125 Faces of VOA

“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.”

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

“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.”

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

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

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

“This isn’t a job for everybody. You really have to have a passion to do this. I can’t imagine doing anything else.”

“I’ve come such a long way since I was that shy toddler all those years ago.”

“I’m exhausted at the end of most days … I worry that we will lose some nurses because they will feel they no longer can give anything else for a while.”

“I realized through all of this that for families, incarceration is just as bad for the children as it is for the parent.”