Mission

Reflecting on my life, I ask myself: What will be your legacy? I think back to a brief part of my life, when I had the opportunity to serve my country with the United State Marine Corps. Stepping on the yellow footprints at the Marine Crops Recruit Depot (MCRD) in San Diego, CA, I had no idea on how making the transition from a civilian to Marine would be significant in continuing the legacy of military service within my family. My great-grandfather served in the World War II, my grandfather served in the Vietnam, my father did a short time…

Each year, we recognize September as Suicide Prevention Month. It’s an opportunity to spread awareness for the staggering statistics around suicide and what can be done to help those who are struggling with their mental health. At Volunteers of America, we know our nation’s veterans often face many challenges when returning from service, including unemployment, poor mental health, physical injuries, and the need for safe, secure housing. If these difficulties go unaddressed, their mental health challenges can worsen. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs’ National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report (2019), veterans account for 13.5% of all suicide deaths…

At Volunteers of America Ohio & Indiana, we believe in a world where all people live in safety, with social, emotional, and physical well-being, spiritual fulfillment, justice, and hope. When a person walks through the doors of VOA, they are greeted with respect and open arms to help them rebuild their lives. June is PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) Awareness Month. We sat down with one of our Clinical Supervisors, Vanessa Hogan, MS, LMHC, LCAC to learn more about PTSD and how friends and family members can best support their loved ones. In your role, how do you help people…

It is very important for me to foster a culture of inclusion in the workplace to ensure that everyone feels safe, seen, valued, and heard. And while there have been strides to include MOST people, one group often remains omitted from the process. That group is Justice Involved Individuals. For several years, I have worked to bring attention to the initiatives that ensure equity in employment opportunities for this forgotten segment of society. It is my ultimate desire to encourage more employers to embrace the idea of extending second chances to qualified Justice Involved Individuals whenever possible. In 2020, I…

I’m bi-racial. Born to a white mother and a Black father; something that initially rocked the white family that I grew up with. See, my father hasn’t been in the picture since I was around one year old, so my childhood wasn’t split between the two. I grew up entirely with my white family. In very white spaces. A black sheep, standing out from the flock. My childhood was great for the most part and I never recall yearning to know my father or meet my other family, but as I’ve gotten older, especially in the last few years I’ve…

The men, women, and families who walk through the doors of Volunteers of America Ohio & Indiana for the first time seeking help often think there is no hope left for them.  The staff who welcome these men and women to VOA programs do so with arms wide open – ready to help carry their burdens, lighten their load, and remind them that there is always hope. They are people with a passion for uplifting others to help them rebuild their lives.  Khamisi Jordan is one of those passionate people.  Khamisi is a Community Case Manager at one of our VOA Veterans Resource Centers and if you know him personally,…

hen asked to participate in the DE&I effort here at Volunteers of America Ohio & Indiana, I was honored, yet felt a significant responsibility to represent the Retail team. This committee is vitally important for our current and future team members, as well as our customers, in a very diverse and sometimes emotional dialogue around access, opportunity, and inclusion for all. We have an incredible opportunity to ensure our organization, our retail store team members, and leaders represent the communities in which we do business and extend our mission efforts. I want to be part of this DE&I team that…

I became a DE&I Ambassador because I genuinely love people. Most importantly, I love seeing people thrive and being part of their process of change. One of the biggest ways we can ensure this change takes place is by seeing people as individuals and actively listening as they identify what their needs are. Volunteers of America Ohio & Indiana does a great job of listening, not only to clients, but to staff as well. When I first joined the VOA family, I was excited about working with the Veteran population because my father was a veteran. He always spoke so…

Operation Backpack® is a Volunteers of America signature program that helps local kids reach their full potential and thrive as they start the school year. Community members like you rally together to donate backpacks and school supplies to give kids the confidence and tools they need to succeed and dream big.

In June, we recognize PTSD Awareness Month. People living with PTSD, or post-traumatic stress disorder, have experienced or witnessed a life-threatening or terrifying event. It’s a mental health condition that can cause flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety, and uncontrollable thoughts about the event. Not just this month, but every month, it’s important to understand how to support and care for those living with PTSD.