a home for homeless kids

2017 Annual Report

MissionCovenant House Florida provides shelter and services to children and youth who are homeless or at great risk.

Wewillmakeeveryeffortto reunitekidswiththeirfamilies

Wewillcollaboratewithcommunity agenciesandorganizationsandactivelyparticipateincommunityeffortstoimprovetheconditionsoffamiliesandchildren;and

Wewilladvocatewithandon behalfofyouthtoraise awarenessinthecommunityabouttheirsuffering.

Our mission is based on faith, incor-porating our individual and shared spiritualities, and the belief that all children and youth have a right to love, respect, and genuine concern.

This mission permeates all of our activities: We who recognize God’s providence and fidelity to His people are dedicated to living out His covenant among ourselves and those children we serve, with absolute respect and unconditional love.

That commitment calls us to serve suffering children of the street, and to protect and safeguard all children. Just as Christ in His humanity is the visible sign of God’s presence among His people, so our efforts together in the covenant community are a visible sign that effects the presence of God, working through the Holy Spirit among ourselves and our kids.

Principles

Immediacy Kids come to us in crisis. Immediately and without question, we meet their basic human needs — a nourishing meal, a shower, clean clothes, medical attention, and a safe place away from the danger of the street.

Sanctuary

Our Fort Lauderdale and Orlando shelters are a sanctuary for homeless youth. The kids who come to us are often frightened and mistrustful. We protect them from the perils of the street. Youngsters can grow only when they feel safe and secure.

Value Communication

Lying, cheating, and stealing are common survival tools on the street We teach kids by example that caring relationships are based on trust, respect, and honesty.

Structure

Kids on the street never know how they will get their next meal or where they will sleep. We provide a regular schedule that gives them the stability they need in order to focus on the future.

Choice

Young people often feel powerless to control their lives, and fall into a self-defeating cycle of failure. We encourage kids to believe in themselves.

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Services

Street outreach by foot and van

Shelter care: nourishing meals, clean clothes, and a safe place to sleep

Counseling, case management, and therapy

Referrals

Health services at on-site clinic in Fort Lauderdale

Family reunification whenever possible

Substance abuse treatment and aftercare

Teen parent education

Education: classes toward high school equivalency (General Educational Development)

Job readiness training

Life skills instruction

Transportation assistance for local referrals, job searching, and return home

Pastoral ministry in Orlando: voluntary spiritual guidance

Transitional housing for adolescents bridging into independent living

Drop-in center in Orlando

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Dear Friends,More than 1.5 million young people have found peace, hope, and a second chance at Covenant House since our first shelter opened 45 years ago. We are more than an organization that cares for kids in 31 cities across six countries. We are a human rights and human dignity movement for forgotten kids across the Americas. We are their voice and their love.

Too many of our kids have heard repeatedly the same message in their short, painful lives. “You don’t belong. You don’t fit in. You’re no good.”

When a kid hears that over and over, they internalize the message and believe it’s true. They believe they’re unworthy. They don’t hope for tomorrow. They don’t aspire, don’t dream, and don’t realize how precious and beautiful they are in the eyes of God.

That’s why your support of this mission is so important. You not only help us provide for the immediate needs of our kids – you give us the chance to show them love. You give us the chance to show them their dreams and hopes and lives matter. You let us show them they are beautiful in our eyes and God’s eyes.

On behalf of all our kids, and the thousands more alone on the streets, thank you for caring. God bless you, God bless our kids and God bless this house.

Sincerely,

Kevin Ryan President Covenant House International

A Word from Covenant House Leadership

Kevin Ryan 4

Dear Supporters,Covenant House Florida has offered a lifeline for at-risk youth for 32-plus years, providing more than 38,000 young people with the respect, love and support needed to build hope-filled futures.

Hope for the future is often difficult for street kids, many of whom have experienced heartbreaking realities:

Nearly 43% of homeless young males and 39% of homeless young females have been assaulted with a weapon while living on the streets;

35% have a history of foster care and nearly half have aged out of the foster care system;

Nearly 20% have been victims of human trafficking or commercial sexual exploitation;

Nearly 40% are LGBTQ and face disproportionate dangers on the street;

Between 45% and 60% struggle with serious mental health and/or addiction issues;

Nearly 60% have not completed high school or earned an equivalency degree; and

32% have attempted suicide.

These young people show up on our doorstep downtrodden and beaten. We methodically pull them up to a better place, starting by meeting their immediate needs – shelter, healthcare, food and safety. We then help them address their deeper issues through services ranging from mental health support and substance abuse treatment to education services and workplace development. Ultimately, it is our hope to help them turn the corner from homelessness to independence.

We offer our heartfelt thanks for your support of our efforts.

Sincerely,

DavidGrabosky JamesM.Gress Board Chairman Executive Director Covenant House Florida Covenant House Florida

David grabosky

James M. Gress

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Graduating Seniors

Five teenagers proudly earned their GEDs (General Education Diploma) through Covenant

House Florida’s GED program, partially funded by The Jim Moran Foundation.

Execs on the Streets

Fort Lauderdale’s Executive Sleep Out for Homeless Youth raised $225,000, thanks to a generous Salah Foundation match of $100,000. Forty executives slept out, including Chris Roehm (pictured).

Year in Review Fort Lauderdale

Lifetime Achievement

Executive Director Jim Gress was awarded the prestigious Excellence in Leadership Lifetime Achievement Award from Leadership Broward for 30+ years of service at Covenant House Florida. Gress is pictured with Jeff Cato and Jan Vrins, Covenant House Florida board member.

Christmas Cheer

Lissette Viera, front right, has engineered Christmas cheer for Covenant House Florida kids for the last 20 years. Lissette and her friends and family host the holiday celebration with all kinds of gifts for the youth.

Racing to Help Youth

The 8th Annual 5K on A1A hosted by the Young Professionals for Covenant House Florida brought in $40,000 and attracted 800 runners and walkers. Pictured is the team from Headlights Depot.raduatingSeniors

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Fashion Police

Approximately 30 Ultimate Software team members took on the daunting task of organizing and sorting a room full of donated clothing to ensure that each resident was properly outfitted, both for work and leisure. The organization also donated $5,000 to build a new closet to keep all the donations in good order.

First Real estate Sleepers

The inaugural Real Estate Sleep Out attracted 40 real estate pros who raised $50,000 for Covenant House Florida. The event,

chaired by board member Scott Sherman, attracted teams from multiple real estate firms, law firms and title companies.

Behind the Masks

The Young Professionals for Covenant House celebrated Mardi Gras with colorful masks, sparkly beads and an evening of great fun at Lulu’s Bait Shack. Pictured are Young Pros board members Christine Molloy, Camilla Daza and Brooke Berkowitz with Covenant House Florida’s Cassie Urbashich.

Vision of Change

Vision of Change representatives generously volunteered their time and resources to make over the Covenant House Florida

conference room with deep cleaning, fresh paint, new window treatments and a new television.

All is possible

Covenant House Florida’s Mission Possible Luncheon featured guest speaker Tiesha Dyer, a former Covenant House Florida resident. Tiesha was an angry, aggressive teenager without hope when she came to the shelter. She left as a strong young woman determined to take control of her future. Tiesha is now a mother of three and a successful attorney.

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Featured in Z Land

Z88.3 showcased the good work of Covenant House Florida on its “Making a Difference in Z Land” radio show. Z88.3’s Suzanne Lynn (left) and Shadow (right) are pictured with Covenant House Florida’s Tamara Chaumley and Maria Shorkey.

Year in Review Orlando

New Grads

Eight program participants from Covenant House Florida in Orlando beam with pride after obtaining their General Education Diploma. Thank you Scott McCallum, APR, Director of Government Affairs from Charter Communications, for serving as a commencement speaker for this important event.

Orlando Sleepers

Fifty-five volunteer “sleepers” participated in the Sleep Out for Homeless Youth Executive Edition at Covenant House Florida in Orlando, raising nearly $150,000 to support the vital services it offers.

Super Fit Supporters

The team from SUBU CrossFit took to the pavement to sleep out for homeless youth. They raised nearly $35,000 doing Burpees for Bucks.

Student Sleepers

Students from University of Central Florida slept out to show solidarity for homeless youth. Covenant House Florida Executive

Director Jim Gress and Covenant House Florida Board Member and UCF Vice President Dr. Chanda Torres are pictured with UCF students.

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Covenant House Florida Orlando

Candlelight Vigil Shedding Light on the Plight

of Homeless Youth

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ASSETS

Cash and cash equivalentsGrants receivableBequests and other receivablesPromise of contributed use of buildingPrepaid expenses and other assetsInvestmentsDue from ParentProperty and equipment, net

LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS

LiabilitiesAccounts payableAccrued expensesCapital leasesDue to Parent

Total Liabilities

Net assets:Unrestricted:

UndesignatedInvested in property and equipment

Total unrestrictedTemporarily restricted

Total Net Assets

$ 985,257423,689

8002,070,240

52,697-

238,2891,454,031

$ 5,225,003

$ 101,873390,152

33,706-

525,731

1,205,1111,420,3252,625,4362,073,8364,699,272

$ 5,225,003

$ 556,394602,077

27,420-

49,203240,196

-1,482,990

$ 2,958,280

$ 90,787353,865

51,44042,017

538,109

588,0051,431,5502,019,555

400,6162,420,171

$ 2,958,280

Statements of Financial Position Year Ended June 30, 2017

2017 2016

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Support Us!Covenant House Florida relies primarily on partnerships from individuals throughout Florida to reach out and respond to troubled youth. The public can help by:

Making a financial contribution by vis-iting www.covenanthousefl.org, calling 954-568-7914 or mailing your gift to 733 Breakers Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304.

Donating essentials, especially hygiene supplies, baby items, and new clothing. Most Covenant House Florida youth wear adult sizes, and they need casual items like jeans and sneakers plus busi-ness attire for job interviews and work.

Volunteering their time. Opportunities are available in both program and sup-port areas.

Following us on Facebook (facebook.com/CovenantHouseFlorida) and Twit-ter (twitter.com/CovHouseFL).

Text-to-Give! To donate $10, text the word HAVEN to 85944 and the dona-tion will be added to your phone bill.*

*A one-time donation of $10 will be billed to your mobile phone bill. Messaging and data rates may apply. Donations are collected for Covenant House Florida by mobilecause.com. Reply STOP to 85944 to stop. Reply HELP to 85944 for help. For terms, see www.igfn.org/t.

Government SupportU.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Homeless Services Network of Central Florida Broward County Community Partnerships—HIP Broward County Housing Finance and Community Development Orange County Housing and Community DevelopmentU.S. Department of Health and Human Services ACYF—Family and Youth Services BureauU.S. Department of Homeland Security Emergency Food & Shelter Program of Broward County Emergency Food & Shelter Program of Orange CountyCareerSource Central Florida Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Division of Food, Nutrition and Wellness Florida Department of Children and Families BBHC - Broward Behavioral Health CoalitionBroward County Community Partnerships Children’s ServicesBroward Sheriff’s OfficeCity of HollywoodCity of Pompano BeachCity of Oakland ParkOsceola County Children’s ServicesBroward Healthy Start CoalitionUnited Way of Broward County

Orange CountyHousing and Community Development Division

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Donald & Ruth Campbell Fund, a charitable Donor Advised fund at the Community Foundation of Collier County

Donald J. Harris Charitable Fund of Gulf Coast Community Foundation

Dusseault Family Stewardship Fund, a donor advised fund of Fidelity Charitable

Eugene F. Merkert Charitable FoundationFedExFidelity Charitable Gift FundFifth Third BankFlorida Business Travel AssociationFlorida K Of Charities, IncFlorida Utility Trailers, Inc.Food Management Associates, Inc.Francis A. and Adeline M. Sines

Memorial Fund of the Community Foundation of Broward

Friends of ChildrenG&G Woolner Charitable FundGene and Collette Herman Family

Fund of the Community Foundation of Broward

Give with LibertyGlobal Sales Resource IncGloria Rosenzweig Charitable Fund

of the BNY Mellon Charitable Gift Fund

Gulf Coast Community FoundationH.I. Foundation IncHeadlights DepotHealth Foundation of South FloridaHeidi Schaeffer Charitable Fund of

the Community Foundation of Broward

Helen Skoronski Fund of the Givewell Community Foundation

Hickory Global Partners LLCHillsdale FurnitureHobbs FoundationHospitality Human Resource Assoc.

of BrowardHumanaInsurance Center of Central FloridaItalian Terrazzo & Co. of BrevardJames A. Ruppe FoundationJet Harbor IncJoffran Inc.John G. Bull Fund of the Community

Foundation of BrowardKasatec LLCKlaussnerKuka FurnitureLadue Realty Limited Liability CompanyLawrence J. Snyder Memorial Fund

of the Community Foundation of Broward

Libra FoundationLocal Independent Charities of

AmericaMaitland Presbyterian ChurchManatee Community FoundationMargaret McCartney & R Parks

Williams FoundationMiller Charitable FoundationMiller Construction Co.National Property ManagementNetwork for GoodNewcomers Club, IncOrlando Sentinel Family Fund, a

McCormick Foundation FundPeacock Foundation, IncProgressive FurniturePrudential FoundationPublix Super Markets CharitiesR C Cox McFarlane FoundationRichard W. Higgins Charitable FoundationRipley EntertainmentRiverwalk Fort LauderdaleRobert O. Law Foundation, Inc.Rockefeller FoundationRosemary D Larson ScholarshipSchwab Charitable

Our Generous Donors*

Wells Fargo

The Colonial Plaza Wells Fargo team selected Covenant House Florida for a $1,000 Community Connection grant. Pictured is Branch Manager Joshua Peña, Associate Executive Director Maria Shorkey.

AccentureAIG Matching Grants ProgramAll Saints Catholic ChurchAmerican Endowment Foundation-

Anonymous FundAmeriprise Foundation Anna M. & James L. Kirk Foundation, Inc.Apopka Family Medicine IncAshley FurnitureAtlas RoofingAxiom BankAyco Charitable FoundationBernatchez Family FoundationBob and Donna Wahlert Donor

Advised Fund of the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque

Boyle Family Charitable FoundationBrinkley Morgan Attorney at LawBroward Couny Bar AssociationBTS Realty CorporationCarpenter Contractors of AmericaCathleen McFarlane Foundation, Inc.Children’s Opportunity GroupChurch by the SeaCity FurnitureCommunity Foundation of BrowardCommunity Foundation of

Collier CountyCommunity Foundation of

Greater DubuqueConitex Sonoco Inc.Coral Springs Community Chest Daniel Reid FoundationDisney Worldwide Services, Inc.

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Seminole Hard Rock HotelSherwood SoutheastShowroom Logic Holdings, LLCShutts & BowenSinging for ChangeSt. David’s Catholic ChurchStandard FurnitureSteven & Carisa Jones Family Fund,

a Charitable Donor Advised fund at the Community Foundation of Collier County

Stiles CorporationSun Sentinel Children’s Fund, a

McCormick Foundation FundSunbeam Television CorporationSuncoast Contractors Supply Inc.Synchrony FinancialT & G ContructorsThe Batchelor Foundation, Inc.The Benevity Community Impact

FundThe Byrnes Family FoundationThe Catherine L. & Edward A. Lozick

FoundationThe Chatlos FoundationThe Chesley G. Magruder

Foundation IncThe Clinton Family FundThe Do Unto Others Charitable Fund

from Vanguard CharitableThe Geo Group Foundation, Inc.The Hinman FoundationThe Hultquist FoundationThe J&V Meyer Ayco Charitable

FoundationThe J. Lawrence and Barbara B.

Wilson Chartiable Fund from Vanguard Charitable

*This listing includes corporations, foundations and organizations that donated more than $1,000 in 2016-2017. We sincerely apologize for any errors or omissions.

The Jim Moran FoundationThe John Murray and Eleanor M.

Stritter Foundation, Inc.The June & Julian Foss FoundationThe Lagomarsino FoundationThe Lawrence E. Ruf Charitable

Fund of the Manatee Community Foundation

The Nancy & Pablo Lorenzo Fund of the Ayco Charitable Foundation

The Salah FoundationThe TJX Foundation, IncThe William R. Watts

Foundation, Inc.The Women’s Club of CasselberryThomas P. and Patricia A. O’Donnell

FoundationToll Brothers

Young Pros

The Young Professionals for Covenant House, dedicated to raising funds and awareness for Covenant House Florida, raised $80,000 for the organization in fiscal year 2016-17. Executive Director Jim Gress (center) is pictured with Michelle Zimmer, Tom Wenzel, Jamie Salmasian, Brooke Berkowitz, Carly Riggio, Laura Albertini, Crissy Arseneau, Christine Molloy, Stacy Babb, Cassie Urbashich, Camilla Daza and Elisha Moody.

UBS Financial ServicesUnited Way of Broward CountyUniversal FurnitureUniversal Orlando Foundation Basic

NeedsValencia College Foundation, Inc.Vanguard CharitableVecchitto Family Charitable FundWAF HomesWalmartWalsh Family Fund, a donor-

advised fund of Fidelity Charitable

Walt Disney World ResortWoltz Family Charitable Fund

Orlando Sentinel

The Orlando Sentinel Family Fund granted $50,000 to Covenant House Florida’s Independent Living program in Orlando. Lisa Jacobsen, Charitable Giving & Communications Manager with the Orlando Sentinel (center), is pictured with Covenant House Florida Executive Director Jim Gress and Associate Executive Director Maria Shorkey.

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Stat Snapshot

Crisis Shelter

Number of Admissions 884Number of Kids Admitted* 591Days of Care 22,614Average Sheltered per Night 62Number of Days Average Stay 23

Fort Lauderdale

Gender*

53%Boys

47%Girls

<1%Transgender

64%Black

21%White

12%Multiracial 2%

Bi-racial1%Other

<1%Asian

<1%American Indian

Race* Ethnicity*

81%Non- Hispanic

18%Hispanic

<1%Unknown

65%18-20 years

25%6-17 years

10%0-5 years

Age*

Where They Came From

83%BrowardCounty

7%Miami-Dade County

5%Palm Beach

County2%

Other Florida areas

3%Out of State

Serving the Youth of Fort Lauderdale

Health Services

Number of Clinic Visits 3,090

Crisis Shelter (CS) Walk-Ins

Days Open 365Total Visits 734Average Daily Visits 2

Rights of Passage (ROP)

Number of Participants 24Days of Care 4,552Average Sheltered Per Night 12

Outreach

Street Counseling Contacts* 682

*Unduplicated

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Crisis Shelter

Number of Admissions 293Number of Kids Admitted* 230Days of Care 10,792Average Sheltered per Night 30Number of Days Average Stay 40

OrlandoStat Snapshot

Community Service Center (CSC)

Days Open 366Visits* 326Total Visits 2769Average Daily Visits 8

Gender*

58%Boys 41%

Girls

1%Transgender

50%Black

36%White

10%Multiracial

1%Bi-racial

2%Other

1%Asian

Race* Ethnicity*

66%Non- Hispanic

34%Hispanic 85%

18-20 years

15%0-5 years

Age*

Where They Came From

68%OrangeCounty

12%Osceola County

6%Seminole County

8%Other Florida

areas

6%Out of State

Serving the Youth of Orlando

Rights of Passage (ROPAL)

Number of Participants 59Days of Care 10,555Average Sheltered Per Night 29

Outreach

Street Counseling Contacts* 188Total Street Counseling Contacts 869

*Unduplicated

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Board of DirectorsDavid Grabosky

ChairmanT & G Constructors

Jan VrinsVice-Chairman

Navigant Consulting, Inc.

Dr. Leonard Bass, Valencia CollegeMatthew Brennan, Iberia Bank

Michelle Clark, GoConvergence AgencyLavern Kelly, KNA Services

Mark Knott, T & G ConstructorsDonald J. Lunny, Brinkley Morgan, Attorneys at Law

Christine Molloy, Accenture, President, Young Professionals for Covenant HouseJosh Polsky, Bernstein/Polsky, P.A.

Susan Selimos, AccentureScott Sherman, Tricera Capital

Patrick Sniffen, Signature Flight Support and ASIGKen Thirtyacre, President, Toll Brothers

Dr. Chanda Torres, University of Central Florida

Legal CounselDouglas M. McIntosh, Esq., McIntosh, Sawran & Cartaya, P.A.

Executive DirectorJames M. Gress

Thank you to all the youth and young adults who agreed to be photographed for this annual report. And many thanks to our photography partners, BD Photography, Downtown Photo and Kara Starzyk Photography.

Orlando

Covenant House Florida5931 E. Colonial Drive

Orlando, FL 32807Phone: (407) 482-0404

Fax: (407) 482-0657Toll-Free: (800) 441-4478

Fort Lauderdale

Covenant House Florida733 Breakers Avenue

Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304Phone: (954) 561-5559

Fax: (954) 565-6551Toll-Free: (800) 683-8338