Years ago, when Aaron was 18 and in need of a safe place to stay, Covenant House was there for him.
Today, Aaron is showing up for Covenant House youth by participating in the 12th annual Sleep Out: Champions Edition for the very first time, raising critical funds for Covenant House to provide safety and support for young people experiencing homelessness so they can help build bright futures ahead.
“At Covenant House, I found hope and security – knowing I had a safe place to come to at night and people who cared about me was so meaningful,” Aaron said. “I really appreciated that support.”
As a young person staying at Covenant House, Aaron got his immediate needs met when visiting the drop-in centre, the health clinic and the cafeteria, where he was able to have three nutritious meals a day. He also remembers working with a counsellor and a case worker to help him plan goals and focus on his future.
“That to me was the biggest help during those times, being able to talk to somebody. My worker’s name was Dave – I’ll never forget him,” he said. Dave would set up a chess board and taught Aaron how to play. Between moves, they would have conversations that helped Aaron build skills, confidence and work through the challenges that brought him to Covenant House’s doors.
When he was ready to look for work, he used computers in a space that’s since become Covenant House’s employment centre to prepare job applications. When he landed an opportunity, Covenant House helped with bus fare and a lunch to take to work each day.
Aaron has stayed in touch with Covenant House over the years, having DJ’d a few events and more recently volunteered with his workplace. This will, however, be his first Sleep Out event.
“I’m happy to be around everyone else to help share my story and show them that what the funds they’ve raised could potentially do for some other youth,” he said. “It takes a village to raise a child and Covenant House was that village for me. Ultimately, we want youth to know that success is an option.”