Stories

When Rainer, a US Air Force veteran, was laid off from his job working on satellite communications for a major U.S. aerospace company, he did what most of us would do. He filed for unemployment, he updated his resume, and he started applying for every job he could find. With a spouse and three teenage daughters to support, the oldest of whom was applying to colleges for next fall, there was no time to lose.

VOA Southeast and Humana celebrated new facility upgrades at the Pines Family Campus with a Nurture and Nourish Day event featuring wellness activities and a tour of renovated spaces supporting recovery for mothers and children.

They say an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. VOA Southeast’s Helping Families Initiative (HFI) was built on a simple but powerful principle: intervene early, and you can change the trajectory of a child’s life—and a community’s future. By identifying and addressing the root causes behind chronic school absences in Alabama communities, HFI solves small problems before they grow into major ones.

We at Volunteers of America Southeast are committed to creating meaningful opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities. Through our person-centered approach, we empower individuals to live independently, with dignity and fulfillment, while fostering inclusivity and growth within their communities.

When someone is experiencing homelessness, typically there are a number of related physical, mental, and circumstantial factors, any of which could be causing the situation or at least making it worse. This blog takes a data-driven look at the Housing First model for ending homelessness and considers how Volunteers of America Southeast is using this approach in Alabama and Georgia.

The journey out of housing insecurity doesn’t happen in a day: it’s a long path that requires many helping hands as you’ll see in the case of Michael, a US Marine Corp veteran. With transitional housing, VOA Southeast is able to offer homeless or at-risk veterans a temporary place to live so they can get the foothold they need to make progress.

Discover how William, a talented artist with autism and an intellectual disability, found independence and inclusion through VOA Southeast’s programs. From expressing himself through art to thriving in his first community employment job, William’s story is a testament to the power of personalized support and opportunities. Read his inspiring story here.

At VOA Southeast, we believe in celebrating the exceptional contributions of our team members who embody our core values. This year, LaShaunda Wells, Property Manager at Highpoint, has earned the spotlight for receiving the most nominations in our Bravo recognition program.

The 2024 Season of Caring’s 10 Caring Gifts initiative was truly extraordinary, and it wouldn’t have been possible without your steadfast support. Through the 10 Caring Gifts campaign, we were able to bring warmth, comfort, and joy to thousands of individuals and families in need. This included at-risk youth, foster children, homeless veterans, low-income seniors, individuals with intellectual disabilities, and many other community members across our region. With the help of over thirty partner organizations and churches, we were able to make a meaningful impact on countless lives.

How does one rebuild a life without basic necessities like transportation or stable housing? For Reuben, an Army veteran, overcoming homelessness meant navigating these challenges with the help of VOA Southeast’s veteran-focused programs. Learn how Reuben found housing, employment, and a renewed sense of independence, thanks to compassionate support from those who understand the unique needs of veterans.