Tabitha’s Story

Tabitha came to Covenant House last April at age 20.

She had been living on her own since age 17. She did not get along well with her step-mother. She was still grieving over the death of her grandmother — and primary caregiver — when she was 11.

Tabitha was forced to move around a lot, adding to her adolescent trauma. Despite earning a high school diploma and completing a culinary arts program through Job Corps, Tabitha could no longer live or function independently — nor return home.

She needed trauma counseling and safe, supportive housing. Covenant House’s team could provide both.

The structure and resources our Crisis Center provides was exactly what Tabitha needed. She adjusted quickly once she moved into her room, and soon began to stabilize her life. She now works in the hospitality industry and is saving her money with the goal of advancing to our transitional housing program, Rights of Passage.

Tabitha regularly attends her counseling sessions and has built a trusting relationship with our social worker. She now stops by to talk whenever she needs to. In addition to counseling, Tabitha is also training to be a massage therapist. We are helping her to heal and to achieve the goal of independent living.