Central Oregon Veterans Outreach, known better as COVO, provides local, community based services to honor, support and advocate for Veterans and Veteran families from all eras of military service to our country. COVO started by helping homeless Veterans in 2005, and has become a central support agency and advocate for all homeless persons, Veterans and civilians, in Central Oregon. No one is turned away when they come to COVO for help- over 50% of the homeless being helped are non-Veterans-, even if it’s to just help them find an appropriate community resource, or simply to have someone listen, COVO’s goal is that no one walks away without some help. COVO provides basic needs supplies –food, tents, sleeping bags, toiletries, shoes, clothes, etc. – in the Homeless Outreach Center for over 200 people every month. COVO has 26 units of permanent low-income housing for Veterans and their families, a 6-bed transitional housing program to support homeless Veterans while they get back on their feet, and partners with the Bethlehem Inn to provide services to Veterans at the shelter. Each year the supportive services housing program supports over 100 Veteran households that are homeless or at risk of homelessness get into housing or keep their housing. COVO works closely with community partners, Veterans groups and the VA, serving as a clearing house of information for Veterans and their loved ones to find basic needs and services, housing, jobs and more.
