News
In the News
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December 2, 2021VOA Cuts Ribbon on New Housing for the Homeless
The Volunteers of America (VOA) held a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of new apartments for those experiencing homelessness. VOA’s Cooper Union is a permanent supportive housing program for homeless and chronically homeless individuals. The program has been operating for more than a decade, with 45 apartments on the three upper floors. With the new addition of the 7 units on the first floor, the facility now has 52 supportive housing apartments.
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November 25, 2021Giving Back this Thanksgiving
Volunteers of America staff served Thanksgiving meals at Foundation House – VOA’s supportive housing for men experiencing chronic homelessness. “We had 25 individuals here for today all from different walks of life and they gathered here as a family. When you think of thanksgiving, thanksgiving is families getting together and these individuals are not related but they’ve all come down to celebrate this special day and have time to spend with those they’ve got to know," said Volunteers of America's CEO Lynn Sullivan.
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September 28, 2021"Bank of America Guest Room" Dedicated at Volunteers of America Emergency Shelter
The Volunteers of America dedicated a new room at its family shelter, which will provide shelter and essential support to homeless families in need. The Bank of America "Guest Room" recognizes the financial institution's long-time support of the VOA.
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August 5, 2021VOA Celebrates 125 Years of Service
VOA celebrates 125 years of service and more than 1 million lives changed for the better through poverty and homelessness, reentry and children’s services. Read our article in the Rochester Business Journal or below:
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June 16, 2021Preschoolers Graduate at the VOACC
Volunteers of America Wednesday held a graduation ceremony for more than 200 preschool students. Each family drove their child through the parking lot at the VOA's children's center to receive a diploma and a graduation cap. They also got to park and take pictures! Spikes from the Rochester Red Wings was even there to help celebrate!
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May 21, 2021VP, Rob Stedman, Honored with National Award
The Volunteers of America (VOA) National organization is honoring Rob Stedman, Vice President of Services for Children & Families for VOA Upstate New York, with its ‘Leadership in Program Management’ Award. The Leadership Awards are presented to VOA staff whose hard work, loyalty, and dedication exemplify the highest ideals of the organization.
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April 30, 2021I Remember Mama PSA
15 second PSA aired on Kiss 106.7, WHAM 1180, Fox Sports 1280, Mix 100.5, The Bull 107.3, Sunny 102.3, Radio 95.1 and WZXV 99.7 to promote VOA's "I Remember Mama" celebration.
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April 28, 2021
Battling Homelessness in New York
“Our goal is to not just interrupt homelessness,” Dedee said, “but to end homelessness.” Although some program approaches have been altered because of Covid-19 precautions, Volunteers of America has not stopped providing assistance to those in need. The team installed wireless networks in four supportive housing facilities and distributed over 120 tablets to residents to provide remote case management services.
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April 17, 2021News 8 "A Million Dreams" Celebration
Watch our "A Million Dreams" celebration broadcasted on Channel 8 WROC! Hear directly from people whose lives have been changed by VOA through our continuum of homelessness prevention, childhood education, and reentry programs.
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January 3, 2021125th Anniversary Kick-Off
VOA had the opportunity to go on-air with Breezy from 98PXY to kick-off the beginning of our 125th Anniversary Year! If you haven't listened yet, you can catch the full interview below, as well as on 92.5 WBEE, 96.5 WCMF and 98.9 The Buzz. Lynn Sullivan: President & CEO, and Jordynn Barnhart Sullivan: Communications & Events Manager, discussed VOA's impact in the community since 1896 and what our vision is for the future.
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December 7, 2020News 8 Live Broadcasts
VOA had 3 live broadcasts from our program sites! Watch interviews with President & CEO: Lynn Sullivan, VP of Housing Services: Mike Dedee, VP of Children and Family Services: Rob Stedman, and Tiffany Bundy - a parent at our Children's Center.
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October 2, 2020Mike Dedee joins VOA as VP of Housing Services
Volunteers of America announces that Mike Dedee has been named Vice President of Housing Services. He brings over 25 years of human services experience to the role, previously working at Willow Domestic Violence Center and Villa of Hope.
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September 8, 2020Eagle Scout Volunteers to Renovate VOA's Guest House Playroom
A 15-year-old Boy Scout in Mendon's Troop 105, Noah Adams, visited the Volunteers of America's emergency family shelter and volunteered to renovate the kids' playroom for his Eagle Scout project. "It's very important to me that kids can be kids and they can have a safe and fun place to play and be themselves," he said. "It was a great learning experience and it will bring a lot of joy to the kids who are in a difficult time in their lives," said Noah.
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August 19, 2020Lynn Sullivan appears on "Missions in Action" on Family Life Network
Filling the gaps for people facing poverty. That’s the aim of Volunteers of America. President & CEO, Lynn Sullivan, appeared on Family Life Network with Traci Woolsey's "Missions In Action" news segment.
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July 22, 2020VOA announces Alicia Davis as new Director of Housing & Shelter Services for Broome County
Volunteers of America is announcing Alicia Davis as the new Housing and Shelter Services Director for Broome County amid the coronavirus pandemic."I want to see my community doing well and thriving, and everybody living their best life in Broome County," said Davis.
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July 22, 2020VOA hires new Director of Housing and Shelter Services
Alicia Davis took over as the new Director of Housing and Shelter Services on July 6th. She has been working with the homeless community for the past 7 years.The VOA works to help veterans and their families find temporary and permanent housing solutions, as well as assist with other resources they may need.
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July 16, 2020VOA's Angela Harbin, announced winner in "COVID-19 Heroes" category for the Health Care Heroes awards
After the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the RBJ accepted nominations for health care professionals who were making exceptional efforts to help our region fight this health crisis. Dozens of nominations were made by community members who supplied testimonials on what these professionals were doing to address coronavirus-related health needs. VOA's Regional VP of Housing Services, Angela Harbin, was announced as a winner in the "COVID-19 Heroes" category for the Health Care Heroes awards.
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July 14, 2020VOA awarded grant to help women and girls living in poverty achieve economic independence
VOA is one of ten local organizations that will share nearly $200,000 in grants from Rochester Women’s Giving Circle this year. Grants are made to organizations in Monroe County that help women and girls living in poverty to gain the education, training, skills and jobs necessary to achieve economic independence.Volunteers of America was awarded training scholarships for women in VOA programs.
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June 23, 2020Graduation Ceremony for VOACC Preschoolers
More than 140 students from the Volunteers of America Children’s Center received their diplomas on Monday and Tuesday. Each family drove through the VOA’s parking lot to pick up a cap and the diploma. Parents were also able to stop for a photo op with their child. “For us, it’s really important,” VP of Services for Children and Families Rob Stedman said. “You’re recognizing the students but you’re also recognizing the family. We try to take a really holistic approach to what we do. Most of our families have been great about staying engaged with us since basically March 16 when we had to switch to virtual mode and so, we want to acknowledge them too and how much we appreciate their partnership in this really difficult situation.”
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June 19, 2020Reentry Programs Face Extra Challenges from COVID-19
“It’s really important work. These are people that are being released into our community. No matter what we think about what they did, not matter what we think about whether or not they should come back, they are coming back and we want them to have the best possible chance at being successful, not only for those individuals, but for the safety of all of us,” said Angela Harbin, Regional VP of Housing Services for Volunteers of America.
