Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively Made a Huge Donation to Support Homeless Young People

The couple donated $500,000 to Covenant House.

Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively
(Image credit: Steven Ferdman)
  • Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively donated $500,000 to support homeless young people in Canada.
  • Reynolds and Lively donated $250,000 to both Covenant House Vancouver and Covenant House Toronto, which provide shelter and support to young people experiencing homelessness.
  • "Covenant House provides love, hope and stability for at-risk youth who’ve fled physical, emotional and sexual abuse," Reynolds said in a press release. "They do the work of heroes."

Some lovely news to start your week: Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively donated $500,000 to support homeless young people in Canada, and are encouraging their followers to help out too. Reynolds and Lively donated $250,000 to both Covenant House Vancouver (in Reynolds' hometown) and Covenant House Toronto, which provide shelter and support to young people experiencing homelessness. What's more, Reynolds and Lively have pledged to "triple match" donations to Covenant House, from now until December 31.

"Covenant House provides love, hope and stability for at-risk youth who’ve fled physical, emotional and sexual abuse," Reynolds said in a press release. "They do the work of heroes. For us, helping Covenant House this way isn’t a donation, but an investment in compassion and empathy; something the world needs more of."

"The young people who pass through the doors of Covenant House more often than not have a story marked by extraordinary trauma. They are so much more than that trauma. They have so much to offer the world," Reynolds continued. "Matching this gift is saying you believe in them. You believe in the power of compassion to transform the trajectory of a human being."

Krista Thompson, CEO of Covenant House Vancouver, said in a statement, "Ryan and Blake truly understand that young people who are facing homelessness deserve unconditional love and absolute respect." Thompson continued, "Just like Ryan and Blake, we hope this gift highlights the value of each and every youth; and inspires others to open their hearts to those struggling with the crisis of homelessness." Able to donate? Click here to contribute to Covenant House Vancouver, and here for Covenant House Toronto.

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Emily Dixon
Morning Editor

Emily Dixon is a British journalist who’s contributed to CNN, Teen Vogue, Time, Glamour, The Guardian, Wonderland, The Big Roundtable, Bust, and more, on everything from mental health to fashion to political activism to feminist zine collectives. She’s also a committed Beyoncé, Kacey Musgraves, and Tracee Ellis Ross fan, an enthusiastic but terrible ballet dancer, and a proud Geordie lass.