Nissan presented a local shelter for at-risk youth with the keys to a Quest minivan to help transport homeless and runaway teens aged 13-20 from the streets of Los Angeles to safety.

With the help of the L.A. Junior Chamber of Commerce, Nissan selected Covenant House California for its outstanding efforts to provide crisis services including shelter, food, counseling and employment assistance to homeless and at-risk youth in the community.

Nissan Vice President, Jed Connelly, presented the gift - in the form of a one year lease - to George Lozano, Executive Director of Covenant House California, during the final day of this week's Nissan Open held at the Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California.

"Far more important than the chance to see great golf, is the opportunity the Open gives us to come together as a community and show support for exceptional organizations, such as the Covenant House," said Connelly. "We hope the donation will help Covenant House provide needed services to the increasing number of at-risk youth on the streets of Los Angeles, ensuring that they receive our much needed attention."

These youth are found living on dangerous streets, under freeway passes, in abandoned buildings, and other unsafe places. Most are escaping from personal danger, physical, sexual, and emotional abuse.

Covenant House in Los Angeles serves over 90 local youth each night in its residential programs, making it one of the organization's largest and most crucial branches. Last year alone, Covenant House California provided over 18,000 nights of care and shelter.

"The van will serve as a bridge to help us connect with our very vulnerable homeless youth who are in crisis," said Lozano. "We'll use it to transport kids back to our shelter, or to meet a specific need, such as clinic visits, counseling, substance abuse programs, or job interviews."

Since 1988, Covenant House California has provided 54,000 homeless young people with services ranging from crisis intervention to HIV/AIDS education, from employment assistance to substance abuse counseling.

Unlike other organizations for at-risk youth in the area, Covenant House provides specialized services to meet the very complex needs of youth who are too old for shelters serving minors and too young for traditional adult homeless shelters.

Nissan has been affiliated with the Nissan Open tournament since 1986 and title sponsor since 1989. Nissan believes that community-based partnerships help the company meet its corporate goals of empowering people with the social and economic equity, job skills and education that help establish effective foundations on which communities can build.

Through an innovative mix of programs, Nissan helps meet the needs of local communities through sponsorships, in kind donations and other charitable giving. To receive more information about Nissan's corporate philosophy, please call (310) 771-5594.

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