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January 2009
Volunteers of America of Illinois' Veterans Housing Project Addresses Lack of Affordable Housing and Employment Needs in Chicago
In Chicago, approximately 1,200 Veterans are homeless each night with more than 18,000 experiencing homelessness annually. Veterans account for more than 50 percent of those considered "chronically" homeless in Chicago.
Nationally, over 200,000 Veterans are homeless on any given night in this country and more than 500,000 are homeless at some point during the year. Veterans account for more than 33 percent of the total homeless male population which means that 1 out of every 3 homeless men in this country is a veteran. When homeless women and children are included, Veterans account for approximately 25 percent of the total homeless population in the country. Approximately 90 percent of homeless Veterans were honorably discharged from military service and more than one third of them specifically served in a combat zone during their military service.
In an effort to combat homelessness for Veterans in Chicago, Volunteers of America of Illinois (VOA of IL) established a Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program (HVRP) in mid 2007. More>
December 2008
Bedding of Their Own is Comfort to Former Homeless
When a bad back sidelined her from work and her son in Canada developed a brain tumor, Wendy Smith sold everything and headed north to help him. But then the Canadian government said that even though Smith had once been a resident, she had been gone too long and could not permanently stay. Smith headed back to Sacramento. Jobless, homeless and adrift for the first time in her life, she lived in shelters, her back killing her. Then, she found the Volunteers of America Independent Living Readiness Program. More>
Mayde Creek Students Help Displaced Families
To help brighten the holidays for some of the families impacted by Hurricane Ike, the Volunteers of America Action Team from Mayde Creek High School has partnered with the Katy Independent School District Police Department department to adopt families who relocated to the Katy area after the hurricane. More>
"101 Christmas Wishes' Brings Gifts for Youths
Just a week from Christmas, many in KELOLAND are still shopping for gifts. But for some kids, the gifts come few and far between., which is why KTWB and Volunteers of America are teaming up to bring them some holiday cheer. More>
She's Soldiering On: Girl's Hard Work Pays Off with "Nutcracker" Role
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| Breanne Acree, 11, (middle, in blue) rehearses a scene from "The Nutcracker" at the Tulsa Ballet. Four years ago, Breanne was living with her mother and two younger sisters in a Tulsa shelter for the homeless. On Dec. 19, she will be part of the cast for "The Nutcracker," portraying one of the toy soldiers in the battle scene between the Nutcracker and the Mouse King. JAMES GIBBARD/Tulsa World |
All it takes for dreams to come true on a stage is for some character to work a little bit of magic. That is how, in Tulsa Ballet's production of "The Nutcracker," the main character is transformed by the character of Drosselmeyer from a young dance student into a grown woman, to live out her romantic dreams, if only for a single night.
Making dreams come true in real life, however, takes something more than magic. Typically, dreams take time, along with determination and a lot of hard work. Breanne Acree's dream has taken three years to achieve. It hasn't quite come to fruition yet — that won't happen until Dec. 19, when Breanne will be part of the cast for "The Nutcracker," portraying one of the toy soldiers in the battle scene between the Nutcracker and the Mouse King. But the fact that Breanne, 11, is this close to performing on stage with one of the top professional dance companies in the country is something of a dream come true by itself. More>
Sidewalk Santa Photo is Something of a Mystery
The old-fashioned photograph on a postcard captured the attention of a local Volunteers of America employee who came across it in a Louisville bookstore. Captioned "Sidewalk Santa," the 1920 photo depicts a VOA worker dressed as Santa Claus raising money for charity. More>
16th Annual Hope for the Holiday Toy Drive
With only three weeks until Christmas, many families are busy shopping for gifts, but there are some children who will wake up Christmas morning with nothing. Volunteers of America, along with local sponsors, are hoping to make sure this doesn't happen. More>
VOA Offers Shoppers Tours of Stores
With Christmas less than three weeks away, some shoppers got a lot of their holiday shopping done by taking part in a community event. The Volunteers of America Bus Tour was the second and last of the year. Organizers say the tour gets more of a response each year. More>
Volunteers of America to Host 21st Annual Holiday Event for 300 of L.A.'s Impoverished Senior Citizens at Downtown L.A. Marriott on Christmas Day
During the holidays, L.A.'s impoverished seniors are at increased risk of severe depression. For 20 years, Volunteers of America of Greater Los Angeles (VOALA) has teamed-up with the entertainment industry and philanthropic individuals to make December 25th "A Christmas to Remember" in Los Angeles for destitute, lonely seniors. More>
November 2008
Dedication Ceremony for the Westrum House
Volunteers of America Northern New England will celebrate the official dedication of the Westrum House on Thursday, November 13th at 11:00 a.m. The Westrum House is a 27-unit high quality affordable senior housing community. It is named in honor of retired Sagadahoc County Sheriff Mark Westrum for his dedication and service to area seniors. Speakers will include representatives from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Volunteers of America Northern New England, and state and local dignitaries. We expect family and members of law enforcement from across the state to attend. More>
Food Boxes Handed Out to Those in Need
At approximately 7:45 a.m. Saturday in 30-degree weather, hundreds stood in line, stretching from Highland Avenue just shy of Creswell Avenue, to receive their Thanksgiving blessing. The blessing: 500 food boxes handed out to those in need at the Volunteers of America Highland Center and 250 more at Morning Star Baptist Church in Shreveport. More>
Homeless Vets to Have Added Housing
An apartment complex expected to open next month will almost quadruple the number of beds for veterans at risk of homelessness here, and housing experts say it's not nearly enough. The nonprofit Volunteers of America built the 24-unit Maple Court apartments in Durham because a disproportionate number of the Triangle's 500 or more homeless veterans live there. More>
LA Clippers Marcus Camby to Celebrate Thanksgiving with Volunteers of America on Skid Row
Thanksgiving giving has become a family tradition for the Cambys. Along with his wife Eva, and daughter Milan, the 6'11" Camby, decked out in apron, will serve a traditional holiday meal with all the trimmings at a sit-down dinner at VOALA's Ballington Plaza on Skid Row. More>
Metro Groups See Greater Need for Holiday Donations
More than 1,000 Thanksgiving baskets are being distributed today to low-income families at the Volunteers of America mission at 2877 Lawrence St. The baskets are being handed out by the VOA in partnership with representatives of the Denver law firm of Holme Roberts & Owens. Each basket provides a gift certificate for a 15- to 20-pound turkey, fresh fruit, sweet potatoes and traditional Thanksgiving side dishes. The VOA noted that there is a "significant increase in need" for the baskets this year. More>
More Teens Find Refuge at Homeless Youth Resource Center
In the Salt Lake Valley, a growing number of teens are sleeping on the streets with no home, no job, and no where to go. But there is one place that can help them get back on their feet. The Homeless Youth Resource Center is operated by the Volunteers of America and is open from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day, and the number of teens using the facility has more than doubled in the last few months. "Some days I feel helpless, not knowing what I'm going to do. When you're by yourself on the street, it's really hard," said homeless teen Regina Simmons. More>
One Mother's Story of Caring Gifts
"I've never been in a homeless shelter before. I felt like I was letting my kids down." Maria Roman and her three children turned to the Volunteers of America Guest House when they were evicted from their home. More>
Santa Clauses March Up Fifth Avenue for Holiday Charity
Shoppers weren't the only people getting a jump start on the Christmas season Friday. About 75 bell-ringing Santa Clauses made their way up Manhattan's Fifth Avenue for the 106th Annual "Sidewalk Santa Parade." The event kicked off a Volunteers of America fundraising drive, which raises money for food vouchers to help feed hungry New Yorkers for the holidays. More>
Volunteers of America Launches "Legacy of Hope Society"
Volunteers of America cared about Shelly Maxwell when she didn't care about herself. Before Volunteers of America entered her life, Maxwell cried all of the time. Her self-esteem was suffering, too, as she lived with her sister, taking care of six children in a small rural town. "I felt like nobody cared about me, and I had lost all hope," Maxwell said. "I stayed in the house all the time, and I felt like a prisoner in my own home." More>
October 2008
Housing Project Gains Ground in Bangor, Maine
Demolition has begun on a rundown Harlow Street building, a site that soon will become home to a four-story, 55-unit apartment complex specifically marketed to the elderly. Brunswick-based Volunteers of America Northern New England is backing the $11 million project, which has been enthusiastically supported by city officials who say affordable senior housing is sorely needed. More>
Over 400 Volunteers Make a Difference
On Saturday, October 25th, (Make a Difference Day) over 400 volunteers arrived to rake lawns for low-income seniors in an effort coordinated by the Volunteers of America's Handyman Program. More>
The Kindest Cut
Everyone loves a little pampering, whether they’re getting a haircut or manicure, makeup application or massage. But for the women at two shelters run by Volunteers of America, the attention they will receive on Sunday, Dec. 7 is a rare and precious treat. More>
September 2008
Brunswick Based Volunteers of America Dedicates New Affordable Senior Housing Community in Loudon, NH
Volunteers of America Northern New England headquartered in Brunswick, Maine celebrated the official dedication of the Richard Brown House, a new affordable senior housing community in Loudon, New Hampshire. This is Volunteers of America’s first affordable housing outside of Maine. Speakers included representatives from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Volunteers of America, state and local dignitaries, The City of Loudon, residents and family and friends of Richard Brown. More>
Coats for Kids
Colder weather is just around the corner and some local volunteers want to make sure every Mid-Michigan child stays warm. Volunteers of America and radio station WMMQ have partnered up for the annual Coats for Kids drive. More>
Good Sports
Local high school students gathered last week at Great American Ball Park with Reds players Javier Valentin and David Weathers to learn about the importance of volunteering and becoming involved in their communities. The meeting was organized by Volunteers of America and the Players Trust, a charitable foundation created by the Major League Baseball Players Association that supports the volunteer activities of individual players and initiates outreach programs such as Action Teams that teens can organize at their schools. More>
GTIL Supports "Adopt a Family" for the Holidays
The Great Lakes IT Report is "adopting" a charity for the holiday season, and we're hoping we can get companies in technology, the life sciences, advanced manufacturing and associated services to "adopt" a bunch of needy families.
Volunteers of America's "Adopt A Family" program matches families and seniors in need with individuals and corporate sponsors who adopt them for the holidays, providing new clothes, toys for children and an all-out Christmas dinner to those who otherwise would not be able to celebrate the holiday due to their hardships. More>
Innovative Care for Seniors Now Available at Horizons
Volunteers of America Colorado, a non-profit organization that provides human services to those in need nationwide, has opened an innovative health care program specifically for frail, elderly residents. More>
Memory Care Conference (Portland, OR)
The 2nd Annual “Hold Onto Your Memory: Aging & Memory in the African American Community” conference is Saturday, Sept. 6 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 pm at Portland Community College Cascade Campus, 705 N. Killingsworth. With sponsorship by Volunteers of America Oregon, The Layton Aging and Alzheimer’s disease Center at OHSU, and the Urban League of Portland, African American seniors and their family caregivers can learn about resources available to them and hear from speakers working in cutting-edge health programs that positively impact their communities. More>
New Charter Schools Opening for the 2008-9 School Year
The Minnesota Department of Education recently announced the approval of 11 new charter schools state-wide, eight of which will be opening in the Twin Cities or first-ring suburbs. This year’s crop follows a current trend in charter schools: aggressively pursuing poor and low-income families who are dissatisfied and disillusioned with public school systems, particularly in Minneapolis.
Sponsored by Volunteers of America of Minnesota, a non-profit social and community service organization, Global Academy in Columbia Heights hopes to provide elementary-aged students “an interdisciplinary approach and integrated learning units, with a heavy emphasis on character development,” according to Jay Testerman of Volunteers of America. The school will ultimately have 200 students, grades K-6, according to Mellissa Storbakken of Global Academy. More>
Outstanding Service to Homeless Veterans
The Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, Dr. James B. Peake, has recognized Volunteers of America of Florida as the recipient of the 2008 Department of Veterans Affairs, Secretary’s Award for Outstanding Achievement in Service to Homeless Veterans. Kathy Spearman received the award from Secretary Peake during a meeting of the Advisory Committee on Homeless Veterans.
The National award had the following inscription:
It is with great pride that we recognize your devotion and outstanding contribution to our Nation’s homeless veterans.Your dedication and commitment to helping others exemplifies outstanding service to our community and our Nation. The Department of Veterans Affairs proudly recommends you for your selfless efforts.
Volunteers of America of Florida works closely with the United States Department of Veterans Affairs and Florida communities to meet the complex needs of veterans experiencing homelessness. Volunteers of America of Florida proudly provides services to veterans in six Florida communities (Key West, Miami, Cocoa, Jacksonville, Gainesville, and Lake City), with program expansion planned for four additional communities in need (Tampa, Punta Gorda, Pensacola, and Tallahassee). Additionally, the agency operates the Florida Veterans’ Mobile Service Center, a 40-foot mobile, self-contained medical, dental, and service facility, and helps veterans identify and seek the resources needed to restore their physical and metal health.
Partnership to Ease Monroe Co's Daycare Crisis
Families struggling to find daycare for their children may get some much needed help - and it couldn't have come at a better time. Beginning Tuesday, the YMCA of Greater Rochester and Volunteers of America Western New York will partner to combat Monroe County's child care cuts. More>
Rockies Players' Wives Pitch in for Women's Shelter
Life has thrown many a curve ball at the 25 women who call the Irving Street Shelter home. Homelessness, mental illness and substance abuse are some of the issues they deal with on a daily basis. Open since May, the shelter is the newest in the Volunteers of America-Colorado network of safe havens and last Friday night the residents had some very special visitors: about a dozen women whose husbands either play, coach or manage the 2007 National League champion Colorado Rockies. More>
SF Teen Prescription Abuse
To break free from substance abuse, more than a 150 kids stay at an in-patient residence unit at the Volunteers of America Heisler Chemical Dependency Treatment Program in Sioux Falls, SD. As chemical dependency services director, Chris Sandvig says he has treated kids for about every kind of drug. He says that's because drugs are easy for kids to get. More>
Volunteers of America Greater Ohio and North Louisiana Awarded CARF Accreditation
The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities(CARF), has accredited Volunteers of America Greater Ohio’s Emergency and Permanent Supportive Housing Programs for families in Columbus, Ohio, for a three year period. CARF is an independent, non-profit accreditor of human service providers that conducts an impartial peer review using internationally developed and accepted standards. Accreditation validates that services, personnel and documentation have an established pattern of practice excellence and that more than 300 quality standards have been adhered to.
Volunteers of America of North Louisiana received accreditation from an international organization for its programs that help adults with disabilities live independently in the community. CARF International, an independent, nonprofit accrediting body, approved accreditation for the organization’s Assertive Community Treatment program, Case Management/Service Coordination, Community Housing, Community Integration, and Employment Services: Job Development, Job Site Supports, and Job Site Training
The programs are provided through Volunteers of America of North Louisiana’s Employment and Community Services Department in Shreveport, Volunteers of America of Northeast Louisiana and Volunteers of America of Central Louisiana.
Volunteers of America Opening a New Thrift Store
Volunteers of America of Florida's Manatee program is opening the Odds and Ends Thrift store. Odds and Ends will serve as an employment training center for adults with disabilities and will give them opportunities to learn employability skills. More>
Volunteers of America Opens New Canandaigua Store
Ontario County residents have a new place to shop for discounted merchandise. The Volunteers of America Western New York opened up a new store in Canandaigua this week at the old Snow Country store in Parkway Plaza. More>