Do1Thing Blog

The first thing you notice about Curtis is the bling. He’s got a long, triple-wide rhinestone necklace plus earrings that he wears every day. Today it’s worn over a black tee and jeans. Curtis is a tall, quiet-spoken guy who somehow ends up talking to the all the girls.

The first thing he’ll share is that he’s looking for a job. He was laid off recently from HISD where he worked in food service. He’s also studying for the math portion of his GED. Once that’s out of the way he plans to attend trade school for auto mechanics and get certified as a canine dog handler.

That’s his real goal – to be a police officer on the canine patrol. “I like dogs that are intelligent and police dogs are very friendly and intelligent,” said Curtis. “Plus, I like to help other people. I’m always helping someone else.”

Asked what he’d tell other kids out there, Curtis said, “If they can, they should try and come here to make a better life for themselves because nothing good ever comes out of being on the street. Do what you need to do to live independently.”

Curtis, right, hangs out with girls. (Photo by Smiley N. Pool)

Carolyn Garrard, public relations director, for Covenant House Houston explains that their kids want to wear all the same labels and brands that other teens wear. So the donations that aren’t age-appropriate, either for small children or older adults, go to other shelters. “Nothing ever goes to waste around here,” said Garrard.

Of course, the many men’s suits that have been donated today are especially appreciated by the residents for job interviews.

In between unloading the big laundry hampers, residents have been stuffing packets with Covenant House information.

Curtis checks out donated menswear. (Photo by Smiley N. Pool)

Corderro, the young man featured in today’s Chronicle story, stopped by to introduce himself. Very charming and nice, strong handshake. He said he wants to be a pastry chef because he likes to bake and decorate cakes. But he says he’s not too good at the detailed decorating yet.

Corderro’s also well known among staff and his fellow residents as a singer. “Oh my god, he can really sing,” said one girl. He’s particularly known as a country singer but he’s not interested in performing this morning.

Seen in the donation bins: a very large toy horse, bedding, more toiletries and clothes and the items that excited everyone: baby wipes and diapers.

(Photo by Smiley N. Pool)

Did you know that 1.3 million people under 21 live on the streets or in shelters? That’s why services for homeless teens are so needed, and why Do1Thing wants to bring attention to these children in need.

Here at Covenant House in Houston, donations continue to come in. More toiletries and clothes have arrived, along with a big pile of sofa pillows. The San Jacinto Girl Scout troop 3599, clad in badge-covered vests, are working hard, waving in vans, cars and trucks to the unloading zone. Everyone gets a red heart lollipop as a thank-you.

The first tour just finished, and as she was leaving one of the ladies, commented, “I’m so glad to know this is here.”

Services provided by Covenant House to youth under 21 include:

• Shelter designed to teach independent living
• Medical care, such as physical exams, HIV/AIDS testing and referrals to specialists
• Counseling, bible studies and other support
• Life skills training, such as budgeting and interviewing skills
• GED classes, tutoring and vocational training
• Six months of after-care for youth who transition to independent living

A resident sits on the porch as volunteers wait for donations. (Photo by Smiley N. Pool)

Angela, featured in today’s Houston Chronicle, also stopped by for an introduction. To say she’s lively is an understatement. She and Corderro are both getting teased non-stop about their “new-found fame,” as one of the counselors said.

Angela is president of the resident council, which she says is similar to a student council at school. She’s proud of being competitive, she says, and teases her counselor Shaun about owing her another dinner at Dave & Buster’s. However, the teasing focuses back on Angela when she introduces fellow resident Curtis as “one of my cabinet.”

Angela hugs a fellow Covenant House resident. (Photo by Smiley N. Pool)

Plenty of people are already doing one thing! Donations began arriving at 9 a.m. today and by 9:45 cars were streaming by, with Girl Scouts and Covenant House residents helping to unload bags of clothes, toiletries, a painting and a pair of crutches. Two industrial-sized laundry hampers are already filled over the brim.

The supplies are much needed, so bring your donations to Covenant House at 1111 Lovett Blvd. It’s located just behind the Copy.com, Half-Priced Books and Spec’s store on Westheimer at Montrose.

The Houston Chronicle ran a story in today’s Metro section, so go get a copy if you haven’t seen it already. The story, written by reporter Claudia Feldman and photographed by Smiley N. Pool, features Covenant House residents Angela and Corderro.

Angela is working on getting her beautician’s license and Corderro is working his way up the restaurant career ladder with the goal of becoming a pastry chef and restauranteur.

Read about these kids on www.chron.com.

Girls Scouts from Troop 3599 help collect donations on Valentine's Day at Covenant House Texas. (Photo by Smiley N. Pool)