Youth Spotlight: Javon

Story originally published by CHTX

Reeling from the recent and violent loss of his older brother, Javon found himself at Covenant House Texas at a crossroads in his life. Growing up in the Third Ward, face to face with gang violence and intense poverty, imparted a deep hunger in Javon to do better for himself. Shielded from a life of crime by his older brother, Javon was pursuing his undergraduate degree at Fresno State University when he suddenly needed a home. “When I first got here, I was devastated since I never thought I’d be in this position,” Javon stated. “My main focus has been how I am going to get out of here and set myself up to be better prepared for life.”  

Javon’s stay at Covenant House gave him access to the Career and Education Center where he took full advantage of the services not only to finish his undergraduate degree; but also secure his future employment and set up his post graduate degree plan. “I just know that I have to make it because of all the people around me who didn’t,” said Javon.  

Javon’s time here not only allowed him to progress academically but also spiritually as he began attending Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church and using his free time to truly confront his past. “I come from a dysfunctional family and many of my loved ones have passed,” Javon said. “I’ve always felt abandoned and betrayed by the people I loved.” Taking full advantage of his free time on campus, Javon took up meditative walking and running to deal with the emotions he had been carrying beneath the surface. “Taking walks and going to church showed me that God brought me here to grow and develop good habits so that I could be in a better place mentally and spiritually,” said Javon. “I’m learning to forgive my parents for their choices. It’s hard, much harder than I thought it would be, but I know it will help me heal.”  

Reflecting on his time here, Javon noted the empathy he felt from staff and how nurtured he felt when talking about his academic and professional ambitions. “They saw that I really wanted better for myself and so they poured into me with positive affirmation and encouragement which really helped me as I was healing,” he shared. Javon will soon be leaving Covenant House Texas for his new role at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, which offers not just employment, but housing, and he is already hard at work setting up his Master of Information Technology degree at Texas Southern University. As Javon’s time at Covenant House comes to an end, he challenges every youth in his position to keep their ambitions high. “You’re down right now but that does not mean you’ll be down forever, so come in, use the resources here, and focus,” he advised.