A Night in a Box

A Night in a Box

Thirty middle school students from Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Grosse Isle spent a brisk night outside in cardboard boxes to get a feel for what it would be like to have no other shelter. Covenant House residents Robin, Celina, and Martin were the guests of honor and spoke of their personal experiences with homelessness. A few tears were shed by both the residents and middle school youth because the stories are difficult to share, hear and understand. Our kids honestly shared how they had been neglected and abused, or how they had thrown their own lives away because of drugs or alcohol.

Robin, a 21 year-old Crisis resident cautioned the young teens to not get caught up in being with the “In” crowd and being popular, but instead becoming who God created them to be. “Being what God wants for you, now that’s something to feel good about,” she advises. “There is no other way to feel good about yourself.” Robin is attending classes at WCCC and hopes to one day be a social worker who works with high school students.

Celina, a 19 year old resident spoke of drifting from relative to relative, friend to friend, until there was nowhere else to go. She spoke of not knowing who she was, and finding herself and her real potential at Covenant House. She too cautioned the young people to be wise in their choices, and to be aware that even making smart decisions can’t prevent homelessness if you lose a job.

Twenty One year-old Martin’s story of abuse and abandonment is hard for him to tell, but his delight in talking about the Covenant House van that picked him up brings a grin from ear to ear. He talked about his Covenant House family and the love he has found, and he spoke of God who has always been with him. He even sang a gospel song that gained thundering applause. He reminded the kids how much he loves each and every one of them, because he knows that it is because of people just like them that he has found shelter and love at Covenant House.

The youth all brought socks and gloves to share with the residents, and vowed that they will continue to provide for needs of homeless youth and to keep them in their prayers.