CHM’s Unsung Hero

Covenant House is a place where broken dreams meet bright possibilities. There has been such a diverse group of individuals to walk the halls at CHM, inspiring and mentoring the youth here. CHM has been blessed to have remarkable people such as Juilliard students, Broadway stars, a Superbowl Champion and many more. With as many gifted people that visit CHM, the true heroes are those that work day in and day out to see that the youth here are taken care of. The people that know the youth on a first name basis and treat them like family. The individuals that come to work early and leave late just to make sure everything is in place for the next day. The real heroes are those that work endlessly not for a check but to see that someone else’s life is that much better and a little easier.

Every staff member, volunteer and intern here at CHM takes a real interest in every young person that enters its gates. This couldn’t be any truer for the receptionist Lolita, who can always be seen smiling. Lolita came here four years ago after spending 8 years as a stay at home mom. She had several duties at home including home schooling her children and taking care of her ailing aunt. But after years of working at home, she was ready for a new chapter in her life. After finding out about Covenant House on the web, Lolita was not certain that this would be a good fit for her until she read the mission statement. “The words in the mission statement just connected with me…” she explained. Knowing that she would be a part of an organization that feed, housed and protected those that society had let down was just what she needed in her life.

Lolita is not only a great receptionist, but she has a hand in every other department here. She is also willing to help the youth here when it’s needed. Lolita recalls a situation saying “a male resident came in livid! He was so angry.” Despite his attitudes she stuck with him. After calming him down and talking with the young man, she was able to find out that his anger was much deeper than it appeared. The young man suffered from depression from losing a friend to gun violence and guilt because he survived the incident. Lolita was able to connect with this young man in a way that no one else had. She refused to see him as just another angry person and toss him aside, she opened her heart and in return helped a person in need. Not all of her experiences have been so dramatic. She remembers her time at CHM’s very first Night of Broadway Stars event and how positive it was. Overall Lolita sees Covenant House as a place of second chances, support and new opportunities.

When Lolita is not working she enjoys bowling and shopping… for the kids of course. She also enjoys all the time she spends with her family. And because of her time here she appreciates and values family time more.

Lolita is much more than a receptionist. She is a mother, a friend, a mentor and a hero. She touches the lives of others one phone call, fax or email at a time. And she does not help others for a pat on the back, but rather having the satisfaction of knowing that she is helping someone who up until that point may have been tossed aside.