Becoming Paris: Workforce Development

This month, as part of Youth Homelessness ACTION Month, we’re lifting up a new storytelling series.

It’s told across five weeks—five true stories from across our federation—that together capture the arc of what Covenant House really means to our young people.

Each week in November, we’ll spotlight one story on our channels, moving through five stages of a young person’s journey:

Intake. Support. Growth. Independence. Community.

It’s a story in five parts. But really, it’s one story—a single thread of courage, care, and transformation that connects every Covenant House.

My name is Paris.  

When I came to Covenant House, I was homeless. No job. No money. No clear next step. Just a whole lot of uncertainty, and a quiet hope that maybe, just maybe, this time would be different. 

Covenant House gave me food, clothes, a safe place to sleep. But they also gave me a shot at a future. 

I remember when staff told us about a program where we could earn certifications in digital marketing and e-commerce. It was through Google’s Coursera platform, and part of something bigger, Covenant House’s IT Career Pathways program. I didn’t know much about tech at the time, but I’d always been curious. I’d always liked the idea of building something, especially if it meant building myself up, too. So, I signed up. 

The program wasn’t easy. It challenged me. But that was the point. For the first time in a long time, I was focused. I had something to work toward, something that felt real. 

When I completed the certifications, Covenant House helped connect me to an internship with Accenture. That internship turned into a 12-month apprenticeship. Real projects. Real mentorship. Real opportunities. 

I never imagined I’d go from feeling lost to now working with one of the biggest tech companies in the world. Not because I didn’t believe in myself, but because no one had ever shown me this was possible. 

Now, I go to work every day knowing I’m on a path that can lead to independence and stability. I'm still keeping my options open. Maybe coding, maybe something else, but I finally trust that I have choices. I have skills. I have a future. 

I wouldn’t be here without Covenant House, and I know that. They didn’t just give me a place to stay. They believed in my potential and gave me the tools to believe in it, too. 

And the best part is that I’m just getting started.