Edith’s Journey to Success!

Edith’s entire life has been a cycle of abuse. As a child, her mother was a violent alcoholic, her uncles sexually abused her. At an early age she used drugs and alcohol to numb her pain and help her forget. As a teenager and young adult, she fell into the same patterns set in childhood, as one boyfriend after another abused her until she couldn’t stand it and left with nothing more than the clothes on her back and the familiar fog of addiction.

2 years ago, Edith was once again running away from a man who hurt her. In desperation, she made a deal with God. He would be the only man in her life if he could help her stay clean. Edith has kept her word. After successfully completing a rehabilitation program, she was accepted at Volunteers of America’s workforce development and housing program at Mather Community Campus (MCC). As a student at MCC she took pre-employment classes and learned how to keep herself organized and focused on her goals. Even more importantly, Edith built friendships and a network of support.

After graduating MCC, Edith enrolled at Sacramento City College and is quickly being recognized. Just this past March, Edith was awarded a recipient of the “Outstanding Women Award” by Sacramento City College. A highly competitive award, the “Outstanding Women Awards” are awarded to selective female students at Sacramento City College who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, perseverance and a commitment to education and service.

On behalf of everyone at Volunteers of America, congratulations Edith! Your success is an inspiration to all. Can’t wait to see where your determination and hard work will take you next!

 

Bay Area Program Highlight: Rose’s Story

Rose grew up in a time where wearing pants as a woman was unacceptable, but she liked pushing boundaries and strove to be an independent woman. In high school she was able to go to a special arts program, where she really found herself as an artist. Once she graduated she moved to California to pursue her aspirations, only to get sidetracked by a marriage to another artist. To make ends meet Rose’s husband began working in the animation industry, Rose was allowed to make the outlines but wasn’t able to make the actual drawings because women were not accepted in the industry at the time. Rose’s first child was born developmentally disabled, which caused strain on the family—they moved to Santa Cruz to build a brighter future, but it did not stop her husband from cheating on her- and she finally took the steps to divorce him. Rose travelled the world after the divorce – she believes traveling is the best way to learn empathy and appreciation.

Once back in Santa Cruz, Rose worked numerous jobs and kept creating art. She believes “you can either sit around and play bingo all day, or you can give back to your community.” Rose chooses the latter, she is involved in numerous non-profit organizations where she helps people transition out of homelessness and into independence. Because Rose had no high paying job her social security check is 500.00 a month, which is not enough for rent without assistance. Rose is so grateful to be living in East Cliff Village Apartments where she can see the ocean, volunteer, and be surrounded with an amazing community. “I love where I live, I can see the waves, I have wonderful neighbors…and the rent- it’s just amazing…I can live like a human being…..It just can’t get any better.”

You Can Be the Hero to a Veteran and Her Family

A family transitioning out of our Veteran program is greatly in need of furniture. Do you have a gently used couch or coffee tables?

Joining the US Army at 17 years old, Patresa served on the front lines as a combat soldier. 10 years later, Patresa returned home to her two boys after being honorably discharged in 2010 due to an injury to her leg. Without other housing options, they were living in her mom’s house struggling to get by as she became overwhelmed financially and emotionally, particularly after her mom unexpectedly passed away. After exhausting her savings on medical bills, rent, and also debilitated by undiagnosed Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Patresa soon ran out of options and lost the house. Her boyfriend Eric, a carpenter struggling to find work, recommended Volunteers of America Supportive Services for Veterans Families program. They were assigned to Frank, a case manager, who helped Patresa navigate the resources available to Veterans. Recently, Patresa, Eric, and her 2 boys moved into permanent housing. She is employed fulltime and working with the VA receiving help for her PTSD.
While Patresa’s family is only in need of a couch and coffee tables, there are other families moving out soon who will also need furniture, including couches, coffee tables, dining tables and chairs, dressers, small kitchen appliances, etc.

If you have gently used items that you would like to donate, please call Frank Fawcett, VOA Veteran’s Case Manager at 916-231-0077 or email at ffawcett@voa-ncnn.org

Jennifer and Mohammad’s Story

When Jennifer and Mohammad met, it was love at first sight. Unfortunately, both were engaged in a lifelong battle with addiction. Their life together was a roller coaster, with disagreements and a lifestyle that was hurting each other and their children. They desperately wanted to create a good home for their children, but they were powerless in their addiction. Finally, an addiction-fueled argument ended with police and Child Protective Services taking their children away. With this wake up call, Jennifer had the motivation she needed to ask for help.

When they first came to Volunteers of America, they felt their lives had been going down the drain. At the substance abuse treatment program, Jennifer worked with her case manager, Dedra, to learn new patterns and develop healthy coping skills. She learned about her disease and how it affected her marriage and her children. Jennifer and Mohammad have reunited with their children and are in a stable, drug-free environment. Today, Mohammad is working toward starting his own business, and Jennifer is in school, hoping to work in social services. “We are so grateful to have someone working to help us overcome our addictions so we can be the family our children need.”

Nearly 17% of families with children live in poverty in Sacramento County. It’s not about poverty, it’s about people. Share Jennifer and Mohammad’s story to humanize poverty and raise awareness for the most vulnerable in our community.
#awareness2action

Program Spotlight: Senior Safe House

Volunteers of America’s Senior Safe House is an emergency shelter for abused, neglected, and exploited seniors 62 and older.

VOA Program Spotlight: Veterans Services

Veterans face a variety of challenges when they return home from service, and sadly, many end up on the streets.  Our Veterans Program provides our brave men and women with resources  to help them overcome the barriers between them and stable, secure housing. Thank you for showing your commitment to those who served.

A glimpse of our Family Shelter

This is why we do what we do.

Mather Community Campus Career Fair

The inaugural Mather Community Campus Career Fair boasted more than 150 job seekers, and 20 employers. Thank you so much for helping make our first ever career fair a success.

We are thrilled to have been a part of this process together with Next Move Sacramento, and Sacramento Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce. A big thank you to: Drexel University, Regional Transit, Concrete Value Construction, AmeriCorps NCCC, California Coalition for Youth, Golden 1 Credit Union, EOPS Sacramento City College, Able Services, Elite Truck Services, Seta Head Start, Agee Fashion Institute, Wells Fargo, Board of Equalizations, Hyatt, California Youth Connection, CalTrans, Goodwill, SMUD, Pride Industries, and State Farm Insurance.

“It’s allowed me to look at a person’s whole life”

In celebrating why we do what we do this month we would like to share the story of Kenneth Melton one of our staff in our Bay Area Programs. Kenneth is a Prevention and Health Services case manager in the Bay Area who was inspired to do the work that he does with our clients because at one point in his life someone showed him the same kindness and compassion.

Dream Store Extravaganza!

This March marked our 5th annual Dream Store Spring Distribution at our Bay Area foster youth program, Foster A Dream! Each year, Foster A Dream holds two clothing and school supply distribution to help Bay Area foster youth feel prepared to succeed at school and beyond. What makes this event possible is the dedication, support , and compassion of our volunteers and donors! Because of you, our foster youth have the thrill of picking out the clothing and supplies they’ll be proud of.  We’re grateful for our volunteers who acted as “personal shoppers,” giving the youth special attention and a boost of confidence as they pick out new outfits and backpacks for school.

We would also like to give a BIG THANKS to Sylvie & Mado, who made a generous donation. Thank you for giving giving our young ladies such an incredible spring selection of clothing!

In addition to shopping sprees for all the youth, Senior Portraits were provided for the young men and women who will graduate high school this May. Volunteers lovingly provided hair and make styling for our youth, helping them feel at their best! Of course many thanks are due to the professional photographers who gave their time and talents to create portraits these youth will treasure their whole lives.

The smiles on the faces of our youth is a constant reminder of why we do what we do, but it is because of supporters like you that our youth have these opportunities. Thank you for sharing your love with the youth and children who need it most.