Issue link: https://tmcpulse.uberflip.com/i/1152989
29 t m c ยป p u l s e | a u g u s t 2 0 1 9 The center is the initial entry point for services. Young adults seeking housing or access to health care at the on-site Baylor Teen Health Clinic drop by. Showers, meals and laundry facilities are available. Many of the residential youth are off campus in the afternoons working, attending school, look- ing for jobs or securing identification cards before the 7 p.m. curfew. On this particular afternoon, the center is a respite for Xavior, who said he was homeless in New Orleans before landing in Houston at Covenant House in May. Tall and talkative, the 23-year-old said he's ready to build a stable life. He was waiting for a callback about a job at a popular Texas hamburger restaurant. "My plan now is to get housing, get on my feet and to start fresh," Xavior said. "I would love for Covenant House to have the funds they need to fit more people so that more people can stay and not sleep outside." Staff members offer compassion and encour- agement to the young people they encounter. "Hang in there," chief development officer Felicia Broussard said as she ended her chat with Xavior. "The longer you are here, the more you will see a difference." Gabby, a young woman who has spent about six months in Rites of Passage, said her living circumstances fell apart when a stepfather evicted her and other members of her family. The 21-year- old beamed while sharing that she'd been hired as a cashier and barista at a local bakery after spending time working with outreach. The aspiring writer plans to work full time, start college and pen self-help books. Xavior and Gabby have made it inside, but others have not. Outreach prevention specialist Michael Blockson provides for those without a home base. Much of his time is spent driving around in a van pulling a trailer stocked with water, sandwiches and supplies, such as socks. "I educate the street community about the services here at Covenant House," he said. His team also distributes hygiene packages that contain toothpaste, toothbrushes, mouth- wash, floss and deodorant. "They'll use the restrooms in the stores to wash up," Blockson said. "We are consistent about going out every day. The kids recognize us and when they're ready to make a change, we're here." New beginnings In addition to increasing capacity at Covenant House, additional resources through the capital campaign will help the organization expand ser- vices, including wireless internet connectivity. "We took a survey of our youth and that was the No. 1 thing," Hay said. "We're just looking at the cost and seeing how we can do it." This will be helpful to newcomers like Marquis, whose next steps were to acquire a gov- ernment ID and visit the vocational educational department to discuss his GED. "Whatever he's lacking in, they will work on that so that he can take the test," Hay said. "We will pay for the test." Marquis said he wants to earn his diploma, then learn graphic design or engineering to create architectural images or video games. "I like to draw," he said. "I draw on computers. I draw on my phone. I draw in real life." He's grateful for Covenant House Texas, but gets a vibe that the youth engagement center environment might be too loud and chaotic for him. A few hours after he arrived, he seemed more relaxed, but spoke hesitantly about the future. "Tomorrow? I don't know," Marquis said. "I may not get a bed." To get involved or to donate, visit covenanthousetx.org or call 713-630-5670.