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 employment-readiness 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!
