Cristina Has a Plan 

I met Cristina at her mother’s home in a high-risk area of Tegucigalpa, the Honduran capital. This area is extremely vulnerable to the blind violence of both the gangs that stalk its streets and the natural hazards that increasingly threaten its communities, a consequence of unchecked climate change. In it, Cristina, having recently returned home after four years with us at Covenant House Honduras, was an island of peace. 

She had come to our residence at age 15, after her brother was murdered by gang members in the neighborhood. She was full of fear then, grieving and traumatized. Still, she had the presence of mind to insist her younger sister accompany her to Covenant House, for her sister’s safety. 

Cristina loved her time at Covenant House Honduras. She told me, “We had everything there.” By that she meant she and her sister had nutritious meals and showers every day, their own beds to sleep in at night, and safety around the clock. That meant “everything” to her.  

But there was more. Cristina said she felt embraced by our staff, who wrapped her in unconditional love and trauma-informed care.  She especially needed them in the wake of the sudden, violent loss of her brother. Cristina met regularly with a staff psychologist, who helped her through the grief and instability she experienced. She also made good friends at the residence, who accompanied her during her process of healing. Cristina quickly resumed her studies and finished high school while she was living with us. 

At Covenant House Honduras, as at our other Latin America houses in Guatemala and Mexico, our residents are the youngest across our entire Covenant House federation. Most are between 12 and 18 years old, but some are even younger. Because of their young age, our staff prioritizes reuniting the youth with their families whenever it’s safe to do so.  

Aftercare Continues 

When Cristina turned 18, she was ready to return home with her sister. Our staff helped her apply for college and, today, she is studying for a career in journalism, her dream profession. “The next time we see each other, I will be the one asking the questions,” she joked with me. She also has a job working with a local faith-based nonprofit organization and is supporting herself and her family. 

And our Covenant House Honduras staff is still there for her. Our social workers continue to visit Cristina and her mother and sister in their home. Through extracurricular activities and regular conversations with our aftercare workers, Cristina is repairing her relationship with her mother and forging a stronger bond with her than she had ever had before.  

Now, when you speak to Cristina, you see a very mature young person, who has worked through her experiences and is confident and self-aware. Her neighborhood hasn’t changed, but she has. You can tell a person has healed when they think less about themselves and more about caring for others: Through her nonprofit employer, she is giving back to her community and supporting other young people facing the same challenges she faced.  

Cristina has a plan for her life, and she is putting it into action. Covenant House Honduras is committed to helping her achieve it. 

Covenant House in Latin America 

Covenant House has been present in Latin America for nearly 45 years, and last year, we reached over 11,200 children and adolescents across the three countries where we work. Besides our direct services, Covenant House in Latin America also drives lasting, systemic change through prevention programs, public campaigns, and legislative advocacy.  Learn more about how we support children and teens in Latin America.  

Here are two actions you can take today to help support the young people at Covenant House in Latin America:  

1. Donate. The most immediate and impactful way to support our work in Latin America.
2. Stay connected. Sign up to receive email or SMS alerts so you can be the first to hear about updates and ways you can help youth in our care.  

No matter how you get involved, we appreciate your support in this work.  

*This story is by Gerardo Escaroz, Covenant House associate vice president, programs, Latin America. The name of the young woman featured in this story was changed for her protection.