How COVO Began

In the early Summer of 2004, VVA Chapter 820 Vice President, Jim Gunn, brought up the plight of homeless veterans at a chapter meeting. Within a short time, an exploratory committee was formed to investigate this problem in Central and Eastern Oregon and to examine what other veterans' organizations were doing. We learned that there were successful homeless veterans programs in various parts of the country and that they were being funded by several sources of federal grant money, as well as by local fundraising efforts that included donations from the public, businesses and private foundations and trusts. During this early process, Jim Gunn learned about a program in Redding, California, and a decision was made by Chapter 820 members to go to Redding and look at this program. Chapter 820 President, Rob Bryce, and member Dan Waldrop, visited the Redding program and returned to Bend with lots of ideas and a good grasp of the basic concepts of providing for homeless and poor veterans.

As a result of the trip to Redding, Stu Steinberg, a member of Chapter 820 and now Vice President of COVO, conducted research on the issues of homeless veterans, in general, and how the problem engenders itself in Central and Eastern Oregon. Stu produced a white paper on veterans' homelessness that analyzed both the national and local problem and offered numerous suggestions as to how to address the various issues within the Central and Eastern Oregon communities. The most important thing that Stu's research showed was that it could be estimated that some 1.500 veterans in Central and Eastern Oregon would face homelessness at some time during the next year.

Shortly after Stu completed the white paper, a steering committee was organized to review the information and plot a course for the future. The name, "Central Oregon Veterans Outreach," was chosen for the project and a board of directors was elected. Thereafter, Stu drafted Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws and a Conflict of Interest Policy. These were all approved by the new board and on March 3, 2005, COVO came formally into existence when its' Articles of Incorporation were filed with the Oregon Secretary of State. Several weeks later, COVO received formal notice that they had been registered as a nonprofit charitable organization by the Oregon Department of Justice. In early April 2005, the appropriate papers were sent to the Internal Revenue Service for federal tax exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. We expect a favorable response in the very near future.

In March 2005, COVO members began to search in earnest for a location for the outreach and shelter programs. They discovered that the Bend Metro Parks and Recreation District owned an abandoned fire hall at Hamby and Neff Roads, just southeast of 27th Street, and on March 22 COVO made a presentation to the Parks and Rec board of directors asking for use of the fire hall site. The proposal was favorably received and we continue to progress toward gaining access to the fire hall as the location of COVO's homeless veterans shelter program. Currently, COVO is in the process of attempting to amend state zoning laws to allow for the shelter project to be located on exclusive farm use (EFU) property. In the meantime, we are now looking for office space for the administrative and business offices, from which we will also run the outreach program.

In late March 2005, COVO began to forumlate the idea to have a benefit concert in Bend that would raise funds for the establishment of the outreach and shelter programs. Our public relations guru, Rabbine Harpell, contacted the management of the Paul deLay Band and they agreed to come to Bend to do the COVO benefit. The Midtown Rock, Roll & Rink donated their venue and the event is scheduled for June 4, 2005, at 7PM. Local blues band, the Cleveland Street Rhythm Section is the opening act. In addition to the benefit concert, COVO set out to raise funds from the local business community and, to date, almost $10,000.00 has been raised or pledged. It is our hope that with these funds and the money raised by the concert, we will have our offices open by July 1.

Homeless Veteran with American Flag and All of His Belongings Strapped to His Wheelchair

Our Officers, Directors and Advisory Members

An organization like COVO is only as good as the people who work for it. COVO is exceedingly fortunate to have as its' officers, directors and advisory members, individuals who have served the veterans community, as well as the greater community at large, for many years. COVO's key personnel are:

Robert W. Bryce, President -- Rob is an Army Vietnam veteran who was an intelligence agent. He was awarded a Bronze Star for Meritorius Achievement in Ground Operations Against Hostile Forces and the Purple Heart. Rob has a BS in molecular biology and biochemistry, and a masters degree in management. His career spanned all aspects of clinical laboratory science from research and development through laboratory administration. Rob retired in 1999 and moved to Bend, where he has been involved in a number of volunteer activities, including working with Volunteers in Medicine. Rob is active in the veterans' community and, in addition to his work with COVO, is also the President of Chapter 820, Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc.

Stuart A. Steinberg, Vice President -- Stu is an Army Vietnam veteran who served with various explosive ordnance disposal teams during his two tours in Vietnam. He was awarded two Bronze Stars, one with "V" Device for Heroism in Ground Combat, the other for Meritorious Achievement in Ground Operations Against Hostile Forces; the Purple Heart, and two Army Commendation Medals for Meritorious Achievement in Support of Allied Combat Operations. After completing college and law school, he taught at the Georgetown University Law Center in the Clinical Education Program and received his graduate law degree (L.L.M.) while there. From 1982 until he retired in 2003, Stu worked as a public defender and then as a criminal defense investigator specializing in capital murder cases. He is one of the first members of Vietnam Veterans of America and served on the National Board of Directors from 1985-1987. From 1983-1989, Stu was involved in the founding of nine state-funded veterans' outreach centers in Massachusetts and was the Director of the Greenfield center in 1985-1987. Stu was recently elected Adjutant of VFW Post 1643 in Bend. He is certified by Vietnam Veterans of Amercia to represent veterans in VA claims.

Robert W. Cusick, Treasurer -- Bob served in the Marines from 1967-1979, and the Army National Guard from 1979-1991, when he retired with 24 years of service. He served in Vietnam in 1968-1969. Bob holds the Marine Corps Combat Action Ribbon, the Army Achievement Award, the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry and both the Presidential and Meritorious Unit Citation. Bob is currently the Quartermaster for VFW Post 1643 in Bend and also serves as the Post's service officer.

Kathern R. Ziemer, Secretary -- Kathy served on active duty from 1974-1981 and then in the Army National Guard for fourteen years until she retired as a Staff Sergeant in 1999. During her service, she received two Good Conduct Medals, the National Defense Service Medal, the Expeditionary Forces Medal and the Army Commendation Medal. Kathy is a member of Chapter 820 VVA and VFW Post 1643. During her service, Kathy served a tour in Germany and made two deployments to Korea.

Anne N. Philiben, Director -- Anne served in the Army as a surgical nurse and a nurse administrator from 1969-1988, when she retired at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. She served in Vietnam. Anne's awards include the Army Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster, the Army Commendation Medal, the Vietnam Campaign and Service Medals, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, the Meritorious Unit Commendation and the Army Service Ribbon.

James W. Gunn, Director -- Jim served in the US Marine Corps in Vietnam and was med-evacked for wounds received in action. He was awarded the Marine Corps Combat Action Ribbon, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal and the Vietnam Service Medal. Jim is a citizen of the Cherokee Nation and has recently been working with Native American Vietnam veterans from the Blackfeet Nation in Montana, helping them in understanding the VA benefits process, and assisting them in getting the maximum benefits they are entitled to from the VA. In addition to being a COVO Director, Jim is the Vice President of Chapter 820, Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc., and is a Trustee of VFW Post 1643 in Bend.

Richard Gorby, Director -- Dick served in the Navy from 1963-1965 and was in Vietnam on a minesweeper in 1963-1964. After serving on active duty, Dick spent six years in the Naval Reserve. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal and the Vietnam Service Medal. After completing his service, Dick received a BA in graphic arts and photography. He is currently the Disabled Veterans Outreach Program (DVOP) director for Central Oregon. Dick serves on a multitude of community organization boards, including Vietnam Veterans of America, Oregon State Council (President), VVA Chapter 821 (Vice President), Central Oregon Veterans Council, and the Homelessness Leadership Council. He is also a member of the La Pine VFW Post and has a regular radio show for veterans, called "Second Sunday," on Bend station, KBND.

L.B. Marr, Director -- L.B. served in the Army from 1967-1969 and was in Vietnam in the artillery in 1968-1969. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service and Campaign Medals and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry. L.B. retired in 2002 after working as a railroad conductor for thirty-years for Union Pacific.

Terry Rasmussen, Director -- Terry served in the US Navy and the Navy Reserve from 1966-1972. He served in Vietnam in 1967-1968 with Compnay A, Seabee Battalion 9. Terry was awarded the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, the Vietnam CIvil Action Medal, the Vietnam Campaign and Service Medals, the National Defense Service Medal and the Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon.

Clyde Evans -- Clyde served in the Navy from 1961-1967 and was in Vietnam from 1964-1966. He holds the Vietnam Campaign and Service Medals and the National Defense Service Medal. Clyde has a BS in Business Administration from the California Polytechnic Institute and retired after 35 years as the Director of Transportation for the Walnut Valley, California, School District. He is a member of Vietnam Veterans of America and is the treasurer of the VVA Oregon State Council.

Rabbine Harpell, Advisory Board -- Rabbine is highly regarded as a Publicist/Media Relations Consultant. A classic entrepreneur, Rabbine took her experience as a political consultant, lobbyist and speech writer and founded Jubilee Communications in Bend, Oregon. Rabbine gained a reputation of excellence as a Producer, Publicist and Special Events Manager developing and implementing media campaigns designed to influence and promote charitable causes, community events, veteran needs and military events. Jubilee Communications has expanded into Jubilee Productions International producing concerts, festivals, and special events. Rabbine received her certification in Festival & Event management from the University of Oregon and is a member of the IFEA, International Festivals & Events Association. She is also proud to be an Associate member of Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 820, Bend, Oregon.

Dr. Elizabeth Lee, Ph.D., Advisory Board -- Liz has a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the the Fuller School of Psychology. She is a contract therapist for the US Department of Veterans Affairs and specializes in the treatment of combat veterans suffering from post traumatic stress disorder.