Homeless teens need a decent living wage

Covenant House strives for a living wage that makes it possible for homeless kids to free themselves from the cycle of homelessness.

Kids who have run away from an abusive home life, often live on the streets because they can’t afford to pay rent. Most have been thrown out of their family’s house, or become orphaned, and can’t find a job that will pay them a living wage that will make ends meet.

Since homeless kids are usually either school drop-outs or still completing their education, they don’t have the skills and experience necessary to find jobs in which they can earn more than the minimum wage. The amount of money a homeless kid can earn is usually just a fraction of the fair-market cost of rent.

Covenant House strives to advocate for better living wage and low-income housing laws so that homeless kids can break free from the vicious wage-versus-rent cycle in which they often find themselves.

We also work diligently with each and every young person who turns to us to develop their education and work skills – and better their income potential.