Every Covenant House creates a ‘covenant’ with each young person. The word covenant means ‘a coming together’. CHV says, “Covenants involve a mutual agreement, a relationship in which each party lays out what they are committed to doing.”

When a youth comes to our doors, we make a covenant, or a promise, to support them every step of the way to independence. We share our guiding principles with them, which include providing immediate care and sanctuary, modeling and communicating positive values, as well as offering structure and helpful choices (Covenant House Toronto website).

In return, youth are required to follow rules and to create a plan with their youth worker. Each plan is individualized to the youth and could include education, work or an alternative plan focused on addictions, mental health or other health concerns. The goal is overall independence to enable the youth to live a healthy and productive life in the community.

“The whole Covenant approach is that we would basically sit down, contract with the young person, understanding that it’s their choice to be here and that they’re the ones that have to focus and drive the plan. But basically, we piece that plan together in a way that will work for that young person. We customize it along the way.” — Bruce Rivers, Executive Director, Covenant House Toronto

These plans are particularly important for the Rights of Passage program and will be explored in greater detail later on.