Tonight, more than one million kids will sleep outside on America's streets.
Who are We?
Covenant House Missouri (CHMO) is a non-profit organization that empowers homeless, runaway and at-risk youth to live independently and become contributing members of our community.
With open doors and open hearts, CHMO gives homeless teens hope and the opportunity to break the cycle of chronic homelessness and unemployment.
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Brittney
Brittney is a 19-year-old female from North St. Louis who wants others to learn from her experiences.
Brittney grew up in a large family of five children. Her parents divorced when she was 13-years-old and at that point her brothers and sisters were split up. Brittney went to live with her mother and that's when she learned some hard lessons about life.
"My mom had chest pains and passed out. She wound up in the hospital and we were put out of our apartment because mom couldn't pay rent" says Brittney who wound up staying with various relatives until her mom got healthy again.
At age 16 Brittney was still living with her mom but she became rebellious and dropped out of high school. "I wanted to get into the Job Corps but they wouldn't let me in" says Brittney. "Mom tried to talk me back into school but it was too late."
Brittney's mother moved her to South St. Louis when she was 17. It was there that Brittney met a new friend named Tanisha who recommended her to Covenant House of Missouri. "I looked to Covenant House for job training" says Brittney who received her job training certificate not long after signing up. "They helped me find work, learn how to dress, talk, and have basic presentation skills."
Brittney is now employed at a retail store in South St. Louis while she works on her GED through Covenant House. "I took the test in early February and I hope to get the results soon" says Brittney. It's important to her that she does well on the test because she wants to attend college soon.
A few things have changed in Brittney's life since she came to Covenant House Missouri. She has made a couple of good friends and is back in contact with two of her brothers and her older sister. "I've been telling them about my experience here and that I'm doing good. I'm also helping my mom out with rent and the bills. They are proud of me."
On many occasions Brittney dreams about becoming a model but she realizes that a backup plan is needed in case that doesn't work. Brittney's backup plan is to attend Forest Park College to get her nursing degree. "I want to work in a hospital one day and have my own home, a husband, and two or three kids."
Brittney has an inspirational message for others who are looking to meet the challenges of life. "You've got to look at life as a challenge and you have to keep working hard at it. If you fall down you get back up."
Overcoming shyness has been difficult for Brittney but she wants others to know about her positive experiences at Covenant House. "Mrs. Kristi, Mrs. Eileen, Mr. Kevin, and Mrs. Jessica have all been very helpful...very sweet kind people with big hearts. Follow me and you'll be led somewhere that's peaceful, with love, help and care and not be afraid. They'll love you like family."
