Youth Spotlight: Joshua

When Joshua first came to our drop-in center two years ago, he was just looking for stability. Originally from Mississippi, he had been moving from place to place for years, trying to find safe, consistent housing. A friend told him about Covenant House Illinois, and by January of this year, Joshua added his name to our waiting list and was accepted into our interim housing program, where youth stay for an average of 120 days.

In early 2023, Joshua enrolled in the Coordinated Entry System (CES), a citywide database system that matches individuals experiencing homelessness to housing opportunities and resources. Through CES, he was selected for an Accelerated Moving Event (AME), a rapid housing initiative led by All Chicago. The AME took place right here at our CHIL campus, and 17 youth were connected to permanent housing in a single day, which is an incredible accomplishment.

“I’m still shocked, I can’t believe it,” Joshua says with a smile. “Some people have to wait years for this—I got it in a few months.”

Now, with a guaranteed year of housing ahead, Joshua is deciding whether to settle on the South or Southeast side of Chicago, depending on where there is housing available, and is focused on finding work.

“Like everyone else, I want a job where I know I can always find work and make good money,” he says. “Plumbing, carpentry, solar… I care a lot about job security.”

With secure housing and a renewed sense of purpose, Joshua is stepping into this next chapter with confidence and a plan for long-term success.

Joshua's case manager, Libby, is thrilled for him. "He's had ups and downs on his journey, but you can tell he's so excited for this."

Please join us in celebrating Joshua and all 17 of our youth who now have housing!