special promotional section
CAPITAL REGION CARES
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
Volunteers of America
MOVING FROM HOMELESSNESS TO INDEPENDENCE WITH LOVE
An estimated 5,500-plus individuals experience homelessness on any given night in Sacramento County . For the unsheltered community , Volunteers of America is a powerful source of immediate and long-term assistance , comfort and hope .
VOA serves the Greater Sacramento area with a mission to change individual lives , instill hope , increase self-worth and facilitate independence through quality housing , employment and related supportive services . VOA houses more than 2,700 individuals every night and serves 1,600 meals a day in addition to providing case management , counseling , employment readiness and other services to prepare neighbors for permanent housing .
The staff at VOA works with each client to create a personalized plan toward independence , whatever that may look like for each individual . “ These amazing staff members have dedicated their lives to helping others find the same independence and hope they have found ,” says Leo McFarland , president and CEO . “ Our team working together with our generous community makes our life-changing work possible and amplifies our impact .”
This holiday season , through the Share the Warmth campaign and the support of kind community members , VOA hopes to provide extra comfort to those experiencing homelessness during the winter months . “ Share the Warmth enables donors to show care and support ,” McFarland says . “ Our goal this year is to provide warm clothing , meals and shelter for 10,000 individuals in the region . Our board of directors and a generous group of donors will match every gift up to $ 100,000 , doubling the impact made in our community .”
In partnership with government agencies , businesses and individual donors , VOA will continue working to provide more affordable housing options in the future as well as employmentreadiness services . “ Our goal is always to go wherever needed and give individuals and families the tools needed to move from homelessness to independence , and we always welcome new friends and partnerships ,” McFarland says .
Text “ ShareTheWarmth ” to 44321 to help a neighbor today !
VOA-NCNN . ORG / SHARETHEWARMTH December 2021 | comstocksmag . com 21