In July, 2009, Women Helping Others became a Giving Circle under the umbrella of Volunteers of America (WHO-VOA).  Volunteers of America is a national, nonprofit, faith-based organization dedicated to helping those in need rebuild their lives and reach their full potential.

Through more than 30 distinct human service programs throughout the state of Colorado, including housing and healthcare, Volunteers of America helps more than 200,000 Coloradoans each year.  Since 1896, their ministry of service has supported and empowered America's most vulnerable groups, including at-risk youth, the frail elderly, low-income families, homeless individuals and families, women and children escaping domestic violence, and those seeking affordable housing solutions. Their work touches the mind, body, heart — and ultimately the spirit — of those they serve, integrating deep compassion with highly effective programs and services. For more information, please visit their website at www.voacolorado.org. 

WHO-VOA is proud to be affiliated with Volunteers of America!

The Volunteers of America (VOA) Family Housing Project is an innovative community partnership, in which VOA receives 40 prioritized housing slots per year for low-income families in Denver.  The families that VOA serves are referred from homeless shelters and other short-term housing programs in the community, and through a prioritized process, receive public housing in Denver Housing Authority units.  The VOA staff works with the families, almost all single mothers to maintain this safe, stable, and permanent affordable housing in the community.

WHO-VOA supports the Family Housing Program by providing each new family with a wonderful “move-in kit”.  Most of the families referred to the program have very little, and often move out of a shelter or transitional living program and into the public housing unit with little or no material possessions.  The fact that the VOA staff can go and meet this family in their new home with a move-in kit consisting of towels, kitchen supplies, laundry detergent, and many more of the necessary supplies for running a household, is an unbelievable gift.  Some of the mothers in the program are literally speechless when they see all of the multiple bags that are chocked full as part of the move-in kit, even including a full set of dishes and some basic food supplies to last a family a few days.  Many participants see the items and say, “Is all this for me”?  Through this Family Housing Program, the WHO-VOA touches the lives of up to 40 families per year in Volunteers of America programs.