The overwhelming majority of teens and young adults who have contacted Covenant House Missouri for help during the pandemic are experiencing housing insecurity for the first time. “It was pretty astounding; the number of first-time callers has been more than what we’ve ever seen before," said Colleen Daum, who works with the St. Louis nonprofit.
David Kovaluk
/ St. Louis Public Radio
Even before the pandemic, there were dozens of homeless teens and young adults waiting for a shelter bed in the city of St. Louis.
But over the past year, demand has surged, putting pressure on one of the few facilities set up to serve them.