Coveneant House
Posted by pdragon5  |  November 6, 2009 12:02:38 PM

I started giving to CH when I read a book from there that was meant to horrify and pull at your heartstrings and walllet, but instead, it gave me hope. I saw it as a place i'd run to, and I was grateful it existed, only it was too far away. So I secretly gave them money hoping they'd build a place in MD. And then later, because other kids mattered too. Little did I know I'd receive pleading letters, many more books, trinket after trinket, and card after card, every few months for the next 22 years. i'm not happy with what i see here at all, but it sure does match what I get in the mail. what a waste.

If they don't take care of the runaways, who will?
Posted by ck frm Maryland  |  September 21, 2009 6:12:41 AM

All of your comments are right on. Their salaries seem high, but for NY maybe not. We don't know how dedicated they are to their mission. Unless you know what's in their hearts, you should assume it's good. You are right, their expenses seem way out there. They bought that big building in Manhattan so that they could serve the kids right there. We don't know what it takes to maintain it, what kind of mortgage they have, etc. Most runaways show up at the 42st bus terminal. They really can't transport the kids to Brooklyn or Queens or Bronx because of traffic, the larger number of vans it would take to do that. They are logistically located right where the problem is. Everything in NY is more expensive, especially real estate. All the neighborhoods next to Manhattan have tripled and quadrupled in value. Their solicitation expenses are way out there also. I was getting all their stupid little gifts also until I told them to stop sending them to me. Now I just donate online. I still send them e-mail asking them what they are doing to reduce their costs, all to no avail.

But the bottom line is that 50% of the money you send them does get to the kids. The other 50% they will have to account with God, not you. You will get credit for the whole 100%.

salaries and gifts
Posted by Projapoti  |  June 8, 2009 6:11:13 AM

salaries may seem outlandish however for management of 21 sites 24 hrs per day along with an crisis line i'm not sure they're so outrageous. gifts aren't paid for by Covenant House. I wish people would spend some time investigating their charities. How many people even know CH operates 24 hrs per day? How many know that each kid who comes in must undergo a complete medical w/ counseling? How many people know CH help over 70,000 kids in '08?

just too much
Posted by Fast Eddy  |  February 17, 2009 6:40:27 AM

I have visited a couple of the Covenant House's and they seem to be very effective but I have told Sister Tricia by mail in the past that I am not going to give them donations so that they can pay big New York salaries. Get more nuns or more professional volunteers. This is a shame. She doesn't seem to understand her ratings at all.

Covenant House
Posted by TAK  |  January 27, 2009 2:34:52 PM

I am very disappointed to see that the efficiency rating for Covenant House gets NO stars. I will not be donating anymore. Your letters sound so sincere, but if the administration personnel can make over $100,000 a year, the money isn't being spent on the children as it is needed.

covenat house
Posted by jerry  |  December 4, 2008 8:13:13 AM

i was surprised to see it was a 1 star rating. I actually volunteered there in the 80's on weekends and the need was tremendous with few volunteers and many kids - the work they did was excellent yet i saw bottles of change sitting around and though their work is definitely needed, the administrative expenses are outrageous. If not for volunteers they do not open the gym or clothing room on weekends - they could spend some of their salaries on personnel for that.

Wow - it was I was receiving the charity
Posted by Bob DeFalco  |  November 14, 2008 6:55:25 AM

This was all included in the solicitation package I received today:

- A keychain - Heartshaped paper notepad with message "Kids Need Lots of Love!" - A notepad with 9 angels on the bottom of each page exchanging hearts - 71 return address labels - variety pack of seals for envelopes

Such solicitations may explain 32% expenses in fundraising or why revenue is up marginally while programming is down significantly. Maybe it also demonstrates an attitude that spending less than 60% of revenue on programming is acceptable.

Yes, do it for the kids. Save them from the "predators, pimps, drug pushers and con artists." When I look at what's on my table and on the books, I wonder who's going to save me from the predators, pimps and con artists that are looking for money from me.

Checked out the location of the charity - Madison Square Garden is in the backyard. At least it's not a plush location. Macy's on 34th and the Mahattan Mall at both a whole block away. Herald Square is two whole blocks away. Must be tough spending those executive salaries with prime shopping so close.

Covenant House
Posted by chrissy  |  July 7, 2008 5:45:48 AM

I think the salaries of the 3 VP's are completely out of line, accounting for almost $500,000 out of a modest budget. It certainly appears that the street kids who need these services are not receiving them, while professional managment staff are doing pretty well. It's truly a shame because I think that Sister Patricia is sincere. However, I will not donate until the ineffeciencies are corrected. I have notified them of this but continue to get the sad letters.

Key chains, pens, papers, sticky address labels...
Posted by Dylan  |  May 1, 2008 5:40:58 AM

Hello Sister Patricia,

Your mushy letters are too sweet for me. I know that your kids might not be star quality but I still have a heart. I'm saving the return envelope you sent to me this month. Sometime at the end of the year I'll see what I can send again. Until then, your words will probably continue to repeat en mass. I have become weary of the charity campaigns when so many have my name now known as a donor.