HARRISON, NJ (October 18, 2014) – The New York Red Bulls, in partnership with Covenant House and Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, hosted a Sleep Out on Friday night at Red Bull Arena, raising over $85,000 for Covenant House New Jersey.
More than 70 people, including Red Bulls employees, representatives from Horizon and Covenant House, and even a few fans, slept outside to raise awareness and show solidarity with homeless youth in New Jersey and New York.
“As an organization we want to be part of the community,” said Marc de Grandpre, General Manager of the New York Red Bulls, who participated in the Sleep Out.
“Some of these kids live literally right outside of here,” de Grandpre continued. “Every day they are challenged, and we want to make sure that, with our partners like Horizon, we do what we can to improve their lives.”
One such youth is Charnette, a native of Jersey City who was shuffled between foster homes and relatives growing up. After finishing high school with a 3.2 GPA, she found herself sleeping on a park bench while trying to attend classes at a nearby community college.
“It was the most horrifying experience of my life,” she said. “I was scared, I felt all alone, and worried that someone would hurt me.”
The stress of being homeless and trying to keep up with school caused a mild stroke. Soon after, Charnette was referred to Covenant House during a stay at a short-term shelter.
“We let them know we’re here, but they have to come when they’re ready,” said Jim White, Executive Vice President of Strategic Planning for Covenant House. “No one is forced to come to Covenant House, but when they do, 24/7, we’re there to bring them in. We provide food, clothing, a rest, and we let them know they’re OK.”
In addition to short-term care, Covenant House strives to help residents turn their lives around.
“It requires a lot of care,” said White. “Medical care, legal care, job readiness training, education, psychiatric work… an array of services we’re ready to perform.”
One spot at Covenant House, which relies heavily on private funding, can cost up to $25,000 per year. Events like the Sleep Out help keep the doors open, according to White.
“We’re lucky that the Red Bulls have seen us as partners. They care about kids, they care about homelessness, and we’re honored to partner with them,” said White.
“Covenant House does great work not only here in the local area of Newark and Harrison, but all over the state. It’s really important that we come together,” said Jonathan Pearson, Executive Director of Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield’s Horizon Foundation of New Jersey.
“This is a first for me,” continued Pearson, who also slept out at the arena. “I’m looking forward to it. I don’t know what to expect, but I’m here. We’re here to support what Covenant House does and we’re glad to be part of it.”
The Covenant House staff conducted a number of small group activities throughout the evening to help participants learn more about the organization and the issue of homelessness for young people. The group, along with the staff, then slept outside with sleeping bags and pieces of cardboard, to put themselves in the shoes of underprivileged youth for the night.
“It’s really cool that we’re able to host the Sleep Out,” said Red Bulls midfielder Ian Christianson, one of several players that came out to support the event.
“It’s great to raise some awareness and help keep a good cause going.” Christianson also attended a Covenant House cookout hosted by the Red Bulls in September.
Last year, 756 New Jersey youth passed through Covenant House’s doors. All of them saw a doctor within the first three days of their stay, and 349 received medical attention they needed. 255 received treatment for a mental illness, and 249 obtained employment. Sixty were able to move out on their own. The organization also opened two Supportive Apartment Living Facilities in Montclair and Newark in 2013.
After three years with Covenant House, Charnette now has her own apartment, works to support herself, and is on-course to earn degrees in Early Childhood Education and Sociology by Fall of 2016. She now gives back to the organization by sharing her story at events.
“Covenant House is forever a part of me. I don’t know where I would be without them,” she said with a smile. “Going there was the best decision I ever made.”
“Hopefully this becomes an annual tradition for us,” said de Grandpre, minutes before announcing that Red Bull had donated an additional $10,000 to the more than $75,000 raised through donations.
“I think it’s a no-brainer for us to be involved,” he continued. “We have to do it. It’s the right thing to do.”
