Armond Has an Attitude of Gratitude

In 1999, Armond came to the Covenant House California (CHC) in Hollywood. He had been living with a group of friends but circumstances can change, and, as he puts it, “I became housing impaired.”

Armond stayed at CHC and completed the entire program in 2000. He still remembers the 5 Principles of the Covenant House: Sanctuary, Value of Communication, Structure, Principle and Choice.

Armond came back to the Covenant House in 2002. Now a certified HIV Prevention Health Educator, he started doing ongoing workshops and has continued to do them.

It was in 2005, when Armond heard about the hate crime murder of a former CHC youth. It really made him reflect upon how lucky he was to be alive and how fortunate he had been to find the Covenant House when he did. “I heard about his death and thought, it could have been me. It made me want to contribute specifically to Covenant House to show my appreciation. I took the training and became a volunteer.”

“I’m so grateful and have been blessed to be able to give back,” he says. “A lot of times when we’re in certain situations, we don’t realize that we’re assets, and that by giving back, we’re really helping ourselves, and not in a selfish way.”

Armond has some advice for the residents: “Look at it as a simple step in your life and take advantage of what CHC has to offer. It’s just a pit stop. Everything happens for a reason.”

And for volunteers he says, “Come and be yourself! Try not to judge the kids or have a pre-set intention about the kids. Just enjoy it. You don’t have to be perfect and you can learn things about yourself by giving back!!”