Covenant House New York — Local services in New York

I stayed at the Covenant House for 2 years, 2009-2011. I went through the Crisis program and did what I had to according to their rules to get into the ROP program which is an independent living program. I participated in many of their activities and fundraising events for the CH. However, I have to say that the staff were a big problem there. The directors of the ROP program favored some residents more than others and overlooked those they liked who didn't follow the rules. I've even witnessed some of the staff and security stealing from the donations that are meant for the residents and they leave the lesser quality clothes and products behind for the residents. I had a bad experience with some of the residents as well. Overall, I pretty much got along with everyone, staff and residents. However some of these kids would pretend to be friendly then talk about you to everyone else. Eventually I found out who was behind the rumors being spread about me and told my Case manager and director. When this resident and I got into a verbal altercation, I explained to them what it was about and that this person wasn't going to drop the issue. Later on the same day I was attacked by 2 of her close friends who were also residents there. To sum it all up, every opportunity I had to follow rules and walk away or tell staff, I did so. This did not help me at all in the end. These residents set me up to jump me and rob me, other residents on my floor knew about this and did not tell me or staff. And when I had no choice but to defend myself and fight back, I was discharged and kicked out of the program as well, even though I did not initiate the incident. The directors basically did not believe anything I previously told them or care about my well-being. I had to be hospitalized because of these residents who were basically jealous of my success there. They robbed me of my purse with over $500 value inside, and the purse was in possession of the security there. They obviously weren't securing it if these residents easily got their hands on it. I was kicked out with 2 black eyes a concussion and a stolen wallet with no where to go and piece of paper handed to me telling me to go to yet another shelter. The staff there did not care about me at all. I never received a phone call from my personal case manager asking if I made out ok. And they even went as far as banning me from receiving any of the graduate services that you are entitled to when you leave the program because I was involved in the altercation. They did not care that I was the one attacked and robbed. From my experience there, Covenant House is a great idea but at this specific center, the staff seem to care more about their job titles and paycheck than actually helping these kids become independent...

I’m Hollywood Anderson, a former Covenant House youth and their most notable alum alongside Fawn Weaver. I poured my heart into this place—sorting donations post-American Idol, color-coding clothes, running the New York Half Marathon with their Home Team, believing they were family. Norm Lotz, like my white biological father, waited at that finish line and backed me through American Idol. Yvonne Nelson bought me guitar strings for an audition with a broken foot, and Brian Bob linked me to her. Their support meant everything, but Covenant House International’s (CHI) leadership is a shameful betrayal. In March 2024, I pitched a digital strategy to Pam Sadanoto in a three-hour meeting, laying out culturally authentic tactics and a Resident Ambassador Program to pay youth as influencers, valued at $150,000 giving covenant house a $20k discount. CHI stole it, using my ideas without a cent. My comparative analysis proves they copied me, like the Mother’s Day campaign’s Black-led ad crushing it on May 11, 2025. Current youth confirm CHI rolled out my ambassador program, just smaller. John Ducoff, COO, admitted on record, “You did the work” and “You’re justifiably aggrieved,” yet they offered a pathetic $20,000, a third of my $60,000 demand, which was already half my pitch’s value and while admitting they screwed me. Pam’s racist “Black faces don’t work” comment stung, especially since CHI’s Black-led content outperformed others. Youth in the program, fed up and eyeing their own lawsuits, back this up, along with former execs and volunteers who see CHI’s bias. Bill Bedrosian’s DMs on February 2-3, 2025, are a clown show, one says a PR firm did the work, the next claims “younger staff” revamped social media. They used my likeness to raise millions, then lowballed me like I’m nothing. I demanded $200,000, but if they don’t pay, I’m suing for $25,000,000. Their $284 million budget can handle it, but they’d rather lie than pay fair. CHI’s board is all press, no progress, exploiting kids for clout while ignoring racism and theft. Donors, your money props up a machine that robs and gaslights alumni like me, who clawed through abuse and shelters to make it. I wouldn’t trust CHI with a dime they’re a disgrace. Support real youth orgs instead. • Hollywood Anderson, NY...

I owe this place many thank and I wished my memory servered me better next there were counselors and mentors that I owe many thanks too! I was here in 2007-2008 I was in the shelter for two weeks then moved to ROP. In the shelter I was taught that you have to hustle to get out and keep to yourself and be decent. Doing this the counsels will take notice to you and guide you to achieve better. They had their hands full with young kids doing all types of horrible things and acting out, so if you were to just be willing for a better change in life they will give you all the support you need. As for ROP it changed my life and I want to open a program just as such. It's been 10 years and I still brag and channel what I was taught there. They taught me how to he responsible, save! And keep. I love that if you have a job you have to put the majority if your check into your account so you can have it for a good start when you leave, I love that if your in school you have to keep a certain average. The fact that if you a depressed and wake up in the middle of the night they're counselors there for you. I was I think 20 and I never had these things, love, support, someone to hold you accountable. It's all a young person need. For the treatment I received there I want to embody every bit of it in my long-term goal of opening a shelter/program. Also the many friends I met along the way whom I wish I could remember names and get in touch with!! If anyone reads this who was there from 2007-2008 please look me up on fb (Brittany Evelyn Marie Ibe) Thank you all so much ! Gosh I wish we could have like a reunion lol and all the counselors there too! Loved this place! Ohh and I've read some bad reviews about this place and as a person of great observance I strongly! Believe that you are treated how you put yourself out there! Some of the girls there were crazy wild and reckless and this was a Free program that tried and gave many chances donuts up to you how...