I had the opportunity to work with Nicole for a few months at our Crisis Program. She had lost her housing due to complications with her mental health and was struggling with substance use. She had been using to help cope with her mental health symptoms. Nicole constantly expressed her artistic passion with amazing paintings, one of which still decorates the common space wall. Nicole has such a joy about her art and has the ability to brighten anyone’s day with her infectious attitude.
During her time with us Nicole faced challenges with her substance use and mental health but always identified wanting to find stability and to stop using. Before Nicole left Covenant House Vancouver for supportive mental health housing, she wrote all the youth workers cards expressing her gratitude. She had personalized a message for each youth worker she formed a relationship with. Nicole shared with me that she saw Covenant House as a home and would miss us encouraging her.
Nicole recently came to visit and share some good news. She is now a year clean and has secured a spot in long-term supportive housing where she can live semi-independently. Nicole wanted to pass on that Covenant House Vancouver was always there for her when no one else was and is grateful for her youth workers for always seeing her as who she could be.
Shared by Shona, Youth Worker