When Ahnaf, a local 17-year-old high school student, finished his summer internship last year, he knew he wanted to help others with the money he’d earned.
He was living with his family, so he didn’t need the money to pay rent. He had enough food to eat and clothes on his back. He had caring parents in his corner, supporting him.
“The problems I have, they’re nothing compared to the challenges other kids in my city face,” he said.
Ahnaf had also been thinking a lot about a recent time a friend of his bought groceries for a person in their community who was experiencing homelessness. He was also inspired by a book he’d read by an author who’d been homeless in their youth.
So Ahnaf and his dad drove to a local Costco and bought a few hundred dollars’ worth of food – noodles, canned fish and fruit suggested by Covenant House staff when he’d called ahead before shopping.
They drove to Covenant House to deliver the food the kitchen team would use in the nutritious dishes they make daily for youth living in shelter and who come for meals through our drop-in centre.
“It was such a proud moment in my life,” Ahnaf said of how it felt to give back.
For him, showing up for Covenant House youth and the few other charities he’d supported with his earnings helped solidify his values in caring for others and helping to build a better world.
It may have even started a generous tradition.
“I’ve already been thinking about budgeting for next year so I can do this again.”