More than 1,400 at-risk and homeless youth visit Covenant House Vancouver every year, many of whom struggle with mental illness.
Erin, the young woman featured in this year’s #BuckUp for Mental Health video, is one of the many individuals who have greatly benefited from the support of Covenant House.
The ‘Caps annual #BuckUp for Mental Health campaign helps Covenant House Vancouver provide sanctuary for youth like Erin.
“Before I was at Covenant House, I was super unstable and I was all over the place,” said Erin. “There was no structure in my life – it was completely out of control.”
Erin reached a point when she felt she had no other options. Luckily that’s when she found Covenant House.
“When I arrived, the staff were really understanding of my situation,” said Erin. “It gave me a sense of belonging and put structure into my life. There were people there 24 hours a day to support me and push me towards positive choices and that really changed my life.”
Covenant House introduced Erin to the Vancouver Street Soccer League, an organization that reaches out to individuals who are homeless, at-risk, or struggling with issues such as addiction.
Erin went to a practice and met some of the coaches and players. She had played soccer when she was young and instantly felt at home with Vancouver Street Soccer League.
Later that year, she travelled to France to play in the Homeless World Cup for the Canadian women’s team.
“We were the first Canadian women’s team to go to the Homeless World Cup,” she said. “It was the experience of a lifetime – I made lasting connections.”
Covenant House also connected Erin with an Inner City Youth psychiatrist who she still works with today.
“He’s really helped me just figure out what’s going on with me and get it all under control,” said Erin.
She began volunteering and later got a job working with kids, thanks to Covenant House’s job search program.
“Covenant House changed my life,” said Erin. “Before I was there, I had nothing going for me, I had no success in my life. I was ultimately going to end up in a very bad place. With the support from the staff and what they were able to provide for me, I was able to completely turn my life around. I’m just a totally different person now and I attribute a lot of that to Covenant House.”
Support the #BuckUp for Mental Health campaign and help young people like Erin.
Participating is easy – there are many ways to show your support:
- Donate online at whitecapsfc.com/buckup before May 29th. Club ambassador Y.P. Lee has committed to matching online donations.
- Bid on an auction item or experience. View items and place your bids online here.
- Bring at least one dollar to the match on Saturday, May 28 when the ‘Caps take on Houston Dynamo. Help us raise one dollar per fan for a total of over $22,000.
- Spread the word via social media by sharing the #BuckUp video or re-tweeting.
