Stories

People of color are significantly more likely to be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, whether it is by loss of income or housing, hospitalization or even death. When 16 year old Monica Thomas, from Sicklerville, NJ, became aware of this, she knew she had to do something to help. While all of us have witnessed the brutal impact of the pandemic throughout the past year, Monica hears stories from the frontlines each day – both of her parents are physician’s assistants and her sister is an ICU nurse. They all have been coming home with heartbreaking stories of the realities of this…

Meet Latasha Kendrick – VOADV Moving Forward client and single mother of three children who overcame homelessness and domestic violence only to face a new, unexpected challenge in 2020… coronavirus. We first introduced you to Latasha in our June edition, when The Star Ledger/NJ.com profiled her struggle of having to choose between the job she loves and staying home to care for her children during the pandemic. A few weeks ago, Latasha was asked to share her heartbreaking story with esteemed Senior Business Correspondent Stephanie Ruhle for a primetime special “Coronavirus and the Classroom,” anchored by Lester Holt. Latasha’s segment focused on…

Here at VOADV, we’ve seen the devastating impact that the COVID-19 pandemic can have. From a client faced with maintaining a job while caring for her children to the many individuals struggling to afford basic necessities like rent, this past year has been especially difficult for all of the populations we serve. However, in a year where so many people were faced with their own unique challenges, many individuals still stepped up to support members of the community in need. One place where this was especially prominent was VOADV’s Home For The Brave, a 30 bed transitional housing program for single, male veterans. Transitioning…

Volunteers of America Delaware Valley and New Jersey SHARES Inc. (NJ SHARES) recently expanded their partnership, making the SHARES Mortgage Assistance Rent or Taxes (SMART) Program available to both Camden County and Atlantic County residents in need. The SMART Program provides critical funding for rent or mortgage assistance to individuals that are facing eviction or foreclosure. The program is designed to assist low-to-moderate income households in New Jersey with a combined total monthly income between 0-80 percent of the area median income for the region. Eligible households may then receive a one-time grant up to $5,000 to aide with a mortgage or…

Devon Catts is a case manager for Volunteers of America Delaware Valley’s Aletha R. Wright “Vision of Hope” Center, a 125-bed emergency shelter for single men experiencing homelessness in Camden, NJ. Since her start at VOADV in January, Devon is already making a huge, positive impact on our clients at the Aletha R. Wright Center. As an Aletha Wright Center case manager, Devon assesses her clients’ needs, links them to services and administers a treatment or recovery plan – all with the end goal of enabling these individuals to achieve self-sustainability and independence. In recent weeks, Devon has witnessed how…

During the COVID-19 pandemic, these individuals are facing dire challenges. Grocery store shelves have limited stock, public transportation has been running on severely modified schedules and medical facilities are overwhelmed. Millions have lost their paychecks, jobs and a way to sustain life. One critical challenge Volunteers of America Delaware Valley is working hard to address is ensuring that no family or individual ever goes hungry. Beginning in early April, VOADV has been working side-by-side with local food banks, community organizations, law enforcement agencies and others in various capacities to collect and distribute meals to hundreds of struggling families and vulnerable…

Over the last 100 years, Volunteers of America Delaware Valley has become a trusted and valued provider of essential services to those in need of assistance. Veterans, women, families, young adults, seniors and individuals with specialized needs can find the support needed to achieve a life of independence with the help and guidance of our programs. VOADV’s affordable and workforce housing programs provides individuals and families with the freedom of independent living, while fostering a communal support network and access to the vital social services needed to maintain a healthy living environment. Despite impacts from COVID-19, April marked the opening…

Those who are experiencing homelessness are among our communities’ most vulnerable and highest-risk populations. This is even more true during the COVID-19 pandemic. These individuals demonstrate higher rates of chronic health issues than the general population – in turn, putting them at much higher risk for having serious and sometimes fatal health complications if they contract COVID-19. Those experiencing homelessness also tends to reside in congregate living conditions, which is not conducive to social distancing and seriously lacks a recuperative environment that enables healthy recovery. Additionally, this population is significantly more reliant on crisis-oriented resources, such as emergency rooms. “From…

Just a few blocks west of Camden’s Central Waterfront district stands Anna M. Sample House Complex, Volunteers of America Delaware Valley’s emergency shelter and transitional living facility for women, children and families experiencing homelessness. For more than 30 years, this facility has given vulnerable single women, single mothers and fathers with children and intact families a safe, supportive environment to address and overcome factors that may have contributed to their homelessness, while developing the new supports necessary for a second chance at a fulfilling, independent life. The emergency shelter was originally established in 1988 in honor of Anna M. Sample…

The worldwide coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak has caused unprecedented levels of damage and disruption to everyday society. The greater, lasting impact it will have on our communities and way of life is just beginning to be felt and understood. While restrictions are being lifted and some are returning to work, countless individuals have lost their jobs and homes, putting them and their families at risk of homelessness due to uncontrollable, unforeseen circumstances. According to a recent study conducted by a Columbia University professor, homelessness in the United States could grow as much as 45% in one year post-COVID-19. This means an additional…