Terrie O'Connor Realtors has raised $200K in support of the cause
Whether you live in an urban city apartment or a quiet suburban dwelling, a home is a personal haven and a place to feel joy and build memories. Devoted to real estate for the past 40 years, Terrie O'Connor helps people find that safe place.
Not everyone is fortunate though to have a place to call home. Recognizing the parallels, Terrie stepped up to extend her energy and passion to Covenant House, helping Covenant House New Jersey's youth who have suffered from abuse, abandonment, homelessness and human trafficking to build a life that is good and meaningful.
"A good CEO can inspire others to succeed, but what sets Terrie apart is her innate ability as a leader to inspire those around her to be better people and to make the world a better place," says Jim White, executive director, who started Covenant House New Jersey in the early 90s. "We are blessed to have her in our world." White began his life's work at Covenant House New York as an entry level youth advisor and has devoted himself to helping young people in crisis overcome their circumstances and move forward to a future and life that is good.
Covenant House now has beds that get 185 homeless kids off the streets. It has also been named as the state's provider for those who experience human trafficking. Its mission is simple: We don't just save kids, we invest in their futures. Serving youths ages 18 to 22 - OUT the crossroad from adolescence to adulthood - Covenant House and supports anyone facing poverty, at violence and aloneness during these pivotal years. Covenant House gets them off the streets, to residential crisis centers, then to transitional living homes, and on to independent living. Robert J. Williams (Bobby), who has served on Covenant's board for 19 years, 13 as Chairman, notes, "What attracted me to Covenant House is the pure dedication of the board and our leadership. Our guiding principle is, and has always been, what is best for our kids. From there, we set our goals, develop the budget and extraordinary things happen."
With her usual gusto, Terrie signed up to participate in Covenant House's Executive Sleep Out, a yearly fundraising initiative where participants sleep outside to experience the devastation facing New Jersey's homeless youth. One night every fall, Terrie and members of her team get to share in the stories and experiences of Covenant's youth and meet the organization's loving staff. People whose paths would most likely not cross, spend the night under the stars in the chill of a November night where a clear message is sent to these New Jersey youth that they are not alone. Since 2017, Terrie and 73 of her staff have raised approximately $200,000 to move the mission forward in support of Covenant House kids.
"Covenant House has opened our eyes to the problems of homelessness and how businesses can partner to change the lives of neglected kids," says Sarah Drennan, Terrie O'Connor Realtors executive vice president. "In just one night, I met the most heartwarming young people. Kids who come from broken homes, abusive relationships and exposure to drugs and alcohol. By sheer luck, they found their way to Covenant House where they receive training, education and, above all, love." Drennan was especially touched by the personal stories of grit and the inherent talents of many of Covenant's youth.
And not even a global pandemic could stop them. This year, instead of the virtual protocol, Terrie's group knew there was something to be said about doing Sleep Out together. They met at the corporate office to watch the impactful program and workshop video, and then each participant took a cardboard box - supplied by Ridgewood Movers - and made their bed outside.
"With 80% of our funding coming from private donors, our kids need people like Terrie. She takes real tangible actions and has this huge heart," adds Janette Scrozzo, Covenant House New Jersey development director. Raphael's Life House in Elizabeth, an arm of Covenant House, provides a safe haven for pregnant young women facing homelessness through their mother and Babies Program. This past November, Terrie held a baby shower to make sure the moms had what they needed when they came home from the hospital. A gesture that made an indelible print on the lives of women who may never have been shown kindness and goodwill.
The support of the Covenant House New Jersey community is critical to providing customized care to transition youth to be independent, contributing members of their communities.
To learn more about the important work of Covenant House and ways you can help, visit covenanthousenj.org.
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