THE COVENANT HOUSE WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1969 IN NEW YORK'S EAST VILLAGE TO TAKE IN CHILDREN AND TEENAGERS WHO HAD NO HOMES. THE HOUSE BECAME LEGAL IN 1972, WITH A STATE CHARTER, AND WITHIN 4 YEARS WAS OPERATING EIGHT GROUP HOMES FOR BOYS AND GIRLS. THE TIMES SQUARE COMMUNITY PLANNING BOARD GAVE THE HOUSE THE IMPETUS TO GROW TO ITS CURRENT 3 MULTISTORY BUILDINGS, WITH FACILITIES THAT FEED 300 TO 400 CHILDREN A DAY AND PROVIDE DENTAL AND MEDICAL TREATMENT, AS WELL AS ROOM FOR HUNDREDS OF CHILDREN TO SLEEP IN PRIVATE ROOMS. THE MESSAGE TO THE CHILDREN IS ONE OF DIRECTION, AND THE BUILDINGS REFLECT THE HOPEFUL AND NONINSTITUTIONAL MESSAGE WITH A PLUSH APPEARANCE, TELEVISIONS, AND PLENTY OF GLASS WINDOWS. YOUNGSTERS CAN STAY AT UNDER-21 MORE THAN A MONTH PLUS A 30-DAY EXTENSION PERIOD AS ALLOWED BY STATE LAW). NO ONE IS TURNED OUT OF THE FACILITIES WITHOUT A PLAN, WHICH MAY INCLUDE RETURNING TO THEIR PARENTS, STARTING A JOB, GOING BACK TO SCHOOL, OR MOVING INTO A GROUP HOME. CHILDREN WHO HAVE BEEN PHYSICALLY OR SEXUALLY ABUSED RECEIVE ADDITIONAL HELP FROM BOTH PSYCHOLOGISTS AND SOCIAL WORKERS. MEALS ARE SUBSTANTIAL AND COUNSELORS EAT WITH THE CHILDREN. THE ENTIRE COVENANT HOUSE OPERATION HAS 200 PAID WORKERS PLUS 150 VOLUNTEERS. WHILE THE STAFF HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO KEEP UP WITH THE INCREASE IN NUMBERS OF YOUTHS ARRIVING, AND FUNDS ARE ALWAYS SHORT DESPITE DONATIONS, THE HOUSE CONTINUES TO WELCOME ALL MINORS. THE HOUSE IS AFFILIATED WITH CATHOLIC CHARITIES, BUT BY LAW MUST BE NONSECTARIAN. COUNSELORS DO NOT PREACH TO THE YOUNGSTERS, ALTHOUGH NUNS AND 30 DEVOUT CATHOLICS ON THE STAFF LIVE A MONASTIC LIFE. PHOTOGRAPHS ARE INCLUDED.