Chances are you’ve seen them or our van on the streets of Detroit. Covenant House Michigan’s street outreach team is out in our community Monday – Friday and every other Saturday, stopping, checking, handing out hats, coats, gloves, boots, and snacks, and getting people to shelters, warming centers, and other places to receive the vital help they need. When they’re not on the streets, they’re reachable by phone 24/7, and they often go out after hours if needed.
We sat down with Stephanie and Deborah, two angels on wheels, to learn more about their work, what motivates them, and the impact they make every day.
Meet Stephanie Taylor
Q: How long have you been with Covenant House Michigan?
A: For 26 years — 27 in March.
Q: What drives you, and why are you so passionate about this work?
A: For me, it’s a mission. When Covenant House came to Michigan, it provided a safe space for kids and gave us the opportunity to reach out and let young people know there’s help available. Seeing how we can prevent suffering and improve outcomes through outreach inspires me. It’s meaningful work that helps not just young people but also the entire community.
Q: What is your background and training?
A: I worked at Boysville of Michigan for five years and in adult foster care before joining Covenant House. I have a master’s degree in criminal justice, which gave me a foundation in sociology and psychology that’s been invaluable. Covenant House also provides ongoing training, so we’re always learning. The young people we work with also teach us a lot — like creative survival methods or insights about their needs.
Q: What’s it really like out in the streets? Can you describe a typical day?
A: A typical day can involve picking up someone with nowhere to go, taking young people to housing appointments, or ensuring they don’t miss crucial meetings. Many young women are victims of human trafficking and domestic violence. We never know when we pull up who we’ll meet or what their story will be. One time, we drove a young lady to three interviews and she landed a job. Then we helped her get a uniform and bus tickets to get her started. It’s not just about getting them off the streets — it’s about teaching them independence and connecting them to resources.
Q: What surprises you most?
A: It’s the sheer number of young people in need. Many are sleeping in cars, hopping between friends’ houses, or stuck in abusive situations because they don’t know there’s another way. Hearing their stories is eye-opening and often heartbreaking. It’s incredible what they’ve had to do to survive at such a young age. It makes me even more determined to help them know they’re loved and supported.
Q: Based on what you see, what are some of the greatest needs?
A: Housing is always a top priority — finding safe, stable places for young people to live. Transportation and employment support are also huge, like helping them get to interviews. Mental health resources are critical, especially for those dealing with trauma.
Q: Is there anything else you’d like to add?
A: This work is about more than just providing resources — it’s about hope. We’re here to show young people that they’re not alone and that their circumstances don’t define them. It’s an honor to be part of their journey toward stability and independence.
Meet Deborah Norris
Q: How long have you been with Covenant House?
A: I’m new in this role. I’ve been with Covenant House for about half a year.
Q: What’s your background and training?
A: I have extensive training, including CPR certification, HIV testing, counseling, and case management. In Florida, I worked at Overflow Health Alliance, helping homeless individuals and those with HIV. We ran a clinic that provided testing and treatment, offering hope and guidance to those in need.
Q: What is a typical day like doing street outreach?
A: A typical day starts with paperwork and waiting for the phone to ring. Once it does, we’re off! Whether someone needs food, a ride to a job interview, or just resources, we’re out in the streets of Detroit and across Wayne County, helping where we can. Sometimes we’re in Inkster, Romulus, or Westland — wherever the calls take us. Every day we start and end with prayer, asking for grace and thanking God.
Q: Based on what you see, what are the greatest needs in the community?
A: The basics, like food and housing, are the biggest needs. Food insecurity is a big problem — some people can’t get food stamps or have been kicked off them, and they’re not earning enough to buy groceries. Housing is another major issue —it’s expensive and often out of reach.
Q: Anything else you’d like to add?
A: Covenant House is the best job ever, and I plan to retire here. I admire people like Miss Stephanie, who has been here for 26 years, and I want to leave a similar legacy. Covenant House does what it says it’s going to do, and that’s why I love working here.
If you are a youth ages 18-24 in crisis in the Detroit area, call (313) 305-0311 between 9 a.m and 5 p.m. on weekdays. After hours or on weekends, call (313) 463-2500. To learn more about our team and the work we do or support Covenant House Michigan, visit: covenanthousemi.org.
