The Covering House

11/12/2025

Who else saw the northern lights last night? What a beautiful surprise!

Shout out to our staff who work overnights to ensure our girls are safe and have what they need throughout the night.

11/11/2025

Safety, dignity, and freedom are core to The Covering House's mission. Today, we honor the brave men and women who have served our country with courage and dedication to provide safety, dignity, and freedom for us all. To all veterans: THANK YOU for your service and sacrifice!

11/10/2025

We have seen this play out with many of the youth we serve. Sadly, it's often the people who should love and protect them who are the perpetrators. And for that boy or young man doing the trafficking, that may have been his experience as well. As this survivor shares, it nowhere near makes it okay, but we can begin to understand the cycle of abuse and trauma that can occur.

Please listen to Michell's episode of our Invading The Darkness podcast. She shares such impactful information from both her personal experience as a survivor of familial trafficking and as a professional in the field. Season 3 Episode 6 invadingthedarkness.org.

Familial s*x trafficking occurs when a child is exploited for s*x by a family member or guardian, often in exchange for something of value: money, drugs, rent, or even basic necessities.

Unlike media portrayals of trafficking, familial trafficking doesn't always involve abduction or movement. It thrives in silence and dependence, where a child's trust, fear, or love for their family can be manipulated against them.

Victims often don't disclose because the trafficker is someone they love, rely on, or have been taught to protect.

Recognizing familial trafficking requires more than spotting 'stranger danger.' It means understanding the dynamics of control, secrecy, and survival that keep children trapped—and equipping communities to respond with care and justice.

11/09/2025

Who doesn't love going to the pumpkin patch? Our girls recently enjoyed picking out pumpkins to decorate the home for fall!

11/07/2025

Here at TCH, we often say we are "reimbursing childhood," but what does this mean? Reimbursing childhood is giving back what was taken. The girls in the residential home have had their childhood stolen from them, and we help to restore a glimpse of what they could have had. That could look like celebrating a birthday, going on a day trip, visiting a park, going to the movies, coloring, or just allowing them to be kids. We want to provide opportunities they might otherwise not experience. Thank you for partnering with us to help that happen.

*xtrafficking *xualexploitation

11/05/2025

I am The Covering House.

I believe all youth deserve safety, dignity, and freedom. I help s*x trafficked and s*xually exploited youth from the greater St. Louis area and across Missouri by providing services and support to help them heal from their trauma.

I'm passionate about stopping s*xual exploitation before it starts, that's why I go into the community to provide prevention trainings to St. Louis area churches, community groups, businesses, and schools.

I am St. Louis.

11/03/2025

A job at The Covering House is more than just a job; you are helping bring safety, dignity, and freedom to youth healing from the traumas of s*x trafficking and exploitation. Join our team and apply today at thecoveringhouse.org/careers

11/01/2025

"I am so thankful to be here and to be safe."

Our residential home is a safe refuge where girls can heal from the trauma they've experienced. One of our clients recently shared the above with one of our staff members. Thank you for making this safe home possible for her.

10/31/2025

Happy Halloween! 🎃 The girls at the residential home had a trunk or treat with staff this week. We asked them a few questions and have some important info to share:

What was your favorite candy? "Snickers and pink Starbursts"
What were your favorite costumes? "Ms. Mel's bedsheet ghost and Ms. Suzy's witch costume"

Shout out to our staff for making sure holidays and special occasions are special for our girls!

10/29/2025

It is vital to know what your kids are watching and what apps they are using. Many parents give their kids a tablet when they are young to keep them occupied. But what parents don't see could be harming their kids. Gaming and video apps have messages coming across to plant ideas in children's young minds. Some platforms have chats where kids could be talking to other people, some of whom lie about their age and who they are. Ask your kids if they chat with others, view their history, watch what they watch, be aware, and be safe.

*xualexploitation *xtrafficking

10/27/2025

Fall is here! What are some of your favorite things to do or see? The girls at our residential home have been doing fall crafts and you better believe they're excited for Halloween candy. We hope you'll get out and enjoy the leaves, bonfires, cozy drinks, and time with family this season.

10/26/2025

Two weeks ago, we concluded the 6th Annual F3 Activity Challenge! The generous men of F3 St. Louis raised over $130,000 to provide youth at The Covering House with the services and support they need to heal from their trauma! And they got a workout doing it, logging over 18,000 miles of running, walking, biking, etc.

A big THANK YOU to everyone who helped make this another successful Activity Challenge!

*BONUS: Did you know that F3 St. Louis helped F3 groups from around the country start challenges in their own cities to fundraise and fight s*x trafficking locally? These guys are serious about helping survivors!