125 Faces of VOA

“At two months, he was diagnosed with leukemia and given just two weeks to live. With experimental chemotherapy, he survived.”

“Who would have thought that something as simple as making a bed every day could be so life-changing?”

“It has brought me great joy knowing I was able to have a positive impact on a young life.”

“I was overwhelmed by the graciousness of the Puerto Rican residents we helped. In a senior facility with 240 elderly and disabled individuals, there were no complaints when we arrived, only thanks and warm smiles.”

“For me, what I still find unbelievable is that I became homeless. I was educated and had a long work history.”

“When I played at Volunteers of America’s GolfStar Classic with my son, Tom, to support the VOA adoption program, few realized that we were far more invested in the program than others.”

“I’ve always loved helping people. Having been in a situation where I had to depend on others has made me more determined to continue to help people as much as I can.”

“I was thinking that it would be easy to get back on my feet. It wasn’t that easy.”

“Treatment is for a season, but God and recovery are for a lifetime.”

“I was the first ex-con to be allowed Chaplaincy at the same prison that locked me up for years.”

“This time around I saw I needed help and eventually sought out the help for myself because it was the first time I felt people around me genuinely wanted to see me win.”

“The hospital staff tells me that I have a great, positive attitude. The staff and nurses made me a special ‘Best Patient Award’.”

“Every day, I’m helping women just like me. As the Intake Specialist, I’m like the front door. And I can relate to people because I’ve been there.”

“Getting the chance to help others makes me feel truly blessed every day.”

“This just shows how the things we do outside of our own paid professions can contribute to our preparedness at work.”

“I did not go home to my family for over 2 months, just because I wanted to keep them safe. I’ve missed my loved ones and my home.”

“I’m so grateful that we trusted our gut and started fostering the twins as babies because they gave us our forever family.”

“When I finally told some of my friends that I lived in a shelter, they couldn’t believe it. I thought they’d see me as an outcast but they didn’t.”