Student Participation in the 2011 Candlelight Vigil

Students from all three Covenant House Academies participated and attended this year’s Candlelight Vigil Against Youth Homelessness.  Charmaine was one of several students from CHA-East that attended. She  was honored to help read the Children’s Bill of Rights. The Children’s Bill of Rights are ten truths held to be “absolute ‘rights’ - basic and inalienable - as necessary to a child as air to breathe and water to drink.”  Her favorite line was the belief that “every child has the right to respect.”  Chris Holmes, from CHA-Central, also helped with reading the Children’s Bill of Rights as well.  Sarah, a 19 year-old senior from CHA-Southwest, served as a speaker, thanking the many donors who provided the refreshments following the Vigil.  This was her first time speaking publicly and she really enjoyed it.

All of the students who attended were impacted by the event, for most it was their first time attending.  Patricia, Brian and Ryan from Southwest were most impressed by the residents who told their stories of being homeless. Brian, 19, remarked, “That could easily be me that was up there.” For Patricia, it was the reading of the Children’s Bill of Rights and the ringing of the bell that was most striking.

All of the students who attended from CHA-East thought the Vigil was a really nice event, however because it was the first really cold night of the fall, they were all under-dressed for the cold and biting winds that always seem to be a part of this annual event.  The elements had some commenting, “ it really drives home how hard it must be to have nowhere but the streets to go”.  As they entered the cafeteria following the Vigil, there was expressed appreciation for the warmth and tastiness of the treats.

All the students were impressed that nearly 400 people attended the event in support for the work of Covenant House.  They especially liked the many youth groups that were in attendance. Ryan, 21, from CHA-Southwest found the entire event to be inspiring and motivational.

Share This!