THE ISSUES

Helping Young People Experiencing Homelessness Gain Independence

For young people living on the streets, finding a job is very difficult, if not impossible. Many have no education and no one to offer guidance or to show them how to write a résumé, how to search, or how to prepare for an interview. They're completely unfamiliar with what it takes to land – and keep – a job.

It's a tough equation, but at Covenant House Florida, helping our residents find jobs is the most important step to ensuring their financial independence and a life off the streets, and therefore it is one of our primary goals.

Our counselors are sensitive to the fears that young people experience when it comes to looking for employment and handling the responsibility that keeping a job requires. They know that not all the answers can be found in a classroom or a textbook, so they make themselves available to kids by listening to their concerns and offering reassurance.

Sometimes that might mean a preinterview pep talk, advice on dealing with a demanding boss, or even just help with choosing the right outfit for that important first meeting. Our staff is willing to do whatever it takes to make sure our kids find a job to help them get off the streets.

Through our job training and readiness programs, homeless teens can gain skills in a specific vocation and also learn what they need to know about job hunting and the professional world. We give them interview clothes, conduct mock interviews to coach them on how to land a job, help them prepare résumés, and cultivate relationships with local employers so that we can place them where possible.