We who recognize God's providence and fidelity to his people are dedicated to living out his covenant among ourselves and those children we serve, with absolute respect and unconditional love. That commitment calls us to serve suffering children of the street and to protect and safeguard all children. Just as Christ in his humanity is the visible sign of God's presence among his people, so our efforts together in the covenant community are a visible sign that effects the presence of God, working through the Holy Spirit among ourselves and our kids.

In the third millennium Covenant House will continue to fulfill its mission by providing shelter and services to children and youth who are homeless or at great risk. In the spirit of open intake, services will be offered to all youth who seek help, with a priority of concern and commitment to those for whom no other service is available.

We will make every effort to reunite kids with their families.

We will collaborate with community agencies and associations and actively participate in community efforts to improve the condition of families and children.

We will advocate with and on behalf of youth to raise awareness in the community about their suffering. Our mission is based on faith and the belief that all children and youth have a right to love, respect and genuine concern. Our individual and shared spirituality will permeate all of our activities.

Principles 

Immediacy
Young People come to Covenant House Missouri in crisis.  Immiately and without question, we meet their basic human needs - nourishing meal, a shower, clean clothes, medical attention, and a safe place away from the dangers of the street.

Sanctuary
The young people who come to Covenant House are often frightened and mistrustful.  Covenant House protects them form the perils of the street.  Young men and women can grow only when they feel safe and secure.

Value Communication
Lying, cheating, and stealing are common survival tools on the street.  Covenant House teaches by example that caring relationships are based on trust, respect, and honestly.

Structure
Street kids never know how they will get their next meal or where they will sleep.  Covenant House Missouri provides the stability and structure necessary for these young people to focus on building a positive future.

Choice
Young people often feel powerless to control their lives and fall into a self defeating cycle of failure.  Covenant House Missouri encourages young people to believe in themselves and to make smart choices about their future.

Covenant House Missouri at a Glance

• Serves homeless, runaway and at-risk youth from 17 to 21 years of age
• Only St. Louis agency serving solely unfunded youth--those kids who are not wards of the state or juvenile court--who have nowhere else to turn
• Maintains open-intake policy for all youth
• Provides basic necessities for youth--food, shelter and clothing--as well as GED classes, job training & placement, counseling, substance abuse education, health care and recreation
• Also provides an Outreach program and programming with St. Louis City Public Schools
• Internationally, served over 61,000 youth in FY 06
• Locally, served 2186 kids during the past year of FY 06
• Established in St. Louis in 1998
• 21 sites throughout North America, Canada and Latin America
• Not-for-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization

Center For Youth 2727 North Kingshighway Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63113 (314) 533-2241 Rights of Passage--Girls 711 Geyer St. St. Louis, MO  63104 (314) 231-5954

Community Service Center 2256 S. 39th St. St. Louis, MO  63110 (314) 772-6530 Rights of Passage--Boys 2801 Itaska St. St. Louis, MO 63111 (314) 351-4866

History

Covenant House began as a small shelter on the lower east side of Manhattan in New York City in 1969. There are 22 centers now throughout North and Central America. Covenant House International is the largest, privately funded child welfare agency in the Unites States. Last year, Covenant House provided residential and non-residential services to nearly 61,000 youth.

Our programs are designed to assist kids who have nowhere else to turn. Our centers traditionally provide outreach, crisis care, vocational/educational training, mother/child care, substance abuse programs and transitional living programs.

Covenant House Missouri was established in October of 1998 with mobile street outreach. In August of 1999, we opened our Community Service Center, which offers job training and placement, GED preparation, fitness, healthcare, and counseling to youth-at-risk between the ages of 16-21. In June 2001, we opened two transitional living residences called Rights of Passage.

Need for the Program

• There are an estimated 1,000-1,500 homeless youth in the St. Louis area
• 27% of the St. Louis City population is under 18
• The cumulative dropout rate in St. Louis City is 50%
• 17% of St. Louis City youth are having children
• 36% of St. Louis City youth are considered poor
• Covenant House Missouri focuses on youth ages 17-21--a group too old for children’s services, yet too young and inappropriate for adult services

Board of Directors

Stan Musial Erik Solverud Tom Gilliam Dan Woods Marty Hereford Pat Corley Joe Dolan Bob Donnelly Mike Ernst Allen Fore Doreen Gilliam George Putney Jane Schmidt Annie Seal Bill Suntrup Father Ullrich

Emeritus Chairman Vice-Chairman Treasurer Secretary Member-at-large Member-at-large Member-at-large Member-at-large Member-at-large Member-at-large Member-at-large Member-at-large Member-at-large Member-at-large Member-at-large

Senior Staff

Suzanne Wagener Tammie Crumble Terri Butler Theresa Hayden Kristi Sobbe

Executive Director Director of Operations Director of Human Resources Director of Finances Director of Advocacy and Communications

Pictured to the left is CHMO Youth with Senator Dougherty, Alderman Quincy Troupe, and Alderwoman Irene C. Smith. This was taken when the CHMO youth volunteered towards the 2005 summer power outage disaster relief efforts.

CHMO Outreach worker Michael, gives homeless youth crisis information. The Mobile Street Outreach Van goes around the St. Louis Metropolitan area doing outreach to homeless, runaway and at-risk youth as well as answering crisis calls from Covenant House Nineline. The Hotline number is 1-800-999-9999.

CHMO staff Kevin working with youth on GED preparation.

Pictures can be available in PDF upon request.

NINELINE calls by Area Code(1)

General
24.3 % of St. Louis County and 27% of St. Louis City overall population is under the age of 18.

Who are homeless youth?

According to sampling of homeless youth in St. Louis City/ County:(2)

• 8% were orphans, made homeless by the death or illness of a parent.
• As many as 26% had “Aged out” or ran away from the foster care system.
• 24% were forced out of their homes by parents or other adults.
• 66% of youth had been victims of physical or sexual abuse.
• 36% fled this or some other form of family conflict.
• 14% fled the effects of substance abuse in the home.

How many homeless youth are there?

• In FY 2007, the Covenant House, Inc., “9-line”, a national homeless youth hotline, reported 4042 calls for assistance from St. Louis City and County.
• 996 children under 18, in St. Louis City were reported homeless in 2005. (3)

What are the contributing factors of Homelessness?

• 21.3 per 1,000 children are at risk of Abuse/Neglect in St. Louis City.
• In St. Louis City 17.7% of births are to teenage mothers.
• 36.1 % of St. Louis City children under 18 live below the federal poverty level. 9.5% in St. Louis County.
• 15.7% unemployment rate in St. Louis City and 5.2% unemployment rate in the County. (4)