Candlelight Vigil Sheds Light On Homeless Youth

More than 400 youth and adults from Orlando participated in the 19th Annual Candlelight Vigil hosted by Covenant House Florida Hundreds of kids gather at the Cathedral prior to the vigil The Candlelight procession heads toward Lake Eola amphitheater Miss Florida, Rachael Todd, and David Ashby, who walked from Orlando to Washington, D.C. over the summer to raise awareness about homeless children and to raise money – both spoke at the Orlando vigil The Candlelight Vigil event is sponsored by: Photos courtesy of Potshots Photography

More than 400 youth and adults from Orlando participated in the 19th Annual Candlelight Vigil hosted by Covenant House Florida to keep the light of hope burning for homeless youth.

"This event is intended to help the community understand that we have a crisis of homeless, runaway and throwaway youth who live on the streets. These are kids who live under highway overpasses and in cardboard boxes. It is simply unacceptable,” said James M. Gress, executive director of Covenant House Florida. “At Covenant House Florida, we help these youths, who often come from severely dysfunctional families, put their lives together and look forward to a hopeful future.”

The procession, led by hundreds of youth, started at the historic Cathedral Church of Saint Luke and proceeded to Lake Eola Amphitheater in Lake Eola Park. Participants walked through the crowds at the park and placed their candles on the amphitheater stage to honor each homeless teen served by Covenant House Florida this past year. The evening’s program included live music, prayer and praise, including a candle lighting ceremony, as well as inspiring words from supporters and Covenant House Florida residents.

Monica was one young adult who shared her story at the Candlelight Vigil event. She found herself with nowhere to go except the Covenant House Florida shelter. Growing up in an environment of violence, substance abuse, and unhealthy relationships, Monica found a safe place for her and her babies at the Orlando Shelter. She began taking life skill classes and learned life skills that she had never learned before.  Now 19 years old, Monica is participating in Covenant House Florida’s Rights of Passage program and is learning to be self sufficient.  She is employed and handling all the responsibilities that come with having her own apartment.

“The staff at Covenant House genuinely cared about me and took care of my children and me like we were their own family,” she said.

Covenant House Florida’s community partners included The Cathedral Church of Saint Luke, other partners in this event included Signal Graphics, Donna Savitz, David McIntyre, Hatchet Design, Jan Whitehouse, John King, Josh Mason, Star 94.5 FM, WEUS, PotShots Photography, Chris Kelly and Full Sail University, New Covenant Praise Band and Summit Church Band. Sponsors included Walt Disney World Resort, St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church, City of Orlando, and ABC Fine Wine and Spirits.

“This event is successful because of immense community support,” added Gress. “I’d like to particularly thank Orange County Mayor Richard T. Crotty and Orange County Commissioner Linda Stewart for issuing a resolution in recognition of Covenant House Florida’s commitment to the children and youth of Central Florida. This acknowledgement was sincerely appreciated.”

Orange County Commissioner Linda Stewart reads proclamation