The NFL is Rising to Tomorrow with Covenant House

The National Football League (NFL) continues to showcase how players, owners, and the league work together to create positive change in communities across America. When the NFL signed on to be a partner with Covenant House this year, we knew they’d make a positive impact in our community, including their pledge to ensure that Covenant House can continue to provide welcoming, affirming, and safe spaces for LGBTQ+ youth.

On and off the field, the NFL displays allyship and teamwork, which are values we know well at Covenant House. In the 33 cities where we operate, our young people are wrapped in an environment rooted in unconditional love, absolute respect, and relentless support.

We don’t use the term ally lightly here at Covenant House. We recognize when an individual or organization advocates for and supports a community other than their own, and shows their support through action and impact. When a young person, like Kaiden, arrives at Covenant House feeling as though they lost the community around them because of their gender identity and expression, in addition to providing them a safe place to sleep, we want Kaiden to know we are their allies and we support their journey towards independence and freedom.

“Covenant House helped me by not giving up on me, not kicking me out because I was struggling with my mental health. They were able to see that and recognize that I just needed some help. They basically saved my life,” says Kaiden. Covenant House will never give up on a young person and we are so grateful to partners who share these values and provide community support.

This week, the NFL will be sponsoring an event at Covenant House California in Los Angeles in the lead up to the Super Bowl. Youth will enjoy a celebration centered on the themes of allyship, love, and teamwork.

As a surprise to our young people, players in the league will stop by Covenant House California to drop off handwritten note cards from various players who took part in the 2022 NFL Pro Bowl and the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year nominees. The notes will share personal reflections that will convey their care for and allyship with our young people. We are all excited to see our young people’s faces as they read these meaningful statements from NFL players!

Follow our social media channels to see photos from this special event for our youth at Covenant House California in Los Angeles hosted by the NFL. Thank you, NFL, for using your influence and your platform to tell all young people overcoming homelessness, including those who identify as LGBTQ+, that you care about them, support them, and are their allies.

Rising to Tomorrow is an invitation to be a part of a commemoration of our 50 years of service and a reaffirmed commitment to ending youth homelessness. As a Rising to Tomorrow partner, you are committing to help continue the lifesaving and life-affirming work provided to youth by Covenant House, ensuring over 4 million nights of housing in the next five years, including opening more beds, serving more food, and meeting more medical and mental health needs for youth facing homelessness.