Christmas at Covenant House Sites 

The holiday season at Covenant House is a special time to celebrate at each of our sites. All our sites are committed to providing a sanctuary where our youth have the opportunity to feel safe, respected and loved. Our youth bring with them diverse cultures, cherished traditions, and beautiful religious expressions, and we celebrate all of them. We love to include our youth in planning holiday events, so that each person feels a since of belonging. Our staff and volunteers are all in – committed to ensuring our youth have a special holiday season regardless of their outward circumstances. Read more to find out how our sites bring in the holidays.

Holiday Highlights from Covenant House Sites

Covenant House Texas:

Understanding that this time can be difficult, we all make pointed attempts to accentuate our unconditional love and care for every young person”

Our Texas site includes youth in holiday celebrations by asking each resident to provide a personal wish list for their Christmas Wishes program. Individuals, corporations, and sports teams purchase and donate items to ensure each resident's wish list is fulfilled. On Christmas each youth receives a personalized large bundle of gifts to cover their needs and wants. Many groups also participate in the Catering to Youth program by serving special dinners and organizing cookie decorating and hot chocolate events for youth.

Covenant House New Jersey, Atlantic City

One Christmas every youth received a new pair of Nike sneakers. One young man burst into tears, as this was the first pair of new sneakers he had ever received, and he couldn’t believe these were new, just for him, and they fit!” 

Covenant House New Jersey in Atlantic City brings in holiday cheer with special care and consideration of what each resident would like to receive for the holiday. The staff and volunteers are all in when it comes to creating an environment where youth can feel safe, celebrated, and have fun. CHNJ Atlantic City also hosts a variety of holiday-themed games. The residents enjoy a few friendly competitions, including gingerbread-house-, door-, and room-decorating contests. The winners receive a choice prize for their creativity.

Covenant House Mexico

Our focus is on encouraging an atmosphere of unity, respect, and solidarity so that each person, whatever their beliefs, can feel supported and accompanied during the holidays, which is such an important time.”

Covenant House Mexico affirms the deep respect for the diversity of beliefs among our youth and staff that is typical of our movement. Particularly at holiday time, our staff at Covenant House Mexico promote an environment of mutual respect and reflection. They encourage everyone to share their own customs and traditions, and they offer space, to those who wish it, for moments of personal reflection, gratitude, and celebration with those who share their spiritual and cultural practices.

Covenant House New Jersey in Atlantic City brings in holiday cheer with special care and consideration of what each resident would like to receive for the holiday. The staff and volunteers are all in when it comes to creating an environment where youth can feel safe, celebrated, and have fun. CHNJ Atlantic City also hosts a variety of holiday-themed games. The residents enjoy a few friendly competitions, including gingerbread-house-, door-, and room-decorating contests. The winners receive a choice prize for their creativity.

Covenant House Georgia

We are so thankful to our community for always surrounding us with love and support all year long, but during the holidays they really show up!”

Covenant House Georgia comes together as a community to celebrate the holidays with their annual Holiday Fest. This time is spent enjoying holiday music played by a local DJ, creating arts and crafts, such as Christmas wreaths, and a festive holiday dinner. Staff members and volunteers who give their time, energy and resources to aid in helping youth during the holidays see the impact it has on a young person’s life. The memories made during a difficult season give them the strength to rise above their circumstances and pay it forward.

Covenant House North Jersey

[The alum] changed his life and knowing him had changed mine. It was a holiday blessing I will never forget.”

The Rights of Passage program at Covenant House North Jersey serves as a transitional housing program to equip and empower youth to overcome homelessness. During the holiday season, alumni of CHGW are invited to come back to celebrate the holidays with a family style dinner. These alumni dinners are a special time to reflect on how far they’ve come in their journeys in overcoming homelessness. A staff member shared how during one of these celebrations, an alum had asked to speak with the staff member outside the party. The alum gave a Christmas Card, and in it a $25 donation. In an act of paying it forward, the alum said “This is for Covenant House. It isn't much, but it is a small Christmas donation. Covenant House changed my life, and I want you to continue to help kids just like me. Merry Christmas.”

Covenant House Greater Washington:

Now you have a Covenant House Greater Washington family, who will always love and care about you”

One year, during a holiday meal and gift-giving celebration in the Community Services Center at Covenant House Greater Washington, a staff member noticed a youth visibly melancholy, despite others around him expressing joy. The young man shared that the holiday season reminded him about the times he and his siblings did not have food to eat, gifts to exchange, or family that seemed to care about their well-being. The staff member reminded him "Now you have a Covenant House Greater Washington family, who will always love and care about you," our staff member said. As he started for the door, he turned back, smiled, and said, "Thank you for caring about me."

Three Ways You Can Make a Difference This Holiday Season

1. Donate During our Match Campaign: Make even more of an impact when you give during our holiday match. Help spread the holiday joy and show our youth know they are cared for no matter what. Match my gift today.

2. Shop our Gift Catalog: Choose meaningful gifts that help to ensure our young people have what they need to thrive during the holidays and beyond. Give a gift that changes lives. Browse our holiday gift catalog.

3. Volunteer with Your Local Covenant House: Help create lasting memories for our youth. Opportunities vary by location, so check with your nearest Covenant House site to see how you can get involved. Learn more about volunteering opportunities.

Although the holidays may bring mixed emotions for our youth, we at Covenant House are committed to giving each resident the best possible experience. For many of our youth, spending the holidays with us has been the only time they get a sense of belonging, unconditional love, and holiday cheer. With the collective efforts of staff, volunteers, and generous support from our donors, we’re able to make the holidays special for all we serve.