Supporting Young Women on Their Journey Home

Homelessness disproportionately affects young women, who face unique and urgent challenges on the streets. At Covenant House, we are committed to ensuring that every young person—especially young women, some who are mothers—has a safe place to sleep, a warm meal, and access to the care they need to build a brighter future. 

Young women are often at greater risk of homelessness due to factors such as sex trafficking and sexual violence, pregnancy and childcare responsibilities, systemic inequities, and barriers to stable employment and housing. Many arrive at our doors seeking refuge—not just for themselves, but for their children. At Covenant House, we provide trauma-informed, wraparound services, including OBGYN care, period products, parenting support, and childcare, ensuring that young mothers and their little ones have what they need to heal and thrive. 

Globally, women and girls account for 61% of known trafficking survivors, according to the United Nations. In the U.S., 7 in 10 trafficking victims are women and girls. These are the survivors we know about—countless others remain unseen, unheard, and in need of safety. 

At many of our sites, young mothers walk through our doors carrying their children in their arms, seeking a path forward. Our Circle of Security parenting workshops provide them with tools to build strong, nurturing relationships with their children—breaking cycles of trauma and paving the way for a future filled with hope. 

Hannah Collier, a former resident of the Young Families program at Covenant House Georgia, found herself alone after losing her mother to violence. She spent years in the child welfare system before arriving at Covenant House, where she and her young daughter found stability, support, and a community that believed in her. With access to career training and financial resources, Hannah built a future she once thought was out of reach. Today, she serves on Covenant House International’s Board of Directors and holds leadership roles in nonprofit organizations in Atlanta. 

“You see, I know a little bit about this topic because, many years ago, I was a resident at Covenant House New York. It seems like a lifetime ago now, and that’s because Covenant House gave me the support and tools I needed as a young woman—and a young mother—to build the successful, joyful life I’ve lived ever since. I’ve made a career for myself in technology, project management, and teaching, all before I wrote my first book and became certified in meditation and mental health.” 

At Covenant House, we know that young women experiencing homelessness often carry the weight of past trauma, including domestic and sexual violence. That’s why we provide free mental health services at every site—so that young women can process their experiences, persevere through hardship, and build the futures they deserve. Our transitional housing and Rites of Passage programs offer the stability and career pathways they need to achieve financial security and independence. 

At Covenant House, we recognize the disproportionate impact of homelessness on young women. We meet them with open arms and the specialized care they need, whether it’s a warm meal, a safe place to sleep, childcare, or medical care. 

You can be part of this life-changing work. Please consider making a donation to ensure young women and mothers at Covenant House have the support they need to build strong, hopeful futures.