Youth Spotlight: Gyasi’s Journey to Safety and Purpose

For Gyasi, who also goes by Jah, the decision to leave home wasn’t one of choice — it was about survival. Growing up in an environment that felt unsafe, he navigated a world that felt clouded from an early age. As a young child, he dealt with more than he could fully understand. "I can’t point to a single reason," he reflects, "but I remember always feeling like a dark cloud was over me, especially when I was alone." 

 Gyasi’s journey began in a home that, like many, struggled with issues that weighed heavily on its youngest members. As the oldest of five, Jah took on responsibilities far beyond his years. His parents, though loving, faced challenges of their own. His father was often absent for work, and his mother couldn't always provide the emotional support the children needed.  Gyasi became the one his younger siblings looked up to — a role he filled as best he could, often at the expense of his own well-being. He describes those early years as living with “a psychic cloud,” a feeling of constant heaviness that no child should bear.  

Struggles with Mental Health from a Young Age 

“I used to be really happy and full of life, but that feeling started creeping in more and more,” he recalls. 

At 6 years old, Gyasi remembers dealing with what he now knows were signs of deep depression. Though he didn’t have the vocabulary to describe it back then, the weight of sadness and isolation stayed with him. Later, as he grew, these feelings only deepened, manifesting as thoughts of hopelessness. Yet, he often stayed quiet, using art as an outlet to express what he couldn’t share in words. 

By the time Gyasi reached his teenage years, the depression he had known since childhood became increasingly difficult to ignore. Leaving home became less of a choice and more of a necessity. He had to seek safety, even if that meant stepping into the unknown.  

Finding Safety and Support at Covenant House 

Finding Covenant House, Gyasi encountered more than shelter; he found understanding and acceptance. "I didn’t know where else to go, but being here has really changed me," he shared, reflecting on how Covenant House became for him a safe haven and a place to regain his footing. 

Through Covenant House’s commitment to mental health services, Gyasi received support that helped him confront years of suppressed emotions. The therapy and counseling he received were life-changing, offering him the opportunity to name and process his struggles, and, for the first time, imagine a future free of the shadows he had lived with for so long. That’s when he began to go by the name “Jah.”  

But the name Jah wasn’t something Gyasi chose on his own — it was a gift, born from moments shared on the basketball court with other youth. On the court, he found a sense of belonging and camaraderie that had often eluded him. As he spent hours playing with others who had also endured hardship, they began calling him "Jah," a way to say his name quickly when running a play on the court, and an easier name for those who couldn’t correctly pronounce Jah-see.  

But he grew happy with it, because “Jah” resonated with his spirit and newfound sense of purpose. For him, the name “Gyasi” symbolized a difficult past, but “Jah” was something new, something connected to the strength he was discovering in himself. The name marked his transformation and journey toward wholeness, serving as a reminder of the community and healing he’d found.  

“’Jah’ feels like the me that has come out on the other side, not untouched, but whole,” he said.  

Pursuing a Dream in Film Studies 

Currently, Jah is in his final year of film studies at NYU. Despite everything he has endured, he’s dedicated to finishing his degree and envisions using his skills to support others. His dream is to start a production company that tells meaningful stories, especially for people who may not feel seen or understood. “I’ve been talking to people at Covenant House about it,” he says, excitement lighting up his eyes. “I want to use what I’ve learned to help serve others, to give a voice to those who might feel invisible.” 

Jah’s journey has clearly taught him empathy. He emphasizes that homelessness, like any other hardship, doesn’t have one look or one story. For him, the term “homeless” doesn’t define a person; it represents a time in their life. "There’s a lot of stigma around the word. Everyone’s experience is different, and people shouldn’t be judged for what they go through.” 

Throughout Jah’s journey, Covenant House has been a steady source of safety, empowering him to rebuild his life and find his voice. With the support of Covenant House’s community, Jah has not only regained his sense of self but is looking toward a future where he can make a difference for others like him. 

Empower more young people like Jah to reclaim their lives and pursue their dreams. Your support helps provide essential shelter, mental health care, and a community of belonging for youth facing homelessness. Learn what you can do to help.