Mark Gets His Chance
 |
“I felt like I was in hell.” Mark says with a grimace. He shifts in his seat again. He’s uncomfortable talking about what he’s been through. “People don’t know that one of the worst things about being homeless is the embarrassment you feel.”
Growing up in Hemet, California, this 19-year old was like most people his age. He had finished school and was living with his parents and making plans for his future. Things changed for Mark though the day he decided to come out to his parents and tell them he was gay. “They just didn’t approve of the lifestyle.” He says. As a result, Mark was told to pack his things and find his own way of surviving. “I remember I had to call a friend to come pick me up. It was tough.”
There was no place for Mark to go. Soon he was sleeping on the streets. “Living on the streets is like hell. It’s basically hell on earth.” He says. His facial expressions change when talking about his experiences on the street. It’s clear it affected him a great deal. Mark slept wherever he could find a place. He didn’t shower for a week. “I was scared to death. I didn’t know what the hell was going to happen to me.”
Fortunately for Mark, he had a friend who knew about Covenant House California. “I would have been happy with just a free meal but when my friend told me what Covenant House did I was praising God.” CHC provided Mark with a place to stay, meals and has been helping him with job training. He is currently enrolled in college and has begun searching for work all with the assistance of CHC.
Mark says that CHC also helped him in other ways as well. “I take classes on how to live, communicating with people, and structure. Basically, CHC has been teaching me how to live in the real world.” Mark now looks to the future with optimism. He is excited when he talks about Covenant House California and his enthusiasm can be heard in his voice. CHC is giving Mark the thing he wanted the most—a chance.Click here to make a gift to help Mark and other kids like him.
