When I entered Covenant House for the Christmas gathering, I thought that I wouldn’t care much about this volunteer program. Instead, I left the Covenant House with the desire to help. I was put into group with one of the members, and she informed me about the program and what it does. She told me that the program raises money to help out homeless children by providing them with food, clothes, and other services. The fact that there are homeless kids my age stuck out to me. Imaging myself being homeless made me want to volunteer with the Covenant House. Since the first time I went to Covenant House, I have realized that I want to help out more and give what I can. Just by saving a little bit of money to donate, I can help someone in need. Therefore, I want to give more of my time and money to Covenant House and encourage more people to do the same. In return, I can gain knowledge about the reality of the world and meet other kids my age with different lives.

Covenant House open my eyes to see that there are people that are seeking for assistance, which changed how I view the people that live on the street and don’t have a proper home. Learning about the people, interacting with them and listening to each one of their stories required me to throw away the fear of talking to strangers. Being the extroverted person I am this wasn’t that hard. I always loved meeting new people, and Covenant House made that possible for me. I got to meet new kids my age and share our experiences on how Covenant House has played a special part in their lives. I look forward being apart of Covenant House, working with them to provide for the ones in need.

<Tina Hwang West Ranch High school 9th Grade>