Stories

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…

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…

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….

Janaye Sims, Program Director at Eleanor Corbett House (ECH), has shown both compassion and commitment to her clients throughout her career in social services. Her journey into the social services field was unexpected. After completing a Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, she initially envisioned a different path. However, after open interviews and a chance encounter with Ms. Levels-Hood, VP of Homeless Services, she soon realized that her talents aligned with helping those in need. She soon accepted a position as a case manager at Anna Sample House, where she dedicated several years to guiding and assisting clients, while at the same time completing…

Every year, VOADV serves over 200 children through our family shelters. These children live, play, and study at the Anna Sample House Complex, Eleanor Corbett House, and Agape House. Hundreds more students have parents in our programs who are working towards building a better future for themselves and their families. Many of our clients are putting education at the forefront of their efforts to build independent sustainable lives. That is why while most people are enjoying their summer vacations, VOADV is busy preparing for the new school year. Operation Backpack collects school supplies for students of all ages that are…

At VOADV, our shelters provide 24-hour wraparound enriched services that go above and beyond the necessary and expected services for residents to build a strong foundation of life skills and to continue growing once living independently. These include case management, education and employment assistance, linkage to medical, mental and behavioral health care and much more but, we don’t stop there. Our innovative staff are always searching for meaningful programming and resources to enhance clients’ lives, and the Regan Center team recently developed an opportunity for residents to grow in special ways. The Regan Center is VOADV’s 23-bed facility located on the…