How a Blanket Gave Trevon Hope Through the Winter

The chill of winter can be relentless. For most of us, it’s a season where we bundle up in cozy blankets, sip hot drinks, and find comfort in the warmth of home. But for young people like Trevon, winter once meant something very different: a fight for survival.

When Trevon was just 12 years old, he faced the unthinkable. His grandmother, unable to make ends meet, told him he could no longer stay with her. With nothing but a bag of clothes, Trevon stepped into a world of uncertainty—and freezing cold nights.

“One day, I came back to the house to exchange my dirty clothes for clean ones. That’s when I found it—a white blanket folded neatly in my bag.”

That blanket became more than just an object to Trevon. It was his lifeline against the brutal cold, a shield from biting winds, and a symbol that someone cared.

It was thick, the warmest thing I’d ever felt. I clung to it, not just for warmth, but because it reminded me that I wasn’t completely alone.”

For ten long years, Trevon faced the harsh realities of homelessness, sleeping in cars, alleys, and anywhere he could find refuge. Winters were unforgiving, and the cold was a constant companion. But it was hope, the kindness of strangers, and Trevon’s faith that kept him moving forward.

At 22 years old, while stranded in his car without gas, Trevon began to pray.

“I prayed for guidance. And God led me to the Mississippi Avenue location” of Covenant House Greater Washington.

He walked in and asked for help. Our CHGW staff immediately welcomed him and offered support.

At Covenant House, I found more than a roof over my head. I found people who saw me, who believed in me, and who gave me the resources to rebuild my life.”

Today, Trevon has not only survived — he’s thriving. He’s reunited with his family, started a career, and is giving back to the community that helped him. But as temperatures plummet, Trevon can’t help but think of the thousands of young people still braving the cold, not only in Washington D.C. but across many of the 34 cities where Covenant House serves youth facing homelessness.

For these young people, winter isn’t just cold — it’s dangerous. Without warm clothing, a safe place to sleep, or a hot meal, even a single night in freezing temperatures can be life-threatening.

“As winter gets colder, I think often of that white blanket and the warmth it gave me,” said Trevon. For Trevon and the tens of thousands of youth who find safe shelter with us, Covenant House is that warm blanket and so much more.

Keep reading: Learn how outreach teams support unhoused youth during harsh winter weather.