David Gale's journey from homelessness to college has been bumpy, but he believes his experiences will be beneficial when he becomes a social worker.

Gale, 43, said his battle with drugs and alcohol has been a roller coaster ride that started in his early 20s.

"It started when I was in the Navy," he said. "I was in Lebanon in 1983. A saw a lot of things and would drink for stress relief." But the most painful blow was his mother's death that same year. He began to mix alcohol with drugs for a euphoric high that led to a painful crash. The cycle continued as he restlessly moved about from town to town, job to job. "I came to West Virginia in 1998 and returned in 2001," said Gale, a native of Cleveland, Ohio. "When I came here I was homeless. I would go to the men's shelter at night and hang out at the old Covenant House during the day."

Photo: Craig Cunningham David Gale, center, who has gone from homelessness to college, gets encouragement from his friends at Covenant House. Looking over his textbooks in the laundry area are drop-in center coordinators Phil Hainen and Annie Pasel.

At those two locations he met people who helped him change his life. "They knew who I was and spoke to me," he said. "They don't talk at you. They listen to you. They all go out of their way to help you. If they see you trying to do something, they go the extra mile."

He has completed two years at West Virginia State College and volunteers regularly at Covenant House.

"I got blessed with my own apartment," Gale said.

Gale, who has cooked at several facilities, finds jobs that fit his class schedule and uses the bus for transportation. He is now between jobs but he's optimistic.

"Sometimes people help me out," he said. "Another job will come. I have faith in God and myself and believe in miracles. I am one. I have seen things in life I can't explain."

Gale's easy manner and ready smile are punctuated with a light in his eyes when he talks about his friends at the men's shelter and Covenant House. He also talks to family regularly in Cleveland and they offer encouragement. His sister, Kimberly Gale, is a social worker and their brother, John Gale, just retired from the postal service.

Covenant House opened September 1981 by former nuns Barbara Ferraro and Pat Hussey in a 2,500-square-foot house on Quarrier Street.

In 2001, a new 13,000-square-foot facility opened on Shrewsbury Street. Ferraro and Hussey are still co-directors of Covenant House, a collaborative effort of 35 congregations of various faiths. Programs help more than 30,000 people a year in 32 counties.

At Covenant House, people may drop in for a safe place to shower, wash clothes, make a telephone call, receive mail, undergo counseling, or get emergency assistance with rent, utilities, travel or medicine.

From there, people are referred to a food pantry at First Presbyterian Church or a clothing closet at St. Marks United Methodist.

An AIDS Residential and Resource Program offers housing and support services for those with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. There are three houses in Charleston and two staff members who travel throughout southern West Virginia.

Over the years, Covenant House has served as an incubator for agencies that eventually became independent such as Sojourners, West Virginia Health Right, Kanawha Hospice, and some nonprofit housing programs.

The new Covenant House is a yellow as cheery as the hope that shines within. A community effort raised $2.25 million for the facility. Money came from individuals, foundations, businesses and government agencies. The first two floors house programs, offices and the drop-in center while the third floor is used free by area artists as a way of saying thanks for their donations over the years.

In recognition of the Covenant House 25th anniversary, a fundraising campaign is currently in the works to raise $2.5 million for an endowment fund. About $850,000 has already been raised and officials hope the goal will be reached in 2006 during the 25th anniversary year.

Erica Pulling, endowment coordinator, said funds will help pay for existing programs and extend services when possible.

"We get 75 percent of our $1 million budget from grants and the rest from community support," she said. "We are trying to shift our profile. We don't want to be as dependent on government support."

Contributions may be sent to Covenant House, 600 Shrewsbury St., Charleston, W.Va. 25310-1221. For more information e-mail wvcovenanthouse.org or call 344-8053.

© Copyright 2005 Charleston Daily Mail