Inspire Volunteers of America Mid-States, Inc.
Winter/Spring 2016
Inside: Veterans Services HIV Services Hope for the Holidays Real People. Real Challenges. Real Solutions.
www.voamid.org
A message from our President/CEO and Board Chair
Carl Williams and Jennifer Hancock join Marcus Stubbs, graduate speaker from the 2015 Power of 1 Breakfast, on September 16 at the Marriott in downtown Louisville. See more about the Power of 1 Breakfast on pages 12-13.
Dear Friend, As you may have noticed, our organization has a new name. With the expansion of our services across Kentucky, Tennessee, Southern Indiana, West Virginia and Southern Ohio, we needed a name that better conveyed the reach of our five-state region. After careful consideration and consultation with our local and national board, we changed our name from Volunteers of America of Kentucky to Volunteers of America Mid-States. For our 39 diverse programs, there has never been a more fitting time to convey that we are a multi-state organization caring for 23,000 people. Without the services we provide many families, veterans and other community members would be experiencing homelessness, struggling with addiction and leading lives of uncertainty. They are why we do what we do. Our organization looks for ways that we can do more. We seek the community’s support to allow us to expand the life-saving, critical services we provide. Recently, we have experienced significant growth in our veterans services and HIV prevention services. We are expanding services for veterans in Northern Tennessee through the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program with support from a grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor. Additionally, as a result of a five-year $1.2 million grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, our HIV outreach, testing and prevention program will more than double its impact in Metro Louisville and the surrounding counties in Southern Indiana. We are in touch with our communities’ needs and responding with services that get results. Recently voted by Louisville Business First as a “best place to work” among similarly-sized organizations and companies, we are proud to lead this multi-state organization and to work beside Volunteers of America’s staff who use their talents and passion every day to create positive change in the lives of individuals and communities through our ministry of service. The future holds exciting things and this is great time to be a part of Volunteers of America. Thank you for answering the call.
Sincerely,
Carl L. Williams Board of Directors Chair 2
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Jennifer Hancock President/CEO
www.voamid.org
Headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky
Clinical Services Developmental Disability Services Veterans Services Homeless and Housing Services
In this issue... 4
6
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9
Hope for the Holidays: Find out how you can get involved
10
Veterans Services: Air Force veteran gets fresh start
12
Developmental Disability Services: Finding the “Good Life”
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Addiction Recovery Services: Freedom House celebrates milestones
HIV Services: S.T.O.P. & Syringe Exchange Program
The Power of 1 Breakfast: Guests answer, “If not now, when?”
Our Leadership: Committed to our mission
On the cover: Thomas Birchfield, Air Force veteran, shares his story of how Volunteers of America gave him a fresh start. Read more about Thomas on page 6. Vol un t e e r s of A me r ic a Mid -Stat e s , Inc .
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Help make the holiday season bright for families like Tunisia’s. Tunisia is able to provide a stable home for her family, including her grandchildren Christian and Dereon, thanks to help from Volunteers of America. Tunsia came to Volunteers of America’s Housing Services where she was able to stay with her grandchildren and receive services to help her become selfsufficient. With your support we can help create a happy holiday for families like Tunisia’s.
Special thanks to:
you can help:
1. Make a contribution online at our secure website, www.voamid.org, or in the enclosed envelope.
2. Visit any Heine Brothers’ Coffee location in the Louisville area and donate new winter accessories such as gloves, hats and scarves for all ages. Visit www.heinebroscoffee.com for locations.
3. Donate NEW items using the shopping list on the right for ideas.
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Kim Maddox and Stephanie Barnett, co-founders of ChooseWell
hope
for the holidays
hope
for the holidays SHoPPING LIST
Most needed: Gift cards to budget friendly stores (Walmart, Kmart, etc.) Toys/gifts for all ages Help a child dream of sugar plums and fairies: Pajamas in all sizes Twin size sheets Twin size comforters / blankets Pillows and pillow cases Help families stay warm this winter:
Winter coats in all sizes Warm accessories (gloves, hats, scarfs, etc) Socks & underwear in all sizes www.voamid.org/holidays TabithaH@voamid.org | (502) 636-4650
Visit www.voamid.org/holidays for more information on donation drop-off locations and times or contact one of the following people in your area: • Kentucky and Southern Indiana: Tabitha Hodges at TabithaH@voamid.org or (502) 636-4650 • Tennessee: Randy Brothers at RandyB@voamid.org or (615) 885-2552 ext. 125 • West Virginia and Southern Ohio: Tim Blake at TimothyB@voamid.org or (740) 451-0822
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Air Force veteran gets fresh start
Thomas Birchfield served in the United
States Air Force as an administrative specialist and enjoyed a great career. During his service Thomas completed technical training, took courses at Harvard University and Boston College, and after completing his time in the Air Force, he earned his Commercial Driver’s License (CDL).
Thomas had difficulty finding a job and an affordable place to live.
Then one day, while actively looking for employment, he noticed the Volunteers “Henry David Thoreau said ‘goodness is the of America office in Knoxville and spotted only investment that never fails,’” Thomas a sign outside that read: “Volunteers of said. “And that reminds me of Volunteers of America - we help veterans.” America.”
After the Air Force, Thomas started a “I walked across the street and I walked in second career as a tractor trailer driver in and met the wonderful staff there. I told Palm Springs, FL. Things were going well them about my situation,” Thomas said. until a misunderstanding with a neighbor “They were more than happy to help me.” turned into a mail fraud charge. This was devastating for Thomas and the legal Within one month of being enrolled in expenses caused insurmountable debt. To the Homeless Veterans Reintegration avoid becoming homeless after the lengthy Project (HVRP), staff helped Thomas find legal battle, Thomas finally pled guilty to the employment as a truck driver for Swaggerty’s charge in order to move on with his life. He Farm in Morristown, TN. “The folks there at was sentenced to a Kentucky work camp for Volunteers of America provided me so much eleven months. support. They helped me tremendously,” Thomas said. After completing the work camp, Thomas was transferred to a rehabilitation residential Soon, Thomas will celebrate the one year program in Knoxville, TN where he was anniversary of moving into the apartment encouraged to begin piecing his life back that Volunteers of America staff helped him together but without guidance or support. secure. Thanks to advocacy and referrals
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from HVRP, Thomas is working towards expunging his record and is looking forward to his future.
Destitute and alone — like Thomas was — is a story we hear often at Volunteers of America. Last year, Volunteers of America served nearly 1,200 veterans for addiction and issues related to poverty, including homelessness. Providing 15 different veteran services in Tennessee, Kentucky, West Virginia, Southern Ohio and Southern Indiana, Volunteers of America is committed to helping veterans turn their lives around. Veterans just like Thomas, who found hope and the support he needed to get back on his feet and return to a productive, self-sufficient life. Thomas is just one example of the impact our services can provide veterans and their families.
Veterans Community Alliance of Louisville Veterans Community Alliance of Louisville
(VCAL) is an initiative launched in 2014 through the combined efforts of Volunteers of America and Seven Counties Services as a part of a Leadership Louisville Center, Ignite project. VCAL is now operated by an advisory board comprised of more than two dozen individuals representing corporate, nonprofit, government and civic organizations. VCAL’s mission is to create an integrated network of support for veterans and their families by coordinating services, resources and initiatives to increase communication across organizational lines, enhance quality and delivery of service and promote veteranfriendly community relations in Louisville.
As part of the VCAL initiative, the team of Volunteers of America staff, business professionals and community leaders created a comprehensive Community Resource Guide for veterans and their families. The guide serves as a go-to tool for veterans to use when they need assistance in a variety of areas, including financial aid, legal assistance, mental healthcare, housing needs and medical care.
From left to right: Anesha Blakey, John Launius, Jennifer Hancock, Senator Dan Seum, Sarah Peterson, and Gwen Cooper at a VCAL meeting at Volunteers of America Mid-States headquarters office.
VCAL is a direct result of Volunteers of America’s commitment to cultivating partnerships with businesses and community leaders who aim to serve and uplift veterans and their families. We look forward to continuing to grow our veterans’ services with the help of these community partnerships.
A look at Veterans Services across the region In September the Veterans Addiction Recovery Program in Louisville, KY accepted the
Learn more about our veterans programs at www.voamid.org/veterans.
100th
veteran
into the program. 1,879 people served: 1,188 veterans and 691 of their family members avoided homelessness with our help. Vol un t e e r s of A me r ic a Mid -Stat e s , Inc .
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Finding the “Good Life” Since early August 2015, Ina Brewer, an individual who receives support in our Northern Kentucky Developmental Disability Services program, has been donating her time on Mondays to United Ministries in Erlanger, KY. United Ministries assists families by establishing a comprehensive response system for the emergency needs of persons in Kenton and Boone Counties. Currently, Ina volunteers in the thrift store organizing clothing and books for sale. “I like that I am able to give back to those in need,” says Ina, 44. “It makes me feel good.”
Creating this opportunity for Ina is part of a year-long effort for Northern Kentucky Developmental Disability Services program, whose leadership team graduated from the Endeavor for Excellence Program (EFE) last February. EFE was sponsored by the Human Development Institute at the University of Ina enjoys working with her fellow volunteers. Kentucky and the Division of Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities in Frankfort. This evidence-based program is designed to help service providers learn new ways of “Ina is just the first of several individuals who supporting people on their quest for “the we are working with throughout our program good life.” to help obtain the ‘good life’, as everyone on our administrative team has adopted a The program defines the “good life” for learning partner to work with individually,” clients in the same way it would for anyone. said Tim Delaney, administrative director The goal of this model is to create or support for the program. socially valued roles for people in their community, because when a person holds “Working with people like Ina is why I get up valued social roles, he or she is highly likely in the morning. It’s inspiring to see “the to receive from society the good things in life. good life” develop in Ina’s life and the 35
individual’s lives who we serve every year.” As with all of the individuals we serve, Ina’s disability doesn’t define her nor does it get in the way of her volunteering and being engaged in her community. Volunteers of America is proud to provide these services to individuals like Ina and to help ensure they are living a life full of happiness and hope.
Did you know? Although residents live independently, community rooms, regular activities, and on-site staff provide opportunities for socialization and help facilitate a support network among residents. Volunteers of America Mid-States has specialized housing in Kentucky and Tennessee. These programs provide permanent, safe, affordable housing for lowincome seniors and low-income persons with severe mental illness.
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• Candleridge Plaza: Powell, TN • Casa Grace: Memphis, TN • Maud Booth Gardens: Knoxville, TN • Spanish Cove: Louisville, KY
Learn more about these programs at
• South Oaks: Louisville, KY
www.voamid.org/housing
• Woodgreen Apartments: Louisville, KY
Freedom House celebrates milestones
Photography donated by Jessica Hill Powell, www.jessicahillpowell.photography
Freedom
House, our addiction recovery program that provides long-term treatment for pregnant mothers with addiction, is one of three programs in Kentucky that serves pregnant mothers and invites their children to live with them.
From time to time, Freedom House celebrates exciting milestones, but none like we have experienced in recent months. Earlier this year, our 100th healthy baby was born! Baby 100 wasn’t the only good news, as babies 98, 99 and 100 were all born on the very same day. Myliah, Azaryah and Major (pictured above) were all born healthy and drug-free
because their mothers sought services for their addiction and received our life-saving, clinical services. The Louisville Courier-Journal featured the 100th healthy baby on the front page of their August 3 edition. This front page story caught the attention of CBS National News correspondent, Kenneth Craig, who spent a day filming Freedom House graduate, Crystal Vanover, and her newborn — beautiful and healthy baby 99, Azaryah. This story aired across the nation on 94 stations on September 9, including 12 stations in our five-state region. Never
before has Volunteers of America received such exposure. It takes the entire community to help Volunteers of America turn lives around and help us spread the word on the difference we are making in the lives of the mothers and babies we serve. With the support of our compassionate community, we can offer robust, professional services to the 100 healthy babies and their mothers during their journey to wellness. Check out the CBS story at www.cbsnews. com/news/littlest-victims-of-americasheroin-epidemic.
Juice Plus+ Partnership feeds Volunteers of America No-bake cookie smoothie Ingredients: staff and clients • 8 - 10 oz. of liquid (some kind of milk is best) • 1 scoop Dutch Chocolate Complete Smoothie mix Juice Plus+ ®, is whole food based nutrition, including juice powder • 1 heaping TBS natural peanut butter concentrates from 30 different fruits, vegetables and grains. Juice Plus+ has been a committed supporter of Volunteers of America since 1988. Juice Plus+ has organized and encouraged volunteer initiatives for their employees to provide direct volunteer services in communities across the nation. This year, Juice Plus+ has donated 1 million Juice Plus complete nutrition meals to Volunteers of America programs across the country, including our region. For more information on Juice Plus visit www.juiceplus.com.
• • • •
1/8 - 1/4 cup oats (uncooked oatmeal) 1/2 banana 5 - 6 ice cubes 1/2 cup raw spinach (optional - if you want additional nutrition without changing the flavor)
Directions:
Add ingredients in order listed. Blend on high for 20-30 seconds. Pour and serve immediately. More Juice Plus+ recipes can be found at www.bebetterwithfood.com Vol un t e e r s of A me r ic a Mid -Stat e s , Inc .
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HIV Services 1995:
1998:
2002:
2007:
Volunteers of America begins operating Stop The Spread of HIV Through Outreach and Prevention (S.T.O.P), in partnership with Kentucky Department for Public Health.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services determines that syringe exchange programs are effective in preventing HIV infection and do not encourage illegal drug use. Yet the Congressional ban on federal funding of such programs remains in place.
The Global Fund to Fight AIDS is established. AIDS is now the leading cause of death worldwide among people aged 15-59.
The U.S. Congress overturns the ban on using local taxpayer dollars to support syringe exchange programs in Washington, D.C.
2009: The U.S. House of Representatives lifts
the 20-year ban
on federal funding for syringe exchange programs.
1995
2000
2005
2010
What is S.T.O.P.? Stop the Spread of HIV through Outreach
Meet Dr. Ramona Stone Dr. Ramona Stone began her career in program
S.T.O.P. staff’s expertise include: • Outreach • Personalized assessment of HIV risk • Knowledge of HIV prevention • HIV pre-test counseling, testing and post-test counseling
Dr. Stone has lived in Louisville since 1997 and is a Research Associate Professor at University of Kentucky’s College of Public Health. She has worked on the evaluation of many local and statewide social, educational and public health projects, including the welfare reform, prevention of child abuse and neglect, urban public housing redevelopments, biomedical research training, rural cancer and injury prevention programs. When approached by Volunteers of America to participate in the expansion of our HIV prevention project in Louisville, she gladly accepted.
and Prevention (S.T.O.P.), takes HIV prevention and education activities, including testing, out of healthcare settings and directly to the populations most at-risk. S.T.O.P. is the only mobile, community-based HIV testing service in Kentucky that provides HIV confirmed tests and results anywhere in the service area.
Outreach activities in high-risk areas of Metro Louisville include: • Prevention case management • Pre/post counseling and testing • Street outreach activities • Organizing and participating in community health events
evaluation in 1995 as a Sociologist with Medecins Sans Frontieres/Doctors Without Borders in Romania working with low-income minorities who lived “off the grid” with limited access to resources. The experience awakened a love of community development that eventually brought her to the United States to study community development, policy analysis and public health.
“I cannot think of a better way to make a difference in people’s lives than by actively engaging in community-based interventions,” she said. “By providing people with free HIV testing and other health screening and navigation services, we improve their individual quality of life and also everyone else around them, including you and me.” Volunteers of America values research and evaluation of our work. Engaging experts like Dr. Stone helps us better track and measure the life-saving best practices we provide to the 23,000 individuals and families we serve every day.
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HIV Services 2014-2015:
2011 - 2013:
Walgreens is named the 2015 Volunteers of America Volunteers of America and Council on Prevention and Education: Substances, Inc. (COPES, Inc.) develops a study addressing high-risk African American Community Partner of the Year. females in West Louisville. As a partner in this study, Volunteers of America 2014: establishes a social outreach and media campaign called “Stop HIV in the ‘Ville,” “Couples Testing” is introduced during which reaches 15,000 African American women in its first year. the National Day of Testing event in collaboration with Greater Than AIDS and Walgreens. 2013: 2012: S.T.O.P. wins the 2012 Center for Nonprofit Excellence Pyramid Award for the Art of Diversity for its staffing model and hiring practices. The program employs an array of genders, languages, cultures, ethnicities, sexual orientations and HIV statuses that mirror the population of clients served by the program.
Volunteers of America and Walgreens partner to offer free and anonymous HIV screenings in Walgreens stores. “Wellness Wednesdays” are launched in strategic Walgreens locations in Louisville.
2015: Volunteers of America is awarded a five-year $1.2M grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to enhance and expand S.T.O.P. Volunteers of America partners with Louisville Metro Health & Wellness to provide the Syringe Access Program to Louisville Metro.
2015
Syringe exchange program After nearly 20 years of leadership in the Wellness (LDPHW) field of infectious diseases using a harm reduction approach in New York City, Donald Davis officially retired and moved with his family to Kentucky in 2014. Donald’s retirement lasted only a few months, as he was compelled to get back in the field after reading an article in the Louisville CourierJournal about the skyrocketing opiate addiction rates in the area. Nearly 50% of all of Kentucky’s diagnosed HIV cases are located in Louisville and heroin-related overdose deaths in Kentucky have increased 55% since 2000. In March 2015, the Louisville Metro Council passed legislation to set up a syringe exchange program for the city following the passage of SB192 authorizing local health departments to operate syringe exchange programs. Volunteers of America was selected by Louisville Metro Government to join the Louisville Department of Public Health and
to help deliver the Louisville Metro Syringe Exchange Program. Volunteers of America provides the in-thefield outreach portion of the program while LDPHW provides the permanent locations and operations. Donald Davis is interviewed by a local news station at a syringe cleanup. Volunteers of America was pleased to hire Donald as our exchange’s harm reduction bloodborne illnesses and help people specialist. In his role, Donald applies his transition into treatment.” specialized knowledge about HIV and hepatitis C prevention to reach people at Through the syringe exchange program, risk of contracting these diseases through Volunteers of America aims to guide intravenous drug use. individuals who inject drugs to professional, clinical treatment. We are proud partners of “Harm reduction is different from other this important and life-saving service. interventions,” Donald said. “Unlike an abstinence-based solution, harm reduction To learn more about the syringe exchange meets individuals where they are in their program, visit www.voamid.org/exchange. addiction, without judgement. It also has been proven through research to reduce Vol un t e e r s of A me r ic a Mid -Stat e s , Inc .
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Guests answer the call, “If not now, Our seventh annual Power of 1 Breakfast on September 16 drew nearly 900 community supporters and raised more than $510,000 to support our mission of creating positive change. We are grateful to everyone who came together to create positive change in our community and to ensure our programs remain available for those we serve.
Marcus Stubbs (pictured right), shared his moving story of surviving homelessness along with his family. Volunteers of America provided Marcus and his family with comprehensive, residential services and helped them re-stabilize and return to their own affordable housing. Marcus, who was a senior at Waggener High School while his family received our services, shared “I am a junior at Western Kentucky University. What I am most excited about are my goals of being a minister, scholar and a human rights activist. Today, I know all of this is possible. My only concern is: how quickly can I accomplish all of these things?”
Board Chair Carl Williams addressed the crowd and asked guests to answer the call, “If not now, when?”
Jennifer Hancock (left), President and CEO, expressed to guests that our work cannot wait. “Our families at Volunteers of America need us. My family needs us. Your family may need us too.” Judie Parks (right), member of the Board of Directors, who along with her brother Dave Parks, owns Berkshire Hathaway Home Services, Parks and Weisberg Realtors, presented a challenge opportunity to guests. “My brother Dave and I are so serious about helping Volunteers of America reach their goal that we are prepared to make a $25,000 gift to match your generosity,” Judie shared. “Whatever gift you give today, be it a gift of your time or a financial contribution, it makes a difference. You’re helping build a brighter future for a child, a family and our entire community. Each one of us has the power to do that and we thank each one of you for asking yourselves, ‘If not now, when?’”
Jennifer Hancock, Volunteers of America; Chief Steve Conrad, Louisville Metro Police Department; Randy Coe, Kosair Charities; and Jerry Ward, Kosair Charities.
Judie and Dave’s generous challenge contribution inspired record donations at the 2015 Power of 1 Breakfast. 12
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when?� at Power of 1 Breakfast
Vol un t e e r s of A me r ic a Mid -Stat e s , Inc .
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Leadership
David Fennell, Board of Directors, Melanie McCoy, Board of Directors, and Jack D. Sweeney President’s Advisory Council. Executive Leadership Jennifer Hancock, President/CEO Bay Baltes, Senior Vice President of Human Resources Tiffany Cole Hall, Vice President of Program Services, Northern Region Rita Finnie, Vice President of Program Services, Southern Region Tom George, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Jonathan Kuehl, Vice President of Operations and Regional Services Jennifer McMinn, Vice President of Program Services, Central Region Tandee Ogburn, Vice President of External Relations Editorial/creative Farrah Ferriell, Senior Director of Development Claire Sheehan, Director of Marketing Jill Miller, Communications Coordinator
Board of Directors Chair, Carl Williams, PSST, LLC Vice Chair, David Fennell, Retired, PNC Bank Treasurer, Karen Dunaway, CPA, PLLC Secretary, Sharon Johnson, LG&E and KU Member at Large, Chris Ward, DMLO Certified Public Accountants Jennifer Hancock, President/CEO, Volunteers of America Mid-States Past Chair, Lisa DeJaco, Wyatt Tarrant & Combs, LLC Tyson Adams, Stites & Harbison, PLLC Taylor Amerman, Brown-Forman Will Barry, PNC Bank Judge McKay Chauvin, Jefferson County Circuit Court Chris Conliffe, Conliffe & HIckey, LLC Al Cornish, Norton Healthcare Patricia Cummings, Consultant Dr. Scott Duncan, University of Louisville Dr. Kelli Dunn, University of Louisville Barbara Ford, Barbara J. Ford, LLC Keeta Fox, Papa John’s International Dustin L. Howard, Attorney Todd Kennedy, Brown-Forman Jeremy LaMontagne, ZirMed Medical Solutions Steve Magre, Magre Outsource Melanie McCoy, Frost Brown Todd George McMinn, Messer Construction Mark Mitchen, UPS Dave Neumann, Consultant Dickie Oliver, Restaurant Supply Chain Solutions, LLC Judie Parks, Berkshire Hathaway Parks & Weisberg Paula Purifoy, Metropolitan Sewer District Cindy Read, Kentuckiana Works Paulette Turner, Walgreens L. Srinivasan, GE Appliances Michelle Wells, Yum! Brands President’s Advisory Council Pamela E. Barry, PNC Wealth Management J. David Flanery, Retired Daniel Hall, University of Louisville Richard Hallman, UPS Airlines Donald Kelly, Wyatt, Tarrant & Combs, LLP Ken Middleton, Retired Jack D. Sweeney, Retired
Board Counsel Michael Lannon, Weber & Rose, PSC Bluegrass Advisory Council Andrew Beck, CirrusMio, Inc. Judy Craft, Milestone Realty Teresa Isaac, Lexington Fair Housing Council Paula Johnson, LexisNexis Connie Morgan, MSN, RN, Retired Kathy Plomin, United Way of the Bluegrass, Past President John Schrader, Attorney Bruce Simpson, Stoll Keenan Ogden, PLLC Stephanie Spires, Arbor Youth Services Middle Tennessee Advisory Council Tara Bloom, Senior Home Health Care LuAnn Brent, Retired Leighton Bush, Bush Insurance Gregory Chapman, President Art Institute Shelly Cole, Del Mar Medical, Manor Health Terry Crotzer, Media Publications of Nashville Melyssa Evans, Indoff Commercial Interiors Jenny Harris, F&M Bank Mary Hart, Retired Educator Stacey Horner, Summit Medical Center Peggy Johnson, P. S. Business Services, Inc. Sharon Kipp, Team Kipp Realtors Joan LaGrasse, Imagen, Inc. William E. McDonald, CedarStone Bank Janelle Means, Educator Kalai Mugilan, Argosy University Stanley Murphy, EdD, Argosy University Paul Presson, Musgrove Partnership Amanda Stewart, HCA Healthcare Debbie Trombley, It Works! Roger Widmer, Argosy University Lyn Williams, Comcast West Tennessee Advisory Council David Benson, Wyrestorm Amy Carson, Modern Woodmen Phil Conner, Conner Realty & Construction Patrica Edmiston, The Arc Tennessee Sheena Hanserd, Ed.D, Stand for Children Shelia Shelton, Conservator/Parent Kim Weaver, Renasant Bank
Volunteers of America Mid-States serving Kentucky, Tennessee, Southern Indiana, West Virginia and Southern Ohio creates positive change in the lives of individuals and communities through a ministry of service. Volunteers of America Mid-States, a fully accredited charity, meets or exceeds all 20 of the Better Business Bureau’s Standards for Charity Accountability. 86 cents of every dollar we raise supports community services for people in need. 14
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Donor Spotlight Andrew Beck “I’ve lived in some of the poorest areas in the world, yet I’ve seen joy in the faces of
those who live there because they have pride in themselves and their communities,” says Andrew Beck, a member of Volunteers of America’s Positive Change Society. “What I have seen at Volunteers of America is the restoration of individuals’ selfworth, giving them a sense of pride that may have been temporarily misplaced.” Andrew first became involved with Volunteers of America in 2011, when a former colleague, Lexington Fayette Urban County Government Councilwoman Shevawn Akers, connected Andrew to our mission. Andrew soon joined our Bluegrass Advisory Council, a Lexington-based group that oversees community engagement opportunities. Originally from the United Kingdom, Andrew now lives in Versailles, Kentucky, along with his wife, Jenny, and their three dogs. Andrew travels frequently for work, and to stay focused, he enjoys jiu jitsu, kickboxing and boxing. “I believe the discipline and goals learned in these sports to be a lifesaver for some people.” Although Andrew spends his weekdays working in Maryland as vice president of operations for an international workplace systems solution company, Metaformers, Inc., he is a regular participant in Volunteers of America events and is the first to donate his time at client celebrations, such as our annual holiday party. Volunteers of America’s commitment to uplifting the lives of those we serve ultimately inspired him to join our Positive Change Society, a multi-year giving society that creates lasting change in those we serve. On his philosophy of giving Andrew says, “Whether you have one hour of your time to donate or one dollar in your pocket to spare, no amount is too small for making a difference
take a journey with us Join us for an upcoming Real³ Journey, a one-hour engaging tour that demonstrates how we help real people facing real challenges to find real and lasting solutions. LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY: • Tuesday, November 17, 6 - 7 p.m. at Shelby Street Clinical Campus (1436 S. Shelby Street, Louisville, KY 40217)
• Wednesday, December 9, 8:30 - 9:30 a.m. at Louisville Family Housing Services Campus (1321 S. Preston Street, Louisville, KY 40208 - Enter on East Ormsby Avenue)
To RSVP or to schedule Real³ Journey for a group, a contact David Beach at (502) 636-4660 or DBeach@voamid.org. SOUTHERN INDIANA: • Tuesday, November 17, 9 - 10 a.m. at 2676 Charlestown Rd # 3, New Albany, IN 47150 • Thursday, December 17, 9 - 10 a.m. at 2676 Charlestown Rd # 3, New Albany, IN 47150
To RSVP or to schedule Real³ Journey for a group, a contact David Beach at (502) 636-4660 or DBeach@voamid.org. Middle Tennessee: • Tuesday, November 17, 2 - 3 p.m. at 209 Claudia Drive, Old Hickory, TN 37138 • Tuesday, January 19, 2 - 3 p.m. at 209 Claudia Drive, Old Hickory, TN 37138
To RSVP or to schedule Real³ Journey for a group, a contact Randy Brothers at (615) 885-2552, ext. 125 or RandyB@voamid.org.
For a complete list of tours visit www.voamid.org/journey.
We also provide private tours! Contact David Beach at DBeach@voamid.org for more information. Vol un t e e r s of A me r ic a Mid -Stat e s , Inc .
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570 South 4th Street, Suite 100 Louisville, KY 40202-2504
www.voamid.org
An old vehicle can open up a whole new world for someone in need.
Your donation of a used vehicle allows you to participate in serving some of your community’s most vulnerable people.
Donating with Volunteers of America is: • 100% tax-deductible • Fast, easy and convenient • Free – we’ll tow the vehicle at no charge
Donate your vehicle now: 1-800-407-2600 or visit www.voamid.org to start the process.
Nonprofit Org. US Postage
Paid
Permit 961 Louisville, KY