While juggling being an attorney, mom of two grade school kids, a wife, and establishing a home in Alaska, Katelyn felt prompted to invest in her community in a concrete way. She heard about the impact of Covenant House Alaska through a friend and reached out to learn about volunteering. She connected with Holly, who onboarded her with the Rights of Passage program as a mentor.
Rights of Passage, is a transitional living program for older youth ages 18-24. At CHAK, the 25-bed program offers dorm-style living, where youth learn essential life skills that help them live independently. This program is a critical starting point for youth overcoming homelessness to achieve long-term stability and end the cycle of homelessness in their lives. Covenant House Alaska supports them every step of the way. On average, 85% of youth find jobs and/or stable housing after leaving CHAK’s Rights of Passage program.
This struck Katelyn, as she remembered how pivotal this stage of life was for her. She reflected on the impact that a strong network of support had on shaping her early adulthood, ultimately impacting her success in life: Parents, mentors, older relatives, and friends who provided tangible support to her as she navigated adulthood for the first time. She realized that the youth in the Rights of Passage program may have never experienced a network of people like this before, and without this, there may not be anyone who they can rely on for support during this transitional period.
“I think one of the most important things is showing up in pretty much all facets of my life. I show up for work, I show up for my kids and my family and my husband and my friends,” Katelyn says. “And when I say I’m going to be there, I’m there, and over time, that’s the foundation of trust.”
In a few short months, Katelyn has been able to foster meaningful relationships with youth in Rights of Passage. Just showing up or listening can sometimes be the most impactful part of volunteering. Facilitating activities such as going on hikes and to the movies, or even just being available for conversations has allowed Katelyn to engage with youth in a meaningful way.
“It’s those moments of connection. It doesn’t have to all be serious. It can also just be, oh, this is hilarious, and we’re all laughing at the same scenario So, I think that it’s not this major-splash kind of volunteer work. It’s little micro moments of connection that build over time and presence and, hopefully, evolve into being somebody that you know somebody can really rely on and feel safe with.” Katelyn says.
Interested in volunteering with Covenant House? We invite and encourage individuals, groups, and organizations to get involved with Covenant House Alaska. Like Katelyn, you too, can make a difference in the lives of youth experiencing homelessness.