Atlanta will be one of nearly two dozen cities across North and Latin America to participate in the 15th annual Covenant House Nationwide Candlelight Vigil for Homeless Youth on Dec. 7. Participants are invited to gather from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the Centennial Olympic Park Amphitheatre.

Covenant House, the largest privately funded youth care agency in the United States, holds the vigil each year to bring international focus and a call to action on behalf of homeless and at-risk youth.

The largest gathering for the vigil each year is in Times Square in New York, and those unable to participate in the Atlanta gathering can watch the New York vigil live via the Internet, by visiting www.covenanthouse.org.

Last year, Covenant House provided residential and non-residential services to nearly 78,000 youth. The Covenant House “Nineline” (800-999-9999) received over 50,000 crisis calls from young people all over the country who needed immediate help and had nowhere else to turn. For more information about Covenant House and the vigil, call (404) 589-0163.