Last December 6th, 2017, our Grade 7 class had the opportunity to visit Covenant House’s donation room on Drake St. in downtown Vancouver. There we helped sort through the many donations that Covenant House received for the holiday season. There were so many donations to go through, that we were told to be very picky and only keep the items that we would use ourselves.
Before going to Covenant House, we all had some ideas about what Covenant House was. We thought of it as a place to accommodate homeless youth and help get them off the streets. We thought of it as an outreach program that gives youth aged 16-24 food, clothes, and education and job opportunities.
After about one and a half hours of sorting through donations, we had some new thoughts about Covenant House and the donations that they received. Here are some of the things we learned and thought:
“Right now, Covenant House has 58 beds and they aren’t at max capacity!”
“People donate many things that are of no use or are bad quality.”
“A lot of people are in need and we need to help them.”
“So. Many. Donations.”
“They are very picky when it comes to keeping clothes.”
“Covenant House helps other charities by giving those charities the things that they do not need.”
“I know after visiting Covenant House that they treat homeless people to the best of their ability.”
“Sometimes, it’s good to be picky.”
“Donations affect everyone.”
As we begin the year 2018, let us remember to be generous and think of those in our communities that need our help.
