Major Gift Supports 24/7 Care for Homeless Youth

Rihanna’s Clara Lionel Foundation, JAY-Z’s Shawn Carter Scholarship Foundation, and Jack Dorsey’s Start Small have announced a major donation to Covenant House New Orleans. This gift will support critical, 24/7 services for homeless youth and children as our community faces the COVID-19 pandemic.

Covenant House extends our heartfelt thanks to Rihanna, JAY-Z, and Jack Dorsey for their phenomenal generosity in response to this crisis. 

Executive Director Jim Kelly voiced the organization’s gratitude:

“In November, we cared for an average of 162 homeless youth and children each night. In March, amidst the rise of the pandemic, our numbers grew to 202. Eighty-five percent of our residents have lost their jobs. We expect in the weeks and months ahead, due to a dramatic increase in violent and aberrant behavior, to provide 24/7 care to over 250 young people per night.

Often our homeless and at-risk youth—survivors of child abuse, sexual assault, domestic violence, and human trafficking—are sadly forgotten. Today, this act of kindness has lifted up the beauty of our young people: each one good, and brave, and worthy.

We are truly blessed by their loving and compassionate spirit.”

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Last year, Covenant House New Orleans served 900 homeless, at-risk, and trafficked youth (ages 22 and under). As the only 24/7 emergency shelter serving homeless youth in our state, we are on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic. We are committed to keeping our doors open to provide safety, shelter, and support to every young person who comes to us in need in this crisis.

Over the past 32 years, we have provided 30,000 kids with food, shelter, clothing, medical attention, individual & family counseling, educational assistance, vocational & job training services, life skills, short & long term housing, and more. 

Covenant House International helps young people in 31 cities across Latin and North America.