Watch CBS News

NYC Marathon Team Running For Homeless Youths



NEW YORK (1010 WINS) - Thirty runners have formed a team for Sunday's marathon to raise funds for a special cause -- homeless youths.

Kevin Ryan, the president and CEO of Covenant House, is leading the group in his first New York Marathon.

Podcast

1010 WINS' Mona Rivera reports

Ryan was appointed as New Jersey's first child advocate in 2003. The Vatican Mission to the United Nations presented him with its 2010 Path to Peace Award.

Ryan has also drafted several laws including the New Jersey Homeless Youth Act in 1999, the New Jersey Family Care Health Coverage Act in 2000 and the creation of the New Jersey Foster Care Scholars Program in 2003.

"We work every year with thousands of street kids in New York City and many of these kids have lived on the streets for a very long time," Ryan told 1010 WINS' Mona Rivera.

The Covernant House helps 51,000 youths get off the streets each year.

"Each one of the runners will have a blue shirt that says "The Home Team" on it," Ryan said. "We'll be reminding ourselves and those who watch the race that what our kids need most are homes – adults who will love them."

The group will run in the streets to raise funds and awareness for the young homeless people.

The Covenant House runners have $130,000 in pledges and believe their goal of $150,000 is within reach.

According to the Covenant House website, to run on behalf of the homeless youth, each individual runner had to raise a minimum of $3,000.

"We're going to galvanize some public and social will towards the needs of kids on the streets," Ryan said.

For information on how you can donate click here.

RELATED: CBS New York Guide to the 2010 New York City Marathon

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.