This Is Why We Do What We Do.
With the support of our generous supporters, Volunteers of America Western New York is able to provide food, shelter, hope and comfort for individuals and families in their time of need. When you make a charitable gift to Volunteers of America, you help a man or women take the first step toward self-sufficiency and you also ensure that someone will be there to walk the extra mile with them.
VOAWNY's success can only be measured through our quality work at the human level, one on one, person to person.
Do you have a story to share about how VOAWNY helped you? Click here:
http://www.voawny.org/Support-Us/Share-Your-Story.html
Watch the new VOAWNY Agency video by clicking here:
http://blip.tv/voa1896/volunteers-of-america-western-new-york-s-programs-6373343
Meet Thomas
Fresh from high school, Thomas eagerly served his country as a military service man and later his community as a police officer. Thomas worked hard for years, but his life began to fall apart due to post traumatic stress disorder and addiction. Eventually, he found himself homeless and alone.
Thomas knew he needed help. He was in and out of treatment programs for years and found himself homeless every time he was released. When he found out about Volunteers of America's transitional housing program for homeless veterans, he reached out to us for a lifeline.
Thomas entered VOA's Veteran's program and found the help he needed. The staff's encouragement and willingness to listen made a difference for Thomas. He began to take advantage of all the services offered to him.
"Thomas is one of our greatest success stories," says Barbara Rick, Program Director of Shelter and Permanent Housing. During his time in the program, Thomas was reunited with his children, and he was able to secure employment as a driver for a local trucking company. After saving enough money, Thomas moved out of VOA's transitional housing into his own apartment where he now lives independently.
Volunteers of America helps veterans like Thomas all the time. The program which celebrated its third anniversary in October, provides shelter to male and female veterans and their families. Veterans meet with case managers weekly for the first thirty days then bi-weekly after that. Whether they need therapy, counseling or other services, the case managers provide the help themselves or arrange the necessary assistance at other agencies. Case management is tailored to each individual's needs to provide them with the specific services they require to change their lives.
In addition to shelter, the veterans are also given free meals and toiletries, as well as free dental care. They are not required to pay rent while living at VOA. The program is designed to help veterans deal with the issues in their lives, and develop healthy, self-sufficient lifestyles. VOA helps program participants to enroll in vocational training, secure gainful employment, reunite with family and develop positive support systems that will be there for them after they leave VOA.
http://abc.go.com/watch/extreme-makeover-home-edition/SH559052/VD55152963/a-veterans-day-special
THIS IS WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO.