Living in seedy motel rooms along the Black Horse Pike and walking the streets of Atlantic City after nightfall are young victims of human trafficking forced by captors to prostitute themselves. Essentially they’re slaves, experts say. – Advertisement – But help has come since 2020 from the Volunteers of America Delaware Valley (VOADV). The organization partnered in October of that year with the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA) to create and implement the Atlantic City Human Trafficking Pilot, according to VOADV Senior Vice President Amanda Leese. “As a provider of social services in New Jersey, we cannot ignore human trafficking,”…

 Volunteers of America Delaware Valley ( VOADV) has launched their new Tri-County Navigational Resource Center located in Vineland to continue serving the residents of Cumberland, Gloucester, and Salem Counties. The office will provide both Safe Return and Navigator program services to community members in need. Both programs are designed to ensure an immediate, direct approach to service delivery and one-stop linkage to critical social services. As such,  VOADV is able to aid individuals and families in navigating reentry services, housing assistance, employment and job-readiness services, substance use and mental health referrals, legal assistance, and more.  “The new Tri-County Navigational Resource Center location creates a centralized one-stop for service delivery to the residents of Cumberland, Gloucester, and Salem,” said  VOADV President and CEO Daniel L. Lombardo. “The direct, immediate…

Volunteers of America Delaware Valley (VOADV) hosted the 3rd Annual Human Trafficking Summit: Forging the Path to Effective Legislation on March 13, 2024 in the Rowan University (Glassboro) Business Hall.

CAMDEN COUNTY, Nj – People experiencing homelessness have an opportunity to work and earn some cash and a free lunch in Camden County. The Work Now program is a partnership between Camden County and Volunteers of America (VOA) Delaware Valley. Five days a week ten people experiencing homelessness can sign up to pick up trash for the day and earn $75 and a free lunch. David Williams, 36, started working for the program over a month ago and, with the VOA’s support, now has a full-time job. “They don’t downplay us because some of us are homeless, don’t have jobs or whatever….

The Center will serve residents of Cumberland, Gloucester, and Salem Counties

When Tamika Levels-Hood, Vice President of Homeless Services, started college she was not entirely sure what she wanted to do. She only knew that she wanted to help others. At first, she thought she wanted to be an attorney focusing on social justice. Instead, her college experience guided her toward a career with more hands-on social services work. “I had, without my parents knowing, changed my major from English to Sociology, and I took a minor in Criminal Justice,” said Ms. Levels-Hood. “And I definitely waited awhile to tell them.” Ms. Levels-Hood began her career at Volunteers of America Delaware…

Every single day at VOADV, across our 40 programs, our clients are working towards their personal goals and a second chance at life – and our incredible staff are there to support and guide them every step of the way. Jamil Pollard is the perfect example of that. Through his own hard work, and the assistance of staff at Aletha R. Wright and our Camden Navigational Resource Center, Mr. Pollard recently accepted a job and moved to Brooklyn, NY to continue his journey. Hear his story in the words of his case manager: “Mr. Pollard was displaced from his home…

Meet Kim Love, Director of Specialized Offender Services at VOADV. With 15 years of experience at the organization, Kim’s dedication and passion for her work are evident. She oversees two of VOADV’s most unique, but impactful programs that she describes as “small but mighty” – the Community Resource Center (CRC), the Family Violence Prevention Program (FVPP), as well as parole transient housing. When an individual is released on parole, they can be going back to an entirely different world than the one they left – technology and transportation routes have changed, necessary employment skills have advanced, family may have relocated and so much more….

We recently announced the launch of the New Jersey Reentry Council at the New Jersey County Jail Wardens Association Conference in Atlantic City. Funded by Pew Charitable Trusts, the Council is designed to bring together reentry stakeholders across disciplines throughout the state to share best practices, resources and overcome barriers. With the unique expertise offered by each member, the New Jersey Reentry Council will be a resource for stakeholders to ensure those we serve are afforded every opportunity for short and long term stabilization pre and post release. We are hopeful that combined efforts through the Council will enhance an…

“I hope to keep doing the work that positively changes the lives of people while making sure the organization I’m working for has the greatest impact.” – Stephen A. Shultz, May 2017 This quote defines Steve’s valued service to Volunteers of America Delaware Valley, and will now serve as a reminder to everyone who enters our Collingswood office. On September 20, 2022 the VOADV team was honored to dedicate the building to former staff member, Stephen A. Shultz, in honor of his invaluable contributions to the organization. Over 11 years, Steve served as Chief of Staff, Senior Vice President for…