About The Covering House
Helping sexually trafficked and exploited children and teens heal from their trauma.
Mission
History
In 2008, Founder Dedee Lhamon viewed a documentary highlighting the devastating epidemic of minor sex trafficking right here in St. Louis. At that time, St. Louis ranked 13th nationwide for the trafficking of children, and access to recovery services was tragically scarce. In response, Lhamon raised funds and awareness, incorporating The Covering House in January 2009. Community-Based Services launched in 2013 and the residential home opened in 2015. In the following years, the prevention and early intervention programs, Reducing the Risk and Trafficking 101 were created.
Our experience is that trafficking can happen to any child and is usually hidden in plain sight; 90% of our clients have been trafficked by someone they know, often a boyfriend or a relative, and are 15 years old on average. Our residential home can accommodate five female youth ages 12-18 at one time. The Covering House anticipates opening a new campus in late 2025 doubling the residential capacity. The new campus will allow for expansion and provide additional space for Community-Based Services, new programs, and TCH headquarters. The Covering House plans to become a child placement agency and begin a Therapeutic Foster Care program in the coming years. This will open our services to younger youth and boys, and create a step-down from the residential home.
Services
Youth Residential Home
Provides 24/7 residential care to youth aged 12-18 for a period of 12-15 months. Services include individual and group therapy, a full in-house education program, recreation, and sensory integration. Our home is licensed with Missouri Children’s Division as a Level III youth residential facility.
Community-Based Services (CBS)
Provides intensive therapy and case management to clients in the community. CBS also provides ongoing aftercare and support for youth graduating from our residential home.
Reducing the Risk & Trafficking 101
Prevention and early intervention programs designed to educate the greater community including students, parents, and school faculty on red flags, protective factors, and recovery services specific to sex trafficking.
Quilt Square Logo
During the Underground Railroad, it is said that slaves fleeing for their freedom would know which homes were a safe refuge by the types of quilts hanging on their porches. This is why The Covering House logo is a quilt square. The Covering House is a safe refuge for youth fleeing sex trafficking, modern day slavery. Each youth receives their own quilt when they arrive at our residential home, which is both symbolic and provides them with comfort and security.
2024 Highlights
Thank you for providing life-saving services to sexually exploited and trafficked children and teens and prevention training to at-risk youth in 2024.
You provided:
26 youths with services
1,052 safe nights of shelter
1,006 community members with awareness and prevention training
Your donation to The Covering House helps youth heal from the trauma of sex trafficking and exploitation. As a 501(c)3, your donation is tax-deductible. Additionally, if you pay Missouri taxes, you may receive tax credits which are in addition to and different than tax deductions. Tax credits are for 70% of your donation. For example, if you give $1,000 to The Covering House, you may receive $700 directly reduced from the taxes you owe to the State of Missouri. More information on tax credits can be found here.
Below you can find information on our most recent financials.