Youth Spotlight: Sonmontez

When Sonmontez left Tallahassee and moved to Chicago in July 2023, he came with determination and a vision for a better future.

“I knew there would be more opportunities for me in Chicago,” Sonmontez said. “I just wanted a chance to build something for myself.”

After arriving in the city, Sonmontez spent time bouncing between shelters while trying to figure out his next steps. Eventually, he connected with Covenant House Illinois and entered CHIL’s residential program.

Despite the uncertainty he was facing, Sonmontez remained focused on his goals and committed to moving forward.

“You can do anything you want in life if you put your mind to it,” he said. “You just have to stay focused and have a very positive mindset.”

During his time at CHIL, Sonmontez worked closely with staff to build stability, confidence, and employment skills. He secured a job at Jewel-Osco, an important first step that helped him begin gaining work experience and independence.

But beyond employment support, Sonmontez says CHIL helped him grow personally as well.

“CHIL really helped me grow my self-confidence,” he shared. “This is where I learned how to network, believe in myself, and keep pushing forward.”

By December 2023, Sonmontez had moved out of CHIL and into his own place. Since then, he has continued building his career, eventually transitioning from retail into the casino industry in Chicago.

Recently, Sonmontez stopped by CHIL to share exciting news with staff: he accepted a new position as a dealer at a casino in New York City and will soon be making the move to begin his next chapter.

Now living independently and pursuing new opportunities, Sonmontez’s journey is a powerful reminder of what can happen when young people have access to safe housing, support, and the chance to believe in themselves.

At Covenant House Illinois, we know every young person deserves that opportunity.