Volunteers of America: Comprehensive Human Services for People in Need
As one of the nation’s largest and most established human services organizations, Volunteers of America (VOA) is dedicated to helping people rebuild their lives and reach their full potential. Founded in 1896, VOA is a faith-based nonprofit and operates in 47 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, serving over 2 million people every year.
Despite having the word “volunteers” in its name, VOA staff includes nearly 16,000 paid professionals in the fields of affordable housing, skilled nursing care, veteran services, and more.
In the wake of the unprecedented challenges of the past few years, including a global pandemic, VOA established a bold vision for supporting health and thriving individuals, families, and communities in the years ahead. VOA Healthy Communities for All lays out a plan for addressing shortages in affordable rental homes, the increased need for behavioral and mental health care, and a growing population of elder Americans (age 65+) who will need additional services.
The following services are the areas where VOA has made the greatest impact and continues to expand its offerings:
Affordable Housing
Volunteers of America is a leading provider of affordable housing, creating and managing over 500 properties across the United States for people experiencing homelessness, families with children, older adults, veterans and their families, and people with disabilities, including physical and mental disabilities. VOA’s housing network includes urban complexes, rural developments, elderly housing, multi-family housing, and more.
In 2018, Affordable Housing Finance Magazine ranked Volunteers of America #4 among non-profit developers and #29 among the largest for-profit and non-profit developers combined. VOA places more than 25,000 people in safe and stable homes each year.
Veteran Support Services
VOA is committed to supporting veterans through a range of services, including daily living, transitional and permanent housing, job training, child care, and mental health care. VOA serves over 27,000 veterans annually, helping them reintegrate into civilian life and overcome barriers to long-term stability.
Senior Citizen Services
Volunteers of America offers comprehensive services for seniors, including assisted living, skilled nursing care, and home health care. Operating over 20 senior living and care communities, VOA ensures that older adults receive the support and companionship they need to thrive.
Support for Families, Mothers and Children
Volunteers of America provides high-quality youth and family programs and services for disadvantaged and marginalized children and youth. Through our caring staff, we ensure young children’s social, emotional, and academic development. We empower older youth to be physically, emotionally, and mentally healthy and ready to enter adulthood. Our programs provide a continuum of care and support for young people through prevention, early intervention, crisis intervention, and long-term services.
We provide child care, Head Start, and early literacy programs to help young children get a bright start. We serve school-age children by providing before- and after-school programs, summer camps, and mentoring. Programming for older youth includes leadership development, job training, and pregnancy prevention.
Community Impact
Volunteers of America is dedicated to strengthening communities through various programs, including hunger relief, homelessness support, and disaster response. We provide over 2 million meals and services to individuals experiencing homelessness and offer support to families in need.
Moral Injury & Mental Health
The Shay Moral Injury Center at Volunteers of America provides educational programs and support for individuals experiencing moral injury and mental health challenges. Our online programs offer therapy, peer support, and educational resources to promote healing and resilience.
Assistance for People with Disabilities
VOA serves thousands of individuals with disabilities across the nation with specialized programs for autism, age-related problems, and other challenges. Our assistance for people with disabilities services includes in-home support, case management, day programs, and supportive employment, specialized residential services, host homes or foster care, and supported living.
Need help? Search for services by location or contact us today!
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