Covenant House Pennsylvania
Title: Applying Trauma-Sensitive, Strength-Based Approaches in Supporting Youth and Fostering Community Connections
Student Interns:
Melody Gao
University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine
Uvin Ko
University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine
Academic Preceptor:
Hillary R. Bogner, MD, MSCE
University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine
Donald L. Boyer, MD, MSEd
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
Community Preceptor:
Shelby Davies, MD
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
Kenneth R. Ginsburg, MD, MSEd, FAAP
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
Lydia Sit, MD
Covenant House Pennsylvania
Community Site:
Covenant House Pennsylvania provides safe shelter, housing programs, and supportive services for young people aged 18 to 24 who are either experiencing or at risk of homelessness and human trafficking. CHPA welcomes all youth with unconditional love, absolute respect, and relentless support, offering a safe place 24/7 at no cost.
Team’s Experience:
The Bridging the Gaps interns conducted patient intake visits, acute health visits, and preventive health screenings for Covenant House residents. The interns also assisted with interdisciplinary work supporting mental health services, social services, and youth education. In this role, they created an insurance application guide tailored to uninsured Covenant House youth. This resource allows youth to apply for health insurance independently, addressing the lack of insurance as a barrier to healthcare delivery.
Reflections
My time working with the youth and staff at Covenant House has shaped the way I hope to care for patients in the future. I have experienced how much more effective and supportive strength-based and relationship-based medical care can be. While the challenges to providing trauma-sensitive care can be disheartening, my experience at Covenant House has shown me how resilient and compassionate the residents are despite all these barriers. We engaged with patients through a strength-based lens, and this is a perspective that I’ll forward throughout my future training and practice.
Melody Gao
Bridging the Gaps was my first experience with Covenant House, and it was a pivotal time that helped reshape my values and approach as a healthcare provider. Learning how to use strength-based approaches in getting to know and providing care for youth is a skill I’ll take with me for the rest of my career. The interactions and time I shared with the residents, clinicians, and staff here gave me hope that amidst systemic injustice and trauma-filled spaces, there is more than enough room for change, resilience, and growth for everyone involved.
Uvin Ko
Partners
