Success Stories

Words From Steven

Hi, my name is Steven Johnson and I’m a student at Covenant House Missouri. I want to tell you a little bit about myself. I was born 7-23-88 in St. Louis, Mo. I was raised on the Southside, in the McRee area. It’s a poor, violent neighborhood, many call it is the slums. A lot of murders, drugs and guns, but what people don’t realize is there are also good people in the neighborhood too. It’s hard to stay focused in an environment like that. I started off playing football, going to school everyday and attending church services on the weekends. Then I fell into the trap of gangbanging, I dropped out of school and sports, started going to juvenile detention, Division of Youth Services and the work house because of drugs. I just went down hill. I didn’t have any positive support from my peers, they were supporting all the wrong things. I grew up in a single parent household with five siblings, so it was easy to do the wrong things.

By the time I was 19 I was worn out, I couldn't talk any more. Nine of my homies got shot, five of which had died. I didn’t know what to think! I saw a lot of people get shot but when someone close to you gets murdered it's harder than you can imagine! I didn’t know what to do. My eyes started to really open when a friend of mine got shot in the head with an AK-47 in a drive by shooting…right in front of my eyes! He died in my arms. I was lost, pissed off. My Probation officer was on my back, there were problems at my house, I dropped out of school, had no job, and now this tragedy happened. I lost my dog, my friend, I felt trapped in a corner, so I turned to Covenant House Missouri.

I told them about myself and my problems, they helped me five million percent. They told me about job classes so I went everyday. They gave me a job, helped me with my GED, and asked me to attend Drug Abuse classes. Not only that, but they supported me all the way to the fullest, they believed in me more then I believed in myself. I like that they listen to what I have to say, cause that was a big thing, didn’t nobody want to listen. I learned a lot from CHMO. I don’t know how to repay them. If I gave them a million it’s still not enough. I was in pain but when I step in CHMO it’s like comfortable, like it’s my homies, like a church or somewhere I can be myself. I don’t have to be something I’m not, it’s like this is where I belong. My day ain’t right without coming here, showing my face. They keep me going in a straight path, no turns, no stops or nothing…just a straight path. CHMO motivated me so much I don’t know how to repay them. I’m not an angel but I am a better man. I try to show CHMO that I appreciate the things they do for me by coming everyday, learning and listening to who ever. I don’t want to let CHMO down. I never had the chance tell them before now…what I really want to say is THANK YOU!!

Steven J.

Taniece is 18 years old and she lives at Covenant House Missouri’s Rights of Passage Geyer house. Taniece’s family lives in St. Louis, but due to conflict with her mother’s boyfriend, Taniece called the nine line for crisis shelter and left her family home.

Taniece is the eldest of seven. Taniece has three brothers and three sisters and remains an important part of their lives. Even though Taniece is not living with her family at this time, she remains in a caregiver role. For example, Taniece gathered clothes from our clothing donations for her younger siblings to wear this summer.

Since moving in at the girls’ house, Taniece enrolled at the Community Service Center. Taniece is very consistent in her attendance and will be taking her GED exam within the month. Taniece will be the first person in her family to earn a GED. Taniece has also secured a part time job. In her spare time, Taniece enjoys reading and has a passion for drawing.

Some of Taniece’s plans for the future include continuing her education at a technical school for electronics, specifically radio repair and possibly becoming a radio personality. Taniece said, “I want to go to college and set a good example for my younger brothers and sisters”. Taniece plans to stay in the Rights of Passage program for the full eighteen months and save money for her own apartment. Originally, Taniece was not planning on staying at the Geyer house, she was planning on enrolling at Job Corps, but Taniece said, “I feel welcome here, it feels just like I’m at home“.

Ricky is 19 years old. Ricky came to Covenant House Missouri’s Community Service Center through Job Corps. Through hard work and dedication, Ricky earned his GED. Ricky has represented Covenant House Missouri’s youth at a board meeting, by presenting a board member with a special gift.

Ricky lives with his parents, and they are an important part of his life. Ricky lost a brother to street violence. Following his family’s tragic loss, Ricky attended Camp Courage. Camp Courage is a summer camp for youth who have lost an immediate family member. Because of his own experience at camp courage, Ricky volunteered as a peer counselor at the camp this summer. Ricky has also completed the necessary training to be a peer counselor at the Community Service Center.

Ricky enjoys bicycling and when information became available about the annual CHMO Blue Angels bike event in Lake Tahoe, NV, Ricky was excited! Ricky started working with CHMO staff to raise funds for the trip. Ricky began training with the team in St. Louis in preparation for the big event. Ricky raised enough money to go on the trip and he rode approximately 45 miles around the lake. Through this trip, Ricky experienced his first air plane flight and was part of a team atmosphere.

Ricky’s plans for the future include, continuing his education, securing full time employment, and continuing to give back to those that have made a difference in his life.