Covenant House

Every night, thousands of youth live on the Los Angeles streets. Often forced from their own homes because of abuse, they find shelter in abandoned buildings or underneath bridges. With no other options, many of these youth turn to drugs and prostitution for survival. For these unseen youth, there is an organization that reaches out, offers them hope, and gives them a way off the streets.

Covenant House California in Hollywood reaches adolescents and helps them become self-sufficient. Every night of the year, Outreach Staff Members drive through the streets of Los Angeles inviting homeless youth to seek shelter inside Covenant House.

For those children who come to Covenant House California, a host of opportunities is made available. The organization offers comprehensive services including: a crisis shelter, transitional housing and a supportive apartment program. While at Covenant House, youths’ crisis situations are immediately addressed and they are offered other services including: case management, health care, mental health services, and life skills classes.

Youth also attend the Employment and Education Center to help them complete their high school diploma or obtain their GED. They receive job training and secure employment that will allow them to eventually live on their own. “These are all important steps to helping these youth develop the skills they need to achieve their dreams and lead productive lives,” said George Lozano, Executive Director of Covenant House California.

Summa Children’s Foundation began supporting Covenant House’s Employment Skills Program four years ago. Funds received through the foundation allow Covenant House to assist youth with limited opportunities to gain educational and vocational skills necessary for independent living. This program offers educational assessment and assistance, computer skills training, General Equivalency Diploma preparation, pre-employment, job development, and job retention services. There is also an Internship Program, Employer’s Network and mentors to provide youth with additional job opportunities.

“The Summa Children’s Foundation wanted to offer support to keep these children off the streets long term. The Employment Skills Program gives youth the chance to excel in life,” said Brian Werdesheim, Co-Founder of Summa Children’s Foundation.

George Lozano feels that the partnership with The Summa Foundation connects directly with the youth who are being served. “Summa understands the needs of our youth. The financial support helps us turn these kid’s lives around but the Foundation also helps in other ways.  This summer, Summa Children’s Foundation has invited our youth to participate in the Buses for Baseball program. For many of these youth, it will be the first time they’ve been to a game. It will be life-changing for some of them,” reflected George Lozano.  “The Summa Children’s Foundation affects their lives on many important levels.”

The work of Covenant House California is positively affecting lives. In a single year, over a thousand homeless youth are helped by the organization’s residential programs and over five thousand are served through its outreach activities. This critical assistance is both life-saving and life-changing. Abused, forgotten and discarded children are given a chance in life.