Covenant House Guatemala hosts the national "Day of No Violence Against Children" with Sister Patricia Cruise and President and First Lady of Guatemala

New York City & Guatemala -- Every year, hundreds of Guatemalan boys and girls are subjected to violence, sexual abuse, kidnapping and murder on the streets. In remembrance of young victims, and in a vow of support for poverty-stricken children and families, the Guatemalan government held a "Day of No Violence Against Children" on March 13.

Sister Patricia A. Cruise, President of Covenant House, joined with Guatemalan President, Alvaro Colom and First Lady Sandra Colom in Guatemala City to commemorate this important and powerful day with the children of Covenant House Guatemala (known locally as Casa Alianza Guatemala).

Addressing a press conference, Sister Patricia expressed both her outrage at the unsafe conditions for children in Guatemala as well as her hope that this day serve as a step in the direction of healing and hope.

"Today we come together as a community to spread a message to the entire Guatemalan nation. Today we speak for an entire generation of children with no voice of their own," said Sister Cruise.

Every year, it's estimated that seven out of 10 Guatemalan children are victims of some type of violence, that nearly 400 children are murdered and that about 2,000 young people are sexually exploited.

"For many street children, Covenant House has been the only place to turn for help," said Sister Patricia. "But no one organization can solve the myriad of problems our kids face. A day like today brings hope that we can all work together ... government, parents, social service agencies ... to save more lives."

Covenant House Guatemala provides food, clothing, shelter, medicine, psychological and social counseling as well as aftercare programs designed to make sure that even after children leave Covenant House Guatemala, they have the support they need to stay off the streets for good.

Last year alone, Covenant House Guatemala cared for a total of 1,390 youth across all their programs.

"Today, I issue a challenge: a challenge for all of us to spread the message of non-violence, a challenge to dream of new ways to help our kids and a challenge for all of us to pool our resources, our knowledge and our compassion," said Sister Patricia. "I issue a challenge to be bold and dream of a world where no child is forced to live in fear and pain and violence."

Following the press conference, Sister Cruise and Claudia Rivera, the Executive Director of Covenant House Guatemala, made their way to Central Park in Guatemala City for a procession and concert further commemorating the day's message.

During the concert, Sister Patricia offered a prayer asking for help in stopping violence against children. Afterwards, Guatemalan President, Alvaro Colom and First Lady Sandra Colom joined the activity, giving a message to the children, and asking Guatemalan Society to construct a culture of peace to stop violence against children.

"It means everything to us and to the children to have the president of Guatemala and his wife here with us today to share in our fight to end violence against children," said Ms. Rivera. "Casa Alianza Guatemala and our non-governmental peers working in Guatemala need as much local, national and international support as we can get to help the youth get off the streets."

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