Youth homelessness has been a hot topic on campus within the past semester and Cabrini Day 2014 was no exception.
Students, faculty and staff gathered in Grace Hall on this day of celebration to hear John Ducoff, executive director of the Covenant House in Philadelphia, speak on behalf of youth homelessness advocacy. In addition to the anticipated speaker, recipients of the Mastronardi Award, Nerney Leadership in Community Service Award and the morning’s Lead for Change Award were recognized for their efforts to be leaders in our society.
After praise was given to the accomplished students, Ducoff took the stage with a panel of Covenant House representatives by his side that would be introduced in the latter of his time at the podium.
“Without intervention of people who care,” Ducoff opened with, “the homeless face tremendous challenges.”
This statement set the tone for the rest of the address.
A large portion of time was spent defining what youth homelessness actually is and the different categories that an individual can fall into if they find themselves in that predicament. Ducoff illustrated the topic itself to be primarily caused by unstable family conditions. More than 2 million children each year are victim to being raised in a house that values substance or domestic abuse and as an effect, these kids are either forced out of or choose to run away from their homes.
The Covenant House in Philadelphia helps over 3,000 kids each year fight the struggles that come without having a home to go back to. Housing, medical care, counseling and food are just a handful of the conveniences this service hosts to children in the area
Through wit and tears, Ducoff shared his personal encounters with the kids of the Covenant House who exemplified their motto of service before self. He told the story on one young man who willingly gave up his privileges of having a home just so his family could be better off. The room was brought to silence as Ducoff stepped away from the podium to wipe a tear.
“Our kids accomplish the most amazing things because they are dedicated and selfless,” Ducoff said in response to his story.
As soon as he was able to regain his train of thought, he brought the audience laughs with his delivery on how he promised to not cry anymore. As the mood lightened, he introduced his special panel of guests as current Covenant House residents and they each shared personal stories of how they ended up there and what they plan to do as they reconstruct their lives.
Dominique, a resident, shared her experience as being a former inmate and how it led her to find refuge at the Covenant House.
“I was locked up for something stupid I had done and when I went back home, my mom’s boyfriend wouldn’t let me in the house. My ex actually referred me to the Covenant House and I slept in parks until they had a spot for me. I’m trying to rebuild myself but that’s hard for a female with a record,” she said.
One of the residents, Zinqueece Giddings shared his story of how he did not realize that he was homeless until his senior year of high school.
“They don’t teach you what to do in these situations in high school,” he said, “so I Googled it and came across the Covenant House. The Covenant House is the closest thing I’ve felt to a family in a long time.”
The individuals who sat next to Ducoff admitted to their worlds being changed thanks to the generosity of this center and the audience was touched by their strength.
Michael Burrell, one of this year’s Nerney Leadership in Community Service Award recipients, said “I think it is important to spread the word that resources like this are available to the community. All of the presenters were very inspiring but it’s hard to know that there are more people struggling.”
Ducoff added about the importance of outreaching to college students in the local area noting that he and the Covenant House have spoke at other schools in our area such as Eastern University and Drexel University.
“We are interested in outreaching to the community of college students because we want to inspire,” Ducoff said. “It is always inspiring to see another mission focused organization like Cabrini because we relate. The mission is not just on the website, it is everywhere and that is a sign of celebration.”
LOQation’s coverage on Cabrini Day 2014
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