Covenant House Newsroom

It was 8 pm on a Monday night and Christina Dacauaziliqua was tired. She had worked a full day at her demanding job at Morgan Stanley and it was one of her first nights volunteering at our Covenant House New York program.

The idea was to share her love for crocheting as a way to connect with our young people, and she was not at all confident the idea would take off.“I mean, crocheting is kind of an old-fashioned thing,” says Christina with a smile. “But Yvonne, who works at Covenant House and knows the young people so well, convinced me to give it a try.”

It wasn’t long before a few of the young moms staying at Covenant House approached Christina. “They were so gracious, going out of their way to make me feel at home and interested in why I was at Covenant House.” says Christina. “As we started talking, one of the young women shared she was on a job search and it wasn’t going well. She was frustrated. I was able to give her some advice from my life experience that seemed to help. I was so honored this young woman confided in me, and I started to feel like maybe in some small way I could help.”

Christina has been helping ever since. She is a Morgan Stanley team captain for our Covenant House Sleep Out movement. She has been a leader on the boards for our Young Families Program (formerly referred to as the Mother & Child program) and for Latin America. She has organized countless clothing and food drives, and has worked tirelessly to make the holidays special for our young people. She has organized and conducted mock job interviews, and helped our young people map out potential careers. Other volunteers Christina has recruited to be a part of the Covenant House community recount similar stories of feeling welcome and purposeful in their interactions with our young people.

Ask Christina why she volunteers so much of her time and talent to young people experiencing homelessness at Covenant House, and her answer comes without hesitation.

“Covenant House provides dignity and opportunity to young people. Young people from different cities and countries and all different backgrounds. Covenant House is not just a place to stay, but a place to flourish. We so often go through life wanting things that are not really relevant.  The work of Covenant House has meaning. It’s relevant. 

“As a supporter of Covenant House, volunteering also helps me to know that the money raised is being put to good use,” says Christina. “There are so many programs at Covenant House, so many opportunities.  I know because I’ve seen many different aspects of the work being done.  Covenant House never shortens the potential of any young person. The programs are structured, but also filled with love.

“I remember every time I gave my wonderful, loving mom some good news about something I had accomplished, she would always say, ‘That’s great …I never expected anything less!’  That is how I feel about Covenant House and their relationship with every young person who comes through the door. We love you. Here are the opportunities. We are here to help, but you have to do the work. And the young people thrive on that support and opportunity.”

Christina also values the interactions she has with our full-time staff. “I get to see all their special gifts,” says Christina. “I will never forget going out with Carolina Escobar Sarti and the street outreach team in Guatemala. There were young children on the streets, and it was heartbreaking. But to see how the children flocked to Carolina, how they loved and trusted her, it was so inspiring. For Carolina, and for so many other staff I’ve met, Covenant House is not a job. It is a calling and it is very special to witness.”One of the core values of Christina’s employer, Morgan Stanley, is giving back to the community. “We also strongly believe in the values of courage, trust, empathy, and compassion.  It is why I am proud to work for Morgan Stanley, and proud that Morgan Stanley supports Covenant House. I feel we stand for the same values, and working with the young people at Covenant House is such a privilege.  I am blessed.”