How Volunteers of America Works

Everyone could use some support now and then, and some people need more help than others do. You never know when a crisis is going to hit or you're going to need help caring for yourself or a loved one. Organizations like Volunteers of America are dedicated to pitching in when people fall through the cracks. With its long history and Christian-based goals, Volunteers of America is a trusted, respected and hardworking nonprofit that's ready and willing to help people rebuild their lives and unlock their full potential.

Volunteers of America helps more than 2 million people in 44 states. The organization works primarily with the elderly, at-risk youth, former prisoners, addicts, disabled people and the homeless. Its members believe in seeking out the "most vulnerable" groups and helping them find hope and success. And in this time of Internet scams and charity dishonesty, Volunteers of America maintains an excellent track record for fund distribution. Eighty-eight cents of every donated dollar goes straight to the cause [source: Volunteers of America]. So if you can't volunteer for the group, you can rest assured knowing your monetary donation is being used wisely.

It's not always easy to find a volunteer match that's right for you. With its community outreach programs, Volunteers of America gives you the opportunity to see instant, truly needed results. You can find those who are most vulnerable and help make them stronger than ever.

In this article, you'll learn about the history of Volunteers of America. Then you'll learn about the different services it provides and how you can volunteer. Read on to learn how this incredible organization got started.

History of Volunteers of America

Like many well-known service organizations, Volunteers of America appeared on the scene in the 19th century. Husband-and-wife team Ballington and Maud Booth started the group in 1896. They were social reformers who dedicated their lives to helping people get a foothold during rough times. The Booths were the first people to create halfway houses for recently released prisoners.

Volunteers of America was there through the Great Depression and World Wars I and II. Besides providing much-needed assistance for soldiers and their families during wartime, the organization collected millions of pounds of scrap material to make supplies.

Affordable housing is one of the core goals of the group. Since the 1960s, Volunteers of America has worked with the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), which was created in 1934 to help Americans buy homes. With the help of the FHA and charity organizations like Volunteers of America, the United States saw a boom in home sales.

In the 1970s, Volunteers of America began to focus on health care and housing for the elderly. Professional long-term nursing care isn't something people like to think about, but it's a necessity. The organization now operates assisted and independent living facilities and offers home health care for senior citizens.

Volunteers of America has come a long way, and it's still going strong. Read on to learn about more of its services.

Volunteers of America Services

Volunteers of America offers services for all aspects of life. The organization's volunteers provide care in more than 400 communities for the people who need it the most [source: Volunteers of America]. Services involve:

Improving the physical and emotional development of families and children (including runaways)

Strengthening communities by holding events and opening affordable thrift stores

Supporting the recently incarcerated through counseling and halfway houses

Helping people who have developmental disabilities or mental illnesses

Providing a wide range of services for the elderly, including housing, transportation, referrals, information, protection and health care

Offering employment training, job placement, literacy services and adult education

Reaching the homeless through mobile outreach and street outreach programs

Assisting homeless veterans with health care, housing and employment assistance

Volunteers of America also provides services relating to emergencies, mental health and substance abuse. To learn more about these programs, search the organization's Web site or contact your local office. Volunteers of America lists all of its state offices online.

Want to get involved? Read on to learn about how you can volunteer.

Volunteering for Volunteers of America

Deciding to become a volunteer is an important moment in your life. You're ready to dedicate your time and energy to other human beings. Volunteering is a commitment, so before you sign up, look at your schedule to determine how much time you can give each month. It's important to know in advance what you are and are not willing to do.

Once you've figured out your time limits, search the Volunteers of America services to determine the best match for your skills and passions. There are seemingly endless opportunities for volunteerism. If you're not sure how to help but still want to be involved, call your local office to speak with someone who can guide you in the right direction.

Roughly 80,000 volunteers worked with Volunteers of America in 2007 [source: Volunteers of America]. There are a variety of weekly, monthly and short-term projects, depending on your time constraints. From serving a hot meal to helping someone reenter society after prison, you can choose your level of involvement and cater the experience to your needs, too.

To learn more, visit the links on the following page.

How Volunteers of America Works

History of Volunteers of America

Volunteers of America Services

Volunteering for Volunteers of America

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