Volunteers of America Western Washington, a Christian human service organization, is dedicated to reaching, serving and empowering diverse individuals, families and communities.

Description:
Volunteers of America have been providing service in Western Washington since 1915. The organization is recognized as one of the major human service providers in our region, meeting the needs of individuals, children, seniors and families through 19 different program services. Volunteers of America provides these needed services to the community with the assistance of 400+ employees and 500+ volunteers. Volunteers of America is the lead agency for a variety of funds that support emergency shelter, rent/ mortgage assistance, food/emergency service providers throughout Western Washington.

History:
Local History of VOAWW
Volunteers of America first had a presence in Seattle in 1898 as it conducted evangelical work for the area. After becoming incorporated in 1912 as Volunteers of America Washington, the organization's work gradually evolved into social service with The Theodora (1914), a home for abandoned women and their children: a Seattle soup kitchen (1930's); thrift stores (1940's); and a summer camp for children from low-income families (after World War II). Although thousands benefited from the multi-service approach, by the end of the 1940's The Theodora was the only existing program.
For two decades, until 1965, The Theodora continued to provide housing for women and children. However, in the mid-1960, the program focus changed and The Theodora was rebuilt on the same piece of property as a modern Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) 130-unit residence for low-income seniors and people with disabilities. Governed by a local Board of Directors, this corporation still thrives today.
In 1985, an additional corporation, Volunteers of America Puget Sound, was established with a separate Board of Directors to govern new social service programs targeted to low-income seniors, children and families. These programs also included the Senior Companion Program, a summer reading program, and a Seattle neighborhood food bank.
Prior to the January 1999 merger with the Northwest Washington affiliate, the Washington and Puget Sound corporations together operated five service programs on a $1.4 million annual budget supported by almost 50 employees and 50 volunteers. As was the case in the beginning, the services and programs are dedicated to faith in action, helping others to help themselves so that they may become productive members of society.
Volunteers of America Northwest Washington began in Everett in 1915. Operating as an outpost of the Seattle-based Washington affiliate, the organization offered early programs that include and centered on the Men's Rehabilitation Center and the thrift store programs. Emergency assistance and religious counseling programs were also offered on a limited basis. By 1927, with a substantial service expansion, the outpost became a separate branch of National Volunteers of America and a facility was built which housed all four of its programs.
Between 1927 and 1978, the Volunteers of America in Everett continued to grow and added several new programs including a mission Sunday school, youth programs and a summer camp in Sultan, named Camp Volasuca. In 1971 and 1974, through many local partnerships, new camp facilities were built including a large and small "A" frame and a bath house.
Between 1978 and the present day, many changes have evolved, the most dramatic being in 1985 when the local Volunteers of America was granted a charter from the National office and began to operate as a Washington State nonprofit corporation. The local Advisory Board transitioned into a Board of Directors responsible for approving policy and setting direction.
Prior to the January 1999 merger with the Puget Sound affiliate, Volunteers of America Northwest Washington operated 17 service programs on a $10 million annual budget supported by almost 250 full and part-time employees and 400 volunteers. As was the case in the beginning, the services and programs are dedicated to faith in action, creating opportunities to serve that reach, uplift and empower hundreds of thousands of individuals and families each year.
Currently, VOAWW operates 19 service programs on a $13 million annual budget which is supported by over 200 full and part-time employees and 400 volunteers. Like in the beginning, the services and programs are dedicated to faith in action; creating opportunities to serve that reach, uplift and empower hundreds of thousands of individuals and families each year. These service programs are all multi-faceted and rely on many funding sources, community partnerships and support networks collectively. These include:
Adult Rehabilitation Center/Thrift Stores, Camp Volasuca Summer Camp, Care Crisis Response Services, Community Information Line, Dispute Resolution Center, Earning by Learning, Family Support Services-Shelter,
Family Support Services-Outreach Case Management, Family Support Services-Child Care Assistance, Family Support Services-Early Childhood Education Assistance Program(ECEAP) Preschool, Family Support Services-Kids in Transition, Family Support Services-Emergency Services(non-food), Greenwood Food Bank, Snohomish County Food Bank Distribution Center/Everett Food Bank, Greater Residential Options(independent living for DD adults), Senior Companion Program, Sky Valley Community Resource Center.

Contact people:

Volunteer Services VISTA, VISTA Volunteer, (phone), (email) Mary Ann Skender, Program Manager, (phone), (email) Phil Smith, Communications Director, (phone), (email)

Office fax number: (425) 258-2838

Address:

2802 Broadway Everett, WA 98201 This location is handicap accessible (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.voaww.org

Directions:

Traveling North on I-5 from Seattle Take exit #192(which goes off to the left of the freeway- labeled Broadway, Navy Home Port.) This brings you out onto Broadway. Continue traveling north on Broadway through 5(five) traffic lights(the cross street at. . . (more)   Nearest Bus Stop: California and Broadway, 1 minute walk

Miscellaneous Information

Liability
	Yes
Does your organization welcome court-ordered community service volunteers?
	Yes
Does your organization have volunteer positions for youth 12-18?
	Yes