Volunteers of America History

The organization was founded in 1896 by Ballington and Maud Booth as they envisioned the movement would reach and uplift the people of America. They both pledged to do whatever was needed and go where ever they needed to make the lives of people in need better. That same call to duty is what guides the organization to this day.

At the turn of the century the founders entered tenement districts to help those deepin poverty and organized summer camps and nurseries for kids and provided housing to single women and men. They also set up the first system of halfway houses in the United States for recently released prisoners.

The Depression almost broke the social welfare system and Volunteers of America was one of the few organizations that were able to mobilize and help millions who became unemployed, homeless and hungry.

The organization helped in many federal housing programs in the 1960s and since the late 1960s has helped to develop more than 300 housing communities in over 30 states.

When the 1970s arrived they became leaders in providing professional nursing care on a long-term basis. Today they own their own nursing facilities and both independent and assisted living residences while still offering home health services.

Entering its second century the organization is one of the nations' most comprehensive and largest human services provider. Through Volunteers of America over two million lives are touched each year across the United States in more than four hundred communities.

As the next century unfolds, Volunteers of America plan to continue providing an unlimited amount of care and to uplift the lives of as many people as possible in the United States. The organization understands that the population is quickly aging and will need much more help in the coming years in and the organization is preparing to be there to help.

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