Media Advisory
Covenant House Washington
Haven on Earth

WHAT:     Dedication Ceremony for Covenant House Washington's new Community Service Center

WHO:       Sister Mary Rose McGeady, International President, Covenant House
                   Mr. John C. Whitehead, Chairman, Lower Manhattan Development Corporation,
                   former Chairman of Goldman Sachs
                   Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton
                   District of Columbia Mayor Anthony Williams
                   DC Council Member Sandy Allen (Ward 8)

WHEN:     Thursday, April 24, 2003 at 11 a.m.

WHERE:   2001 Mississippi Avenue, SE - Washington, DC

Reaffirming its commitment to serve homeless, runaway, abused and at-risk youth, Covenant House Washington (CHW) will dedicate its new Community Service Center (CSC) in honor of award winning journalist and child advocate Nancy Dickerson Whitehead. The 25,000 square foot facility is the first to be completed in THEARC (Town Hall Arts Education and Recreation Campus), a revitalization effort in southeast Washington. Developed and managed by the nonprofit corporation Building Bridges Across the River, THEARC will make available a host of health, social, educational and recreational services.

According to CHW Executive Director Vincent C. Gray, the new CSC responds to an increased need for services for youth who reside east of the Anacostia River. "The Center is a one-stop location where youth can have all their needs met," said Gray. Targeting youth ages 16 - 21, the CSC offers one of the most comprehensive programs available for youth, including skills assessment, educational services, life-skills classes, employment development, wellness and well-being classes and legal services.

Nancy Dickerson Whitehead, a former political correspondent, paved the way for female journalists, being the first female White House television correspondent and the first female to report from the floor of a political convention. In her personal life, she gave tirelessly of her time, financial resources and influence to benefit the lives of troubled youth and was instrumental in the opening of CHW in May 1995. The new CSC stands as our commitment to fulfill her vision to serve the suffering children of the streets with absolute respect and unconditional love.

Media Contact:    Jocelyn Harris, Director of Communications
                             (202) 610.9608 or jharris@chdc.org

Covenant House Washington was established in May 1995 to address widespread problems of homelessness and poverty among teenagers and young adults. As part of the international Covenant House organization-the largest privately funded childcare agency-Covenant House Washington is guided by the principles of Immediacy, Sanctuary, Values Communication, Structure, and Choice.