Ebony’s Story
Posted by Sue Wagener | Filed under Covenant House Youth
In just four months, 19-year-old Ebony’s life has changed in ways she never could have imagined.
“If you want to get somewhere in life, you just have to go for it. I took a chance. I just put God on my side,” said Ebony. With an attitude like this, it is hard to believe that just four months ago, Ebony was homeless and without hope.
Prior to being homeless, Ebony lived in New Orleans, Louisiana with her mother, who was in an abusive relationship. Ebony knew she needed to get away, but she didn’t know where to turn. She saved as much money as she could to buy a ticket on the bus out of town.
“I didn’t really know where to go so I just decided to go to somewhere far away,” she said. Upon arriving in Memphis, Tennessee, Ebony decided to get back on the road again, purchasing a ticket to St. Louis. When she arrived in St. Louis, she was surprised by the cold weather.
“I had never experienced cold like this before,” she explained. So she continued travelling by bus until she knew she only had enough money for one more ticket. In her heart, she felt she needed to go back to St. Louis.
When she arrived in St. Louis the second time, she met and befriended a Samaritan who allowed Ebony to stay in her home for a night. The next day, Ebony met another woman, told the woman about her situation, and the woman called the police.
“They took me to this shelter, but it just didn’t look right. I was really glad when I didn’t have to stay there,” she said. Fortunately, the police were able to get in touch with the staff at Covenant House Missouri, and they were able to welcome Ebony into their emergency crisis program. Ebony’s biggest surprise when she arrived at Covenant House was how nice the living space was. She says, “It was not what I thought a shelter would be.”
Eventually, Ebony made the next step into the Transitional Living program. Ebony has been living at Covenant House for about four months now, and she has accomplished more in that time than she could have dreamed.
“I’ve been working hard on my GED. I just have one more test to see if I get it, but I’ve taken the practice test,” she said. “I am also working with the Garden Rangers as my job.” Ebony now has goals for her future that include continuing to work toward her GED, keep her part time job, attending college and eventually becoming a registered nurse.
“I just keep setting goals for myself. I feel like now I really have potential,” she says. “I’ve had a lot of down times in my life, and since I’ve been here at Covenant House, things are coming around.”
Tags: CHMO, Covenant House, Covenant House Missouri, homeless, homeless youth, Saint Louis, St. Louis, Youth Success
Facts about Missouri’s Youth in Crisis
Posted by Sue Wagener | Filed under Covenant House Youth
The Covenant House Institute recently completed a year long survey of homeless youth served in our crisis center. Some of the findings:
- 47% reported physical abuse
- 31% reported sexual abuse
- 19% were raped
- 42% witnessed violence in their homes
- 43% had spent time in foster care
- 74% were unemployed
- 54% lacked a high school diploma or GED equivalent
This is why we open our doors to homeless youth and provide a place where they can feel safe, secure and cared for.
Tags: CHMO, Covenant House, Covenant House Missouri, homeless, homeless youth, Saint Louis, St. Louis, Troubled Youth, Troubled Youth Statistics
Volunteer Story:Kurt Wagner
Posted by Sue Wagener | Filed under Volunteers
Kurt is a Washington University graduate student who’s been tutoring our youth every week since October. His favorite thing about working at CHMO is the opportunity to directly influence other lives.
“Seeing the students I have worked with grow and develop intellectually so quickly is exciting for me,” says Kurt.
He also says the experience has been humbling because he hears stories about what our kids have endured yet they continue to be motivated and optimistic. “With a little support and self-confidence, everyone I have worked with at Covenant House can succeed well beyond their own expectations.” We are so grateful to Kurt and all our tutors for their dedication and time.
Tags: covenant house volunteers
President’s Report
Posted by Sue Wagener | Filed under Announcements, Covenant House Youth
“This offers an overview of Covenant House’s work in the Americas in fiscal year 2009. Despite the economic recession, we gave shelter to more than 13,000 kids in our crisis centers, served nearly 2,000 kids in Rights of Passage, and housed an additional 273 kids in our apartment programs. We placed more than 2,500 youth in jobs and offered medical care to more than 10,000 kids. We provided immediate assistance to almost 40,000 young people through street outreach, and our public education and prevention programs reached over 54,000 youth. In the U.S., the NINELINE provided counseling and referrals to 40,595 youth and families in crisis.
Our mission remains vital, despite indeed, because of the times. Our kids are our cause. We believe in their promise and strive to be their hope and their love on their journeys from the streets.” Kevin Ryan, President, Covenant House International
Tags: CHMO, Covenant House, Covenant House Missouri, Covenant House President, Covenant House Statistics, homeless, homeless youth, Saint Louis, St. Louis, Troubled Youth, Troubled Youth Statistics
