After working as Homeless Liaison for Waco Independent School District for five years, Cheryl Pooler saw a huge problem. As she met with student after student who had been abused, abandoned, or kicked out of his or her home, she knew that they needed a safe place to go after the school bell rang each afternoon. She knew that these students deserved a chance to succeed and that the Waco community would not stand to see them fall through the cracks into chronic homelessness. 

Cheryl started researching best practices around the country and found that an after school teen nurturing center was what Waco needed to ensure that these vulnerable students were empowered and equipped to graduate high school and achieve their goals. Cheryl reached out, and the community responded. In the summer of 2015, Cheryl Pooler and community volunteer Rosemary Townsend founded the Cove and formed the Board of Directors. The Cove is initially molded after the NEST in Georgetown, TX.  

In October 2016, began serving its first cohort of students. In the 2016 - 17 school year, The Cove served 61 individual students. Since our inception in 2016, The Cove has provided supportive services to 295 young people, with 93% of seniors served graduating from local high schools. We are so excited about the ways in which the Cove is making an impact in the lives of students and serving the Waco community. 

The Need

248 high school students were identified as homeless in the Waco Independent School District in the 2020-2021 school year.

86 of those students are also unaccompanied, meaning they are not in the care of a parent or guardian. Fewer than 25% of homeless students in Texas and across the U.S. graduate from high school. Youth homelessness is not only a problem in Waco, but across the nation. It's estimated that over 1.6 million youth experience homelessness each year. 

Homeless youth are some of the most vulnerable youth in Waco.

Most of these young people leave home because of severe family dysfunction, including abuse and neglect. Studies have found that 20-40% of unaccompanied homeless youth were abused sexually in their homes, while 40-60% were abused physically (NAEHCY). Often times, this abuse is what has led to their current situation of homelessness. These types of abuse and conflict are linked to higher rates of depression and attempted suicide, as well as poor physical health.

Many homeless youth are forced to trade their bodies for a shower, a hot meal, or a bed. In fact, out of all the factors that may increase a youth’s vulnerability to sex trafficking, homelessness is widely considered to be the most direct contributor (Estes and Weiner 2001, Institute of Medicine and National Research Council). Experts have reported that within 48 hours of running away, an adolescent is likely to be approached to participate in prostitution or another form of commercial sexual exploitation (Spangenberg, 2001).

Youth unemployment is a huge issue for our community.

Many students who do graduate from high school do not find gainful employment. In 2012, the Upjohn institute studied the City of Waco and found that in terms of living in poverty, 16-24 year olds were the most likely to be unemployed. The Financial Security Steering Committee of Prosper Waco has identified “increasing youth employment” as one of their three top goals. Because these students do not have stable housing and are often moving from place to place, access to food, medical insurance and care, transportation, jobs, and educational opportunities is extremely difficult. 

What we do