OPINION: Giving Anchorage’s at-risk young people a foothold

Supporting Covenant House Alaska means providing homeless youth with safety, warmth and the unconditional support they need as they pursue education and workforce training. Since 2021, I’ve joined the Covenant House Alaska Sleepout and had the privilege of meeting some of these resilient young people, witnessing firsthand the impact Covenant House has on our community.

Covenant House offers a range of critical services, from street outreach and emergency shelter to transitional housing and support for young parents. Their street outreach team connects with kids in dangerous situations, without shelter or at risk of trafficking and abuse. Last year alone, the street outreach team made contact with 292 young people in need.

The organization also provides safe housing for young mothers and their children, supporting eight young parents and their babies right now. For a youth navigating homelessness while caring for a newborn, this stability can be life-changing. Astonishingly, 56% of Covenant House youth are survivors of domestic violence, and CHA is often their chance at safety and independence.

CHA serves kids from all backgrounds. Among those they support, 39% identify as LGBTQ+, 54% are Alaska Native, and 43% have been in foster care. The average age in their short-term housing program is just 19.

I’ll never forget a conversation with a young person at CHA who, when asked its biggest goal, simply said they wanted to pay rent and not be a burden. This dream of self-sufficiency is one we can help make possible.

Covenant House helps these kids every day. In fiscal 2023, 169 youths as young as 13 slept in Covenant House beds on an average night. A total of 579 youth were supported in residential programs. Additionally, 394 youth took part in job-readiness training, with 225 gaining or keeping jobs because of CHA’s support. Beyond shelter, CHA provides pathways to rental histories, education, professional skills, improved mental health and mentorship — giving these young people a foothold to move forward.

But Covenant House can’t do this alone. It takes community support to show these kids that there are people rooting for them. They’re our neighbors, friends, classmates and children. This November is Youth Homelessness Awareness Month. Let’s take the time as a community to reflect on all the challenges faced by homeless youth, and all the ways we can show up to help them and create lasting change.

On Nov. 21, I’ll join other Alaskans in giving up our beds to stand in solidarity with these youth as a part of the Covenant House Alaska Sleepout. Every dollar donated makes a difference; more importantly, it sends a message that these kids matter. No amount is too small, and every donation affirms to these youth that they are valued.

Every young person deserves a safe, loving home and a fair start in life. Covenant House works tirelessly to bring these essentials to youth across Anchorage. Last year, 861 youths were served in drop-in and non-residential programs. To put it in perspective, that’s nearly three times the size of the South Anchorage High School senior class.

Kevin Berry is a professor of economics at the University of Alaska Anchorage and has joined the Covenant House Sleep Out since 2021. Donations to programs supporting homeless and at-risk youth can be made at the organization’s website.

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