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Northern Michigan shelter seeks $500,000 to finish 10‑year campaign to expand survivor services
Summary
Communities Overcoming Violent Encounters asked a House appropriations committee for $500,000 in one‑time funding to complete a 10‑year building campaign to repair and expand an aging emergency shelter and to keep 24/7 crisis services, forensic exams and advocacy available across four counties.
Rep. Vanderwal told the committee that Communities Overcoming Violent Encounters (COVE) is the only comprehensive emergency shelter and advocacy program serving survivors of intimate partner violence and sexual assault across Mason, Lake, Oceana and Manistee counties and asked for $500,000 to complete a 10‑year building campaign.
Rep. Vanderwal said the shelter provides a 24/7 crisis helpline, emergency shelter, sexual assault forensic exams, safety planning, and legal and medical advocacy. “The shelter itself is central to COVE’s mission, but it is aging and in urgent need of repairs and upgrades to remain secure, accessible, and trauma‑informed,” the representative said.
Committee members asked about the stage of the 10‑year plan; Rep. Vanderwal said the campaign is at or near its tenth year and that the facility is “maxed out” and needs additional living spaces to serve more people. The representative said COVE raises funds through grants and donations and that the requested state funds would address critical infrastructure, safety and accessibility upgrades.
No formal vote was taken; committee members thanked witnesses and moved to the next item.
