Rights of Passage (ROP)
Increasingly, there are those young people who don't have the option of returning home. Rights of Passage, Covenant House New Orleans' independent living program, becomes their home. These are young people with no expectation of being reunited with their families and must prepare to someday make it on their own. ROP provides a setting in which the skills and attitudes needed for independent living can be learned, nurtured and developed.

ROP Residents are required to work and participate in a financial management program that includes rental payments, savings and budgeting for other living expenses. With these skills, they can work toward maintaining an apartment of their own . An average of 28 kids are enrolled in our Transitional Living programs.
Rights of Passage Apartment Living (ROPAL)
Located in six off-site apartments near the University of New Orleans campus, ROPAL is designed for young people who have advanced through Covenant House programs and have demonstrated a level of responsibility that indicates they are ready to experience life among families in a true community living and learning experience. Each apartment houses a parent and his/her children or two single adults. Residents develop their independent living skills while Covenant House provides support and skills development through weekly counseling and monthly group meetings.

Dove Home Ownership Program (HOP)
The giant leap from homelessness to homeownership is a HOP away for homeless young people thanks to an exciting program for Covenant House youth. Its objective is to develop the independent living skills of the participants while building the financial independence and knowledge necessary for the ultimate goal of first-time home ownership.

Participants who live in The Dove Apartments deposit monthly earnings in the amount of $300 each month into a certificate of deposit which may ultimately be matched toward down payment of a home. HOP participants continue to have access to all services and programs available to all other Covenant House residents.

 


One youth finds a home...
and a future

Jay is what your grandmother would call a nice young man. His manners are careful and precise - largely learned on his own. Jay is a street kid trying to reinvent himself.

At 18, Jay aged out of a foster care system that shuttled him from home to home. Without a family or resources, he was suddenly on his own, scared and confused. Fortunately for Jay a kind social worker told him about Covenant House.

Surrounded by adults who genuinely care, Jay now has a sense of purpose. He has just graduated from high school and plans to enter college in the fall. He has maintained employment at Winn-Dixie and continues to save money and move through the programs at Covenant House. He's a real kid who likes to run and play basketball.

Jay has seen a lot of failure in his young life and it makes you want to root for him all the more. He's a brave, but fragile young man and when you see his smile you can't help but think, "please God, let this one make it."