Lenten Pence Drive 2017

The 2017 Lenten Pence Cans raised over $6,000 to support Covenant House Illinois, a new ministry near the Cathedral which supports homeless youth. Cathedral children created the artwork for the pence cans, which were distributed to the congregation.

Youth Homelessness

1.2 Million

This is the number of homeless and runaway youth that Covenant House has helped with food, shelter, warmth, and love since opening its doors more than 35 years ago. The needs are greater than ever, though, as each year more than 2 million kids in America will face a period of homelessness.

Covenant House Illinois

Covenant House Illinois, located at Lawson House in the heart of downtown Chicago offers breakfast and lunch, showers, laundry facilities, case management, and vocational assistance for homeless and at-risk youth between the ages of 18 and 24.  Covenant House Illinois is also a participant of the Chicago Youth Storage Initiative, providing lockers for youth to store their belongings while attending school, work or working toward their goals.  These services will eventually be augmented by 20 initial beds in the first phase of residential services and up to 60 beds for homeless youth in three years.

Based on 2016 Point-in-Time Count data, the City estimates that there are as many as 500 youth ages 16–24 experiencing homelessness on any given night in Chicago. When youth who are doubled up, “couch surfing” or staying in unsafe environments are included, other estimates put the homeless youth count in Chicago at more than 2,000. Currently there are only 375 beds available.  On the streets, these young people are vulnerable to gangs, child traffickers, pimps, drug dealers and other criminals who prey on homeless youth. 

Covenant House International selected Chicago as our first expansion location in a new state in seventeen years based on these alarming trends, the demonstrated support of key stakeholders for our services, the opportunity for collaboration with local partners and the City of Chicago, and the generous support by the private philanthropy community in Illinois.

The goal of Covenant House Illinois is to work with existing agencies and partners in the community to provide supportive, not duplicative, services that meet the needs of homeless youth.