Parenthood: Services for Young Families Across the Federation  

Passage House Turns Cherish’s Fear into Flourishing  

Cherish arrived at Covenant House Alaska’s Passage House already a mother to a newborn baby girl. She was guarded and street-smart, intensely protective of her baby, and paralyzed by anxiety in public. On the outside, she was angry, critical, and resistant to help. 

As time passed, the staff began to see beyond Cherish’s armor. At 18, her cognitive and emotional development was more aligned with that of a 16-year-old. Her early life had been filled with instability and trauma, leading to profound distrust. After becoming pregnant and unhoused, a home health nurse referred her to Passage House. 

What is Passage House? 

Passage House is one of Covenant House Alaska’s transitional living programs for pregnant or parenting young women ages 17–21 and their babies. It’s a five-bedroom home where young mothers can develop independent living and parenting skills in a safe, nurturing environment. 

Cherish’s Transformation 

At first, Cherish wouldn’t even let staff hold her baby. But the team at Passage House was relentless in their support. They saw her—truly saw her—and responded with persistent love, validation, and belief in her ability to thrive as a young woman and a mother. 

“She is one of the most kind, thoughtful, caring, amazing mamas I have ever worked with in the program,” said Kathy Mund, program manager at Passage House. “Anytime we have a tour, an applicant interview, or a new mom moving in, Cherish is talkative and welcoming—showing them around and getting them what they need.” 

With support, Cherish enrolled in a high school program and is now just months from graduation. She’s preparing to move into her own apartment with her toddler, supported by a housing navigator. Her dreams of a culinary career and love of music are within reach—all thanks to her courage and the community at Passage House. 

Programs for Pregnant Youth and Young Parents 

At Covenant House, young parents like Cherish find more than shelter. Across our sites in the U.S., Canada, and Latin America, we offer specialized housing and programs for young families that wrap youth and their children in safety, dignity, and opportunity. 

Our parenting programs offer:  

• Family friendly and transitional housing designed for pregnant and parenting youth 
• Parenting classes, workshops, and child development support 
• Access to medical care and mental health services 
• Career coaching and education pathways 
• On-site childcare and early learning programs 

While the programs at each site are unique to meet the needs of young people in their community, they all share a common thread: a belief in the potential of young parents and a commitment to providing the resources to help them succeed. 

Helping Young Families Thrive Across the U.S. 

• The Circle of Security program at Covenant House Florida’s Fort Lauderdale site provides prenatal education, postpartum support, parenting guidance, and healthcare access for young families. 
• Covenant House Georgia (Atlanta) offers up to 18 months of housing and wraparound services for young parents ages 18–21 and their children. 
• At Raphael Life House in Elizabeth, NJ, part of Covenant House New Jersey, moms and babies find more than shelter—they find a village. “Our goal is that they’re never homeless again. Even though they’re only with us for 18 months, we wrap around them with love and respect,” says Lorraine Ruzich, program director. “People aren’t always aware of the difficulty of navigating social services. Poverty is quicksand. But we’re here—and we’re doing amazing work.” 
• At Covenant House New York, youth are welcomed into family-friendly housing, with childcare, parenting classes, and health services in one of the country’s most expansive urban centers. 
• Covenant House New Orleans centers family preservation through parenting support, health services, and early childhood development. 

Highlights from Programs Latin America 

Across Latin America, Covenant House programs support youth as young as 14 years old and offer an average of 270 days of safe housing. 

• Casa Alianza Guatemala offers safe housing, parenting education, healthcare, and vocational training for young mothers and their children. 
• Casa Alianza Mexico (Mexico City) provides prenatal/postnatal medical care, therapy, childcare, and education—creating space for healing and long-term independence. 

Why This Matters 

Pregnancy and parenting are more common among young people experiencing homelessness than among their stably housed peers. These young families often face immense trauma—yet they show extraordinary strength. 

In FY2024 alone, Covenant House supported: 

• 376 young parents 
• 486 babies and children in residential programs 
• 862,000 nights of housing provided to youth 
• 2,600 youth moved into stable housing 
• 1.8 million meals served across all sites 

From Anchorage to Guatemala City, Covenant House is more than a shelter—it’s a launching pad. 

As Lorraine from CHNJ shared, “so many of our young moms didn’t have the mothers they needed. They come to Covenant House and learn how to be the mothers they want to be.” 

These programs aren’t just ending cycles of homelessness. They’re creating new legacies of love, stability, and generational change. 

Want to help? 

Be part of the village. Support young families by donating, volunteering, or sharing this story. Because every young parent deserves the chance to thrive—and every child deserves a strong start. 

Support young families at Covenant House with your gift today. 

This article was originally published on 5/13/24. It was revised on 4/25/2025 to provide an update on Cherish, impact metrics for FY2024, and new details on programs for young parents and families across the Covenant House federation.