In 2009, as an 18-year-old youth, Sabriayh warily came to Covenant House New Jersey with nowhere else to go. Today, she is a determined young woman working to keep our youth and staff safe by administering COVID testing. Sabriayh is a living example of a life transformed through her efforts and those of Covenant House. We are proud to share part of her lived experience.
Sabriyah was living with a friend after leaving home at 18 and resolved to do her own thing rather than follow the rules of the house. After wearing out her welcome, the friend’s mother connected her to Covenant House in Atlantic City.
“It was weird sharing a room with people I didn’t know,” she remembers, “I thought, ‘What am I doing here?’ “ Covenant House provided her basic needs and opportunities to grow, but there were some rough spots along the way. What impacted her the most was the consistent care of staff members who didn’t give up on her. They offered advice and continued to welcome her back over and over. “I didn’t think I deserved the help,” when recalling the open door and helping hands offered even after she left the program. Sabriayh continued to work with staff to secure an apartment and furniture so she could stabilize her life, care for her son, and move forward toward a bright future.
Today Sabriyah is a medical assistant and phlebotomy specialist, which enables her to oversee COVID testing at our Atlantic City sites. Her stay there over a decade ago sparked an interest in social work, for which she is currently enrolled in college classes. “I want to give back. This age group is in an important time of transition and often has no one to talk to. We need each other.”
We are so proud of all that this determined young woman has accomplished and how inspiring she is to the young people and staff of Covenant House!