Stories

125 years ago, the United States was a very different place. The year was 1896. Utah had just been admitted as the 45th U.S. state. William McKinley would win the year’s Presidential election. The Supreme Court case Plessy v. Ferguson was in full swing, defining “separate but equal” to uphold racial segregation. The Dow Jones stock market index and the first ever Ford vehicle were both created. In the midst of these monumental events in our nation’s history, on March 8, 1896 in the Great Hall of New York’s Coopers Union, Volunteers of America was founded by a fearless husband and wife duo,…

Volunteers of America has a lot to celebrate in March – the organization turned 125 years old on March 8 and Women’s History Month showcases our co-founder Maud Booth’s inspiring work as a social reform pioneer. Even before women were allowed to vote, Maud was actively shaping attitudes on social justice, advocating for the rights of vulnerable members of society, and setting the example for future women as leader of one of the nation’s largest charitable organizations. The women of Volunteers of America Delaware Valley continue to exemplify that legacy 125 years later as they serve their clients with passion…

For many individuals returning to society after incarceration, the “home” they left behind is now an unknown, unfamiliar place. These individuals are faced with a number of challenges upon release – securing stable housing, acquiring employment, obtaining education and/or legal assistance, reuniting with family members and even procuring identification. To ensure success and a real second chance at life, these individuals are in desperate need of guidance, stability and accountability. Providing that valuable assistance and much-needed guidance is what VOADV’s Safe Return program is all about. Safe Return is an innovative reentry program created in 2015 by VOADV to ensure that no inmate…

2020 has been a year unlike any other. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, everyone has had to adjust to a new way of living between cancelled events, social distancing protocol and working from home. At VOADV, one positive we have witnessed firsthand during this very different, difficult year is the way it has brought people together and inspired them to give back. At the New Albany School in Cinnaminson, students and educators took the initiative to give to those in need all while facing the challenges of an atypical school year and transitioning to hybrid learning. Organized by the Library…

People of color are significantly more likely to be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, whether it is by loss of income or housing, hospitalization or even death. When 16 year old Monica Thomas, from Sicklerville, NJ, became aware of this, she knew she had to do something to help. While all of us have witnessed the brutal impact of the pandemic throughout the past year, Monica hears stories from the frontlines each day – both of her parents are physician’s assistants and her sister is an ICU nurse. They all have been coming home with heartbreaking stories of the realities of this…

Meet Latasha Kendrick – VOADV Moving Forward client and single mother of three children who overcame homelessness and domestic violence only to face a new, unexpected challenge in 2020… coronavirus. We first introduced you to Latasha in our June edition, when The Star Ledger/NJ.com profiled her struggle of having to choose between the job she loves and staying home to care for her children during the pandemic. A few weeks ago, Latasha was asked to share her heartbreaking story with esteemed Senior Business Correspondent Stephanie Ruhle for a primetime special “Coronavirus and the Classroom,” anchored by Lester Holt. Latasha’s segment focused on…

Here at VOADV, we’ve seen the devastating impact that the COVID-19 pandemic can have. From a client faced with maintaining a job while caring for her children to the many individuals struggling to afford basic necessities like rent, this past year has been especially difficult for all of the populations we serve. However, in a year where so many people were faced with their own unique challenges, many individuals still stepped up to support members of the community in need. One place where this was especially prominent was VOADV’s Home For The Brave, a 30 bed transitional housing program for single, male veterans. Transitioning…

Volunteers of America Delaware Valley and New Jersey SHARES Inc. (NJ SHARES) recently expanded their partnership, making the SHARES Mortgage Assistance Rent or Taxes (SMART) Program available to both Camden County and Atlantic County residents in need. The SMART Program provides critical funding for rent or mortgage assistance to individuals that are facing eviction or foreclosure. The program is designed to assist low-to-moderate income households in New Jersey with a combined total monthly income between 0-80 percent of the area median income for the region. Eligible households may then receive a one-time grant up to $5,000 to aide with a mortgage or…

Devon Catts is a case manager for Volunteers of America Delaware Valley’s Aletha R. Wright “Vision of Hope” Center, a 125-bed emergency shelter for single men experiencing homelessness in Camden, NJ. Since her start at VOADV in January, Devon is already making a huge, positive impact on our clients at the Aletha R. Wright Center. As an Aletha Wright Center case manager, Devon assesses her clients’ needs, links them to services and administers a treatment or recovery plan – all with the end goal of enabling these individuals to achieve self-sustainability and independence. In recent weeks, Devon has witnessed how…

During the COVID-19 pandemic, these individuals are facing dire challenges. Grocery store shelves have limited stock, public transportation has been running on severely modified schedules and medical facilities are overwhelmed. Millions have lost their paychecks, jobs and a way to sustain life. One critical challenge Volunteers of America Delaware Valley is working hard to address is ensuring that no family or individual ever goes hungry. Beginning in early April, VOADV has been working side-by-side with local food banks, community organizations, law enforcement agencies and others in various capacities to collect and distribute meals to hundreds of struggling families and vulnerable…