Hawkins marks 10 years at helm of Cove House

By LYNETTE SOWELL 

Cove Leader-Press 

On August 26, Cove House Emergency Shelter’s Executive Director, Brian Hawkins, was celebrated for serving as 10 years at the helm of operations. 

Hawkins was surprised with a reception that morning, with well-wishers dropping by throughout the day to congratulate him. 

He was congratulated by Cove House volunteers and staff. 

The surprise was coordinated by his daughter, Joelle Carter, who is the director of marketing for Cove House. 

Carter first began volunteering for the shelter when she was in school, and her mother was at the front desk and her father as executive director. 

Under Hawkins’ leadership, Cove House’s two-week program has been transformed into a similar, longer term program. When Hawkins arrived at Cove House, the program was initially two weeks for residents. 

In 2023, the Cove House Free Clinic marked 10 years, and it has treated more than 15,000 patients and distributed almost $2 million worth of prescription medications for free to its patients, under the supervision of clinic director, Dr. Karen Harrison.

Another landmark for 2024 is the six-plex under construction. It will double the amount of space for locals who need a “launch pad” into getting into their own residence and be a key element in addressing the local housing crisis. 

“Our intent is to provide everything that they need while they’re here. So all of the money they make, they can save for moving,” Hawkins said. “We provide food, we provide clothing, we provide toiletries and linens. We don’t have laundry services on site but we do provide laundry detergent and those kinds of things. We’ve got a laundromat just two blocks away.” 

Cove House has its sights set ahead for yet another future project to help address homelessness – Veterans Victory Village – which is in the planning stages. 

This program will bring in homeless veterans and given them an opportunity to build their credit rating, build their savings, with the ultimate plan to purchase a home at the end of the process, or get into their own rental home. 

Another project will be to eventually construct new office space for the organization.