News and Events

As temperatures continue to fall, Volunteers of America is working to ensure no one faces winter without safety or support. VOA officially opened a new Code Blue shelter in Ithaca in partnership with Tompkins County on November 24, in order to meet an urgent community need. In addition to warm beds at night, the site operates as a daytime warming center offering case management to help individuals find more permanent housing options and access support services. In Broome County, our Code Blue program continues to run at full capacity at our Binghamton shelter. Across both communities, Code Blue is more…

More than 250 brand-new winter coats found their way into the hands of children at the VOA Children’s Center and our emergency family shelter thanks to Van Bortel Subaru and Operation Warm. This marks the third year of this partnership, bringing confidence, warmth, and comfort to children and supporting their well-being during the coldest months of the year.

We are excited to introduce the Maud Booth Giving Society, a special circle recognizing supporters whose sustaining gifts strengthen our ability to respond to community needs. Our new giving society honors the legacy of VOA’s co-founder, Maud Booth, a tireless advocate for dignity, compassion, and justice for people facing hardships. This society celebrates individuals who share that commitment and choose to invest in long-term, transformative change through their philanthropic support. Supporters may join the Maud Booth Giving Society in ways that fit their giving goals, from monthly gifts or annual contributions of at least $130 in honor of VOA’s 130th…

The Farm at Volunteers of America is a hydroponic urban garden growing fresh produce from a repurposed shipping container, and offering a range of programs from a veteran-focused agriculture therapy initiative to food pantry distribution and workforce development. Since joining VOA, Farm Program Manager, Jason DeLooze, has worked to strengthen connections between The Farm and the broader community to address the increasingly widespread systemic issue of food insecurity in Rochester. In a recent partnership with the Rochester City School District, VOA has developed a youth education curriculum that teaches children about sustainable growing practices. This hands-on approach encourages healthier eating…

Volunteers of America has been selected by Tompkins County to design and operate an emergency shelter in Ithaca. The details of the new shelter are still in development, but it is anticipated VOA will serve up to 100 people, providing them with safe shelter, supportive services, three daily meals, and include space for co-located service providers, laundry, and other resources. In addition, Tompkins County has engaged VOA to operate Code Blue emergency shelter services from November 15 through April 15, 2025. “For more than 100 years, VOA has been providing essential services to those in need, and this partnership with…

For families working hard to regain stability, the cost of school supplies can be overwhelming. Your support of Operation Backpack® lifted that burden and reminded parents that their community cares. With support from community partners, grants, and generous individual donors, backpacks were distributed to children staying at VOA’s family shelters and attending our Children’s Center. We collected over 450 backpacks and school supplies valued at more than $13,000, exceeding our goal. “A new backpack might seem small in the grand scheme of things,” said Sam Moskowitz, Director of Shelter Services. “But to a child who has been through instability the…

Stuck in a cycle of instability, Billy once faced homelessness without a strong support network behind him. He found both home and community within the walls of VOA’s Foundation House, where the welcoming staff helped him get back on his feet. With a permanent apartment, Billy was able to focus on improving his mental and physical well-being and reconnect with family. Hoping to turn his experiences into a source of hope for others, Billy is training to become a peer support specialist. “A lot of the struggles I went through provided me with a unique opportunity in that I’m able…

VOA partnered with the Broome-Tioga BOCES Barbering Program to provide free haircuts for residents at our Permanent Supportive Housing program in Binghamton. The effort was coordinated by BOCES instructor Michael Scott and VOA staff. When facing housing instability or economic hardship, it can be challenging to maintain a personal sense of self-care and style. It can also be a powerful step towards reintegration into the community, leading to job interviews and improved social interactions. Thank you to the talented BOCES barbers for helping 15 residents receive fresh cuts and a renewed sense of confidence.

Golfers took to the course at Locust Hill Country Club on September 8 for the 23rd Annual Volunteers of America Golf Tournament raising $75,000 to support VOA programs. The housing, education, and health services VOA provides can change the trajectory of someone’s life, results that extend far beyond individual success and build thriving communities for all. We couldn’t have done it without our incredible golfers, sponsors, and volunteers! We’re proud to recognize them in this year’s interactive digital event program. Inside, you’ll find the day’s schedule, contests, and the generous organizations and individuals who make this event such a success….

In August, Senator Jeremy Cooney announced that, amid federal funding threats, he would support local nonprofits through “Reinvesting in Organizations that Care” (ROC) Grants. Volunteers of America received $54,000 to install a handicapped-accessible bathroom at our Ward Street shelter. With this barrier removed, VOA can move forward with adding medical respite services. The addition of 2–4 respite beds will provide safe housing and the dignity of proper recovery for adults experiencing homelessness, while also easing pressure on local hospitals. VOA was one of twelve organizations selected to receive a ROC grant. Read the full press release from the office of…