Dove's History
The Beginning
●On July 7,
1970, Dove opened its first office with Ray Batman serving as
coordinator with support of seven Christian Churches. The
objectives were serving the poor and assisting church volunteers
in education and training for service.
● In 1972,
Dove went ecumenical as other congregations joined. The
organization incorporated and became tax-exempt. Dove
purchased a run-down empty house at 1112 E. Locust and after
some volunteer driven renovations, it remained the office for 15
years.
●
Mother-to-Mother, a now national program, was started by one of
the first volunteers, Sue Simcox. Other activities were the
preschool, cooking classes and helping to form CHIC (Community
Health Improvement Center).
● In 1975,
Dove assumed sponsorship of the VISTA project. The RSVP
(Retired & Senior Volunteer Program) was initiated. Two
additional staff members joined Ray, Fred Spannaus as a VISTA
volunteer and Sue Simcox, a founder and volunteer became the
Program Director. (Fred later served as Executive Director as
Ray pursued other employment. Ray later joined Dove as Finance
Director while Sue remained on staff until 1993, when she
retired to become one of Dove's greatest volunteers!)
The Next 10 Years
● As Dove
marked its tenth anniversary in 1980, staff and volunteers began
their response to battered women. Beginning with a hotline, the
program grew to include support groups, advocacy and emergency
shelter.
● In the '80's
RSVP grew rapidly and initiated the Aluminum Recycling Center,
which is still a major fund raiser for the RSVP program.
● Volunteers at
St. Paul's United Methodist Church opened our Clothing Room to
serve children.
● 84-85 two
projects were added to Dove. BABES (Beginning Awareness Basic
Educations Studies) brought a message of good self image and
making good choices to K-3rd grade classrooms. MAX (Macon
County Assistance eXchange), a church-based financial assistance
network to screen and fill requests for emergency help started
and has been hosted at First United Methodist Church.
● By 1987,
Dove's need for physical facilities was painfully evident. The
Domestic Violence Program was inadequately housed. More than
$300,000 was raised for purchase and renovation of the St. James
Convent at 788 E. Clay. The facility was ideal for the shelter
and for housing other Dove programs.
● In 1988, the
Community Service Program was reorganized to its present form --
working with youth, working with neighborhood groups and helping
to organize neighborhoods.
90's Brought New Programs
● In 1990, a
satellite office, to better serve the needs of the women with
domestic violence issues, was opened in DeWitt County. The
program grew from a one-room shared facility to opening their
own offices which additionally houses the BABES program, RSVP, a
food pantry, and DAX.
● In 1991 the
adjacent structure at 800 E. Clay was purchased for additional
administrative offices. This allowed more space for clients at
the shelter.
● In 1994, Dove
spearheaded an inter-agency coalition to combat homelessness.
The program was named Homeward Bound was located at 903 W.
Decatur, a property donated by Decatur Community Church. Dove
Preschool closed; resources redirected into fighting prejudices.
● In 1996,
three adjacent lots on East Clay were purchased, 824 site was
remodeled and was used by BABES and Community Services.
● During 1997,
Ray Batman was appointed Executive Director for the second time
in Dove's history. New positions were created and staffed by
promoting employees.
Many Changes in the 2000's
● In April of
2000, with increases in State funding Dove was able to open
Domestic Violence offices in Piatt, Shelby and Moultrie,
strengthening the commitment to victims of violence in those
areas.
● In July of
2000, Dove celebrated is 30th Anniversary.
● In July of
2002 the State money which brought earlier expansion began to
decrease. The Piatt County office was closed and service is now
provided to the county by an outreach specialist. Other
domestic violence positions were restructured to part time
positions. Decreasing State funding continued into 2003 and Dove
had to reduce expenditures by $60,000.
● In August of
2002, the Diversity program and the YWCA of Decatur Macon
County, joined into a partnership called "Partners
for Peace: Healing Into Action"
and became a central point for training around issues of race
relations and diversity. In the fall of 2004, this partnership
dissolved. Dove continues to provide a staff person to provide
training to the community and to be a liaison in the community
with work surrounding diversity
● After 30
years of success in building relationships between women of
different ethnic, economic, and cultural backgrounds, the
Mother-to-Mother ministry saw a steady decrease in participation
during the later part of the '90's. In an effort to get the
most out of shrinking resources, the coordinator's efforts were
redirected into the diversity workshops and the program ceased
in June of 2003.
● During summer
of 2003, a fire in the 824 E. Clay offices caused the closing of
the clothing room, which located there after the closing of St.
Paul's United Methodist Church. Now BABES, RSVP and Community
Services are located at 302 S. Union. The clothing room is
located at Prairie Avenue Christian Church.
● In the fall
of 1999, First Presbyterian Church of Decatur, purchased a
property right next door to the church at 240 W. Prairie Avenue.
After four months of studies and surveys, a Task Force concluded
that the best and most faithful option for the use of this
property would be permanent supportive housing. In May of 2000,
a partnership with Dove was formed. FPC would provide the
building, a cash contribution of $100,000 and ongoing support.
Dove, through its Homeward Bound program, would oversee the
renovations and the operation of this housing. In October
2003, The Elmwood, eight permanent housing apartments were open.
● In January
of 2005, with the 35th Anniversary approaching, a
committee of the General Board reviewed the constitution and bylaw
of Dove. After a great deal of consideration and working the
members, a new constitution was passed at the April 2005 General
Board Meeting. Dove would now be governed by a Board of Directors,
which meets monthly to conduct the business of Dove and to work with
staff members. The Board of Directors will call an Annual Meeting
each 4th Monday of April to update member organizations
on the happening of the past year, the expectations of the future
year and to elect a new slate of Board of Directors.
Most
Recently
● January 2006,
Harbor Place apartments were open. The need for Harbor Place became
apparent from the work done by the Homeless Council Continuum of
Care. Women who have successfully completed a substance abuse
treatment program now have a place to be united with their children
and have a safe place to live and to continue their recovery.
Services will be provided by Heritage Behavioral Health Center and
the eight units are owned by Dove, Inc.
● At their
September 2006 meeting the Dove Board of Directors approved a motion
making Dove, Inc. the lead agency in a community coalition that will
implement the Cease Fire program to make an impact on the shootings
and killings that are happening in Decatur. With Dove's 20-year
history of working with neighborhood organizations in Decatur,
helping them to address problems facing their individual
neighborhoods, it seemed like a perfect fit to serve as the lead
agency of the CeaseFire Coalition.
● By December 2006,
CeaseFire staff had been hired, a neighborhood office space secured
and staff began addressing violence in their targeted areas.
CeaseFire funds were cut from the state budget and the coalition is
meeting to determine the programs future.
● February 1, the
Anna B. Millikin Home was given to Dove, when it was determined by
their board that the home could no longer function as it was in
current times. This home is now the Domestic Violence Shelter, and
office space for the BABES, Community Service / Decatur Area Project
and the RSVP Program.
● Work was
completed to
the East Clay facility which now serves as Single Room
Occupancy (SRO), a vital step in the plan to provided housing for
those in need. The Homeward Bound Staff have their offices
in the front of the facility.
Dove's ministry continues to attract partners and support from the
entire community, but it has kept its strong base in the religious
sector. More than 50 staff and 900 volunteers continue to uphold
our mission. Come be a part of it!
