NEW ORLEANS — Dolita Wihlke – and her partner Tyrone Smith – are on a mission.
“Basically, I’m looking for homeless kids,” Wihlke said.
The Covenant House outreach team takes to the streets of New Orleans, trying to convince unhoused young people, there is love, respect and support behind the iron gates of the complex on North Rampart Street.
This is the region’s only 24-hour, seven-day-a-week intake shelter for teens and young adults.
“Covenant House, we’re going to help you get to the next level, but you have to want it,” Wihlke said.
Tyree Stokes, 18, came to Covenant House in February.
He was homeless and looking for a place to get back on his feet.
“They’ll make sure you have a job, make sure you have yourself well oriented, just to make sure you’re doing whatever you can to keep yourself afloat while not feeling like you’re drowning in the pressure of having to stay in a facility such as this,” Stokes said.
Stokes had some advice for new residents.
“Just look at it as a temporary point in life that you’re using to help yourself move forward into the new steps of your life,” he said. “It’s not as bad as it seems. You will definitely get past this. It’s just a stop in your life.”
Covenant House CEO, Rheneisha Robertson called it a safe space where young people can overcome the many challenges they face.
“Without Covenant House we’ll see these young people on the street where they would be further exposed to trauma in the community, violence, become victims of violent crime, human trafficking,” Robertson said.
Covenant House is not only a safe refuge, more importantly, it can also be a bridge to a better life for some of the most vulnerable in New Orleans.
And, the outreach team will be there to accept new residents with open arms.
“I’m living in my purpose,” Wihlke said. “I’m just living in my purpose and if I can save one kid, then my work is done.”
According to Covenant House, it housed nearly 800 young people last year.
Thursday, Covenant House will host its 12th annual Sleep Out fundraiser to end youth homelessness, presented by Transamerica.
WWL-TV anchor Katie Moore will be one of the emcees of the event.
To learn more about the fundraiser, sign up to be a sleeper (virtually or in person) or make a gift, please visit here.
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