DETROIT, March 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Covenant House Michigan (CHM) will
dedicate a new 45-bed Crisis Center in Detroit March 20 that more than triples
its capacity for providing emergency shelter to homeless and at-risk young
people.
Detroit Archbishop Adam Cardinal Maida and Covenant House International
President Sister Mary Rose McGeady, D.C. will participate in the ceremonies at
Covenant House Michigan's headquarters at 2959 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.,
which are scheduled for 4:30 p.m.
The new Crisis Center replaces a 12-bed facility, which opened on the same
site in April 2000. Covenant House Michigan Executive Director Sam Joseph
said the 12-bed center quickly began to surpass its capacity due to an
increasing population of homeless and at-risk kids coming to Covenant House
from around the metro Detroit area and beyond.
"On an average night an additional 10 to 15 homeless youth slept on
makeshift beds on the floor," he said. "The advent of our new 45-bed Crisis
Center which is open 24 hours, 7 days a week, will increase our ability to
reach and serve Detroit's homeless youth."
The Crisis Center provides shelter, food and clothing for homeless young
men and women ages 18 to 22. "These homeless young people are able to call
the Crisis Center home for up to three months as we meet their immediate
needs," said Covenant House Michigan outreach worker, Carlos Pagan. "As we
gain their trust, we can address deeper issues and help them achieve other
goals like completing their GED or finding a job."
After their three-month stay, those unable to live independently qualify
to join the "Rights of Passage" transitional living program, also located at
the Martin Luther King Jr., Blvd site. Participants can be in the program up
to two-years. Its purpose is to prepare them to adjust to the
responsibilities of living independently.
"Our main goal has been and will always be, to help as many young people
off the streets and into quality lives as we can. With the new center, we
expect many more success stories," said Joseph.
In addition to the 15-room, three-beds-per-room upgrade, the 8000 square-
foot Crisis Center has additional amenities including: staff offices, a snack
kitchen, conference room, and separate male and female bathrooms with personal
shower stalls.
The Archdiocese donated the vacant property to Covenant House Michigan in
June 1999.
Sister Mary Rose McGeady, D.C. has served 13 years as president of all 22
world-wide Covenant House locations. Sister McGeady, who has announced she
will retire from Covenant House, is coming to Detroit to highlight the
progress Covenant House Michigan has made during its nearly six-year
existence.
In addition, stalwart Covenant House Michigan benefactors Ray Mazurek from
Green Oak Township, MI and Elizabeth Allingham from Dearborn, MI will be
honored for their dedication to the organization and its programs.
Covenant House Michigan was established in 1997. It is one of 22 Covenant
House sites around the globe, with the original site founded in New York in
1969. Covenant House Michigan is a privately funded organization that helps
homeless, runaway and at-risk youth get off the streets and into sustainable
adult lives.
SOURCE Covenant House Michigan
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Related links:
http://www.covenanthousemi.org
CONTACT:
Khaalid Walls of Covenant House Michigan,
+1-313-463-2005, fax: +1-313-463-2001, kwalls@covenanthouse.org
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