Bird's Eye View

The following "Bird's Eye View" succinctly describes the history of accomplishments, past and present projects, and educational tools which include publications:

August 1980-September 1981

In 1980, a committee from St. John’s Episcopal Church recommended that the appropriate use of the 1109 Quarrier St. property would be a downtown ministry. The vestry committed themselves to the idea and vision of an urban ministry. One of their interchanges read:

“Make minimal repairs on the present structure at 1109 and proceed with efforts to obtain a street minister to live and work out of it; develop a long range program within the first year and seek to pool emergency funds from those who are members of the Charleston Interdenominational Council on Social Concerns (CICSC).”

St. John’s sought the involvement of and received the commitment of the interfaith community. A motion from the Council in August 1980 read:

” That the CICSC accept the opportunity and challenge of developing an urban ministry, including the use of the property at 1109 which has been offered for this purpose by St. John’s Episcopal Church.”

St. Johns leased the property, which was in need of extensive repair, to the project for one dollar per year. Many from the community donated materials and the work, estimated at $100,000, cost nothing. The repairs were done by work release prisoners under the supervision of Milford Ziegler who worked for Gaston Caperton.

In late March of 1981 the first co-directors, Barbara Ferraro and Patricia Hussey, were hired by an interfaith group, but they could not begin work until September 1, 1981. In the interim, Pat Perelman from Christ Church volunteered to keep Covenant House open until the new directors arrived.

1981

In March, Covenant House was incorporated and opened its doors as a drop-in center. Ongoing.

A Centralized food pantry, clothing closet and emergency assistance fund are established through Covenant House. At the end of 2003, thirty churches and temples contribute to these programs. Ongoing.

Free Office Space was provided for Kanawha Hospice to get established. Ongoing/Independent Non-Profit. 

1982

Covenant House advocated a change in the State Department of Welfare's policy that would penalize recipients of welfare receiving monetary assistance from charitable organizations. Ongoing.

West Virginia Health Right (a free health clinic) was established and began its operation at Covenant House. Covenant House provided free space and organizational development. Ongoing/Independent Non-Profit.

Sojourners, a shelter for women and children, was established by a coalition in which Covenant House took a leadership role. Personnel, organizational development and financial assistance were provided. Ongoing/Independent Non-Profit.

"One Voice", a slide show which relates the early history of Covenant House, was produced as an educational tool. 

1983

Covenant House filed an amicus brief (friend of the court) in the West Virginia Supreme Court which stated "all people in West Virginia have a right to shelter, food and medical care." West Virginia was the second state in the nation to provide these basic rights.

In January, Covenant House and other local groups working with the homeless established the Charleston Coalition for the Homeless. 

1984

Covenant House developed a policy for the Charleston Public Housing Authority which gives priority status and placement to people who are homeless. Ongoing.

In November, Cooperative Sewing Inc., a Co-Op for low-income women opened. Covenant House gave space, personnel, financial and organizational assistance for five years. 

1986

In April, Covenant House organized and sponsored the first state-wide conference on Homelessness. It was called, "Homelessness: The Problem, Root Causes and Solutions." A resource book with the same name was produced following this conference.

"The Road to Nowhere", a short video of homeless individuals' testimonies with an accompanying teaching aid, was published. 

1987

Covenant House led the way in West Virginia by defining the concept of rural homelessness as distinct from urban homelessness. The publication, "It Ain't Much, But It's All I Got," was the result in 1988.

Covenant House began its Rural Housing Program, establishing community development organizations which operate free of political party control. 

1988

Covenant House received a federal grant from HUD to expand its facility and become handicapped-accessible.

When the Department of Welfare moved outside Charleston city limits, staff of Covenant House and recipients protested its inacessiblity. Accommodations were made between DHS and KRT to provide free bus passes to and from the welfare office. 

1989

Renovations and an outside play space were completed at Covenant House.

In June, Covenant House opened the only comprehensive residential and resource program for people living with AIDS. Until September 1995, it was the only residence in the state for those who were living with AIDS. Ongoing.

Clay Mountain Housing, which began as part of the Rural Housing Program, became financially independent of Covenant House. Covenant House provided staff, organizational development and financial assistance. Ongoing/Independent Non-Profit. 

1990

Harts Community Development, an organization created by low-income people in Lincoln County, with the help of Covenant House staff, was incorporated.

As a result of the Rural Housing Study, links were made with a rural Lincoln County school where an innovative educational writing program was established. Ongoing.

In September, Jimmy Tingle, a nationally known political comedian, did a benefit show for Covenant House. He returned in 1993, and again in 2001 for Covenant House's 20th celebration. 

1991

Covenant House's Single Mothers' Program began. It was aimed at "breaking the cycle" of poverty for families living on welfare. Ongoing/Expanded to Challenge WV in 1996.

In February, Harts Community Development dedicated its first house, built by volunteers for a low-income family.

In March, Covenant House had its 10th Anniversary. A video, "A Time To Care", was produced celebrating the lives of five people who used the programs and services of Covenant House.

In June, the Rural Housing Program was invited into Wayne County to conduct a study on rural homelessness. Results were published.

In December, Harts Community Development, which began as part of the Rural Housing Program, became financially independent of Covenant House. Covenant House provided staff, organizational and community development, financial assistance and technical assistance for five years. Ongoing/Independent Non-Profit.

The Holiday Adopt-A Family program began. This program links congregations, businesses, schools and individuals with rural and urban families in need during the holiday season. Ongoing. 

1992

In April, the first participants in the Single Mothers' program moved into the newly renovated home and apartments.

In May, consistent with our mission that health care is a right, a formalized counseling program began. Individual, couple, family and pastoral counseling is available on a sliding scale basis. Ongoing.

In September, Cora Community Development, part of the Rural Housing Program (which evolved into the Logan County Improvement League) became incorporated. Covenant House provided staff, financial assistance, and organizational and community development. Ongoing/Independent Non-Profit. 

1993

Ann Magnuson, a Charleston native, brought her nationally acclaimed one-woman show, "You Could Be Home Now" to Charleston. This benefit received widespread community support for Covenant House and raised over $33,000.

Covenant House participated with the United Methodist Church to bring pieces of the National AIDS Quilt into West Virginia.

Community Housing, Inc. was incorporated to fulfill the requirements set forth by HUD in order to receive a grant to purchase two homes for people with AIDS. This board contracts with Covenant House to administer these homes. Ongoing. 

1994

In gratitude to WV artists, Covenant House invited The Painted Bride Art Center from Philadelphia to meet with WV artists seeking grants. Two WV artists received grants as a result of this workshop.

Covenant House was approved as a Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO) by the WV Housing Development Fund.

Funding was received to produce the play, "Gone Tomorrow". Performed by teenagers for teenagers, the play addresses the AIDS epidemic. An educational session follows each performance. Through the end of 2003, it had been seen by 18,500 youth and adults in WV. The WV Department of Education, WV Bureau of Public Health and the Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation have supported this project. Ongoing.

"Building Community, Creating Hope" was published. This report highlighted the history of Harts Community Development, Inc., a model for rural economic development. 

1995-1996 

Covenant House purchased and completed the renovations of two additional houses for people living with AIDS. The AIDS Residential & Resource Program now owns three homes. Ongoing.

The State of WV requested Covenant House be the lead agency for HOPWA (Housing Opportunities for People With AIDS) funds. These federal funds enabled Covenant House to facilitate the development of two additional comprehensive housing and resource non-profits in the state for people with AIDS. Ongoing.

Covenant House, with these two other community-based housing organizations, formed a state-wide non-profit coalition: West Virginia Housing and Advocacy Coalition for People with AIDS, Inc. Ongoing.

Through the city of Charleston HOME Program, Covenant House helped two families purchase homes. Ongoing.

An Art Auction, with donations by WV artists, raised $25,000 for Covenant House programs in October.

Property owned by Covenant House for its Single Mothers' Program was sold. Profits from this sale will assist women and their children who want to purchase their own homes.

The play, "Gone Tomorrow", was taped for national distribution by Cambridge Educational Products. In October, it received a bronze medal at the Columbus International Film and Video Festival. It also received an award at the International Film and Video Festival in New York.

The Single Mothers' Program and the Rural Housing Program are combined as "Challenge West Virginia" to address popular education reform. Workshops began in January 1996. Ongoing.

Since 1995, Covenant House has played a key role in the development of the Kanawha Valley Collective. Two significant grants have funded positions at Covenant House allowing expansion of services to the homeless. Ongoing. 

1997  

During the year, the staff met monthly and completed a Five Year Plan for Covenant House 1998-2003. Michael Switzer of Design Works donated his time and talent to do the graphics and layout for this published work.

In June, Guys & Dolls Fundraiser raised $12,000 for the AIDS Residential and Resource Program. 

1998 

Members of Morris Memorial United Methodist Church spent the year renovating and adding a new room to one of the three AIDS Residences.

Covenant House raised $221,000 for the State-wide AIDS Housing Program. In the national competition for HOPWA funds an additional 3 year funding cycle of $873,000 was granted. 

1999

Challenge WV received one of two national grants from Rural Challenge to work on educational policy issues. Whatever Happened to Pauley v Bailey, The Story of the Politics of Education in West Virginia was published.

WV Housing and Advocacy Coalition for People with AIDS, of which Covenant House is a main player, was nominated for its work in WV for a Best Practice award from HUD. 

2000

The Board and Co-directors began plans to find land for construction of a new building for Covenant House. A Capital Campaign began in June to raise $2.25 million dollars. A site was located at 600 Shrewsbury Street, Charleston. Pray Construction agreed to build without taking any profit and sought help from its sub-contractors to donate materials to this project.

In collaboration with five other agencies, Covenant House hired an employee to increase outreach to homeless individuals throughout Kanawha County.

Challenge WV published two additional reports: "Long School Bus Rides" and "Small Schools." 

2001

In February, a groundbreaking ceremony took place at Simpson Memorial United Methodist Church, our new neighbor. City and state officials, neighbors, supporters and people who use Covenant House attended this event. 

Covenant House celebrated 20 years as an organization with a dinner/theater event in May. A video: "Quest for Justice" celebrating 20 years of work was shown. Nationally known political comedian Jimmy Tingle donated his time and talent. The publication, "Without A Vision the People will Perish" containing the "Best Stories of Covenant House" was given to all who attended.

Volunteers and staff were honored for their work and gift of time to the organization.

By May, Covenant House raised $1,850,000 of its Capital Campaign Goal.

Construction of the new Covenant House was completed in September. Programs became fully operational from this new site on October 5, 2001

Covenant House's AIDS program and the statewide Coalition were successful in receiving a 3 year, HUD/HOPWA renewal grant of $1,085,000. 

2002

Twenty-two months after beginning the Capital Campaign for the new building, the goal of $2.25 million is realized. Covenant House is debt-free. With additional donations, an endowment fund is established to insure continuation of maintenance and programs. Open House occurred on April 30, 2002. You are welcome to view a photo essay of the building process, Open House and a tour of the new facility.

Challenge WV continues to grow. There are 16 Challenge chapters and contacts in 20 counties. Monthly statewide meetings are held at the new Covenant House. Two new publications are released: If This is Democracy, Then I Missed the Bus and Building Schools in West Virginia with Good Intentions and Questionable Results.

"Conversations Over Lunch" began. 

In September, the Creative Gallery opens with its first show by a local artist. Four artists exhibited in 2002.

Charleston Renaissance awards Covenant House with the “Best New Development Award” for 2002. 

2003

Eighteen new board members spent the first quarter “Remembering and Visioning for the Future”. A board game was created showing Covenant House's history.

In the tradition of hospitality, two new groups meet on a regular basis at Covenant House: WV Center for African- American Art & Culture and WV Patriots for Peace.

The Long and Winding Road, Consolidation-The Separation of School and Community is published by Challenge WV.

In April, Covenant House co-sponsors a Fair Housing Conference in Charleston.

During the summer, Art Classes are provided in the Creative Gallery for children.

“Re-Covenant” is the theme for the ministers' meeting in October.

The Health Action Program began in the fall.

Ten artists exhibited their shows in the Creative Gallery.

Conversations Over Lunch monthly discussions continued.

A volunteer luncheon in November acknowledged the 200 people who help each year at Covenant House.

Challenge WV has 20 chapters and working in 27 counties. 

2004

There were four fundraisers this year: 

 AIDS Program: Appalachian Queen by Ted Brightwell

2005

1981 - 2005 Synopsis