Navigating life at 18 on her own, Gina discovered herself through our Youth Engagement Center and the supportive services we offer. A lover of sports, cooking, and music, Gina’s voice became her hidden talent. When Gina arrived she admits that she was a bit guarded, which understandably can make connecting with staff a challenge. But it didn’t take long before Gina began to both blossom and become quite the positive example of growth and leadership among her peers at Covenant House New Jersey. “You don’t have to go through things alone,” she emphasized, recognizing the importance of compassion and seeking help. And now, Gina is graduating.
The three-sport athlete in high school, faced setbacks with her unwavering spirit. Gina has managed to both maintain her job while continuing her education as she prepares to graduate high school in June. Getting her High School diploma is more than an achievement; it was a triumph she is eagerly anticipating. “When it comes to walking across that stage, I couldn’t be more excited,” she declared, reflecting on her journey.
Gina’s patience with the process of seeing her education through, echoed the nurturing support she expressed receiving at Covenant House, where dreams of becoming a pediatric nurse practitioner were cultivated. Gina is set to walk across the stage, and she could not be more grateful for the role CHNJ has played in ensuring her aspirations could become a reality through hard work and a little bit of love and care.
