Stories

The COVID-19 pandemic caused a significant impact and presented at times overwhelming challenges, but VOADV staff worked harder than ever to provide essential support and protection for our communities and clients. We are grateful that our focus can now turn to expanding the innovative services born out of those challenges, and ensuring that there are no barriers to our clients accessing them. This is possible in part thanks to a $500,000 grant from Congressman Donald Norcross through the Funding for the People Act. The funds will be used to increase telehealth capacity at our shelter sites so men, women, children,…

125 years of service certainly calls for a celebration, and for the past year, we have been doing just that. As Volunteers of America’s 125th anniversary approached on March 8, we knew we wanted to highlight and thank the people that make it all possible: our incredible staff. They serve every day with compassion, and deserve to be thanked for helping build our legacy for the next 125 years. The celebration started with a cupcake delivery to each of our 40 programs on our anniversary day. Every single staff member would be able to enjoy a delicious treat from a local…

“You make it possible.” This is the theme of our 125th anniversary and an undisputed fact throughout all of VOADV’s programs. Our incredible staff are the ones who make everything we do possible, serving each day with compassion and dedication. Every member of the VOADV family has a story and a unique perspective in their role. Meet Karen Gilliam – a VOADV team member for 11 years, and the Integrated Services Supporting Independence (ISSI) Office Manager for the past eight. ISSI is a residential program for individuals diagnosed with a mental illness that provides case management, treatment, rehabilitation, and community reintegration….

For many nursing students, their future profession is defined by long hours in a hospital and providing incredibly important medical care. However, there is a whole other side to the job according to Rutgers Camden Community Health Nursing professor, Kerrie Kelly. “Nurses need to be the ones that bridge the gap between medical care and social work,” she says. “For example, when a woman in need comes to the hospital to have a baby, the other things she is dealing with don’t just disappear. It is important that nurses are familiar with resources to help them as much as possible.”…

While it is our staff serving day in and day out that make a direct difference in our client’s lives, it is the support from our community and other organizations that makes it possible to grow our impact within our programs and beyond. We are excited to announce that we have received a grant from the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York’s Affordable Housing Program (AHP) to do just that. The AHP’s awards are designed to address local housing needs as well as drive community development, and we are grateful for the impact this grant will have on our new family…

For many people, the holiday season is defined by family gatherings, picking out the perfect gift for a loved one, and seeing the joy on a child’s face on Christmas morning. However, there are hundreds of local parents who want to create that same magical feeling for their children but struggle to do so. That is where the Adopt A Family program comes in. Our mission is to connect local families with donors that can help make the holiday season a little brighter by providing toys, food and other basic necessities. This year for our 10th Anniversary we set the record-breaking goal of…

Estelle Haskins always knew she wanted to help others as a career. When she saw that Agape House was hiring, and learned that her mother previously worked at the shelter for single adults and families, it felt like it was meant to be. However, no matter how strong her connection to the shelter, nothing could have prepared her for one overnight shift just four months into her position when Hurricane Ida came barreling through. Estelle started at Agape in May 2021 as a Program Assistant. She is responsible for client orientation and assisting with the day-to-day tasks of running a shelter –…

VOADV’s footprint is significant – 3 states, 16 counties, many townships and over 10,000 individuals. While our staff’s dedication and knowledge make it possible to provide essential services to our area’s most vulnerable individuals, our partnerships and supporters also play a substantial role in what we are able to do. One new relationship that we are exciting about growing is with the Edgewater Park Elks Lodge #2550. The members of this Lodge recently presented our CEO Dan Lombardo and Director of Philanthropic Giving Alexis Degan with a donation thanks to their Holman Automative 6th Annual Ride For The Troops. This generous donation…

VOADV recently held a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of Centerton Village, their newest affordable housing community located on Centerton Road in Mount Laurel. A group of local elected officials joined representatives from VOADV and project partners to mark the completion of their newest affordable housing community in the region. Centerton Village is a 103-unit affordable housing community at the intersection of Centerton Road and Marne Highway. Housed in two four-story buildings are beautifully designed income-restricted apartments, featuring full kitchens, living and dining areas, full baths, large bedrooms and energy efficient appliances. The community also features a variety of…

This past month we launched our newest Navigational Resource Center to provide residents of Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem counties with a variety of direct, essential social services. Through a partnership with Hopeloft, our Tri-County Navigational Resource Center will provide greater access to critical social services for vulnerable populations that were previously underserved or forced to travel to neighboring counties for similar services. “With this new, centralized office location in Bridgeton, residents in need of services have a local resource to access the personalized support and professional guidance they require,” said Amanda Leese, SVP of Safe Return/Navigator Programs for VOADV. “By strategically…