Volunteer Spotlight: Bri

I’m Bri Hailey- I’m a Detroit native, data analyst, cat mom, aspiring community-connector and youth advocate.

I saw Instagram posts about Sleep Out 2024 and it piqued my interest. I'd started volunteering for several orgs on the city's South and West sides for the last year but hadn't heard of any youth focused organizations that aligned with my personal values until I came across those posts.

As someone who’s experienced youth homelessness, I know first-hand how difficult it is to press on without a proper foundation of secure housing. ‘Home’, figuratively and literally, is extremely high on the hierarchy of needs for a reason. All of the security and resources that come with placement is crucial to a young person's formative years. When they lack housing it’s very hard for them to focus on physical and mental health, education, dreams, building a future for themselves and becoming valuable members of our society. Every young person deserves to have their basic needs met and Covenant House does an amazing job at doing just that.

In the past month of weekly volunteering at Covenant House I’ve learned that everything matters to the youth here. Every greeting, every pep talk, every pick up game, every snack, it all seems so mundane to those of us who are not constantly at risk for homelessness but their worlds revolve around the care we give and the conversations we have. This space acts as an anchor for them in a world they may feel lost in; every interaction counts. I’ve also never met such a clever and charismatic array of young people. There is immense talent and light in the youth at Covenant House and it’s been a joy to witness.

Elsewhere, I’m currently volunteering with Forever Fortunate Felines- an animal rescue organization that paired me with one of my cats back in 2020. I’ve also volunteered with Urban Growers Collective, Chicago Abortion Fund and America Scores Chicago within the last year. I'm hoping to continue being of service in the future.