Friendly Fire America - Information for Veterans' - Central Oregon Veterans Outreach

COVO Board and Staff members receive Achievement award from Jim Willis Director Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs. From L. to R are.Jim Gunn, Kerry Gunn, Jim Willis, Rob Bryce, Stu Steinberg and Anne Philiben. I put this link up because these are the first people I've come in contact with that were just willing to help no matter where I was, they listened to me and offered help without any arguement or judgment. Thank you!

COVO was founded in February 2005 when the widow of brother Vietnam Veterans America member William Groenendahl asked for memorials to him be sent to Central Oregon VVA chapter 804. Based on the fragmentation and paucity of veteran's services and a concern for the plight of homeless veterans COVO was established. In the short time COVO has been in existence they have been awarded significant grants and have received awards from both the Oregon Coalition for Housing and Homeless and the Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs.

Click anywhere on the picture of COVO's staff to go to their Web Site!

OUTREACH

COVO's outreach team searches the far reaches of Central Oregon.

COVO searches the Homeless Camps to identify veterans. They provide food, blankets, sleeping bags, tents and the furnishings to make their lives more comfortable in the field. By gaining the trust of the homeless vets outreach team members are able to talk some into returning to a homeless or other shelter. For those veterans who are substance abusers they offer the possibility of detoxification and rehabilitation. COVO is justifiably proud of the number of individuals we have gotten into treatment.

The picture below is one of the 42 homeless camps in Central Oregon.

ADVOCACY

Many people think that veterans benefits are automatic. Only veterans know that obtaining benefits for veterans can be tantamount to climbing a mountain on crutches. We are attempting to obtain benefits for veterans as far back as WWII. We find housing for the homeless, obtain discharge upgrades, apply for benefits from both the Veterans Administration and Social Security Administration, obtain documentation for proof of medals and awards the veteran didn't receive, get veterans enrolled for VA Healthcare and obtain admission to detoxification and rehabilitation facilities.

TRANSITIONAL HOUSING .

The "Home of the Brave" was opened by COVO in December 2006. It is a home for homeless veterans to get the education and job skills necessary for them to live independently on their own. We anticipate them living in the house for 18 to 24 months or until they can become self-sustainable.

COMMUNITY

COVO board members are members of the Central Oregon Veterans Council, Central Oregon Homeless leadership council, the Oregon Coalition for Housing and the Homeless and the Bend Chamber of Commerce, the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans and is a supporter of the The Soldier Support Foundation

Last updated: 06-18-2007