C.O.V.E. Communities Overcoming Violence Encounters

[Jasper]

What exactly is it this organization provides to the community? Hundreds of thousands of dollars were raised for Cove's new woman's shelter. Do these very generous donors fully and completely understand what these monies are actually contributing for?? Or rather they contribute blindly for this segment of society. Perhaps many of these very generous donors should perhaps spend some quality time and actually experience the reality of what C.O.V.E. truly is about.

[Jasper]

Check out the policy and procedures for becoming a client.  No background checks,,,,no health background checks r/t possible contagious diseases such as TB, hepatitis, etc..  The woman's shelter aka as C.O.V.E. relies on their clients' to report physical, emotional, and sexual abuse to CPS of young children.  Drug abuse is common, and the staff are not allowed to search for weapons or illegal drugs brought into the shelter.

So, for all those do gooders that provide monies to help build this new shelter...a reality check is in order, unless they don't give a flying crap!!!  C.O.V.E. shelters not only drug addicts, and child abusers, etc..., but money is the answer to all social problems to sweep under the rug.   

[XLFD]

Jasper,

Granted, not all users of COVE services are those whom we generally think of (wives/girlfriends and children of abusive guys), but could you please provide the basis of your allegations against the group?  It's more than what you will find on their webpage:  COVE

One would hope they stay true to their history, but if they haven't I would like more of an explanation and evidence.  Anecdotally, I know of some COVE users that were legit, and some that weren't, but to my understanding the COVE staff have some controls in place. 

[AQUAMAN]

Was an attorney there, perhaps board member too that wasn't exactly kosher. He also was from down-state, another guy reaping benefits from the COVE org., and another leach on Mason/Oceana County, name was Shrauger. Don't know if he's still with them now or not. He had a dead-end practice and was involved in some capacity, and not working for free as I heard.

[Jasper]

My sources chose to be anonymous.  I will just say that C.O.V.E. is not what the community perceives.  Personally, I will no longer donate to their cause, and quite frankly where is there a shelter for men who are abused by women.  One only has to read the local news and men are abused by women.  C.O.V.E is a joke!!  C.O.V.E. is nothing more then a man bashing organization who enable women and encourage women to seek every available government program possible continuing dependence instead of independence.  Quite disturbing....and again I will say staff have witnessed the physical and emotional abuse of very young children by mother's(client's) of the the SHELTER  are to chicken-shit to report this abuse but rather tell other client's to report to CPS.  

Drug abuse in the Woman's Shelter is C.O.V.E is rampant....the staff are well aware of it but chose to turn their head just as the abuse of young children in the shelter.  Rather, staff encourage other clientele to report these abuses to CPS!

[Willy]

I don't know much about COVE but I do know about a particular type of woman, many of whom frequent the COVE resources. I'm talking about The type that chooses losers as mates knowing they are violent but she "hopes he changes". The type of woman that continually returns to the mate who causes the violence and keeps dragging her children back into the dysfunctional relationship. If common sense and a backbone had been exhibited by these women in the early stages of their relationship with abusers, Cove would not be needed in their lives. Probably the biggest single and most important remedy is to not get pregnant before they are in a stable and committed relationship which includes the benefit of a secure financial future. I'm not saying all situations can be prevented but I've seen a huge amount of self inflicted misery by people knowingly making the wrong decisions hoping they land on the good side of those decisions and not on the dumpster side. 

[XLFD]

Having known some women like you mention (and even a guy or two in a similar dysfunctional relationship with a domineering woman), I find it hard to blame the victim.  The psychological dimensions involved can make it difficult to end such relationships easily, even when repetitions of bad behavior continue. 

COVE and similar agencies that are secular progressive in nature face the difficult task of trying to wean these people of their need to be in these relationships without being able to offer them spiritual guidance or displace the personality traits that lead them into being the victim.  Liberal/progressive orthodoxy depends on feeling victimized, so many of the resources do not attack the root of the problem; they might even make it worse. 

[Nonfiction]

If C.O.V.E. helps an individual of abuse get an education if needed, obtain a job - which many times in abusive relationships the victim has been stripped away from any forms of earning a living, eliminating drug use that a lot of times they are forced to partake in by their abuser and also may use as a point of escaping the atmosphere they are living in, also giving the person the self esteem and tools needed to function singular and support one self and any children, then it is an agency improving society. If donors donate with out checking out this agency to the fullest then it's their prerogative, wouldn't you agree. An agency of this type does help those affected by abuse become stable, working individuals, thus eventually eliminating the need for state aid in more cases than not. Maybe some should spend some quality time researching the affects of domestic violence and the reality of what it does to a person and children, then they may understand what C.O.V.E. is truly about. Many extremely intelligent persons have been victims of abuse and needed the professional counseling and other resources offered by places like C.O.V.E. which also supply a safe environment to receive those resources, that help them once again become a self efficient asset to the community. Imagine if a parent receives this type of help, bettering themselves, then chances of their off-springs not being a statistic in the system are greater and your tax dollars will not be supporting them their whole life, as some are so against welfare which does help so many who honestly need it and have worked hard most their lives only to have a catastrophe effect their ability to be gainfully employed. Also, in many places of employment background checks, health background checks for possible contagious diseases and such are not required, so why would they be required at a shelter? Is it because shelters do receive some state funding? If that is the case than there are a whole lot of state funded entities which definitely need more thorough checks than they have in-place. If i am entering a shelter on my own behalf, then it is to receive assistance of help for what the shelter offers - drug abuse, domestic violence, alcohol abuse, homelessness. That is why there are shelters and i firmly believe people do not enter shelters because it is an easy street, but a cry for help. 

[Willy]

Good points X and nonfiction but it seems the taxpayers are forced to continue to support people who, for whatever reason, cannot or will not solve the problems they have created for themselves. The only exceptions I would include are the truly mentally ill or mentally handicapped and I mean those who have not self inflicted their mental illness by ingesting alcohol or drugs. The other group that needs our help would be x-military personnel who suffer from battle fatigue. I for one am just plain tired of watching people self destruct then they expect everyone else to pick up the pieces. There are those who do need and deserve help but they are few and far between and then there are those who make up the bulk of the hand out crowd who milk the system and just go along for the ride. I've seen to much of it to think otherwise.

[dowland]

That is where the Jericho house is different. The women there are taught to be self sufficient and seek a higher power other than big government . One must change from with in. They have many guidelines, they must obey and one of them is to get a job and get  off the government control and away from the same abusive relationship  they keep  going back to. Government rehab and welfare programs have a terrible track record, just like all the feel good B.S that they use are tax dollars to  broaden their voting base.  I personally know people involved in both for years. One changes lives for ever, the other is sadly a revolving door.

[XLFD]

Thanks for the heads up reminder on Jericho House, dowland.  Jericho House is transitional housing which provides a Christian-based, 10-bed home that helps 18+ y.o. women get back on their feet after experiencing homelessness (possibly due to a 'violent encounter').

The women must be willing to follow the rules. The program helps with fiscal responsibility, spiritual needs and provides food and personal supplies for the duration of the women living there. Children are not allowed in the home, however, unlike COVE's facility.  They are right on Ludington Avenue just east of Staffon.  Consider pledging support for this valued community facility, for they won't generally get the same recognition that COVE does for what they do.

Here's a recent article from TV 9& 10 on it, the local rags haven't covered its existence very well.

[Nonfiction]

Thank you dowland and XLFD, for info on Jericho and C.O.V.E., it has opened my eyes. I had not heard of Jericho, which is obviously a true HELP center. Do wish it did allow children, since i can see why those with kids would go to a place where they could take their children. Jericho is providing a healthier, more promising scope of help to those women in need. Have to admit now, Jasper's point of donors doing their research is spot on and thanks to Jasper, i see not doing so as hindering of programs, that are by far more beneficial, from community support. I was going on info of 2 persons who had worked and volunteered many years ago, for C.O.V.E., but recently was told since new administrator took over a while back much has changed, yet i still do not know if C.O.V.E. has always operated in manner explained here. Also, some of Willy's comments got my dander up, because of categorizing. My apologies to Willy for placing him in a category myself, even if he was unaware i did. Jericho definitely needs a proper more informative write up in the LDN and i am curious as to why that has not happened or is not frequent. Guess i shall direct my curiosity to LDN. Grateful Jasper for this topic, making myself aware to not blindly contribute just because an organization brings in hefty donations.   

[Jasper]

MMM.....Marie Waite executive director of C.O.V.E. has resigned her position, as reported by the Ludington Daily News.