Martin

The first thing you notice about Martin is his enthusiasm. He paints, he sings, he laughs. Everything he does is with a love for life.

But like most of our kids, his childhood was filled with neglect. His early life revolved around his family, but started to fall apart when he was 12 years old and his sister suddenly got sick and died. Just two years later Martin’s mother died of diabetes leaving him and his father to fend for themselves. His dad was unable to cope with the loss of his wife and daughter causing him to neglect his son. He wasn’t there to provide support and guidance when Martin so desperately needed it. Martin moved in with a cousin, who encouraged him to finish high school and work towards his future.

But he couldn’t stay there forever. He heard that Covenant House offers young people who have nowhere else to turn a home. More than that, Covenant House is a place where people are loved, and encouraged to pursue their goals and make something of themselves.
Since Martin’s been here, we’ve been privileged to watch him become an integral part of our community. When volunteers from the Clarkston United Methodist Youth Group and the Heidelberg Project teamed up to design and paint murals in our Crisis Center, Martin was the first resident to volunteer his talents until the project was completed.

Recently, Martin won our talent show for his performance of Tina Turner’s Proud Mary and What’s Love Gotta Do With It, which he’ll be happy to reenact for anyone who makes a request.

Like Martin, the kids who come to Covenant House are scarred from pain, loss and broken relationships. That’s why it’s so important that we show our kids unconditional love. Shelter, clothing and education are only a part of what they need. Love has everything to do with it.
“I want to thank God that I’m here. I want to bless everyone in CHM for their strength, courage, and wisdom.” He goes onto say that “I’m much stronger and wiser now, and I want to thank everybody at CHM.”

Please send your gift today to help us continue to create a safe haven for our kids like Martin.

Donate now to help Martin and other kids in our programs.