Frequently Asked Questions

What is Covenant House Georgia?
Crisis support and Emergency Shelter for homeless, runaway and "throwaway" kids between ages of 16 to 21.  Part of an international network founded in New York in 1973, Covenant House Georgia opened its doors in Atlanta in 2000.  We provide crisis intervention and community-based services.

Who comes to Covenant House?
CHGA serves homeless, runaway and "throwaway" youth, young people on the brink of homelessness and those adjusting to independent living.  Many of the youth we see come from seriously dysfunctional families where substance abuse is common.  Many have experienced emotional, physical or sexual abuse, and have substance abuse issues of their own.  Many are malnourished and lack proper hygiene, nearly all are sexually active, and psychiatric problems are prevalent.

How do we help them?
First, we respond to their immediate needs for food, a shower, shelter and medical care.  Our next priority, when possible, is to reunite the youth with their family through individual and family counseling.  For those who have no hope of returning home, we start them on the path to independent living with educational assistance, vocational guidance, money management and job search skills.

Are we successful?
After a two-year study of Covenant House sites in California and New York, the Menninger Foundation states that there is:
"...convincing and rigorous evidence that Covenant House has gone some considerable way in meeting the challenge presented by these young people in crisis, in terms of the comprehensiveness of its service provision, the quality of these services and the youth's improvement on concrete outcomes..."

Who contributes to CHGA?
The majority of our support comes from individuals within the state of Georgia.  These donors respond to our direct mail campaign, which originates in New York.  We also receive funding from foundations, churches and corporations.

Is CHGA a United Way agency?
No.  We do not receive annual support from the United Way, but we are eligible for grants from the United Way for specific projects.

What kinds of problems do CHGA residents have?
There is no typical youth, but most fall into three categories: homeless, (parents are homeless too), runaway and "throwaway" (parents forced them out of the home).  Many come from seriously dysfunctional families.  Substance abuse is common among their parents, and many have experienced emotional, physical or sexual abuse.  As a result, most of our kids have a very low self-esteem and other mental health problems.  In addition, many of our kids have criminal records for non-violent offenses such as theft or drug possession.

Does CHGA take in kids who have psychiatric problems or abuse drugs or alcohol?
Youths who are admitted into CHGA must be medically and psychologically stable.  Most of our young clients do present mental health issues (and sometimes diagnosis).  Prevalent themes are depression, bipolar disorder, anger-related issues, histories of being a victim of abuse (emotional, physical, and/or sexual), post-traumatic stress disorder, attachment disorder, grief and loss issues, low self-esteem, anxiety, various personality disorders, and stressors related to teen pregnancy and/or parenting.  If there are acute medical or psychological issues, we make the appropriate referral.  Eighty percent of our clients abused drugs and/or alcohol, but are not considered to be addicts.  Those who are dependent on drugs and/or alcohol are referred to a community agency specializing in substance abuse.

Are there restrictions to entering the program based on identities or past behavior?
Such things as religion, sexual preference, or whether youths have ever prostituted themselves, sold drugs, had an abortion do not determine a youth's eligibility for staying at CHGA.

How does CHGA keep the kids from just "using" the shelter?
Every effort is made to reunite a youth with his or her family, if this is part of the youth's plan.

What is CHGA connection to the Catholic Church?
Covenant House is a non-profit human service organization which is non-denominational.  However, our roots are in Christianity, and our by-laws require that the organization be led by a Catholic priest or nun.  Covenant House was founded by a priest who saw a great need for an emergency shelter for kids living on the street.  While we do encourage spiritual growth, we do not impose any particular religious doctrine on the young people who are sheltered here.

What volunteer opportunities are available?
Plenty.  To be a CHGA volunteer, an individual must be 21 years of age or older, and must go through a training period.  Volunteers can work with youth in a variety of ways: assisting in classes and workshops, tutoring in the GED or HISD labs, mentoring, organizing recreational activities, etc.  Volunteers also provide clerical assistance and work in our gardens.