Michael Stands Tall

"I made some mistakes growing up.” Says Michael, a 21 year old covenant house resident when asked how he ended up on the streets. He had been living in Victorville with his father and, as he tells it, “I was getting into trouble at school, smoking marijuana, thinking about the day and not the future. That’s how I got into trouble.”

Michael’s way of living soon strained his relationship with his family. He had spent time in jail for probation violation and dealing marijuana. His father no longer wanted to deal with his lifestyle and Michael left for Los Angeles. But with no place to go, he soon found himself living on the streets.

"I would stay at parks or behind stores or alleyways. It got bad for awhile.” He says. “but I had no choice but to stay on the streets.” Michael says that the experience in jail and being homeless had changed his perspective about his life. “I had had enough of living the way I had been living. I wanted to be on the right track. I wanted to go to school. I wanted to find a way to provide for myself.” It was through a friend that he was told about Covenant House California.

"When I found out what Covenant House does, I knew it was right for me.” He says. “It’s a shelter that provides housing and food but it also provides help on everyday life issues. It’s taught me about becoming a man. More importantly, it’s taught me to become independent the smart way.”

Covenant House assisted Michael with finding a job. He is now working full time and has begun saving money to start an independent life. “CHC provided me with an atmosphere so I could start saving money.” He says. “They can kick you out of the program if you don’t do that.”

Michael says that he would still be on the streets if it weren’t for Covenant House. “I would probably be on the corner selling some type of drug just for survival.” He says.

Now, he has hopes of going to school for a degree in social work.

"At Covenant House, they will teach you, clothe you and help you do things on your own. They will bring you up and you stand tall.” And these days, Michael has been standing taller than he ever has.

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