Bill's Blog: The Ambassadors of Change

Bill’s Blog: Stories of Shelter, Stability, and Survival

Blog Four: The Ambassadors of Change

“It gave me the confidence to never give up.” – Souliemane, aluminum engineer, speaker of six languages, Covenant House New York Youth Ambassador  

At Covenant House, we want to revolutionize the way we approach youth support services.

This isn't just about being inclusive; it's about recognizing the profound wisdom and insight that our youth bring to the table. By engaging them in shaping our programs and services, we're not only addressing their needs more effectively but also depending on them in the design of their own futures. I believe this approach will continue to transform Covenant House into a dynamic community where young people are active partners in their journey toward independence and success.

I spend a fair amount of time at Covenant House New York each month, and I witness firsthand how involved and how expressive our youth are when it comes to ensuring their voices are heard. Dr. Shakeema North-Albert, ‘Shak’, is the Chief Executive Officer and her background in youth development plays a significant role in how and when she engages the young people in our care.

"Everything we do is in service to the young people who walk through our doors. Our engagement with them is focused on providing exceptional customer service. This includes the quality of the food we serve and ensuring that our programs are centered around the needs of the youth we support,” Shak shares.

Central to this youth-centered approach is our commitment to amplifying their voices and helping them shape their own futures.

At Covenant House New York, we have a tailored program to help youth find their voice: the Youth Ambassadors. We seek their opinions when offering new services and creating new activities. We want them to speak up in the broader community, helping them see themselves as part of a bigger picture, because, of course, they're not going to be at Covenant House forever. The Youth Ambassador program creates a bridge to their next phase of life and beyond.

What does it mean to be a Youth Ambassador? Let’s hear from Shanai and Souliemane, two ambassadors who I’ve had the privilege of meeting.

“During a training event where my roommate at Covenant House New York and I were dressed in our professional clothes, we were approached about representing Covenant House at a meeting with a supporter,” says Shanai. “At first, I was unsure about what was happening and questioned why they wanted us to be at this meeting, but they clarified that they wanted us to ask her some questions during the conversation. I don't know what they saw in us, but I appreciated it!”

Souliemane, who was an aluminum engineer in his home country, says, “I speak six languages, but I had to learn English quickly. I have been a little shy. However, through the Youth Ambassador program, I went to Albany with Dr. North as part of a team to support and advocate for Covenant House. I feel like it gave me the confidence to never give up.”

Through this program, Souliemane is participating in workshops and the Career Pathways program that align with his interests in art and IT. Importantly, Souliemane isn't just benefiting from these programs; he's also contributing to their design, ensuring they better serve future participants, especially those who arrive in a similar situation and do not yet speak English.

In essence, giving young people a voice transforms our services from a one-sided transaction into a collaborative partnership, enriching both Covenant House and the youth. When our youth feel heard and valued, they are more likely to participate actively and share their needs and preferences. Shanai is quick to share her goals and dreams for herself. She wants her own apartment and is working regularly with housing specialists at Covenant House to secure longer-term housing and she is seeking work as a copywriter so that she can effectively use the college major she crafted herself in creative storytelling.

At Covenant House, this approach is not simply empty words. We are an organization that believes the driving force for change can be heard in the voices of our youth. Our job is to motivate and inspire and to help youth envision their journey home. How is this possible when the people you support have no agency? It isn’t!

We aim to do things differently. We strive to employ the best methods possible to ensure our youth succeed and thrive. Only with the voices of homeless youth ringing in our ears and hearts, their words and opinions driving our programs and services, do we have a chance of reaching our goal.

As Shak says, “Youth feel safe when they feel involved, and they feel like they're a part of the community.”

Thanks to the more than 15 Youth Ambassadors at Covenant House New York for leading the way. Maybe you’ve been lucky enough to meet some of our ambassadors personally or see them on stage at our events? Based on how well they express the power of the work at Covenant House and how well the Covenant House community receives their messages, I know this program will only grow stronger across our federation in the coming years.

Best,

Bill Bedrossian is President and CEO of Covenant House International. Prior to this role, Bill served as the CEO of Covenant House California since 2014, leading the site to quadruple in size in those eight years. Bill’s passion for working with youth came from his parents, who have been foster parents for over 30 years and have adopted 8 of his 11 siblings through the child welfare system.