Stories

During Direct Support Professional Recognition Week, September 13–19, VOA Southeast celebrates the people whose work reaches far beyond the services they provide. Every day, DSPs help people engage with the world around them, pursue their interests, build relationships and take their place in the communities they call home. A Life Is Bigger Than a Program Support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities has changed considerably over the generations. For much of American history, people with disabilities were separated from community life. Often, they lived in large institutions with little control over where they went, what they did or how…

Light of the City, a program of VOA Southeast, celebrated the end of its 2026 Summer Camp with awards, worship, family fellowship, and community support in Baldwin County.

Volunteers of America Southeast’s Housing Support Program is celebrating three years of partnership with the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, providing life-changing housing support across 31 counties in West-Central Georgia. Recently recognized with an outstanding fidelity score of 109 out of 120, the program continues to empower individuals living with serious mental illness through stable housing, advocacy, and person-centered care.

At Eagle’s Landing, VOA Southeast helps veterans build stability one step at a time.
Safe housing is the first step. However, lasting progress requires much more. Veterans also need daily essentials, health resources, and consistent support.
That is why community partners support veterans in powerful ways at Eagle’s Landing. Their support strengthens the work happening every day.

There is something special about coming home. For several individuals served through VOA Southeast’s Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) programs, that feeling became a reality as they recently returned to a completely renovated group home designed to provide comfort, independence, and a vibrant place to thrive.

After losing his brother and struggling with grief, depression, and addiction, Army veteran Tim found himself at a breaking point. Seeking help through the VA eventually led him to VOA Southeast’s Eagle’s Landing, where he found more than temporary housing.

At The Millennium Center, women are planting seeds of recovery with support designed for healing from substance use disorder.

On Friday, VOA Southeast proudly celebrated the graduation of 13 students from Project SEARCH, a life-changing transition-to-work program for young adults with disabilities.

There was plenty of laughter, teamwork, and muddy hands at VOA Southeast’s Community Enrichment Center during this year’s United Way Day of Caring — and the impact reached far beyond the garden beds.

As a Direct Support Professional with VOA Southeast, Crystal Holifield recently received recognition on a national stage during ANCOR Connect ’26, held in April of this year. Crystal’s recognition reflects the meaningful impact of the care, support, and person-centered approach she brings to her work every day.