Covenant House Vancouver

I have been a covenant house client for almost two years now. I came to covenant house after having been in foster care ( permanent ward of the government ). I guess the best way to describe being a permanent ward is the government has to take care of you now because your parents wouldn't. So then, the government takes you away and they take care of you, and at 19 you have to take care of yourself. Well just cause I was 19 does not mean I could handle not having all the life skills I needed, still dealing with the aftermath of everything I'd been through, then on top of that take care of myself. I was really scared and didn't know what I would do but then I found out about Rights of passage and moved in.

That was almost two years ago. Soon I'm going to graduate the program and move out on my own. I feel able to do this because of all the support given to be by the ROP staff. I've had a lot of problems with depression and other mental illness. Having someone to talk to any time of the day or night has saved my life at times. For the first time in my life I knew I could always count on seeing someone even when I just want to be alone if I need someone there for me. With constant support, I've learned how to support myself.

I hope that other youth can benefit from Covenant House. I always feel lucky that I have a place to stay because theirs never enough beds I know too many of my friends that have had problems getting into shelters. However, if the second floor is opened up then Covenant House could help that much more youth.