C.O.V.E. relies on volunteers

BY MELISSA MCGUIRE
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER

Training is nearly complete for COVE's latest volunteers, giving the area’s shelter for women and children who are victims of domestic violence and sexual assault more advocates and helpers.

Communities Overcoming Violent Encounters has more than 200 volunteers currently.

The grant-funded organization has a small operating budget and relies on the volunteers to help with everyday functions.

"We are only here in the office from 9 to 5," said Jamie Catlett, of COVE. "And we need to serve our clients."

Catlett has been working with COVE since early 2010, and as volunteer coordinator since June.

Volunteers choose which area is best suited for them, and if they'll be working directly with clients and children, they need to go through training.

They learn about sexual assault and how to help clients who have been assaulted, they get a primer on the local court system, learn about domestic violence, diversity and much more. The last session was split into three small sections.

Catlett said the shelter is almost always filled to capacity. She said clients staying there often have children ages five and younger.

"That's something a lot of people don't realize," said Catlett.

"I wanted to volunteer because COVE is a fantastic organization," said Mary Gamble, who went through a recent training session. "We are all about empowering women to live a healthier and happier life."

Kerri Klepser went through the training as well. She is currently helping take care of the kids and does an activity with them during the women's weekly Domestic Violence Support Group.

"I wanted to serve more of a purpose in the community," Klepser said.

COVE has two groups that work on events, one from Mason and one from Oceana county.

Because of the many women and children the COVE shelter serves, the organization is in constant need of toiletry items, children's items, including diapers, household items and much more. The organization has a wish list for the community to provide help.

HOW TO HELP

Catlett said anyone who wants to get involved can sign up by calling the office, 843-2541.

She said while the trainings "DOMESTIC VIOLENCE is best understood as a pattern of abusive behaviors - including physical, sexual, and psychological attacks as well as economic coercion - used by one intimate partner against another (adult or adolescent) to gain, maintain, or regain power and control in the relationship. Batterers use of a range of tactics to frighten, terrorize, manipulate, hurt, humiliate, blame, often injure, and sometimes kill a current or former intimate partner." Source: dvam.vawnet.org

for those who will work with clients are twice a year, she doesn't want to discourage anyone who wants to help from coming forward now.

Donations are welcome at the office as well.