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Jack: making sure 18-21 year-olds don't slip through the cracks

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Jack: making sure 18-21 year-olds don't slip through the cracks of the social service system

Q. What inspired you to give your time to Covenant House kids?

A. At first I was hesitant. I remember thinking as an older guy, what do I have to give to a kid so many years younger, and usually from a different ethnic background.

But you find out what kids like, and you let them learn about what you like. For example, I love jazz, so there's no way a young person I'm mentoring isn't going to have a jazz experience! Some are sports minded, some like going out to eat. I look at mentoring as something that should be fun. You are really sharing your life with these kids.
Q. What do you find unique about Covenant House's mission?

A. I don't know any other program like the Covenant House Rights of Passage program, where older kids can actually live at Covenant House while they go to school or get job training.

So many of the kids, when they first come in, you can tell they are wondering, what does this person want from me? I guess coming from the streets makes it pretty normal for them to be skeptical.

None of them have had the experience of anyone giving them undivided attention. The idea that somebody is sitting with them and telling them they are a great kid is more important than where you specifically go or what you do. You find out it isn't so much what you're teaching ... what is important is that you share your knowledge, your experience and your passion. We celebrate their birthdays, we share good times and bad times. I share my life and that seems to mean a lot to the kids.


Q. What was the greatest reward you've experienced from being a Covenant House mentor.

A. After 18 years of being a mentor, the biggest thrill I get is still hearing from the kids. One young man now owns a car dealership; one has a great job in a library; another lives in Detroit and we still speak at least once a week.

Getting Christmas cards from former kids I've mentored ... knowing that they are doing ok ... it's just a great feeling. Eighteen years and 18 different kids, and I can say that each was very different ... and very special.
Nineline
How You Can Help


People often ask us, "What can I do to help?" Here are a few suggestions:

  • Stay informed on how we are working at Covenant House to help kids. Ask to receive Sister Patricia Cruise's monthly newsletter.

  • There are a wide variety of volunteer opportunities at Covenant House. Volunteers are needed to staff the Nineline, our 24-hour hotline for kids and parents in crisis. We need volunteer "mentors" to work one-on-one with our kids. And it is only with the help of hundreds of dedicated volunteers that we're able to keep the doors of our crisis shelters open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

  • Consider joining The Covenant House Faith Community, a group of full-time volunteers who put their faith into action by dedicating a year of their lives to the mission of Covenant House. Community members live together in prayer and in service to the homeless and runaway children at Covenant House.