cover image Covenant House

Covenant House

Bruce Ritter. Doubleday Books, $16.95 (244pp) ISBN 978-0-385-24214-1

The 15-year history of Covenant House, founded as a haven for runaway and sexually exploited children by Ritter, a Franciscan priest, is chronicled in this collection of newsletters sent monthly to friends and benefactors. They tell of how in 1968 Ritter accepted and implemented the challenge of his college students in New York City to put his preaching into practice. From a decrepit apartment in the East Village, he made a shelter for the rootless kids he calls ""urban nomads.'' In 1972 the project was formally chartered as Covenant House. Ritter then moved on to the challenge of helping abused youngsters and now such children are offered safety, nurturance and counseling at the shelter. Covenant House is today an international agency, accepting all comers. The well-written newsletters are also an indirect portrait of the strong faith and tireless action of the author. (October 2)