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Our History

Every year, children and youth living in the District of Columbia and surrounding areas face challenges no young person should have to endure. They are homeless, living in poverty, lacking adequate healthcare and victims of violence. A snapshot of the prospects facing these young lives in recent years and into the near future does not look promising¹.

• Nearly 1 out of 5 (19%) of D.C. residents--104,000 people--live at or below the poverty line. This is the second highest poverty rate in the nation.
• 1 in 3 adults read at or below a third grade level
• 3 out of 4 deaths of older teens, ages 1 – 19, are violent in nature
• Sexually transmitted diseases remain a constant threat to youth under 20¹

Yet there is hope.

Born into a small storefront office in southeast Washington, the need for services to help youth in crisis caused Covenant House Washington to expand its program offerings. Since opening our doors in 1995, the agency has provided direct care services to well over 5,000 youth through the Community Service Center. On a typical day, more than 150 youth benefit from the integrated services we provide at our different locations including education, vocational training, prevention services and community outreach. During a typical year, our Crisis Center provides emergency shelter to some 300 youth and their children. We ensure that they receive a nutritious meal and a safe place to sleep.

Covenant House Washington has six locations that assist troubled youth in reclaiming their lives and their dignity. Opened in 2003, The Nancy Dickerson Whitehead Community Service Center was the first building of the Town Hall Education Arts & Recreation Campus (THEARC). Spanning 25,000 square feet, the Community Service Center facility offers one of the most comprehensive programs available for youth, including: skills assessment, educational services, youth advocacy and leadership training, and employment development.

Covenant House Washington understands the challenges that children and youth face on a daily basis, and we put ourselves on the frontline to address these issues head-on. We do this because we believe in their worth, their value, and their dreams.