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See the faces you give hope to...

Volunteers of America Northern California & Northern Nevada 17th annual breakfast hosts stories of inspiration, success, and vision. Leo McFarland, CEO and President, shares his thoughts and reflections of the organization.

Lauren has been with the Volunteers of America Northern California & Northern Nevada Transitional Housing for Former Foster Youth Program for almost two years now. She hopes to pursue a degree at Humbolt University after graduation. "Here at VOA, I feel like I'm not alone. I've learned to not lose hope in the world, because there are people and places like VOA that will help you rebuild your life. As for my future, I am full of hope." -Lauren

Volunteers of America Northern California & Northern Nevada’s Operation Backpack will be providing a new backpack filled with grade-appropriate school supplies to 300 children during this main pick-a-pack event.

Volunteers of America Northern California & Northern Nevada’s Operation Backpack will be providing a new backpack filled with grade-appropriate school supplies to homeless and at-risk children during the Reno area Pick-a-Pack event Friday, July 27th. All of the families and children in Volunteers of America Reno area programs are provided a backpack and school supplies. Additionally, VOA is partnering with the Washoe County School District’s Children In Transition (CIT) program and Community Health Alliance (CHA) Nevada to have their qualifying students receive backpacks as well. CIT provides homeless children the opportunity to achieve the same high-quality academic standards by eliminating barriers to their education. Each school in the district has an advocate that works closely with each family and has identified over 3,000 students in need and Operation Backpack hopes to provide every child with the tools they need to succeed in school. At Friday’s Pick-a-Pack event children will have the opportunity to receive necessary school immunizations through CHA Nevada nurses on-site. Families may also enroll in CHA and receive additional information, resources, and referrals. The Reno region has made a huge difference by donating school supplies and backpacks to Volunteers of America’s Operation Backpack collection drive this year, with nearly 20 locations across the Reno area serving as “drop-off locations” in addition to the VOA main office at the Community Resource Center on Record Street. Partnering companies included Wells Fargo Advisors, Bizarre Guitar, Caliber Hair and Make-up, Dickson Realty, Geodis, Keller Williams, Legal Match, North American Title, Remax Professionals, and Great Basin Credit Union. Campaign partners included Reno Media Group, Reno Street Food, and Quick Space Storage

OPERATION BACKPACK® Campaign NEEDS ADDITIONAL DONATIONS ​ HELP REACH THE GOAL OF 3,000 FILLED BACKPACKS FOR RENO area homeless and at-risk STUDENTS Volunteers of America is still looking for donations to help provide a filled backpack and school supplies to at-risk students in the Washoe County School District. Thousands of children in the Reno area are homeless and return to school without the supplies they need.This impacts their education and their spirit. But YOU can make a difference. Join Volunteers of America’s Operation Backpack collection drive by dropping off supplies – Monday July 23, 2018 is the last day for supply donations at partnering drop-off locations, but you can still make a monetary gift online in any amount through July 30th on the event website www.OperationBackpackNCNN.org