I'm participating in the Covenant House Sleep Out: Moms Edition on May 4th to raise funds to support youth. This is the second of four blog posts that takes us to that night...
Covenant House gave me my very first job in Social Services when I arrived in Vancouver. I'd just completed an MA in Psychology in New Zealand and my obligatory “OE” (Overseas Experience). I was newly book-trained, but had little of the much-needed practical experience. Working with the youth at Covenant House was real, gritty, and sometimes scary. It was so different to the life I had led up to that point, and was a real eye-opener for me. In the same breath, I loved the resilience of the youth I met. They used humour to cope with their struggles, they were grateful for a full belly and a soft bed, and they showed respect to the people who cared for them. What struck me most was that so many of them were not much younger than I was at the time. How could they consider traveling across the country? How could they brave the cold and rainy streets of Vancouver?
As the days inch closer to when I will be sleeping outside, I think about how I will cope. I feel nervous, and humbled, and proud to support a cause that matters to me, and Vancouver youth. I don't do well in the cold, but I'll put on my layers for them.
I would be so grateful if you can support my goal to raise funds for Covenant House's Sleep Out: Mother's Edition, and help change the lives of the youth in our community. Visit