GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — A new shelter for young adults will celebrate its grand opening in Grand Rapids Wednesday.
Covenant House Michigan - Grand Rapids is a faith-based nonprofit organization helping children and young adults who are homeless or have been trafficked. It is part of an international organization that serves homeless, runaway, and at-risk youth and young adults in the U.S., Canada and Latin America.
The three-story home is for people ages 18-24. Inside the 17,000 square-foot facility are 28 private bedrooms. There's also a laundry facility, lounge area, computer area and cafe.
The home's design has intention: the windows and large amount of light are there for transparency.
"So many youth lived in darkness for a long time and we know that this building is filled with light. And that they at any given time don't have to wonder what's happening behind closed doors," said Pam Spaeth, Covenant House MI-GR Campus chief operating officer.
Covenant House is more than a shelter. It provides access to education, health care, transportation, employment and safe permanent housing for those in need.