Services and Statistics

Common Youth Problems

1.3 million kids run away from home each year and that number doesn't include teens who are thrown out or chronically homeless. They come from all socio-economic and ethnic-cultural backgrounds, so there is no typical profile of street kids. Common issues/problems among Covenant House Florida kids, however, include:

Runaway/Homeless History

• 100% are homeless—with family conflict, drug and alcohol abuse, and family violence as the most common causes

• 76% did not sleep at their parent/guardian's home the night before arrival

• 61% were not living with their parent/guardian consistently for the past year

• 34% had previous runaway experiences; of those with runaway histories:

  • 62% had one or more runaway episodes at age 14 or younger

  • 44% ran away five or more times

Abuse Account

• 52% were abused; of those with a history of abuse:

  • 56% recount physical abuse

  • 29% recount sexual abuse

  • 15% recount emotional/verbal abuse

Family Situation

• 80% are from single-parent families

• 17% were in foster care

Physical and Mental Health Condition

• 38% have acute health problems—with respiratory conditions, injuries, and skin disorders most prevalent

• 61% are depressed

Substance Abuse Chronicle

• 62% have used drugs—a percentage almost double the rate among American teens cited in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' 2003 Monitoring the Future Survey; of those in CHAMP (Covenant House Addictions Management Project):

  • 88% report marijuana as their drug of choice with 100% affirming their first use at age 16 or younger and 45% affirming their first use at age 13 or younger

Educational Status

• 84% of youths without a high school diploma have dropped out or are not attending school; of those who enroll in our on-site one-room school, the average reading level is grade 7.5, and the average math level is grade 6.3

Employment Record

• 90% are unemployed

Vital Services 

• Street Outreach by van and foot

• Shelter Care—nourishing meals, clean clothes, and a safe place to sleep

  • 104 beds Ft. Lauderdale

  • 48 beds Orlando

• Counseling, Case Management, and Referrals

• Health Services at on-site clinics

• Family Reunification—whenever possible

• Substance Abuse Intervention—drug and alcohol education at both sites; treatment including (CHAMP) Covenant House Addictions Management Project in Ft. Lauderdale and by referral in Orlando

• Pregnancy Prevention/Teen Parent Education

• Education—full-time school for younger teens on-site in Ft. Lauderdale, at area schools in Orlando; classes toward high school equivalency (GED—General Educational Development) at both sites

• Job Readiness—help for older teens in finding and maintaining jobs

• Life Skills Instruction—guidance for older teens on budgeting and preparing to live on their own

• Transportation Assistance—for local referrals and job search and for return home

• Pastoral Ministry—voluntary spiritual guidance and prayer services

• Rights of Passage—transitional housing for older teens bridging into independent living

• Aftercare/Walk-In Services

Click on the links below for Covenant House Florida statistics:

Ft. Lauderdale

Orlando

Contact Us          Donate Now