Youth Spotlight: J

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 and then discovering the drop-in center in Chicago. He started visiting CHIL’s drop-in center regularly in late 2025; he was not staying in our residential program, but he was doing what he needed to do to keep moving forward. He met with his case manager. He applied for jobs. He treated the space with respect.

Two months later, J entered CHIL's interim housing program. In January 2026 he moved into Rights of Passage, CHIL's Transitional Living Program, where he has now been living for about a month. Each step marked progress, but J has never waited for opportunity to arrive on its own.

When he was job hunting, he printed a stack of resumes and walked through downtown Chicago, handing one to every store and restaurant that would take it. A general manager from Union Station stopped him mid stride. J remembers the moment clearly. "You can stop passing out resumes," the manager said. "I’m going to hire you." J was brought on as a client representative, working directly with customers. He worked there until early January, gaining experience and confidence along the way.

Today, J is enrolled in trade school, studying general construction and solar panel installation. The program lasts about three months and already he has earned certifications in first aid, general construction, and OSHA, and is working toward solar paneling installation credentials.  Through Covenant House, he has access to resources that support employment, apprenticeships, and long-term planning. One apprenticeship path could even lead to an associate’s degree.

He chose the trades for financial stability and freedom. Skilled tradesmen are in demand around the world, and J wants the option to travel. He is also an active member of Chicago's Youth Advisory Council, lending his voice to help shape programs for other young people navigating similar paths.

When J talks about the future, his vision is both ambitious and grounded. He wants to retire by 35 and is clear that he is willing to work for it. He imagines a future in a white house surrounded by acres of land and flowers, maybe as a horticulturist, maybe living in the countryside or even another country altogether. He talks about settling down in his 30s, raising a family in his 40s, and remains open to unexpected paths. On some days, he says, he could even see himself as an archaeologist.

What matters most to J is how far he has come. "I came here with zero dollars in my pocket, only my faith in God and a dream," he says. "Now I have a great credit score, a savings account, and a field of study. I’ve not only grown financially and career wise, but also as a person. I’ve met people, gained connections, and had experiences I never would have had otherwise."

J is thoughtful when he talks about homelessness. "Being homeless isn’t always about being on the street," he says. "Sometimes it’s about building a foundation. It’s part of your story, but not who you are."

He is equally thoughtful when offering advice. His words of wisdom for anyone experiencing hard times: "People like to measure success by how much they get done," J says. "You don’t have to do what I’m doing. As long as you’re putting one foot in front of the other, that’s progress. Keep your eyes on your future. What you want, go out and get it. You don’t have to go to college to be successful."

For J, progress is not about speed or comparison. It is about direction. And every step he takes is firmly pointed forward.