The Cove is a nonprofit organization in Waco, Texas seeking to give youth experiencing homelessness a safe place to thrive. This powerpoint outlines the need and our response.

1. Giving youth experiencing
homelessness a safe place to thrive.

2. “Families and students temporarily
without a home due to fire, living
with a family doubled-up due to
financial hardship, a student not
living with a parent or legal
guardian, or living in a shelter, car,
or unsuitable living space”

3. “A homeless youth not in
the physical custody of a
parent or guardian”

4. Number of homeless youth enrolled
in WISD in grades 9th-12th
Percentage of homeless students
that are unaccompanied
285
32%

5. Waco
High
37%
University 31%DAEP 2%
Brazos
29%
Waco High University High DAEP Brazos High
86enrolled 4schools
(Waco ISD Homeless Outreach Services, 2015)

6. 14
3.5% 15
5.8%
16
11.6%
17
25.6%
18
46.5%
19
7%
Age
9th Grade
14%
10th Grade
23%
11th Grade
29%
12th Grade
34%
Grades
(Waco ISD Homeless Outreach Services, 2015)

7.  Increased likelihood of:
Sexual and emotional abuse
Human trafficking
Depression
Suicide
Substance abuse
 Leads to lack of:
Stable housing
Access to food
Medical insurance and care
Transportation
Jobs
Educational opportunities

8. 1.6-1.7 million Youth experience homelessness
each year in the U.S.
(National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth (NAEHCY), 2015)

9. were abused sexually in their homes
20-40%
(National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth (NAEHCY), 2015)

10. were abused physically40-60%
(National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth (NAEHCY), 2015)

11. 2/3+ report at least one parent who
abuses drugs or alcohol
(National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth (NAEHCY), 2015)

12. 20-40% have been thrown out due to their sexual
orientation or because of pregnancy

13. Access to healthcareSafety/Shelter
Food ClothingAcademic and Emotional Support

14. A teen nurturing center that provides care,
opportunity, value, and empowerment to
high school-aged homeless youth in order
to empower them to thrive as young adults.

15.  The Cove will be a safe place after school that provides:
 Homework help, laptops, Wi-Fi, study space
 Tutors and mentors
 Family-style dinners and healthy snacks
 Washer/dryer for laundry
 Shower and toiletries
 Access to counseling, medical, hair-cutting services, and case
management
 Positive youth development programming
 SNAP and Medicaid outreach

16. The Cove’s goal is to provide support and
strengthen the ability of our students to graduate
from high school with the skills they need to thrive in
college or the workforce, thereby preventing chronic
homelessness.

18. Cheryl Pooler, LCSW
Board Chair
Cheryl.Pooler@wacoisd.org
(254) 755-9433
Rosemary Townsend
Board Member
Rtownsend004@hot.rr.com
(254) 717-7038

19. References
 Krabbenborg, M., Boersma, S., & Wolf, J. (2013). A strengths based method for
homeless youth: Effectiveness and fidelity of Houvast. BMC Public Health, 13, 359.
 McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act of 2001. 42 USC §§11431–11435. Retrieved
from http://www2.ed.gov/programs/homeless/legislation.html
 Ryan, K.D., Kilmer, R.P., Cauce, A.M., Watanabe, H., & Hoyt, D.R. (2000).
Psychological consequences of child maltreatment in homeless adolescents:
Untangling the unique effects of maltreatment and family environment. Child
Abuse and Neglect, 24, 333-352.
 Thompson, S. J., Bender, K., Windsor, L., Cook, M. S., & Williams, T. (2010).
Homeless youth: Characteristics, contributing factors, and service options. Journal
of Human Behavior in the Social Environment 20(2): 193-217.
 Texas Homeless Education Office. (2009). McKinney-Vento Homeless Education
Assistance Act. Charles A. Dana Center University of Texas at Austin.
 National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth (NAEHCY).
(2015). Unaccompanied homeless youth. Retrieved from
http://naehcy.org/educational-resources/youth
 “Best Practices in Interagency Collaboration: Youth Homelessness and Juvenile
Justice,” National Center for Homeless Education, Fall 2011,
http://center.serve.org/nche/downloads/briefs/juv_just.pdf