Statement by Michael Hughes, Jr.  
on the 
Reauthorization of the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act
Before the Committee on Education and the Workforce
Subcommittee on Select Education
U.S. House of Representatives

Mr. Chairman and Members of the Subcommittee,

Thank you for the opportunity to appear before the Subcommittee. I am here to urge you to reauthorize The Runaway and Homeless Youth Act because it supports Covenant House Washington and other organizations that help youth. My name is Michael Hughes Jr. and I am a 19 year-old formerly homeless youth. Due to circumstances beyond my control, I was asked to leave my home when I reached the age of 18. I was completely unprepared to live on my own. Consequently, I was homeless for a year. During that time, I slept on park benches and at bus stops. Occasionally, I slept on the floors of friends’ homes. I could never stay for very long though because their housing was over-crowded and there was no room for an additional person. Life on the street is really hard. I worried constantly about where I would sleep each night, if I would get enough to eat, or if anyone will try to harm me or take my possessions. To deal with the stress, I used alcohol and drugs. I often felt depressed and hopeless about the future.

Although I did not know it at the time, my life was about to change dramatically. One day, someone slipped me the number to Covenant House. They told me that Covenant House helped homeless youth. Once I called Covenant House, they responded quickly. The following morning I met with Miss Sherrie Williams, who is my Service Manager. Miss Williams helped me stabilize my emotions and feel a sense of security that I had not felt for a long time. Miss Williams, who is in the audience today, is a great source of support and encouragement to me. She is more than just my Service Manager; she is an extension of family.

The Crisis Center provided a safe and stable place to live for a short period of time. They fed me and gave me a clean and safe place to sleep. The staff helped me to find a job at Foot Action USA and to establish my priorities. After several months, I applied for, and was accepted into the Transitional Living Program

As I mentioned before, I am now living in the Transitional Living Program. It is an 18-month supervised residential program. But it is more than just a place to live. It also gives me the tools I need to live independently and be a self-sufficient adult. I get training in budgeting, balancing a checkbook, finding an apartment and applying for a job. The Transitional Living Program allows me to work on my education, learn practical skills for living and learn to work better with peers and others. I have a roommate and we help each other to stay focused on our goals. When the Transitional Living Program ends, I am confident that I will be ready to make the transition to self-sufficient adulthood. The Transitional Living Program has been the bridge that I need to safely begin this journey.

Although I learned of Covenant House through word of mouth, they work very hard to make sure youth in need know about the services they provide. Covenant House operates a street outreach program. The program operates two vans throughout the city. The vans are out 16 hours each day from 9:00 am to 1:00 am. They also go where youth go: recreation centers, bus stations, corner stores and go-go’s, just to name a few. The outreach staff extends their arms to youth with information, referrals and services, or sometimes just a hug or word of encouragement. Youth are not always ready to come to Covenant House, but Outreach is steadily present when youth are ready to make a change in their lives.

Through Covenant House, I have had the opportunity to do things I would have never believed possible just a year ago. Last week I served as the Master of Ceremonies for the dedication ceremony of our new Community Service Center. I introduced such dignitaries as D.C. Representative Eleanor Holmes Norton, Mayor Anthony Williams and my Ward 8 Council Member Sandy Allen. I am majoring in biology at the University of the District of Columbia. I am on track to graduate in four years. Additionally, I am seeking full-time employment with Washington DC’s Firefighter/EMS Cadet Program.

Because of Covenant House I have a future. It is one of the few programs that I know of that supports older youth. There are a lot of youth out there just like me. All they need is a helping hand. Thank you for holding this hearing today and taking the time to listen to what I have to say. I am happy to answer any questions you may have. Thank you.