Carlos Pagan

This year marked the end of a decade of service from Carlos Pagan, the Crisis Center Manager. We wish him well as he moves back to his hometown, but will never forget the impact he had on all who knew him.

Carlos PaganManager

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Carlos Pagan, Former Crisis Center Manager

This year marked the end of a decade of service from Carlos Pagan, the Crisis Center Manager. We wish him well as he moves back to his hometown, but will never forget the impact he had on all who knew him.

Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Carlos came to Michigan for opportunity and growth. The father of four barely knew English when he joined CHM's Outreach Team, but he never gave up. Carlos was a pillar at CHM. He opened the Crisis Center and framed the program.

Thousands of young people came through the center, and all of them went to Carlos for advice, strength and understanding. He was a surrogate father to many who never knew their own. Whether he was playing basketball with the kids, making his famous BBQ, cracking jokes or having serious conversations about life, there was no denying Carlos' love for his job, the kids and the CHM family. He was loyal to the mission and our kids.

Being a family man, Carlos knew his time at CHM would eventually come to an end. He has returned to his roots in Puerto Rico to help care for his aging parents. "It's just not the same without Carlos," say the kids, the staff, and the visitors. And it never will be... Carlos taught us many valuable lessons. He understood where our kids came from, that they were desperate for love, and that they needed to be in a safe place where it was OK to experience happiness in the midst of great hardships. His philosophy, "If we've helped them to smile, we're halfway there," will continue to live on at CHM.

Emery credits Carlos Pagan, Manager of the Crisis Center for his newfound life. "Carlos is #1, he's the reason I'm putting all my effort in being here and getting my life together."

"These homeless young people are able to call the Crisis Center home for up to three months as we meet their immediate needs," said Covenant House Michigan outreach worker, Carlos Pagan."As we gain their trust, we can address deeper issues and help them achieve other goals like completing their GED or finding a job."After their three-month stay, those unable to live independently qualify to join the "Rights of Passage" transitional living program, also located at the Martin Luther King Jr., Blvd site.Participants can be in the program up to two-years.Its purpose is to prepare them to adjust to the responsibilities of living independently."Our main goal has been and will always be, to help as many young people off the streets and into quality lives as we can.