Forced labor and sex-trafficking are on the rise in New Jersey, and the state now has an independent unit within the state police department handling such cases. “You could say it’s an epidemic in New Jersey, it is growing quite rapidly,” said Detective Sgt. Rick Hershey, who supervises the New Jersey State Police Human Trafficking unit in South Jersey. According to the National Human Trafficking Hotline, 170 human trafficking cases were identified in New Jersey by investigators in 2023 from calls to the hotline, up from 137 cases in 2022 and the largest total since 2019, when 247 such cases were identified. Cassidy Egan,…

NJ Transit, Jersey Shore rocker Jon Bon Jovi’s Soul Kitchen Foundation and two other charities launched a more helpful solution for people in need who are asking riders for spare change. The program, “Chance for Change” allows passengers to donate electronically to charities that will use the money to get help from everyday necessities to substance abuse counseling to housing for the unhoused and others in need. Officials speaking at a launch event at the Red Bank train station Monday called it a better option than giving a person cash for a one time, well-intentioned handout for coffee or food. The program…

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VOADV has launched their annual fundraiser, Operation Backpack®, collecting backpacks and school supplies throughout the summer.

From cleaning up parks and washing county vehicles to receiving identification and interviewing for full time positions, the Work Now program offers those experiencing homelessness a pathway to stable, independent lives through a paid day of work and access to crucial services. A partnership between Volunteers of America Delaware Valley and the Camden County Board of Commissioners, Work Now provides a unique opportunity for individuals who may have been reluctant to seek help initially. By earning a day’s wage, participants are incentivized to engage with services, breaking down barriers of mistrust and skepticism. The heart of the program lies in…

This great day was a long time coming. In 2020, when the Chamber of Commerce Southern New Jersey saw its first leadership change in 25 years, one of the organization’s new priorities was assuring it was giving back to the community. That came with a shift in its mission, vision, strategic priorities and a renewed focus on recruiting nonprofits and other community-based organizations to its membership base. Another aspect of this new direction was adding programming to the chamber’s already packed slate of more than 120 events per year that encouraged its more than 1,200 member companies to give back and support…

Rep. Christopher Smith (R-Manchester) delivered the following remarks at a Human Trafficking Symposium today in Freehold: “Forced labour in the private economy generates $236 billion in illegal profits per year, a new report (published on March 19, 2024)  from the International Labour Organization (ILO) has found… “Forced commercial sexual exploitation accounts for more than two-thirds (73 per cent) of the total illegal profits, despite accounting for only 27 per cent of the total number of victims in privately imposed labour… “These numbers are explained by the huge difference in per victim profits between forced commercial sexual exploitation and other forms…

At VOADV, we help turn second chances into transformed lives and have been doing so for 128 years. From the very beginning, our co-founder Maud Booth was opening “Hope Halls” as an extension of her commitment to reforming and improving the conditions of the nation’s prison system. Today, VOADV’s Hope Hall is an American Correctional Association accredited 175-bed halfway house for adult males that provides services including case management, discharge planning, job coaching, substance use treatment and more. Clients at Hope Hall are given a second chance, as well as support and guidance throughout their journey to fulfilling whatever their…

One person’s generosity can make all the difference – even more so when a group of individuals looking to help come together. That is especially true for the incredible organizations that support VOADV in a variety of ways. Our clients greatly benefit from a kind, helping hand on their journey towards independence – and we are so grateful for the generous support we receive from local organizations looking to make a difference! Keller William’s annual Red Day is focused around their commitment to community service and giving back to the people and locations that support them. We were grateful to…

The 2024 VOA National Conference is complete! The VOADV team had a busy and productive few days in National Harbor, MD – here are some of the highlights! Team members Daniel Smith and Jamal Miles were commissioned as ministers, while Tamara Davis was ordained as a minister. VOADV board member Maury Reiter won the 2024 Governance Innovator Award. COO Kathy White-Thomas spoke on the panel Navigating Your Leadership Journey: A Female Perspective. Members of the team supported Volunteers of America – Greater New York by attending their panel Identifying and Treating Traumatic Brain Injury Caused by Domestic Violence. Health Equity…