Ali had to leave home because they were not accepted for who they are. Their parents were critical of their decisions and constantly put them down. The daily mean-spirited comments weighed on them and negatively impacted their mental health.
Since they were still in high school, they couch surfed at friends’ homes, moving from night to night, so their friends’ parents wouldn’t catch on. Food became a challenge, as they didn’t want to be too demanding of the families who were helping, so they started asking the cafeteria for leftovers. Being in their friends’ homes started to put a strain on their relationships, and one of their friends recommended they call Covenant House Vancouver for housing support.
Ali struggled at first, not sure if Covenant House was the right space for them. They didn’t want to admit that they were struggling, but after meeting with a staff person at the Drop-In Centre and feeling welcomed, they asked if there was a room available.
Ali was placed in the Crisis Program, where they worked first and foremost on their mental health. They hadn’t realized how low their self-worth was because of their home life. Through counselling and different forms of therapy, Ali was able to rebuild their sense of self.
When they first arrived at Covenant House Vancouver, one of their favourite spaces was the clothing room. When Ali left home, they couldn’t bring a lot of things, so their wardrobe was becoming worn. In the clothing room, they could pick whatever they wanted. On one occasion, a youth worker helped them pick out different exciting things, which was a special bonding moment for Ali. They got to figure out how they wanted to express themselves.
Ali also loves collaborating with other people and working in a team, so they were happy to explore many of the recreational activities at Covenant House, like playing basketball and making music. They even formed a band with a few other youth at CHV, practicing in the music room that was funded by donors and stocked with instruments donated by community.
By feeling more spiritually fulfilled, they were able to start setting goals for their future. They wanted to finish high school and pursue making music or performing in front of people.
At every step of their journey at Covenant House Vancouver, Ali felt cared for by their community. The people who worked there and the friends they made along the way. And behind the scenes, the donors and volunteers who make the programs and services Ali and other youth use possible. Ali learned how it truly takes a community to help support the people who need it most.
This is a composite is based on the lived experiences of several youth at CHV.