Youth Spotlight: Deo

When Deo first came to Covenant House Illinois in April 2023, he was not looking for much. A friend had told him about the drop-in center, and after losing his apartment, he needed a place to land. Originally from Harvey, he had been moving between the south suburbs and the city for years, trying to figure out his next step.

He started in CHIL's drop-in center, then moved into our Interim Housing Program in June 2023. By June 2024, he was selected to transition into Rights of Passage, where he

has continued building stability and focusing on his future as he approaches his 25th birthday.

At first, adjusting was not easy. “When I first started, it was bumpy because I wasn’t really looking for help,” he said. Over time, that changed. “After a while, I saw that the people here wanted me to do better, stay on track, and give words of encouragement.”

With support from staff, he began to focus on his career path. He had experience in welding and was introduced to new opportunities through Covenant House Illinois’ Education and Employment team. With guidance from staff like Johnnie, one of our Education and Employment Counselors, he enrolled in a construction pre-apprenticeship program at Revolution Workshop, where he gained hands-on experience across different trades.

“I like HVAC best, and I have welding, so it’s the best of both worlds,” he shared.

He also worked through legal barriers with the help of staff, allowing him to move forward with employment and training opportunities. Today, he is working toward earning his CDL and continuing to build a strong foundation for his career.

Along the way, relationships have played an important role. He speaks with deep appreciation about the staff who supported him. “I’m so appreciative of Covenant House,” he said. When asked which staff made an impact, he responded, “Donta (CHIL's Safety Engagement Manager) stood out, he’s my guy. I appreciate Chez and Will (CHIL Youth Engagement Specialists), really everyone. Even the ones who’ve left.”

He also reflected on one staff member who made a lasting impact early on. “Marquetta (a CHIL Case Manager) was the one person who genuinely cared since day one, and she deserves her flowers. She kept me from making mistakes that would have had me back in the wrong place. I’m truly grateful.”

Now, his focus is clear. He is working toward securing his own housing, staying stable, and continuing to grow professionally. He hopes to eventually start his own business and is focused on improving his credit and creating more opportunities for himself. He also wants to travel and experience more of life.

He credits both staff support and his own commitment to how far he has come. He often shares advice with other young people in the program: “Use the resources, lock in, and don’t let any distractions get in the way. It’s up to you to take advantage of what Covenant House has to offer.”