Teen Support: Covenant House Missouri

One young woman recently graduated from UMSL with a nursing degree, well on her way to a successful career. But she wasn’t always on a positive path. Homeless as a teen, she faced numerous traumatic experiences. Thankfully, she found her way to Covenant House Missouri (CHMO), which helps and empowers homeless, runaway and at-risk youth. “That young lady, who spent a year in our transitional living program, had a dream for herself, and we’re so proud of what she’s accomplished,” says CHMO executive director Suzanne Wagener.

Established locally in 1998, CHMO is an affiliate of Covenant House International, which operates 21 sites in six countries. Each year, the local chapter, which works with teens between the ages of 16 and 21, reaches thousands through its programs and intensive outreach efforts. Food, shelter and a warm bed are the most immediate needs of homeless youth, but CHMO goes far beyond the basics. “Our mission is to accept any youth regardless of circumstance or background,” Wagener says. “We get them to a safe place, stabilize them, and provide them with support and the resources they need to function as independent members of the community.”

There are many reasons, all heartbreaking, for teens to become homeless, Wagener says. “Family dysfunction is the No. 1 reason, but it can be anything from chemical dependency to chronic poverty or mental illness,” she explains. Besides emergency shelter, CHMO provides educational resources, job and life skills training, personal counseling, and drug abuse support and prevention services. Its extensive transitional living program houses teens for up to two years and teaches them vital life skills like paying rent, creating a budget and holding down a job.

Many CHMO teens are in a precarious emotional or psychological state, and to better care for them, the nonprofit is moving toward a trauma-informed care model, Wagener explains. “The kids we work with have had multiple traumas, which impacts their mental, emotional and cognitive development,” she says. “This model helps us understand, recognize and respond to the effects of all types of trauma, and it helps us to more effectively meet the youth where they are by caring for the whole individual—physically, psychologically and emotionally. The focus is on helping them rebuild a sense of control and empowerment.”

To provide vital services to St. Louis’ homeless teens and help them thrive, CHMO relies on community support, including through its upcoming Executive Sleep-Out Event Nov. 19. After touring the facility and learning about CHMO’s work, attendees will participate in roundtable discussions with CHMO teens. Then, sleepers go outside to brave the cold night. Last year, approximately 30 executives participated, raising more than $200,000. This year’s sleepers include event co-chairs Robin and Tim Wentworth, CEO of Express Scripts. Also attending are CHMO board chair Paul Kindl and wife Donna, and Diane Compardo of Moneta Group.

“People walk away with a different perspective on what a homeless teen is like,” Wagener says. “They understand that these kids have dreams and goals similar to those of their own teens at home, but they lack the resources to be able to fulfill them or are lost and need guidance and support.”

Featured image: Event co-chair Robin Wentworth, executive director Suzanne Wagener, and co-chair Tim Wentworth with Covenant House clients Caleb and Patience
Photo: Colin Miller of Strauss Peyton
Cover Design by Julie Streiler | Cover photo by Tim Parker Photography

[Covenant House Missouri, which helps and empowers homeless, runaway and at-risk youth to live independently, hosts its fourth annual Executive Sleep-Out Event Nov. 19. Pictured on the cover: event co-chairs Robin and Tim Wentworth with Covenant House clients Caleb and Patience and dog Bolt. For more information, call 314.450.7685 or visit covenanthousemo.org.]