Program areas at Covenant House Michigan
Short-term housing and crisis care: the short-term housing and crisis care program provides emergency services, temporary housing, food, clothing, medical care, mental health services, and legal aid to young people experiencing homelessness or human trafficking. [see continuation on schedule o]during fiscal year 2023, Covenant House Michigan's caritas center served 344 individual youth in our shelter program in detroit and 118 in our grand rapids shelter. These youth were assisted with job placement (184); enrolling in educational programs (35); and placement in job readiness programs (137). There were 66 youth who accessed the onsite clinic in detroit and 183 received services through the onsite mental health program.
Outreach:our street outreach team in detroit actively seeks out young people experiencing homelessness and other critical needs without any other resources or assistance. The team often assists with critical safety needs by providing transportation to a safe shelter. Young people living on the streets can receive food, water, hygiene kits, clothing, blankets, counseling, and referrals to services such as medical care, employment, and education services. [see continuation on schedule o]in fiscal year 2023, the street outreach team had contact with 1,078 youth in detroit. Of these youth, 214 were placed in chm's caritas center (shelter); 87 were placed in family shelters; 3 were placed in shelters for youth under the age of 18; 184 were assisted with food vouchers; 344 were provided counseling; 17 were reunited with their families; 17 were assisted with returning to school; 11 were assisted with getting into a domestic violence shelter; 78 were assisted with permanent housing applications; 102 were assisted with job leads, filling out job applications and clothing for job interviews. The remaining youth were given outreach cards and instructed to call if they or other youth they know were ever in need of Covenant House Michigan services.
Rights of passage:covenant House's transitional living programs, often referred to as "rights of passage or rop, are where young people take steps toward independence. Youth live in rop for 18 months, where they tap their potential and plan for the future. Here they build basic life skills and financial literacy, participate in educational and vocational programs, seek employment with long-term advancement and career prospects, and work toward moving into their own safe and stable housing. Our staff support each young person on their journey toward sustainable independence and a hope-filled future. [see continuation on schedule o]in fiscal year 2023, our transitional living programs served 65 young people. They were assisted with job placement and retention (33); enrolling in educational programs including those at the college level (8); 2 youth completed their high school diploma; placement in job training programs (5); and mentoring/aftercare support services (44).
Medical (House of hope):includes medical facilities operated at and maintained by certain Covenant House affiliates to provide immediate and ongoing medical attention to individuals receiving services at the site. Public education:covenant House uses a variety of platforms to inform and educate the public, government officials, and young people about youth homelessness and human trafficking. We employ websites, social media, public service announcements, billboards, newsletters, school-based programs, talks, lectures, and peer-to-peer events across our federation to raise awareness of the causes and impacts of youth homelessness and of the signs that a young person might be experiencing homelessness or human trafficking.schools:the Covenant House academy charter schools program in Michigan provides services to young people who need support to complete their education and obtain employment. If youth have been suspended from school, the program provides general educational development classes, job training, and a reduction in the length of the suspension.