In 2008, Founder Dedee Lhamon viewed a documentary highlighting the devastating epidemic of minor sex trafficking right here in St. Louis. At that time, St. Louis ranked 13th nationwide for the trafficking of children, and access to recovery services was tragically scarce. In response, Lhamon raised funds and awareness, incorporating The Covering House in January 2009. Community-Based Services launched in 2013 and the residential home opened in 2015. In the following years, the prevention and early intervention programs, Reducing the Risk and Trafficking 101 were created.

Our experience is that trafficking can happen to any child and is usually hidden in plain sight; 90% of our clients have been trafficked by someone they know, often a boyfriend or a relative, and are 15 years old on average. Our residential home can accommodate five female youth ages 12-18 at one time. The Covering House anticipates opening a new campus in late 2025 doubling the residential capacity. The new campus will allow for expansion and provide additional space for Community-Based Services, new programs, and TCH headquarters. The Covering House plans to become a child placement agency and begin a Therapeutic Foster Care program in the coming years. This will open our services to younger youth and boys, and create a step-down from the residential home.