Vigils across country put human face on plight of homeless youths

Published: 2007-11-19

UNITED NATIONS (CNS) -- Covenant House in New York kicked off its 17th annual candlelight vigil for homeless youths Nov. 15 with a lunchtime flashlight vigil at U.N. headquarters. Sister Tricia Cruise, a Sister of Charity who is president of Covenant House, said the vigil was an "urgent worldwide call for greater advocacy on behalf of ... the estimated 40 million street children in Latin America and 1.3 million young people who will experience homelessness this year in the United States and Canada." Calling the vigil "a powerful act of faith," she added, "It is an act of defiance against evil, against pimps and against complacency. Every time we light a candle today, or raise a flashlight, we send a message to homeless youth that says, 'Your life matters.'" Evening candlelight vigils were held in 150 locations across the United States, including Times Square in New York and Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Washington.

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