In the LCLD tradition of community service, the Fellows Alumni spent the afternoon of June 21 with their sleeves rolled up, working on behalf of Covenant House California, a non-profit organization founded in 1998 that serves more than 2,300 homeless and trafficked young people every year in Los Angeles.
According to Alana Weinroth, the non-profit's Development Officer, the need for such facilities is growing exponentially in Los Angeles and the 30 other cities, including in Latin America and Canada, where Covenant House operates.
There are other factors, as well: Half the young people at Covenant House California were raised in foster care; 40 percent identify as LGBTQ, and one in four is a survivor of human trafficking.
Covenant House California provides for them through a "holistic approach" that includes individual attention, shelter, three meals a day, medical care, educational opportunities, and career counseling.
"Part of our mission is to treat these young people with unconditional love and absolute respect," Weinroth said. "Most of them have lived through incredible hardships. So when we offer them resources and care, it's often for the very first time in their lives."
Besides helping to clean and organize clothes, books, and other donated materials, the Fellows Alumni provided financial support to the organization, both individually and through class fundraising campaigns.
"Covenant House California does great and important work," said Joe Hanna (2014, Goldberg Segalla), Chair of the Fellows Alumni Outreach Committee alongside Vice-Chair Lisa Harris (2016, Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton). "The decision to do our annual community service project here was a no-brainer."
If you'd like to know more about the work of Covenant House California or help them "keep the lights on and doors open" for homeless youth, Alana Weinroth and the staff of Covenant House California welcome your donation here.
