Virtual event to be part of Covenant House annual candlelight vigil

Published: 2007-11-07

NEW YORK (CNS) -- Covenant House International's annual candlelight vigil for homeless youths, now in its 17th year, has expanded its reach, according to the New York-based organization. Plans for this year's Nov. 15 event called for a virtual vigil to take place on the Covenant House Internet site, www.covenanthouse.org, as people gathered for actual vigils in numerous locations. In addition, individuals, colleges and universities, businesses, religious organizations and community groups were invited to host their own vigils. "Homelessness threatens the most vulnerable in society, our children and teenagers," said Covenant House's president, Sister Tricia Cruise, a member of the Sisters of Charity. "Broken homes, poverty, abuse and neglect force our youth into desperate and life-threatening circumstances. We must unite to end this national and international tragedy," she said in a statement. In the U.S. alone, more than 1.3 million youths are homeless throughout the year and 200,000 are homeless on any given day.

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