October 7, 2020: Jakiya’s Gift
Last year, we published a profile of Jakiya, a Covenant House resident with big plans for his future. We are thrilled to provide an update on Jakiya’s story and some of his recent successes and triumphs. Told by Chris Lawson, CHNO Youth Advocate.
One of the under-recognized perceptions—and truths—about the young people we serve is the incredible number of innate gifts they possess. This spans across a wide spectrum of both potential and already-on-display talent.
One such individual who recently graduated from our transitional living program (for a Liberal Arts college education no less) is Jakiya. With the assistance of his case managers and mentors—but also because of his own self-determination and drive—he is now a freshman at Keiser University in West Palm Beach, Florida, pursuing a Nursing degree on a full Track-and-Field scholarship.
Jakiya’s success is the culmination of a long journey, marked by plenty of hard work. (His 4.0 high school GPA probably didn’t hurt either.)
I spoke to Jakiya last week via phone for an update after his first month of college:
“At night sometimes I sit back in my dorm and reflect on the things I’ve been through. I’ve been homeless for half of my life. I know how it feels to not know where your next meal will come from, to sleep on concrete, and to go weeks without a shower because you don’t have access to one.”
I first met Jakiya when he transitioned from our “Crisis” program to the “Rights of Passage” program where I work as a Youth Advocate and Artist-in-Residence. I quickly became aware of his positive outlook and inherent kindness, and a perhaps intuitive determination to advance his opportunities and future horizons.
It took him a few attempts to find his own path. Having known him for almost two years now, I saw him stumble a time or two. But he always returned more resolute, more aware of what was possible. His Covenant House case managers—and all of us here at CHNO—couldn’t be more proud to see his evolution. To see his desire for self-actualization and strong sense of self-discipline pay off. To witness him overcome what initially seemed like obstacles—but were actually just challenges for him to embrace.
“People may look at my situation now and say ‘He’s lucky‘,” Jakiya told me. “But honestly, I don’t believe in luck anymore. I believe in hard work. I remember being told to my face…You’ll never be able to compete again. But I stand here today as a college athlete.”
One with enormous potential.
His case manager, Rob Permenter:
“From Day 1, Jakiya showed a very strong work ethic. I saw clearly that if he kept completing the necessary tasks so that he could run, there was no limit to what he could achieve.”
We saw his development as a runner firsthand here at CHNO, placing second in our Arts & Hearts 5K and at the top of his age group in the Crescent City Classic (one of the oldest 10k races in the nation).
His mentor and former case-manager, Moses Gray:
“When I first met Jakiya in December, 2018—it’s crazy. I didn’t know of his athletic talent initially. We bonded in large part because we both lost our mothers at an early age. But as our relationship developed—after a month—he let me know he was pursuing a Track-and-Field scholarship. That’s when I started working with him from a coaching background, and we both started seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.”
Moses was the one who drove Jakiya from New Orleans to West Palm Beach. He’s the one who checks in every week (sometimes a few times a week) to make sure Jakiya’s transition to college life is going well. To keep him mindful of responsibilities and his academic load. To care for him. Jakiya told me he “thinks of Mr. Moses as the father I never had.”
Moses continues:
“His coach at Keiser University has raved about Jakiya’s thoroughness, discipline and prompt nature. I would just add that he also has a cheerful disposition and deep sense of humility.”
We at Covenant House strongly believe that Jakiya will become a world-class runner. Why not? Like with all of our youth, his potential is limitless.
Permenter talks of Jakiya’s early success since starting school:
“With proper coaching and dedication to his craft…I can see him competing in the Olympics. Just in the few weeks he’s been at Keiser U., he’s dropped his mile-speed from 5 minutes to 4:48. Un-freaking-believable.”
Jakiya also believes he can go the distance. But he shares with me a profound expression of what he’s trying to achieve, of transformation:
“I’m trying to break a generational curse, and I’ve become the first member of my family to ever touch a university campus. But this is only the beginning. I want to also say that none of this would be possible without faith and daily prayer to God.”
Moses agrees that anything is possible for Jakiya:
“I always tell Jakiya I can see him as someone who might one day have his picture on front of the Wheaties box. He has every good chance of competing in the Olympics. That’s his dream, his #1 goal, and he has the tools, the support, and the guidance to realize this.”
Jakiya ended our last conversation with hard-earned wisdom:
“I always remind myself that nothing great ever came easily. It doesn’t. But don’t be surprised when you see me on TV. To the world I say: I can, I will, I must.“
