Increasing number of homeless youths focus of Covenant House vigil

Published: 2003-12-10

NEW YORK (CNS) -- The 13th annual "Candlelight Vigil for Homeless Kids" was held in Times Square Dec. 9 to tell New Yorkers during the holiday season that "the number of homeless young people is growing." In a city still clearing snow from a storm three days before, hundreds of young people marched to the vigil from Covenant House, the shelter for homeless and runaway youths. Sister Patricia Ann Cruise, a Sister of Charity and president of Covenant House, told the youths and the adult supporters who joined them that the gathering was held to renew the commitment "to improve the plight of homeless kids in this city and the 20 other cities where Covenant House is located." In a society that prides itself on its educational system, Covenant House is called on to help young people who have "fallen through the cracks" catch up on their schooling, she said. And in a society that prides itself on its employment rates, she continued, young people "come to Covenant House looking for training and jobs."

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