At The Cove, we take a multi-faceted approach to serving our teens.
Get in touch for help
Call or Text
(254) 207-0789*
youth@thecovewaco.org
Drop-in
524 W Waco Drive, Waco, Texas, 76707
Mondays to Thursdays, 9am to 5pm
Fridays by appointment
Note: The Cove is closed at weekends and Federal holidays, call or text ahead at (254) 207-0789* if unsure.
* By contacting The Cove - Heart of Texas, Inc via text or by providing your phone number, you consent to receive text message responses in relation to your initial communication. Message frequency varies. Message and data rates may apply. You may opt out of receiving text SMS at any time by replying STOP or by sending an email to hello@thecovewaco.org. Reply HELP for Support.
WE PROVIDE
A daily hot meal, non-perishable food items, snacks and other healthy options
Access to tutors and other learning services
Transportation
Counseling & individualized support
Access to a shower
Access to a washer & dryer
Access to hygiene items
Access to healthy, caring adults
Who we serve
High school aged youth (14-18-years) who have not yet graduated
Experiencing homelessness or who are in housing need
Accompanied or unaccompanied youth (if a parent or guardian is physically present with the youth)
“homelessness”?
Usually, homelessness refers to the experience of having difficulty with getting or keeping a home. There are many situations that can be described as experiencing homelessness or housing difficulty, some are listed below. Often, the experiencing homelessness happens because you or your parent/guardian cannot afford your own home.
Living in someone else’s home because you are financially struggling
You cannot live in your home because of damage, lack of utilities, lack of suitable space, or other physical problems with the building
You have been asked to leave by the owner of your home
You are not safe in your home and have had to leave
You are living somewhere outside or not meant for humans (e.g., a park, car, abandoned building, etc.)
You are living in a shelter or transitional housing
OUR PROGRAMS
Nurturing Drop-in center
Our drop-in center is open from 9am - 4pm (through a federal grant from the Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program), Monday - Thursday, and Friday by appointment. Young people are able to stop by throughout the day for their individual needs. We’ve helped teenagers re-enroll in school, fill out job applications, college applications, and more. Each day, we ensure that each young person served at The Cove has a safe place to stay the night.
In the 2022-2023 academic school year, The Cove served 162 youth that were experiencing homelessness.
After-school programming - Fall/Spring semester
Teenagers are able to attend after-school programming, Monday - Thursday, 4pm - 8pm. The Cove partners with Waco ISD, La Vega ISD, and Midway ISD to support teenagers that are experiencing homelessness. Through our partnerships, Cove staff work closely with homeless liaisons, counselors, and other high school staff to find and support those youth in need of our services.
Through our Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with these school partners, transportation to The Cove is provided by those school districts. At the end of after-school programming, The Cove provides transportation for youth to their safe place for the night.
School Outreach
In order to find and serve more high school-aged youth, we’ve increased our outreach efforts by having Cove staff meet youth on school campuses every day of the week. We've discovered that youth are working after school to support themselves, family, or attending other positive activities after school. Therefore, youth are unable to attend after-school programming at The Cove.
In response, we've added out-of-office services to support youth in ways that best fit their needs. Through these services, youth have access to non-perishable food items, hygiene items, case management, and more, even if they are unable to visit The Cove.
