by Rose Cino,
Covenant House Manager, Marketing & Communications

Andrew FitzGerald, our first youth to come in on the day we opened, passed away recently at 47, of a heart attack. I want to tell the story of finding Andy.

My job here is to communicate who our kids are and how we help them. For me, one of the most rewarding things I do is sharing the stories I hear from our former residents who are now getting on with their lives.

Most have overcome heartbreaking situations at home and harrowing experiences on the street. Even as a former journalist, I have heard stories here that have shaken me.

Like all of us, they’re proud of their job, families and accomplishments. Many have even learned to forgive, and come to understand, the circumstances that led them to the street. They are willing to open up about such painful and private memories so that others will see there is hope for our kids.

Often they want to express their appreciation for the help and support they received here.

Our opening day story has become part of our legend and lore. The young man who came to us on that cold February morning in 1982 came to represent every one of the tens of thousands of kids who followed and how we welcome each of them.

I’d written the story of that day for our 20th anniversary after talking with our staff member, Ian Jones who met the lad. Ian had never heard from the young man again and I always wanted to know more about him. It was a mystery that made me curious.

Last year, I opened an email from a woman who said she and her husband were watching TV when they saw a mention of Covenant House. He told her then that he was the first youth. I was amazed and, I admit, a bit skeptical.

When we first talked, Andy joked that I was “checking” his story. He retold the same story I already knew. Having heard that a new shelter was opening, he spent the night in a downtown coffee shop until just after dawn when he walked up our stairs. He had nowhere else to go.

I had found him and Andy had found us again after 27 years.

He told me he had always felt a connection to Covenant House and the sense of hope he gained here.

He said he had not become a doctor or lawyer, but a “regular working guy”, and that there had been other difficult times in his life. But he was proud that he had “never been homeless again.”

Last Christmas, Andy joined us with his wife. There was an emotional reunion with Ian and Andy spoke to our kids and staff. As he shared his thoughts, Our current kids listened to Andy’s every word, often nodding their agreement as he talked about feelings only those who have been there share. Read Andy’s speech.

It was as though things had come full circle and now Andy was the adult encouraging the youth and inspiring a sense of hope.

It was difficult to hear that Andy had passed away in July at such a young age. His death came almost a year to the day that I received that first email. Another circle closed.

For those who want to make a gift in memory of Andy, please click here.