January is National Mentorship Month, and here at Covenant House Alaska, we have amazing volunteers who step up to walk alongside our youth through their journeys of overcoming homelessness. Jennie is one of those incredible volunteers who began volunteering with Covenant House Alaska in March of 2025.
Having lived in Alaska for 12 years, Jennie was eager to find ways to serve in her community. Covenant House Alaska had plenty of opportunities available to do just that.
For Jennie, mentorship means having someone you can call on, and who will show up. Whether that’s offering a ride to the grocery store, going on a nature hike for mental health or just being there to listen, Jennie’s mentorship extends beyond career or professional advice. Mentorship means serving as a support resource in any capacity that is needed.
“I come from a socioeconomic background where if I ever were to fall on hard times, I have a network of family and friends who I could call on for help, and who can and would step up to help. Many of the youth at Covenant House Alaska don’t have that, so I want to be a person they can count on.”
While serving in the Rights of Passage Program as a mentor, Jennie recalls a story that opened her eyes to the difference that small acts of support can make. A young person, who did not have a car, asked Jennie for a ride to the grocery store. The youth was able to load up on groceries, saying that on the bus, she is only able to carry so much, so having access to a car makes a trip to the grocery store less of a hassle. Something as simple as giving a ride to the grocery store had made this young person’s whole week easier.
“That experience reminded me how much of a privileged life I live and how acts that are easy for me and may seem inconsequential can actually make a difference. It made me want to continue showing up for youth.”
Although at times it can be a challenge to encourage residents of the Rights of Passage (ROP) Program to take full advantage of the mentors, Jennie says it’s still fulfilling as a volunteer and she knows it is impactful for residents as well. In just nine months, Jennie has been able to help residents prepare for and attend job interviews, go on memorable sight-seeing hikes, and take steps to move out of the ROP program into permanent housing.