J arrived in Chicago with no safety net. He came from North Carolina looking for opportunity, but also looking for direction. By the time he was 17, he had lost both of his parents. What followed was a long stretch of asking himself what kind of life he wanted to build and where he might be able to start fresh. Chicago felt like a place where something exciting could happen. After calling a few shelters, J learned about Covenant House, first hearing about the site in Detroit

Will, 22, has spent his life on the west side of Chicago near Austin. Last fall, he found himself in a period of uncertainty, unsure of what his next steps would look like. A friend told him about Covenant House Illinois, and although he felt hesitant, he decided to stop by the drop-in center. "It was overwhelming being here at first," recalls Will. "Everyone was dealing with their own situations, and I didn't know where I fit in." Over time, however, he learned to take thing

Vono started coming to the CHIL Drop-In Center (YDC) in July 2024 and moved into our interim housing program in September 2024. In July...

When Junior P. first came to Covenant House Illinois in the spring of 2024, he was looking for stability after facing housing insecurity. After learning about CHIL through a staff member, he began visiting our drop-in center. By August, he had joined our interim housing program, and just a month later, moved into our transitional living program, which we call Rights of Passage (ROP). This July, Junior reached a major milestone: securing a permanent supportive housing apartmen

When Joshua first came to our drop-in center two years ago, he was just looking for stability. Originally from Mississippi, he had been...

Update from August 28, 2025: J.N. received the keys to his apartment today! He is waiting to receive furniture from Chicago Furniture Bank and will then be ready to move in on his own! J.N. grew up on the South Side of Chicago, where he spent most of his life surrounded by both the joys of family along with the challenges of a neighborhood shaped by hardship. He graduated high school in 2017, but the instability of his home life prevented him from obtaining his GED. In May 20

When Amayah first heard about Covenant House Illinois (CHIL), she was looking for a place to feel safe and supported — somewhere she...

For many young people facing homelessness, the road to stability is not a straight line. It’s filled with challenges, unexpected turns,...

Malik has always been drawn to new experiences. Whether it’s trying a new recipe, traveling to a new city, or learning a new skill, he...

When Justus was in high school, a teacher once told her that she’d do well in Chicago. At the time, Justus was too nervous to follow that...

At 22 years old, David has been through more than most people his age. Growing up on the Southside of Chicago, life wasn't always easy....

Tre's journey to CHIL began with a challenging turn of events. On his 18th birthday, he found himself without a home when his mom forced him to leave. He spent a few nights with a friend before being dropped off at the Night Ministry, where his resilience and determination truly began to shine. Despite the challenges, Tre quickly found a job and was put on CHIL’s residential wait list. After a short stay at the Night Ministry, a bed became available for him at CHIL in 2020. T

At CHIL, we witness incredible stories of resilience and transformation every day. Today, we are thrilled to share the journey of one of...

A poem by Amaiyah

In a world where every journey is unique, M's path to Covenant House Illinois (CHIL) is a testament to resilience, determination, and the...

In June 2023, Jay's journey took an unexpected turn when he walked through the doors of our drop-in center in Chicago. Hailing from New...

In the heart of bustling Chicago, where the struggles of homelessness often go unnoticed amidst the city's hustle and bustle, Covenant...

Last summer we introduced you to Marcus, a resident at CHIL who moved out of our campus in August 2022 (read his interview here). We are...

Year-round, but especially this month, CHIL programs offer opportunities for young people to focus on their mental health. CHIL staff at...