Meet Jack, a Proud Volunteer at Covenant House Alaska

Although Jack Hoen has a full schedule with work and applying to medical school, he makes time to volunteer at Covenant House Alaska in the gym and music room with residents. Jack recognizes the value and importance that these moments make on a young person’s journey, and is committed to investing his time, energy and resources into seeing young people at Covenant House Alaska win. 

Looking to make a positive impact in his community, Jack was inspired to volunteer at Covenant House Alaska after hearing the stories of friends who had also volunteered there. He brought with him his love for athleticism, having previously worked as a rock climbing and swim coach. During his time volunteering, Jack works in the Anchorage site’s full gym space playing basketball, volleyball and football.  

The Youth Enrichment Program at Covenant House Alaska is dedicated to providing a safe space for youth to develop wellness skills and habits. This is done through structured recreational activities that promote social, physical, and intellectual wellbeing. I like helping them be active and challenge themselves, and this motivates me to keep involved, as there is always someone who wants to play basketball or exercise there. I can see how happy it makes them, and it is such a good habit to form,” Jack said. 

Each week, Jack sees the impact of his work as youth get the chance to “just be youth” by playing sports with each other, despite the circumstances which may have brought them to Covenant House. By engaging with youth on a recreational level, Jack is helping hone their teamwork skills, as well as a space to build habits to overcome life’s obstacles. He says he hopes to further enhance a sense of community and wellbeing by creating a resident basketball team. Basketball is a popular sport amongst Covenant House Alaska residents, and with basketball season just around the corner, Jack is hoping to create a March Madness-like Tournament with teams made up of youth residents.  

When reflecting on his own impact, Jack humbly admits that he is a “small part in the group that helps out at Cov House Anchorage,” and that “the staff and residents are so great that it blows [him] away.” 

“I'm proud of them, and they should be proud of themselves for all the good work they do.”