ReStart to merge with Volunteers of America
(Reno, Nevada) – Volunteers of America Greater Sacramento & Northern Nevada Inc. and ReStart Inc. today announced a definitive merger agreement to secure and expand vital social-service programs in Washoe County.
“We’re very excited about the merger,” said Rachelle Pellissier, executive director of ReStart. “The merger allows us to continue to provide all of the current services we have to our existing clients, and gives us the opportunity to facilitate the expansion of programs to help serve more people in the future.”
“In these scary economic times, this is a win-win for all of us, and allows a better continuum of care for the entire community,” said Pellissier.
Since its formal organization in 1991, ReStart’s mission has been to provide professional mental-health services to homeless individuals, and to fill needed gaps in the homeless-services delivery system.
Today, ReStart assists some 300 clients through its mental-health support, representative payee service, permanent long-term housing and Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing programs.
“ReStart is a wonderful fit with Volunteers of America’s mission to reach and uplift all people,” said Leo McFarland, president and CEO of Volunteers of America Greater Sacramento & Northern Nevada.
Based at Reno’s Community Assistance Center campus, ReStart boasts 11 fulltime employees, all of whom will continue in their current positions, said Pellissier, who also will be working under the Volunteers of America umbrella in an executive capacity.
“The consolidation of resources is crucial to success in these trying economic times,” said Pellissier, who has served as ReStart’s executive director for three years. “The merger with Volunteers of America will lower our costs, enabling us to continue delivering vital services.”
Established in 1911, the Greater Sacramento & Northern Nevada office of Volunteers of America is one of the largest providers of social services in the region, operating more than 40 programs dedicated to ending homelessness, supporting the most vulnerable populations and transforming communities for the better.
Its ministry of service supports and empowers America’s most vulnerable groups, including at-risk youth, seniors, homeless individuals and families, people with disabilities, and those recovering from addictions.
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Media contacts:
Christie Holderegger, Vice President/Chief Development & Communications Officer
916.442.3691 (office); 916.213.4133 (cell); christie@voa-sac.org
Sandy Isham, Development and Community Relations Officer
775.322.7143 (office); 775.560.6888 (cell); sisham@voa-nv.org