Three new grants spur program expansion at COVA
Thanks to three grants received in spring and summer, COVA will redesign its pre- employment and employment retention service offerings, conduct a PhotoVoice program and expand its volunteer efforts to raise funds for back-to-work expenses for program participants.
COVA received $34,700 in capacity building funds from the Columbus Foundation to re-engineer the initial services offered to participants. COVA’s existing introductory programs will be diversified into several opportunities for more participants to be served and in more individualized programs.
“This new configuration will allow us to serve more people faster – in a time of diminishing public resources,” said Judy Braun, COVA president. “Our existing services were based on a fixed set of services for all participants, relying strictly on state funding for the job development phase. Our new design will allow people who are ready to move through the program faster to accelerate their pace, while those who need more training or preparation will get it.”
COVA will use the funds to develop the new curriculum, orientation materials and training for staff to deliver the diversified services. The plan is to roll out the new services Sept. 1.
A $1,500 grant from the Greater Columbus Arts Council is funding the summer PhotoVoice project. Ten COVA participants are creating a photo essay and journal of their recovery journey. The final projects will debut Aug. 17 at the Rhodes State Office Tower.
The Prudential Foundation has awarded a $5,000 grant to COVA to initiate a volunteer service group, called RSVP. The group will raise funds to provide extra assistance to participants who are in the interview or job placement phase and need a boost to clear any final hurdles to their employment, such as transportation, childcare or clothing.
Jack Tresoline, chair elect of the COVA Board of Directors and regional sales manager for Prudential, introduced COVA to the foundation and helped prepare the grant application.