May 2, 2023 |
Photo – COVE Poster for Volunteers – Courtesy COVE Facebook page
Carbon County COVE needs volunteers.
Carbon County’s Crisis Outreach and Victim Empowerment organization, or COVE, is run by one individual, Executive Director Jennifer Evans. Evans explained how her non-profit domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking program helps the people of Carbon County.
At the Rawlins work session, held on April 19th, Evans presented her request for additional funding. The city council wanted to know if she had sought money from the Board of Carbon County Commissioners or other communities. Evans said because she can’t offer services outside of the city, she is hesitant to ask for funding from other towns. The executive director added that previous funding requests from the county commissioners have been denied. Evans said she would like to expand COVE’s influence into other municipalities in the future.
Evans is the sole employee of COVE. She said to provide services in other towns, she would need additional workers. The executive director said she has had trouble retaining employees in the past. Confidentiality is a must. And a rotating schedule of being available by phone has proven too much for others. Evans said her inability to offer a competitive salary is the biggest handicap.
Evans requested $20,000 from the Rawlins City Council for the upcoming fiscal year, an increase of $5,000 from last year. She said the additional funding is to cover the ballooning cost of helping the agency’s clients.
Evans said she spends, on average, $2,000 per person. The costliest service COVE provides, Evans said, are motel stays for people facing uncertain futures without resources of their own.
Evans said she fields five to ten phone calls a week. She said about half of the callers receive service from COVE. Because it is so close to the end of the fiscal year, Evans said she has had to turn down requests for financial assistance, such as money for rent or groceries. The COVE Executive Director said she still offers her services – just not money.
COVE operates the only safehouse in Carbon County. During the Rawlins council work session, Evans said victims steal a lot of items from the protective home during their stay. She said donations help restore the things people take, but she isn’t able to handle the volume of supplies by herself.
Evans said, ideally, she would have a team of four volunteers to assist her. She said having help would allow her to go into other towns and inform more people of what services COVE offers.
COVE has a 24/7 phone line available for victims. Right now, Evans is the only person who responds to calls. She said volunteers would take turns answering the phone and help with victim support. Evans explained other tasks volunteers would be asked to perform.
To become a COVE volunteer, call Jennifer Evans at 324-7071 or send a message through the Carbon County COVE Facebook page. Evans also suggested people come to COVE’s office, located at 711 West Pine Street, in Rawlins, to apply.
