New volunteers are making a difference already…

Beckah is assisting a youth on Mondays nights with math. Because of her, one of our young men is now re-motivated to complete the GED program.

Sonya is helping our employment counselor, Ms. Eileen, on a weekly basis with administrative duties. Her involvement is now giving Ms. Eileen more time to focus on new classroom projects.

Leslie has been a vital member of the front desk, welcoming people in the afternoons. She is now shifting her talents to help staff with administrative projects, a never-ending duty.

We appreciate each and every person for what they bring to our organization! Volunteers do make a difference for both our youth and staff. If interested in sharing your skills and time with us, please visit our volunteer website and complete the online application. You can also contact Jeanine Simnick with questions at (314) 450-7685 or jsimnick@covenanthousemo.org.

The other night youth gathered to learn from SLU students Jason and Cerena on how to prepare baked chicken, chips and salsa and spinach smoothies. At first the crowd was small, but as the laughter and conversation grew, more and more youth came by the room to see what was being made. Even though the males tended to poke jokes at each other, it was all in good fun. The youth enjoyed themselves while learning how to prepare their own meals.

This is the second of three classes in July. Thanks to Jason and Cerena for their expertise and supplies!

As you can see from the picture, the efforts of our youth have been paying off in cucumbers, peppers, tomatoes and more! The garden serves as a great, ongoing life skill. Way to go CHMO!

The $20,000 in 20 Days Campaign has ended with $15,127 in gifts and pledges. THANK YOU! These last 20 days of the fiscal year have been an exciting time. Staff, volunteers, friends and more were spreading the news about our fundraising goal and bringing back words of support and gifts to our office.

As a result of this community interest, Covenant House Missouri will be in an even stronger position to serve all youth in need. From the youth who needs a meal and bed for the night, to the youth who needs an environment of safety and ongoing comfort. Every day, someone is benefitting from our programs and services. Your interest and support of our organization makes that possible!

Thank you again!

Covenant House Missouri visit on June 24

In June, another group of youth visited the Mary Ryder Home for an afternoon of games and conversations with residents. These young men and women enjoyed the afternoon playing Uno and Wii, sharing stories and appreciating each other’s company.

You may know that the Mary Ryder Home, a nonprofit residential care/assisted living facility, is hard at work providing seniors a safe home, medical attention and an array of programs and services focused on promoting healthy aging.

CHMO looks forward to the ongoing relationship with the Mary Ryder Home. It’s a wonderful opportunity to have two non-profit organizations share in each other’s resource – people!

If you haven’t already done so, please consider making a gift today. Only five more days to go, and each and every gift will impact our campaign goal and ultimately, our services to youth.

Please visit our blog on Friday, July 1 for the final total. We’re excited to see the outcome!

$25 provides a number of meals for our youth in crisis care

$50 covers educational materials to prepare for the GED

$100 helps a homeless youth stay in a warm and safe bed for an evening

With 13 days to go, you still have time to help us. Please take a moment and make that gift today!

Maurice - our new volunteer tutor

We had a new GED tutor start today at Covenant House.  He’s pretty special for a few reasons.  First of all, he’s an English teacher and we’re always grateful to have teachers working with our youth, but maybe more notable is his affiliation with CHMO.  Maurice lived at Covenant House – like all our residents, he began in the crisis program and then progressed into our transitional living program where he thrived.  He was part of our Youth Advisory Council and served as an ambassador for CHMO on several occasions.  He also kept us all up to date on what was happening here through a newsletter he wrote and produced.   Last December, he graduated from Harris Stowe University and moved into his own apartment.  He works with ninth graders in the writing lab at Hazelwood Central.  It’s great to see him in the halls of the Cov again.

This is a call-out to our friends, volunteers and donors of Covenant House Missouri! Today marks the kick-off of our $20,000 in 20 Days Campaign. Our fiscal year ends June 30, and we’re just short of our fundraising goal. With your gift, we’ll raise the needed $20,000!

Regular readers of our blog have seen the faces and read the stories of our special youth. Youth who are striving to find hope and a direction in life. Covenant House Missouri is committed to their cause and able to help because of people like you.

By making a gift today to our Campaign, you are making a difference for one or more of our youth in need! Please take a moment and make that gift today!

We appreciate your continued interest in our organization and welcome your visit!