Stories

Tommy, age 8, faces many challenges. With one parent in prison and the other deceased, Tommy is being raised by his devoted grandmother, who is legally blind. Last year Tommy joined our Mentoring Children of Promise Program, designed to give the thousands of local children with an incarcerated parent extra attention and guidance.

Taylor, a 16-year-old with intellectual disabilities, moved into our Olympia Community Home two years ago. Taylor’s father, a single parent, was raising her, but his job often took him offshore, and he felt Taylor needed greater care than he could provide.

What brings couples to our Adoption Program? The great desire to love and parent a child of their own.

Volunteers of America helps people with intellectual disabilities by focusing on their abilities. We believe in emphasizing what people can do rather than what they can’t.

Rickey, an Army veteran who served in West Germany during the 1980s, is no stranger to challenges. Following his military service, he tried a number of vocational pursuits—carpenter, welder, even deckhand—finally settling into driving a taxicab in 2003. About a year ago, a hunting accident severely injured Rickey’s foot.

Ana and her parents Lori and Ryan North traveled a long road on the way to becoming a family. But on March 25, it was all official. A judge officially recognized the bonds they had already forged in their hearts.

Volunteers from around the country are traveling to our community to help seniors stay safer in their homes. In March, Volunteers of America hosted volunteers from Faith Lutheran Church, Madison, Minn., and Kingman Mennonite Church, Kingman, Kan.

Victoria, an introverted seventh grader, has been on the verge of failure for several years. Despite her teachers’ efforts to get her motivated and engaged, Victoria had a D average.

Will, a local eight-year-old with eager eyes and a winning smile, looks like most boys his age. Yet his life has been very different.

My name is Hans Fleming. I’m 11 years old and live in Metairie. I’d like to tell you about my family. My dad’s name is Ken and my mom is Frieda.