Facing the Truth in Times Square: The Rally to End Youth Homelessness 

Covenant House supporters gathered Thursday evening to demand action for unhoused youth. 

Times Square heard our message last night: The time is NOW to end youth homelessness. The Rally to End Youth Homelessness presented by Kia America saw hundreds of supporters show up to kick off Youth Homelessness Awareness Month, demonstrating that through action we can make a difference for youth experiencing homelessness. 

Hosted by CBS News correspondent Jericka Duncan, the rally featured speeches by leaders in the movement to end youth homelessness, appearances by celebrity supporters The Kid Mero and Elizabeth Stanley, support from corporate partners who help keep our shelter doors open 24/7, and testimony from current and former residents of Covenant House. Participants waved handmade signs and chanted rallying cries:  

“OUR FUTURE! OUR FIGHT!”  

“STAND WITH YOUTH! FACE THE TRUTH!”  

“HOUSING ENDS HOMELESSNESS!” 

Between chants, volunteers packed outreach kits full of health and hygiene products to be distributed among youth facing homelessness in New York City, and participants recorded video messages congratulating Covenant House youth on milestones like moving into their own apartment or landing a job. And at our partner village sponsored by Delta Air Lines, volunteers from Uniqlo set supporters up with custom swag; Luke’s Lobster, Starbucks, Spindrift, and Graza fueled the Rally with delicious food and beverages; and Macy’s handed out holiday treats. 

Youth Portraits  

But chants and signs weren’t the only way we spread the word. Portraits of young people living at Covenant House sites from Georgia to Honduras to Alaska stood 7.5 feet high in the middle of Times Square, demonstrating our message to the crowds walking by: We have to Face the Truth of youth homelessness — and take action to end it!  

The portraits of our residents and former residents showed that youth experiencing homelessness look just like any other young person. Confronted with that fact, passersby in Times Square were inspired to take action.  

Billboards 

Billboards also accompanied our rally in Times Square, lighting up the night sky with a simple message “If we do nothing, youth homelessness will triple. Take action now!” They’ll be there throughout the month to keep the attention on the crisis of youth homelessness and encourage action throughout the month. There are few stages as big as Times Square, and this month is our opportunity to make sure people hear the message that the crisis is worsening, but together, we can do something to stop it and reverse it. 

What’s Next? 

Youth Homelessness Awareness Month has only just begun with the Rally to End Youth Homelessness. Throughout the month, you can take action to help end youth homelessness by: 

• Signing our action pledge.
• Reading the stories of Covenant House youth.
• Joining our virtual forum on November 11.
• Sleeping Out on Nov. 20. 

We’ll see you there, and we hope you continue to take action with us to end youth homelessness as we know it today.