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 advice; she stayed close to home, focused on college, and earned her associate’s degree in media studies and journalism with dreams of one day working in law or media. But after facing years of homelessness with her family and feeling that her life was at a standstill, Justus made a bold decision. Right after her 22nd birthday, she decided to move to Chicago, with little more than her courage and her ambition. “I didn’t have anything to lose,” she recalls.
Since arriving in Chicago, Justus’s journey has been full of challenges and triumphs. Initially, she spent her days applying for jobs after breakfast at Covenant House Illinois’s drop-in center. She found temporary refuge at Safe Haven's overnight shelter but needed a more stable environment to focus on building her future. (For any readers who aren’t familiar with Chicago shelters, Safe Haven is an overnight emergency shelter, meaning clients leave in the morning and come back in the evening to get a bed.) In June, sooner than she anticipated, Justus was accepted into CHIL’s interim housing program on the third floor, providing her a safe place to stay and plan her next steps. In July, she was invited into CHIL’s brand new Rights of Passage (ROP) program, where, with up to two-years of guarantted shelter and wraparounds supports, she’s continued to set ambitious goals, supported by her “work and save” mindset.
A significant milestone for Justus was finding part-time work as a janitor at the University of Illinois Chicago through workforce workshops at Covenant House, hosted multiple times a week by our Education and Employment Counselors, Johnnie and Salaam. The steady income has enabled her to think beyond immediate needs and focus on long-term goals. “Now that I can work and save, I can set myself up better for long-term goals,” she says. Justus has plans to raise her GPA at a Chicago city college and later transfer to DePaul University, aiming for their film and television documentary program or a video editing track.
Her passion for media has opened doors to exciting new experiences as well. Justus recently had the chance to work as a script supervisor on an indie short film, an opportunity she found on a job board for film roles. She served as a liaison between the set and the editor during the production, which filmed over three days from June to August. The experience deepened her love for filmmaking and her desire to pursue similar projects. “I want to do more stuff like that,” she shares, with an eager determination.
Through her time at CHIL, Justus has met several mentors who have offered support, advice, and a sense of community. She describes the staff as “so helpful and easy to talk to,” and gives special thanks to Nyesha, TC, Ms. Roshanda, Camille, and Leah, (and everyone else!) who have provided guidance along the way. “They’ve been huge listening ears,” she says, underscoring how meaningful it’s been to have trusted people in her corner. Louisa, our Grants Manager, introduced her to grant writing, which she’s found intriguing. “I like nonprofits and I like writing, so it made sense,” she says, mentioning her interest in getting a grant writing certificate as she explores different career possibilities.
Beyond work and education, Justus is also dedicating time to her mental health and self-care, prioritizing “normal adult things,” such as doctor’s appointments and mental wellness check-ins. “Outside of school and work, I want to use this time to prioritize my mental health and make sure I am taking care of my mental wellbeing,” she explains. An avid reader, Justus finds solace in books, having read over 60 this year alone, lovingly calling them her “safe space.”
Looking ahead, Justus is excited to bring her skills to this year’s Sleep Out, where she’ll photograph the evening. Each step she takes is a step closer to realizing her dreams, and with her focus on her goals, her future is bright. “I’m able to set myself up for success more long-term,” she says, her voice filled with hope for the journey ahead.
Please join us in celebrating Justus’s achievements and her inspiring journey. With every goal she reaches and every new challenge she takes on, Justus shows the strength, talent, and determination that make her a truly remarkable person. We’re excited to see the great things she’ll accomplish and are grateful to be a part of her story.
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