(l to r) Nabijah Shabazz, MPA: Statewide Volunteer & Wellness Coordinator; Mary Lonergan: Corporate Partnerships & Foundation Officer; Shabana Hassan: Youth Engagement Coordinator
The AmeriHealth Be of Service campaign honors a Corporate Citizen of the Year and a Volunteer of the Year who go above and beyond for their community. Winners receive a $500 gift card from AmeriHealth and an additional $1,500 donated to a nonprofit of their choice.
We recently interviewed Mary Lonergan, Corporate Partnerships and Foundation Officer at Covenant House New Jersey, winner of the 2025 Be of Service Corporate Citizen of the Year.
Tell us about Covenant House New Jersey and its programs.
Covenant House New Jersey is the largest statewide provider of emergency shelter, housing, and supportive services for youth ages 18 ‒ 22 overcoming homelessness, and in conjunction with the New Jersey Office of Attorney General, serves as the lead agency for human trafficking victim services in the state.
Last fiscal year we reached 1,811 youth, an increase of 22 percent from the previous year. We are proud to say that 62 percent of youth in our residential programs moved on to positive living environments, up from 59 percent the previous year.
We operate seven residences in Essex, Atlantic, Union, and Monmouth counties, and two 24/7 youth shelters in Newark and Atlantic City, as well as transitional housing in all four counties. All residential services are free of charge.
Our services include case management, behavioral health care, legal services, educational guidance, workforce development, and housing navigation for this vulnerable population.
The Dove Learning Centers in Newark, Atlantic City, and Elizabeth are central to our programming. These centers focus on education, employment, financial literacy, health and wellness, and social navigation.
What is your role at Covenant House New Jersey?
As the Corporate Partnerships and Foundation Officer at Covenant House New Jersey, I play a vital role in building and sustaining strategic relationships with corporate and corporate foundation partners across the state who share a commitment to our mission of providing housing and supportive services to youth aged 18 ‒ 22 who are overcoming homelessness and survivors of human trafficking.
My work includes securing philanthropic support through grant writing, coordinating meaningful employee volunteer opportunities, and stewarding corporate and corporate foundation professionals to deepen engagement and maximize impact.
Through my leadership, Covenant House New Jersey has strengthened its corporate alliances, increased funding, and expanded services and opportunities for the individuals we serve.
What do you want people to know about the youth who come to Covenant House New Jersey?
Youth experiencing homelessness are not defined by their housing status or by any personal failing; most have been driven into instability by factors beyond their control — family crisis, systemic poverty, community violence, or an abrupt loss of support systems.
These young people possess tremendous talent, resilience, and ambition. When they have a safe place to live and a network of caring adults who invest time, resources, and genuine encouragement, they don’t just stabilize, they thrive.
Our responsibility as a community is to replace the unpredictability they’ve known with absolute respect, unconditional love, educational and career pathways, and the emotional affirmation that their goals matter.
With support, these youth often become first-generation college students, skilled professionals, and compassionate leaders who pay forward the help they have received. They are future contributors and changemakers who simply need the love, support, and opportunity to realize their promise.
Why are opportunities and a sense of belonging so important to this community?
Offering opportunities and a sense of belonging are essential because these young people have often been excluded, through systems and circumstances, by families and communities who were meant to support them.
When youth experience homelessness, they are not just lacking housing: they are frequently denied access to education, employment, health care, and positive mentorship — basic opportunities that many of us take for granted.
We affirm their dignity, potential, and right to belong. And by creating real opportunities through education, job training, or leadership development, we open pathways for them to rebuild their lives with confidence and purpose.
Youth overcoming homelessness have the drive and capacity to succeed; they need the world around them to meet them with love and respect, not judgment. With a foundation of support and a sense of belonging, they go on to achieve extraordinary things not only for themselves, but also for their families and communities.
What does the AmeriHealth Be of Service Award mean to you, and how will it help Covenant House New Jersey?
Receiving the AmeriHealth Be of Service Award is both an honor and a profound affirmation of the work we do. It underscores our belief that every young person, regardless of their past or current circumstances, deserves to be seen, supported, and given the opportunity to thrive. It is a reminder that when we come together as a community to invest in youth overcoming homelessness, we are not just responding to a crisis; we are helping to unlock human potential.
This award brings visibility and momentum to our mission. It will help us strengthen programs that provide safe shelter, job readiness, education, wellness services, and, most importantly, a sense of belonging. It reinforces how vital it is for young people to be surrounded by encouraging, dependable support from adults and institutions that believe in them.
This recognition also sets a powerful example for the broader business community. It shows how companies can align their values with meaningful impact, not only through financial support, but also by engaging employees and helping to build a future where all young people have the chance to thrive.
We hope this award inspires others to join us in this life-changing work.
What’s next for Covenant House New Jersey?
Our next chapter is focused on thoughtful and necessary expansion. Last year, we served over 22 percent more youth than the year before. That’s a powerful sign of both the trust young people are placing in us, as well as the growing need for our housing and services across the state.
At the same time, we’ve faced a persistent and heartbreaking reality: a waiting list of more than 100 young people who are seeking safe shelter, support, and a path forward.
That unmet need is driving our urgency and commitment to grow. What’s next for us is improving and expanding both housing capacity and the wraparound services that make long-term stability possible — job readiness, education, mental health and wellness programs, legal support, housing services, and access to caring adults who walk with our youth every step of the way.
We’re actively working to strengthen our infrastructure, deepen community partnerships, and engage new supporters who share our belief that no young person should be turned away in their moment of need.
With continued investment and collaboration, we can ensure that every young person who knocks on our door finds not only a safe place to sleep, but also the resources and encouragement to build a brighter future.
How can people get involved with Covenant House New Jersey?
We believe that meaningful community involvement is essential to our mission of ending youth homelessness. Whether you’re an individual, a team, or a corporate group, there are many powerful ways to make a difference in the lives of the young people we serve.
Here are just a few options:
- Sleep Out. Join us for a transformative overnight experience where individuals and teams sleep outside in solidarity with youth facing homelessness. Sleep Out raises critical funds and awareness, reminding participants that while one night outside is a choice, for too many young people, it’s their daily reality.
- Corporate service days. Designed for employee engagement and impact, corporate service days offer companies the chance to spend 2 – 4 hours onsite with our youth. Activities include a “Covenant House 101” orientation, a youth panel discussion, and a 90-minute shared learning experience.
- Meal service. Provide and serve meals at our Newark Youth Engagement Center, plus help set up and clean tables, welcome young people, and create a warm, hospitable space.
We have a lot of other volunteer opportunities where individuals and groups can get involved and support our mission. Every hour you give, every meal you serve, every conversation you share — it all matters. It tells our youth they are not alone and that their community believes in their future.
