December 29, 2010              

Dear Friend, 

          Ana shivered in a stairwell for three long days and nights. The concrete was hard and the stairwell was cold.  But, she didn’t know where else she could go.  After walking around town for hours, Ana snuck into the back entrance of an office building. 

She was alone…scared…desperate.   

The sounds from the street were frightening.  She could hear pimps and drug dealers walking past the building.  She stayed quiet and still so they wouldn’t know she was there. 

            Ana found herself on the street because she had a huge falling out with her parents.  They had had many arguments, but this time her parents made it clear they were not going to support her financially or emotionally anymore. 

 Her parents told her she had to go. She looked back. They closed the door on her. 

 “ I…just don’t have someone who cares,” said Ana, as she fought 

back the tears. 

I’m sure you have experienced being alone one time or another. 

But, imagine what it must feel like to be a young teenager with no home, no family, and nowhere to go.  What if you had to ask yourself, “Where am I going to sleep tonight,” or, “Will I be able to find something to eat?” Such a frightening feeling. 

The devastation that kids like Ana endure is truly heartbreaking.  Many times they find themselves in terrible situations.  Some kids are molested, trafficked to drug dealers, or become prey for street gangs.

These vulnerable children don’t survive very long on the street.  They need a place to go where they can get help—a place that is safe and caring, any time—day or night. 

Somehow, Ana was able to go to the local library.  She searched on the internet for “homeless teens.”  She immediately found the Covenant House website. 

Scared and nervous, Ana made her way to Covenant House’s nearby Crisis Center.  She had no idea what to expect, or what would happen to her.  But, desperate as she was, she decided it was probably better than sleeping in a cold stairwell.   

          Kids come to Covenant House because they have no place else to go.  They need help before it’s too late.  They need help from people like you who love and respect them unconditionally—no strings attached. 

          Unlike Ana’s parents, we never close a door on a homeless child.  Our doors are open 24/7.  Just as it is written in the Gospel of Luke 11:10… 

For every one who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be open. 

 Every child who walks through the door in one of Covenant House’s Crisis Centers is met with open arms and loving hearts.  

No child is ever turned away. 

Ana looked around her.  The rooms were filled by other young women just like her. 

“It felt like a dorm for girls who want to get their lives back together…” “The staff is always around and on top of stuff but help give the kids room to grow.   They push us because they care.” 

The staff at Covenant House helps kids like Ana heal from the hard blows life deals them.  They are always ready to guide these kids through the steps they need to take to get their lives back on track.   

They do this by fostering confidence, encouraging young people to believe in themselves, and make smart choices in their lives.  

But, Covenant House can’t do it alone.  We need your help today.  Help us to stay open 24 hours a day, so girls and boys can come in at any hour of the day or night.  Help them get food and shelter and protection from their pimps or gangs.  

Please help Covenant House maintain safe havens for all children desperate for better lives by enclosing a check in the return envelope.   

God Bless You, 

 (Kevin Ryan’s signature) 

P.S    With your generous support in 2010 we were able to save over XXXXX girls and boys from the perils of the street.  

Thank you for helping suffering homeless kids by providing them with stability and structure necessary to build positive future for themselves. You are giving our kids a chance to continue their education, get jobs, and for some, even  to go home again.  

P.P.S.  In your prayers tonight, please say an extra one for our kids.  They need your prayers as much as your generosity.