2017 Grant Recipient: Covenant House

Covenant House New Jersey: The Dove Learning Center

The Organization:  

CHNJ works with the homeless through street and community outreach, residential services (a shelter in Newark as well as permanent housing services) and support services to move young people forward on a path to independence. 

The Challenge:  

Essex County has almost 20% of NJ’s homeless population 227 of which (12.8%) were young adults between 18 - 24 years old - young people, sleeping in cars, parks, abandoned buildings, and train stations on some of the coldest nights of the year. These young people are typically disconnected from the world of work and education and have intense histories as victims of violence and negative family and institutional interactions. CHNJ has found that a curriculum focusing on resilience, a documented characteristic of stability and hope in homeless youth, will ensure that they succeed in building a positive and independent future. 

The Project:  The Dove Learning Center 

Covenant House is creating a blended learning approach using multiple methods to convey information to teach five content areas associated with resilience. 
CHNJ piloted the DLC in 2016 and believes that the blended learning model worked for youth who have experienced trauma across a range of educational levels. In their small sample, youth were overwhelmingly engaged and reported satisfaction with the material they learned, including both content and style. 


The Grant: 

Our funds will fund staff and curriculum development of the Dove Learning Center. The DLC staff (a Coordinator, Specialist, and Volunteer Manager) will develop a blended learning curriculum including an interactive learning environment lesson plans, training programs, assessments to launch and support, and training and support of volunteers.  The five content areas of the curriculum are: Education, Employment, Financial Literacy, Social Navigation, and Physical, Mental, and Spiritual Wellness. 

• 250 youth will learn and maintain healthy habits, increase positive self-talk, build confidence, self-efficacy and empathy, and explore the process of who they are in the universe. 

• The DLC Specialist will co-create an interactive learning environment. 

• The DLC Volunteer Manager will recruit and manage volunteers to ensure their service enhances the programming and care offered to youth.

The Impact: 

Our funds would take the Dove Learning Center for homeless youth from its pilot stage forward to full implementation, specifically funding staff and curriculum development. Approximately Essex County 250 youth will develop the skills they need to be self-sufficient as a result of this intervention. 

Case Study:

For more information, please see our Impact100 Essex Case Study on Covenant House of New Jersey.