“Cov love is real. I can vouch for it.”
In November 2019, Brittany Smart reached out to Covenant House New York for the first time since she was a resident there in 2007. She heard an ad on the radio for the Sleep Out and it flooded her with happy memories of her time at Covenant House, a place that provided her much needed validation, affirmation, and stability during a challenging time in her life.
Brittany and I had an immediate connection during our first phone call. She shared with me that before living at Covenant House, she was in her own apartment, but a car accident left her unable to work so she moved in with her mother. It did not work out and she was asked to leave, so she found Covenant House online and went there without hesitation.
Brittany said, “within two weeks of living at Covenant House, I got a job and I thought it was really cool to move across the street into the Rights of Passage (ROP) program. It felt like living in a dorm. I thought it was smart how they collected some of my pay to hold until I left. That was very helpful for me, as was the counseling that they provided. I never really had guidance or someone to talk to, and all the counselors were very supportive.”
Brittany said that regardless of who was on shift, she knew there was always someone to talk to. These same staff members helped to expand her thinking about the life she wanted to lead, and provided her with tools she still uses to this day. For example, she said, “I learned the value of saving and being a hard worker. But, the most important thing I learned is that your attitude is the altitude of your life; you can go far or you can stay stagnant. Because Covenant House provides all of your basic needs, if you want more, it is up to you. I remind myself every day that I want more and can be more.”
On March 9, 2020, Brittany and I finally met in person when she joined me in the city at a Covenant House event celebrating International Women’s Day.
It was just a few days before the pandemic forced us all inside, and apart. During the pandemic, Brittany has been dealing with health issues and some career shifts, but she’s remained positive and goal-oriented, always drawing on the strength and resilience she gained from past experiences.
Of course, Brittany is not alone with the challenges, trauma, and emotional stress the pandemic has surfaced for so many of us. I remember one day in particular, when I was struggling and wasn’t being my usual spirited self. She asked me what was wrong and I explained that I was feeling undone as a mother while I was trying to balance the new normal. I was worried that I was failing as a homeschool teacher and I was concerned with the amount of time my kids were spending on Roblox. I wasn’t even sure what day it was anymore! As someone who has worked in childcare for years, Brittany jumped at the opportunity to offer me some advice. She told me to slow down, to sit with my kids, to show interest in their games and their friends and whatever was making them happy at that time. Before she said it, I could not even imagine asking my kids to tell me about the video games they were playing because it didn’t interest me. It took someone like Brittany to remind me that those moments are for my kids, and they are precious, and I am lucky to have such a deep connection with them. And, I need to give myself some grace too because I’m doing my best.
In time, Brittany and I have grown to be true confidants. In a recent conversation, she shared with me, “When I feel like giving up, I remind myself that I am here for a purpose. I am here to help others. When I think about my past and my situations, I know I never want to see someone go through what I went through at such a young age. It’s very important that I keep the faith and I keep pushing towards my goals. I hope to one day be a counselor or social worker to help change and affect lives.”
Just like the staff at Covenant House, who offered Brittany absolute respect and unconditional love when she needed it most, I am thankful she shared some of it with me when I needed it most. Cov love is real. I can vouch for it.
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Pam Sandonato is the SVP, Communications + Brand at Covenant House International and has been with the organization for seven years.
