When "Kyle" first came to us, he was not very open to Crisis Shelter staff. He often kept to himself, especially around women due to his estranged relationship with his mother. He was unwilling to talk about himself and his past experiences. Kyle often walked around with his hoodie over his head throughout the day and with his cap covering part of his face.
Staff tried hard to work on their relationship with Kyle, slowly but surely, he started to open up to staff. He eventually overcame his fear and started to communicate people more openly. Kyle also started to become more trusting towards women. He was able to reveal more of his past experiences and the traumatic situations he had experienced. Kyle shared about his prior days when he dealt, used drugs and committed offences. He revealed that he initially hated the shelter, however, through the unconditional love he had experienced from staff, Kyle now felt as though he had been rescued.
Kyle hopes to continue with his education by completing his high school diploma. He would like to eventually get into a college to study youth counseling or drug and alcohol counseling. Kyle hopes to give back to society and to serve youth, as he had been helped by the youth workers/counselors he has met her at Covenant House Vancouver.
During his stay in shelter, Kyle has waited patiently for housing, and his patience has finally paid off! Today, he finally moved out, on his own! Kyle has succeeded in moving forward in his life.
As a going away gift, Kyle was given a stuffed teddy bear. It was such a joy to see the glow in his eyes when he hugged the bear. Much like a little boy, he hugged the teddy bear so tightly refusing to let go, and then slipped into his bedroom to hide his bear from his peers. Seeing him move forward, and seeing other youth do the same in their lives, is truly what makes it worth coming into work each day!
