Seeking a safe haven, Carmen arrived at Covenant Shelter with her two beautiful children (and one on the way), having found herself homeless after being held up at gun point in her apartment when she was just three months pregnant.   

That experience triggered the trauma of molestation and other abuse that she experienced as a young child.   

This previously hardworking, stable mother hit bottom.

Due to her mother's drug abuse, Carmen was raised in countless foster homes since the age of four.  Foster care was a much safer environment for the young Carmen, who experienced emotional abuse, neglect and abandonment by her mother and sexual abuse by her mother's male friends.  Yet somehow deep inside, Carmen retained an unrelenting hope that one day her mother would get better so that they could have a healthy mother-daughter relationship.

It was this hope that led Carmen to try living with her mother after she hit bottom.  Although she was referred to Covenant Shelter at that time, the idea of moving into a homeless shelter with the two and soon to be three children greatly frightened her.   

"When you think of a homeless shelter you think of cots, coldness and people who don't care," said Carmen. 

After continued emotional abuse by her mother, Carmen finally broke the cord, called Covenant Shelter and as she states, made the best decision of her life. Carmen was surprised to find Covenant Shelter nothing like she expected.  

"Covenant Shelter is so warm and the staff so inviting - those who understand and have been there, such a support system."

During the six weeks that Carmen and her children were at Covenant Shelter, our case manager worked with them to ensure that they received services to move forward in their lives.   

Carmen participated in our on-site parenting education program, was referred to our partner agency, the Women's Center, for domestic violence counseling and has started the journey toward self-sufficiency.   

"I'm starting to find myself again in life," she shared. "I didn't realize that I never healed."

Her two children also flourished at Covenant Shelter.  Both continued at St. Mary School and the Friendship School uninterrupted and were enriched through the Covenant Kids Afterschool Tutoring and Mentoring Program supported by Connecticut College interns.

When being interviewed for this article, Carmen was packing up and cleaning their family room at Covenant Shelter in preparation for the move to an apartment in a transitional living facility for families that have experienced domestic violence.   

"It's kind of scary to move on. It is so comforting to have the support here. But I am excited to start a new chapter in my life and I know that I can come to Covenant Shelter whenever I need a little extra support," Carmen shared.   

"I came to Covenant Shelter looking for a roof over my head and left with a family."

Carmen shared several things that she learned when she reflected on her life and her stay at Covenant Shelter:

• "I learned from my mom what not to do."
• "I never use my past as an excuse."
•  "Going through what I went through, my family is the most important thing to me."
• "I learned to trust that God has a plan for me. Once I gave over, then things started to turn around."
• "I never had a support system until I moved here."
• "People are willing to help you, if you are willing to help yourself." 
• "There are many people who have helped me along the way and believed in me. I am very grateful."

In closing Carmen shared, "I was so scared to come here.  In the end it was the best decision I ever made."

P.S.  Eight days after Carmen moved into her new home she was blessed with a healthy and beautiful baby girl.  She and her three children are adjusting very well to their new home. 

Congressman learns first hand about homelessness

"Although education and the acquisition of skills is a lifelong process, starting early in life is crucial. Recent research-some sponsored by the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis in collaboration with the University of Minnesota-has documented the high returns that early childhood programs can pay in terms of subsequent educational attainment and in lower rates of social problems, such as teenage pregnancy and welfare dependency."  

The Level and Distribution of Economic Well-Being, speech by Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, February 6, 2007.

The Head Start-Family Shelter Partnership is a statewide initiative to enhance the quality of family shelter environments for young children.   

Over the past four months TVCCA Head Start and Covenant Shelter of New London came together to learn about one another and to explore how we can best collaborate to better serve babies, toddlers and preschoolers and their families.   

A major goal of the project is to increase access to high quality early care and education.    

Ashley, the TVCCA early childhood specialist, worked closely with Covenant Shelter case manager, Tracy Morales.  Each young child was assessed and the parents of young children were provided on-going support and guidance.   

Using a self-assessment tool, Ashley and Tracy examined environmental conditions, policies, practices, available training, and access to community resources of the Covenant Shelter family program and developed initial action plans to "child-proof" the family rooms and lounge and the Children's Room, making them safe and developmentally appropriate for young children.  A small grant to support needed improvements was used for new early learner equipment and supplies. 

In the first week of the partnership between TVCCA Head Start and Covenant Shelter two young children were voluntarily enrolled in Head Start.

The project is jointly coordinated by the CT Head Start State Collaboration Office and the Department of Social Services and will continue through March 2012.  A portion of the funding is through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

• Bellwether Development, LLC 
• Suisman, Shapiro 
• Leeland Cole-Chu 
• SCADD 
• New London Harbour Towers 
• Forsey's Equity Investment

Alison Kaufman jamming with Chris MacKay and the Toneshifters at Spring into Recovery

Kathy Spencer (right), pictured with LeeAnn Graham and Catherine Foley, casts a glowing smile after winning Ali Kaufman's kindness print and Gourmet Galley's herb basket and gift certificate!

Food & Beverage

• Cooperwood Grill 
• Y-Knot Cafe 
• Captain's Pizza  

CSNL interns from Conn College rock!

Dana McFee, Catherine Foley, Jim Moran, Paul Neves, Jason Moran

Year after year the New London Motorcycle Club gathers for the Blessing of the Bikes and from the proceeds makes a generous contribution to help meet the needs of the guests at Covenant Shelter.

Catherine Foley accepts this year's donation from the NLMC's officers Dana McFee, Jim Moran, Paul Neves and Jason Moran.

CSNL is most grateful for the NLMC's efforts to help promote the end of homelessness for the men, women and children who temporarily call CSNL their home between homes.

1. Prepare or update your will.
2. Set aside a gift in your will for Covenant Shelter of New London.
3. Name Covenant Shelter of New London as the beneficiary of an existing life insurance policy or purchase a new policy and name Covenant Shelter as the beneficiary.
4. Remember your loved ones with a charitable bequest to Covenant Shelter in their honor.
5. Name Covenant Shelter as a beneficiary of your IRA.
6. Discuss with your advisors and Covenant Shelter the tax advantages you can enjoy now by leaving a gift to Covenant Shelter.
7. Spread the word. Let family, friends and advisors know that you've taken responsibility for your legacy and for a cause about which you care.