| For immediate release- November 15, 2007
Asnuntuck Community College Joins Global Candlelight Vigil
For Homeless Youth Sponsored by Covenant House International
Enfield, CT November 15 – Individuals from Asnuntuck Community College will gather to keep the light of hope burning for homeless youth as part of the 17th Annual Candlelight Vigil being organized by Covenant House International on Thursday, November 15, 2007. The vigil coincides with National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week (Nov. 12-18). Asnuntuck Community College invites the public to join the Candlelight Vigil, which will take place at 5:30 pm at Asnuntuck Community College, 170 Elm Street, Enfield.
Asnuntuck Community College’s Candlelight Vigil joins more than 500 other local vigils being organized by churches, colleges and service organizations across the US and internationally including vigils at Times Square, the United Nations and at all Covenant House locations. There will also be a virtual vigil over the Internet.
“We felt it was important to be part of the effort to raise awareness about the plight of homeless youth in the US and give these children hope,” says Katie Watkins, Dean of Students.
“I feel very strongly that with this Vigil we can call America’s attention to a crushing national problem which threatens hundreds of thousands of our most vulnerable children,” says Sister Patricia A. Cruise, S.C., President of Covenant House.
The Plight of Homeless Youth in the US
According to Sister Patricia, “there are over 1.3 million homeless youth in the US at some time throughout the year and 200,000 homeless youth on any given day, and their numbers are growing. Many children become homeless as a result of broken homes, poverty, abuse and neglect. Most come from desperate circumstances that cause them to give into despair and give up on life.”
Covenant House provides a community of hope and healing to homeless youth. In 2006, Covenant House reached over 61,000 homeless children, offering them food, shelter and other services with the hope of giving them the chance to create a more positive future for themselves.
Covenant House International
As the largest privately funded agency in the Americas providing services to homeless kids, Covenant House provides 24/7 crisis care and on-going support for young people in need of a safe haven. Assistance can be found by simply calling the Covenant House NINELINE (1-800-999-9999).
Founded in 1972, Covenant House has reached more than one million young people with immediate assistance (food and shelter) and the support necessary to transition from a life on the streets to a life with a future (counseling, health services, substance abuse intervention, legal services, spiritual guidance, educational and vocational opportunities, life-skills training, etc.).
Covenant House has locations in Anchorage, Atlanta, Atlantic City, Detroit, Fort Lauderdale, Guatemala City, Houston, Los Angeles, Managua, Mexico City, Newark, New Orleans, New York City, Oakland, Orlando, Philadelphia, St. Louis, Tegucigalpa, Toronto, Vancouver and Washington, DC.
More information about Covenant House, the Candlelight Vigil and resources for homeless youth can be found at www.candlelight.covenanthouse.org and www.covenanthouse.org.
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