Policy Agenda: 111th Congress

US CapitolOur Legislative Focus

Volunteers of America has two primary legislative focuses: aging and family strengthening.

• First, we are committed to our boldest and most aggressive initiative to date Aging with Options,™ a pragmatic and sustainable response to the tremendous challenge of providing adequate support for an unprecedented and rapidly growing number of older Americans.

• Second, our Look Up and Hope: Strengthening Families Affected by Incarceration initiative is a holistic, research-based approach to breaking the cycle of poverty associated with incarcerated individuals and their families.

Both of these challenges are placing substantial fiscal and operational strain on local, state and federal governments, reflecting the need to find a better solution. Volunteers of America believes it has found the solution through our two innovative policy initiatives.

Our Policy Engagement

As the largest nonprofit provider of affordable senior housing, the fourth largest nonprofit provider of skilled nursing care and the sixth largest nonprofit provider of assisted living, Volunteers of America plays a vital role in transforming the current landscape of delivering human services to millions of Americans each year. Our mission not only commands us to help those millions of Americans in need, but to provide policymakers at all levels of government with a true assessment of how they can help us in delivering these life-changing services.

Americans from all walks of life depend on Volunteers of America. Our national nonprofit faith-based organization has been dedicated to helping those in need live healthy, safe and productive lives. Since 1896, our ministry of service has supported and empowered America’s most vulnerable groups, including seniors, people with disabilities, at-risk youth, men and women returning from prison, homeless individuals and families, those recovering from addictions and many others. Through hundreds of human service programs, including housing and healthcare, Volunteers of America helps more than 2 million people in over 400 communities. We offer a variety of services for older Americans, in particular, that allow them to maintain their independence and quality of life, everything from an occasional helping hand to full-time care. For over a century, our work has touched the mind, body, heart and, ultimately, the spirit of those we serve, integrating our deep compassion with highly effective programs and services.

Simply put, Volunteers of America’s Policy Agenda for the 111th Congress is two-fold: first, to raise awareness among policy makers of the ongoing struggles facing millions of Americans and second, to build strategic relationships that will help Volunteers of America and our constituents successfully support key legislation and funding that is necessary to continue our vital role in the field of human services.