Faith Community Volunteers prepare to kayak for a community night activity.

Faith Community Volunteers support one another during their service to the youth of Covenant House.

Faith Community Volunteers have the opportunity to serve homeless youth full time at Covenant House. Most volunteers serve in our Crisis Centers as Resident Advisors, Youth Advisors, or Case Managers; while others may serve in our Rights of Passage program, medical services, outreach, pastoral ministry, administration, or other support positions. Volunteers receive training for their service placement and have regular scheduled shifts at Covenant House.

 

Faith Community Application

To begin, print the following pages and submit your application to Covenant House. All the information you will need is located on the application instructions:

 

Faith Community Orientation

Orientation is a time of mutual discernment where applicants spend 4 days participating in community life, serving at our Crisis Centers, and learning more about Covenant House and Faith Community. All applicants must attend an Orientation as part of the application process for Covenant House Faith Community.

Please submit your completed application at least two weeks prior to your desired Orientation dates.

Upcoming Orientation Dates:

July 14-17, 2010  (application deadline has passed) 

July 21-24, 2010  (applications due by July 7)  

November 3-6, 2010 (applications due by October 20)           

 

Faith Community Formation

During Formation, new volunteers are "formed" with special focus on the opportunities for community living, prayer/reflection and service with our youth. Formation serves as the official start-date for new volunteers.

Upcoming Formation Dates:

September 1-15, 2010

February/March, 2011

 

Successful applicants will be....

  • 21 years of age or older
  • A 4-year college graduate in any field (or have commensurate life experience)
  • Emotionally mature and in good health (medical exam required)
  • Ready to serve at any site and in any position where there is the most need
  • Married or single (with no legal dependents under the age of 18)
  • Willing to share stories and/or photos about Faith Community experience with Covenant House
  • Open, flexible, and joyful
  • A citizen of the United States or Canada

Your service site will provide...

  • Room and board (includes utilities, linens, basic hygiene stipend, transportation, and food)
  • $20 weekly spending stipend
  • Medical and dental insurance
  • 10 days vacation/$500 vacation stipend for 12-month volunteers; or 5 days vacation/$250 vacation stipend for 6-month volunteers
  • Accrual of $100 severance stipend per month, payable at end of service commitment
  • Two community retreats per year
  • Forbearance or deferral of most student loans
  • AmeriCorps Educational Award opportunity (available for United States citizens only)

A few notes on the application process:

  • The application process for Covenant House Faith Community includes: submitting a complete application packet via postal mail; completing an initial phone interview; and attending an Orientation at the Covenant House Faith Community in New York.
  • All applicants must provide their own transportation to New York City for the 4-day Orientation and, if invited to serve with us, to New York City for Formation training and the beginning of volunteer service.
  • Unfortunately, Covenant House Faith Community is unable to provide housing for applicants between Orientation and Formation.
  • After arriving in New York City for Formation, Covenant House Faith Community will provide transportation for all volunteers from New York to the Covenant House site where they will be serving.

 

 

For more information about Faith Community, please contact Joan Conroy at faithmail@covenanthouse.org or call us at (212) 727-4081.