Volunteers of America facts for kids
 |
|
| Founded | March 8, 1896 |
|---|---|
| Founders | Ballington Booth, Maud Booth |
| Type | Faith-based Charity |
| Headquarters | Alexandria, Virginia, U.S. |
|
Area served
|
United States, Puerto Rico |
|
Employees
|
16,000 |
|
Volunteers
|
60,000 |
Volunteers of America (VOA) is a special group that helps people. It is a nonprofit organization, which means it doesn't aim to make money. VOA was started in 1896.
This group mainly helps people who need a safe, affordable place to live. They also offer other services. VOA works across the United States, including Puerto Rico. Each year, they help about 1.5 million people.
Contents
How Volunteers of America Started
Volunteers of America was founded on March 8, 1896. It was started by a couple named Ballington Booth and Maud Booth. They were social reformers. This means they worked to make society better for everyone.
Ballington Booth's father, William Booth, started The Salvation Army. Ballington and Maud first worked with The Salvation Army in the United States. They helped grow its social work. But they later decided to start their own group. They wanted to help people in a new way. So, they created Volunteers of America.
Helping People Through the Years
In the early 1900s, VOA began many helpful programs. They set up places to help people find jobs. They also had stores where people could buy things cheaply. They gave out clothes and offered medical help. Women could take sewing classes. They even provided Thanksgiving meals.
During the Great Depression in the 1930s, many people lost their jobs and homes. VOA stepped up to help. They opened "soup kitchens" to feed hungry people. They also had "Penny Pantries" where food cost only one cent.
By the 1960s, VOA was well known for its thrift stores. These stores sold used items at low prices. They also had fun fundraising events like the "Sidewalk Santa" campaign. Later, VOA started focusing more on providing housing for people in need. Today, it is one of the largest groups providing affordable housing in the U.S.
What "Volunteer" Meant Back Then
When Volunteers of America was founded, the word "volunteer" meant something different. It meant serving others as a full-time job. It was a special calling. The founders chose the name "Volunteers of America" to show they were an American group. They wanted to help Americans.
Today, VOA has many paid staff members. These are skilled professionals. They include nurses, therapists, housing experts, and more. They all work to help people.
How VOA Helps Today
Volunteers of America helps many different groups of people. They focus on those who need it most.
Providing Homes and Shelter
VOA is a big provider of affordable housing. As of 2017, they managed about 19,000 homes. These homes provide a safe place for nearly 25,000 people each year. They help seniors, families, and people with disabilities. VOA also reaches out to people experiencing homelessness. They offer help on the streets and through mobile services.
Supporting Kids and Families
VOA also works to help children, young people, and families. For example, in New York City, they have a special program. For over 14 years, they have given backpacks to students living in shelters. By 2017, they had given out over 140,000 backpacks. This helps kids have the supplies they need for school.
VOA helps many people in different ways. They support veterans, low-income seniors, and families. They also help people with intellectual disabilities. And they assist people recovering from addiction.
