12 Kids of Christmas: Meet Michelle

Reason to give #4: Homelessness cannot wait.

When a kid comes to us we have to act immediately to make sure their basic needs are met. Some kids haven’t eaten in a week. We need to make sure they are safe, warm and fed and then we need to find out why they are homeless so we can address their situations individually. Our mission is based on faith and the belief that every child deserves to be safe, loved and respected. We fulfill this mission by providing shelter and services to children and youth who are homeless or at great risk.

Meet Michelle.
Michelle is 21 and lives at the Crisis Center.

We asked her her story, here's what she said.

Why did you come to Covenant House?
I came to Covenant House because I had nowhere to turn. For the first thirteen years of my life I watched my father smoke crack, beat my mother and brother, and use all of my mom’s hard earned money on drugs. During that time my mother was never there mentally or emotionally. My father went to jail when I was thirteen for abusing me and my sister who is three years younger than me. The courts made me, my mom and my siblings attend counseling, but it didn’t help. I began to take my father’s role and at thirteen I began smoking weed, drinking, engaging in sex, and lashing out at others. I was insecure about myself and I couldn’t process everything that had happened to me. This behavior led me to becoming homeless.

If you could pick one thing that Covenant House has helped you with, what would it be?
Covenant House has helped me with a lot, but one thing I would pick is that they helped me find a job. I went through the job club classes and our instructor Ms. Hailey partners with different businesses like McDonalds. They had the managers meet with us. I am just waiting to start my training.

What are you grateful for?
I'm grateful for life. I could have lost it many times, but I am still here. It could also be a lot worse than it is now, I know that.

What's your best memory at Covenant House?
The Calling All Angels Fundraiser and MGM Christmas Party. At the fundraiser I felt so rich and pretty. It was really comfortable too because I was with my fellow residents and everyone behaved themselves. That doesn't always happen. The MGM Christmas party was so nice. They fed us a delicious dinner, I especially liked the pecan pie. They had a DJ and everybody was dancing. They gave us movie passes and I am waiting for Avatar to come out, I really want to see that movie.

And finally, what do you want to accomplish in the new year?
I'm starting school at Oakland Community College and I want to be a nurse. I also can't wait to start working.

Yes! I want to give today to provide shelter and safety and help all your kids, like Michelle, succeed!

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