During the past few weeks, there have been wonderful articles in both Charleston newspapers on Covenant House and our 25-year history in this community and state. What a rich and varied history this organization has had with extraordinary people along the way — dreamers, visionaries, advocates, quiet doers, donors of gifts both large and small. All committed to a vision — for indeed, “without a vision the people will perish.”

As we look back and celebrate many accomplishments, we also look forward, because there is still much work to be done in this world that cries out for justice and peace. “The past should be a springboard and not a hammock.”

Although we do not plan on leaving Covenant House until the end of 2006, in this leave-taking mode that is apparent to us, we have heard praises sung for what has been done. These days have been very affirming and we thank you. At the same time, we have been given credit for creating organizations that we are honored to know, support or be part of, but with whose formation we had absolutely nothing to do.

While we have been identified as founders of Covenant House, the vision and mission started right here in Charleston in 1980 with folks from St. John’s Episcopal Church. An invitation was extended by St. John’s to the interfaith community to form an urban ministry serving the homeless. It became known as Covenant House in 1981. The little, green house owned by St. John’s was leased to the project for a dollar a year. It was badly in need of estimated renovations of $100,000. Donations of materials poured in; a roof was donated by the Thalheimers from Temple Israel. With prison labor under the supervision of Milford Ziegler, who worked for Gaston Caperton, the project rose symbolically from the ashes. From the beginning, as now, Covenant House has belonged to the wider community.

Working together was a commitment of the faith communities because it was the right, just and religious thing to do. The Interdenominational Council on Social Concerns, so closely linked with the Covenant House board of directors, understood that living your faith meant human needs must set the agenda. God’s work in the world was and is reflected in programs that result in human well-being.

Early in 1981, we were interviewed by an exceptional group of people from these different faith traditions and offered the positions as co-directors. Since we were unable to arrive in Charleston until late August, Covenant House opened under the watchful eye of volunteer Pat Perlman from Christ Church for a few months.

During those early days, we were honored to have Judy McJunkin and Becky Bailey of Kanawha Hospice share space with us at Covenant House. We were not responsible for Hospice’s beginnings, they and others were. Professionally, Hospice has been a great resource for us throughout the years, particularly in the early 1990s when too many young people were dying with AIDS.

Human needs and human well-being have set the agenda during our history, and while some days were marked with controversy, the different programs were eventually accepted and are now applauded. Whether it was the need for a free health clinic or now the call for universal health care; a women’s shelter or residences for people with AIDS; rural housing community development organizations or an organization committed to maintaining and improving small community schools — many responded with time, energy, commitment and passion. And when necessary, because of the belief in a vision and mission, the board committed itself to rural housing organizations, the AIDS program or Challenge WV before the money was forthcoming.

We are grateful we have had the opportunity to live our dream and work with you for nearly 25 years. We welcome the next generation of leaders who we trust will have a passion for justice. There are more dreams to be realized and more work to be done throughout our country and in West Virginia. According to the Children’s Defense Fund, a child in West Virginia is (1) born into poverty every two hours, (2) dies before his or her first birthday every two days, (3) is abused or neglected every hour. Without a doubt, there is work to be done.

West Virginia’s incarceration has ballooned 131 percent in a decade and the national prison population has quadrupled since 1980 to more than 2 million individuals, costing $46 billion annually. Something is desperately wrong when prison spending is up and too often, spending on education is down. Could the $20,000 spent per prisoner per year not be better spent on alternative programs, education, prevention, treatment and social programs? Our children are the future adults who will need a Covenant House if these injustices are not addressed. Our state and national priorities need to be re-evaluated.

Who knows how these injustices will be addressed today or in the future, but we believe and hope Covenant House will be there with the same commitment, passion and justice as these past 25 years. The past should be a springboard, not a hammock.

Ferraro and Hussey are co-directors of Covenant House.