Hector Changes for the Better

Hector, a 21-year-old Covenant House California (CHC) youth, is someone who doesn’t take pride in his past. He knows he’s made mistakes, but the reason he is at CHC is because he wants to change his life and he knows that this is the place to give him to the opportunity to do just that.

“If not for Covenant House I’d probably be sleeping in a park or on the streets,” he says. “And that’s hell because I’m a proud individual and I don’t want to have to beg for anything.”

Hector grew up in group and foster homes. He had bounced from city to city for most of his life without much of a stable living situation. As he grew older, he made mistakes which led to time in a juvenile home. It was his time there that changed his perspective on life. He knew he didn’t want to spend his life in prison. He knew he wanted to change for the better.

Hector spent time in other shelters, but they were uncomfortable to him. Most of the people there were much older. It was an awkward situation for him, but Hector did some research and found out about Covenant House California.

“It’s good here. They put a roof over your head, feed you, and make you save your money.” he says. CHC has also given him guidance with school and he has enrolled back in college and is hoping to graduate soon. “I want to be a parole office so that I can help people that were once in the situation that I was.” he says.

He says he would tell someone living on the street that CHC is the best shelter around. “Everyone is the same age and they’re really here to help you.”

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