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487:, beginning with the accusations of Kevin Kite, who accused Ritter of sexual abuse. Ritter resigned but was never charged with sexual abuse. Soon after, more accusations surfaced. Four men came forward publicly claiming to have been in sexual relationships with Ritter for years, including multiple who stated the relationships started when they were minors receiving services through Covenant House. A report later prepared for Covenant House counted a total of 15 reported cases of sexual acts between Ritter and youth and young adults who were living or volunteering at the shelter.
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520:. After a five-month investigation, 150 interviews, and the poring over of thousands of pages of documents, their report noted that on the subject of sexual misconduct, "none of the allegations, when viewed individually, can be proved beyond any question." At the same time the report confirmed, the "cumulative" evidence against Father Ritter was "extensive."
467:, S.C.. In addition to their administrative duties, the presidents of Covenant House have been known for their fundraising letters telling the stories of the youth Covenant House serves, some of which have been collected into books. Sr. Patricia A. Cruise resigned her position as president of Covenant House International in 2008.
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Covenant House aids young people facing homelessness and survivors of human trafficking with a number of data-supported programs. Their doors are open 24/7 in 34 cities across six countries, and its programs are designed to empower young people to overcome adversity, and achieve independence. In
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to begin a new ministry serving the city's poor. Joined by colleague Father James
Fitzgibbon, he moved into a dilapidated tenement building in New York City's East Village. With volunteers, including friends, former students, and neighbors, he began an effort to help homeless and runaway young
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In addition to food, shelter, and clothing, Covenant House offers outreach, medical and mental health care, education and job readiness programs, workforce development and job placement, substance use treatment and prevention, civil legal aid services, young family programs, transitional and
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people. By 1970, Father
Fitzgibbon had moved on to other ministries, but Father Ritter remained. Adrian Gately, Patricia Kennedy, and Paul Frazier joined him to create the Covenant Community. In 1972, Covenant House was officially incorporated with its first intake center established at 504
471:, formerly the Child Advocate of New Jersey, became president in 2009, and retired from the position on February 12, 2023. William “Bill” Bedrossian, former CEO of Covenant House California, became CEO & president of Covenant House International on February 13, 2023.
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Covenant House's doors are always open to all young people who need housing and help, regardless of their race, religion, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression. To achieve this, Covenant House's programs are informed by the
135:, whose goal is to provide safe housing and holistic care to youth ages 16–21 experiencing homelessness and survivors of human trafficking. Covenant House was officially incorporated in 1972, and offers services including
231:. Covenant House then acquired a group of buildings on West 44th Street and moved its administrative offices to the new location, which moved into a retrofitted cluster of buildings on West 41st Street in 1979.
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Throughout the late 1970s, Covenant House expanded its social service programs in New York City and began to branch out to other cities in 1980. For the next four decades, Covenant House grew, led by Sister
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2022, Covenant House provided a total of 730,000 nights of housing for, on average, 2,000 youth each night. Covenant House residential programs cared for 7,700 young people in FY22.
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Covenant House officials. The Manhattan District Attorney's office announced that it was ending its investigation of Ritter's alleged financial misconduct and would not file
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Their report also cited a number of minor financial irregularities, but added that fundraising was professionally and efficiently managed. Sister
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Covenant House's board of directors immediately commissioned an independent investigation conducted by private investigative firm
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In
February 1990, Covenant House founder and President Bruce Ritter was forced to step down in the wake of allegations of
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Now, as an established nonprofit organization, Covenant House began to fundraise to shelter youth facing homelessness in
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797:, published in 1987 by Doubleday. McGeady, Sister Mary Rose (2005). "SOMETIMES GOD HAS A KID'S FACE." Covenant House.
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founded
Covenant House and served as president from 1972 to his resignation in 1990. He was succeeded by Sister
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SOMETIMES GOD HAS A KID'S FACE: The story of
America's exploited street kids - Letters from Covenant House
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Despite having a board of directors, Covenant House's public face has tended to be its presidents. Father
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As of
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began looking into possible financial improprieties or the use of
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supportive apartment-living programs, and life-skills training.
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793:. Covenant House. A selection of letters taken directly from
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Aid to youth experiencing homelessness and human trafficking.
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Catholic Church sexual abuse scandals in the United States
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590:"Learn the issues facing today's youth | Covenant House"
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speaks with staff and patients at the
Covenant House.
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703:"Ritter and Macchiarola Quitting Covenant House"
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239:(1990–2003), Sister Tricia Cruise (2003–2008),
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722:"No Charges Against Ritter On Finances"
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131:is a large, nonprofit organization in
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566:"About Us | Covenant House"
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570:www.covenanthouse.org
435:Tegucigalpa, Honduras
415:Coatepeque, Guatemala
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495:Robert M. Morgenthau
485:financial misconduct
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145:college scholarships
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709:. 28 February 1990.
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499:false documentation
440:Mexico City, Mexico
306:Fort Lauderdale, FL
161:transitional living
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465:Patricia A. Cruise
445:Managua, Nicaragua
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461:Mary Rose McGeady
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237:Mary Rose McGeady
209:Manhattan College
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86:President and CEO
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685:. Retrieved
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1308:Segregation
1162:Puerto Rico
1001:Mississippi
916:Connecticut
742:(New York:
507:resignation
475:Controversy
391:Houston, TX
336:Detroit, MI
321:Chicago, IL
316:Atlanta, GA
311:Orlando, FL
291:Oakland, CA
281:Hayward, CA
276:Anaheim, CA
1360:Categories
1247:California
1213:California
1140:Non-states
1116:Washington
1036:New Mexico
1031:New Jersey
906:California
647:2023-03-10
623:2023-03-10
599:2023-03-10
575:2023-03-10
547:References
469:Kevin Ryan
451:Presidents
371:Newark, NJ
241:Kevin Ryan
163:programs.
137:healthcare
101:Kevin Ryan
96:Key people
54:Non-profit
1313:Squatting
1126:Wisconsin
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996:Minnesota
971:Louisiana
257:Drug Czar
247:Locations
103:, Sister
1225:Colorado
1198:Eviction
1111:Virginia
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1016:Nebraska
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981:Maryland
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911:Colorado
901:Arkansas
535:See also
386:York, PA
167:Services
77:Services
60:Location
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1193:Economy
1131:Wyoming
1106:Vermont
1011:Montana
951:Indiana
931:Georgia
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896:Arizona
886:Alabama
746:, 1992)
223:and on
188:History
111:Website
40:Founder
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1276:Policy
1066:Oregon
1021:Nevada
961:Kansas
936:Hawaii
891:Alaska
879:States
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35:(1971)
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490:Then-
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1152:Guam
1101:Utah
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120:.org
50:Type
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141:GED
116:www
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