street for the ENTIRE year to provide them with proper basic needs alongside with mental health and counselling. We are excited to be participating in such a meaningful event and hope you will pledge for Aleya.

Homelessness has many faces. It can look like a young person sleeping in a doorway or other times it might be someone asking you to spare some change. Often it shows itself as a shared glance from a broken soul. Regardless of how we are reminded of the need, a common feeling often resonates: what can I do to help make this better? Here is your chance to make a difference!

Click HERE to donate, every little bit helps.

More information about the Vancouver Covenant House can be found HERE.