Bill's Blog: Bill at Home

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

Blog Five: Bill at Home

For this summertime blog, I was going to take a pause from my travels and write a closer to home entry about my life in California and the incredible team at Covenant House California working across the state to not only provide sanctuary and support to young people, but to fight for policy change and housing solutions for all people experiencing homelessness.

I planned to share how Chief Program Officer Ami Rowland has been such a staunch support and friend for so many years and how her solid commitment to the mission has been integral to advancing our programs and operations at the site. And, I was going to reflect on what it has meant to me to see Fred Ali step back into the role as the CEO of Covenant House California, which has been one of the most incredible full-circle moments of my career.

Fred has always inspired me. During the interview process at Covenant House California, he was my last meeting – the person who was to decide if I was the right fit for the organization. When I got the job, I asked him if he would mentor me, and he agreed to meet once every other month. Our conversations in his office were enlightening. He shared so much history about his time at Covenant House Alaska and Covenant House California, and his experience as the executive director in both places.

When he joined the Covenant House California board of directors, he became a valuable strategic partner, helping me communicate effectively with the board and funders. Over the last 15 to 20 years, I've learned so much from him. His return to Covenant House and his acceptance of the CEO position after I left for the role at Covenant House International has been incredibly fun for me.

Anyway, this is what I was going to write about when I learned that Ami Rowland connected with Pam Sandonato, senior vice president of brand and communications, to say how much she was enjoying reading my blog entries each month.

That was when Ami and Pam took over my blog, turned the tables, and did an interview about me! Therefore, I can take no responsibility for the text below [but massively appreciate their overly kind words!].

Pam: Thank you for being such a loyal reader of Bill’s blog! How long have you known Bill?

Ami: Well, I have known Bill for about 14 years.

Personally, he has been a transformational part of my life both as a friend and mentor. I have appreciated having someone who will have my back and pushes me to try things that I'm nervous or afraid about.

But I know that even when I stumble, or I make a mistake he isn’t going to let me fail – that’s Bill.

He is going to get me through whatever it is, and that is literally true for the whole relationship and that’s what I tell other people that are newly supervised by him. Because it’s true that Bill is really a lot, I call him a bullet train.

He’s like a force of nature dressed up as a human being.

But he loves people and he's loyal. And when you make a mistake, or something kind of doesn't sit right, he gives you feedback, which is beautiful to get direct feedback because so many people tiptoe around about everything. But here’s the thing: he doesn't bring it back up again. He’s like: we talked about that, it’s over.

Bill’s a friend that sits with you in those moments but doesn't hold it against you later. That’s how he supports people.

I mean, Bill often works into the night, sending emails on weekends. But he makes it clear that he doesn't expect his staff to do the same.

Of course, I wasn't surprised when he got the job as president of Covenant House International. But Bill was surprised! He has a humbleness about him which compliments all the drive and energy.

Pam: He's very driven, intense, and direct. It is impossible not to recognize his massive ambition.

Ami: The ambition, this is the thing that I wrapped my head around probably 12 years ago, is simply to make the world a better place for a young person who is suffering.

So, I think it can come across to some people as very intense. But he's so funny and he's generous, loyal, and kind. And his heart is so big. That’s what I’d want people to know about Bill.

Pam: When Bill first joined CHI, I had the privilege of digging into his story so we could introduce him to our community. I loved learning and sharing details about his parents who are incredibly hard working and extremely loyal too. He grew up on a college campus, saw his dad go to college and work physical labor full time to support the family. He says that his family was one where everyone chips in, everyone does their part, and everyone works hard. There was an environment of putting other people before yourself. His dad had him mowing lawns at the age of 12 and then bought him a lawnmower and set up an LLC that he and his brothers were expected to run.

Ami: Yes, and I mean, his parents have fostered and adopted something like 50 kids. This is not an exaggeration.

I think there's 11 siblings, but his parents always fostered. When he was young, he shared his bedroom with the children his parents were caring for. He was never asked by his parents. It was like ‘this is how it’s going to be.’ And he had to get up on school nights and feed babies! It’s their way of life, and they still do it in their 70s. Bill’s total commitment to young people comes directly from his mom and dad.

I mean, Bill still knows so many young people by name here at Covenant House California and if he doesn’t know them, he is quick to introduce himself and get to know them.

When he came here a couple of weeks ago to our board meeting, he texted me to say, “I just got here,” but 15 minutes later I was wondering where he was.

And then I went looking for him and he was standing with four young people, knowing who they are and what their goals are.

I’ll give you some examples of how he cares and how he encourages you to care. There’s this young man, Cody, who we both loved a lot and he's been in prison now for seven years and he still has a long time to go.

Bill visited him every single month when he was in county jail in Los Angeles - every month, even throughout the pandemic. And now Cody’s transferred up to northern California to a prison to finish out his sentence, and he reached out to me since I live up here.

And so, I went to visit him a month ago for the first time.

I've never visited someone in prison before and was emotional leading into it. I was worried so I texted Bill. “Bill, I'm not really sure about this – what am I going to talk about?”

Bills says “Ami, Cody's just going to be so happy to see you. You just need to show up. And also bring money to buy him food out of the vending machine.”

And it was fine. Better than fine. It was freaking incredible. I spent 4 1/2 hours in that visiting room with Cody. I didn't realize so much time had gone by. And Bill was right: he literally ate $45 worth of food from the vending machine!

But here’s the thing: Bill’s says, 

All you have to do is show up.

And that’s totally his philosophy on life and he acts it out every day.

He sleeps about 4 hours a night (he thinks sleeping is just wasted time) and puts 100% into everything he does – work, family, his faith. Showing up is what Bill does.

Pam: People like Bill seem to have more than 24 hours in their day. He has more energy than anyone I’ve ever met. I often sit here thinking – did he just get off a plane, and somehow coached a sports event for his kid, and had a date night with his wife?

Ami: Exactly, yes. He does all of that, and a lot more. He’s most proud of his family.

Pam: You know what Bill can do for an organization because you’ve seen it up close many times. How will all 34 Covenant House sites benefit from Bill’s leadership?

Ami: His transformational leadership is exactly what this organization needs right now to effectuate an ambitious strategic vision to end youth homelessness as we know it. As I mentioned throughout this conversation, Bill knows the value of showing up, having your back, and pushing you to do your best. That’s how we’ll get there.