Not Forgotten: D.A.'s Story  

At Covenant House, we often say that homelessness doesn’t define the young people who walk through our doors. Their dreams, their potential, their worth — those things remain, even when their circumstances shift. In the heart of our Not Forgotten campaign, we lift the voices of youth like D.A., whose story reminds us that even when young people do everything “right,” they are still vulnerable to being left behind by a society that too often overlooks them. 

D.A. grew up moving from city to city in Texas, longing for stability, and focused on education as his way forward. He was the eldest of four, a role model, a dreamer, and a doer. He stayed out of trouble, poured himself into hobbies like cooking and video games, and aimed high. “My family always told me I was the one who had to ‘make it out,’” he said. 

And for a while, it looked like he had. D.A. earned his high school diploma and chose the University of North Texas because it felt like the right place to build his future. There, he gave back — volunteering, interning, pushing himself to grow. He was making all the right moves. But when graduation came and the job offers didn’t, he returned home to Houston with a degree, a dream, and an empty inbox. 

As weeks of job searching turned into months, D.A. found himself facing tension at home. The very support system that helped him chase his dreams was now cracking under the pressure of reality. Fights grew more frequent. The fear of burdening his family — of overstaying his welcome — crept in. For the first time, homelessness became a possibility. 

But D.A. is not forgotten. 

He found his way to Covenant House Texas after researching youth shelters online — and with that decision came a turning point. “I believe Covenant House offers programs and assistance for those who want to help themselves,” he said. With help from the Career Center, he’s reworking his resume and focusing on next steps. His dreams now are simpler, but no less significant: a stable home. A car that’s paid off. A future with peace. 

“Even though I did the right things for as long as I can remember,” D.A. shared, “homelessness can still happen to anybody.” 

At Covenant House, we see this every day. Good kids. Smart kids. Motivated, driven, caring kids. Kids who don’t deserve the hardships they’ve faced. Kids who have not been forgotten. 

Our Not Forgotten campaign is about more than raising awareness — it’s about shifting the narrative. It’s about acknowledging that homelessness among youth is not a moral failure. It’s a systemic one. It’s about ensuring that young people like D.A. know their worth isn’t measured by where they sleep at night, but by the light they carry and the future they deserve. 

We see them. We believe in them. We walk with them — every step of the way. 

Join us in saying to youth everywhere: You are not forgotten.