Covenant House launches $10M campaign

New executive director on board April 24

Covenant House Florida, a nonprofit organization that provides shelter and services to homeless youth in Fort Lauderdale and Orlando, is launching a $10 million fundraising campaign under the new leadership of Michael Long.

Long, whose appointment as executive director takes effect on April 24, previously was chief development and communications officer for Broward Partnership, which provides services to homeless men, women and families.

“Mike brings passion for our mission and 25 years of executive leadership and fundraising experience,” said Kevin Ryan, president and CEO of Covenant House International.

The new capital campaign will be spearheaded by James Gress, who joined Covenant House Florida 33 years ago and became executive director in 2003. Covenant House said its goal for the statewide fundraising campaign is to expand centers and programming to serve more youth and help overcome homelessness in Florida.

The “Our Great Promise: Florida’s Future” campaign will raise funds to replace the agency’s aging beachside shelter in Fort Lauderdale and add services, including health care and work force development, in Orlando, according to a news release. The campaign officially launches later this year.

Covenant House Florida serves young people in Fort Lauderdale and Orlando experiencing homelessness up to age 21. It provides emergency shelter, counseling, case management, therapy, health services, family reunification, substance abuse treatment, pregnancy prevention, teen parenting education, job readiness training, transportation assistance, transitional housing and education.

For information on the campaign, email estone@covenanthousefl.org, or call 954-568-7914.