Covenant House is thankful for Anthony

The first time he came to our shelter, he was 15 years old. By then he'd already slept in parking lots, park benches and friends' couches. He'd already eaten out of garbage cans. Anthony Schaffer had already left his home two years earlier, when he was just 13.

At six months old, his biological mother left him in a shed. He remained there alone for three days before being discovered and rushed to the hospital. He couldn't eat. He couldn't urinate. He was barely alive. He was adopted through the foster care system, but shortly after his 13th birthday, his adoptive mother decided to leave as well. Although Anthony and his adoptive mother are on good terms now, she left for Canada 12 years ago and has not been back to Alaska since. These memories, a backpack and the clothes he had on was all he carried the first time he walked through the doors of Covenant House Alaska.

Between the ages of 15 and 19, Anthony would check in and out of Covenant House multiple times. He would be in and out of detention centers and mental hospitals. He would battle drug addictions and other kids. He'd be suspended from school. Our doors always remained open to him. And Anthony eventually found his way. He beat the drugs. He remained employed and was repeatedly promoted. He became the lightweight boxing champion in Alaska. In short, Anthony thrived.

We're grateful that Anthony found Covenant House and had the strength to take us up on the support offered. Some aspects of his story are far too familiar to us. Many of our kids run away to escape abuse and neglect. Last year, Covenant House Alaska served over 3,000 youth. Nearly 60 percent of the youth who come to our emergency shelter have been involved with the foster care system.

Covenant House operates a Crisis Center that is open to homeless youth 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We support youth as they move safely and successfully into adulthood through our two long-term transitional living programs. We operate street outreach and ensure our kids have assistance with resumes, employment and education through our Community Services Center. We provide food, shelter, medical care, safety and support to our kids. They provide courage and hope. More often than not, this combination leads to healthy, independent adults who are safely housed . . . and off the street.

Anthony decided to express his gratitude by paying it forward this Thanksgiving. As an employee of Orso Restaurant, he inspired the staff and owners to lend their time, talent and restaurant to create a traditional Thanksgiving meal for homeless youth. Orso will be open to Covenant House's kids on Thanksgiving Day. They'll be treated to a restaurant quality feast. Anthony will be orchestrating the entire event.

While finalizing the Thanksgiving plans with Covenant House and ORSO employees, Anthony looked up and simply said, "Thank you for helping me realize my dream of giving back." Our response? This young man has come full circle. He rose up to meet life's challenges. Now he is ensuring that the next generation of Covenant House kids realize their dreams. Anthony, we will be thankful for you this Thanksgiving.

Deirdre A. Cronin is the executive director of Covenant House Alaska.