A story that is still being written.
Ballington and Maud Booth envisioned a movement dedicated to “reaching and uplifting” the American people. Founding Volunteers of America in 1896, the social reformers pledged to “go wherever we are needed, and do whatever comes to hand.” That declaration has guided Volunteers of America’s outreach efforts ever since.
Our Name
The name Volunteers of America was chosen by our founders, Ballington and Maud Booth, when the organization was founded over 125+ years ago. They volunteered to dedicate their hearts, spirits, and lives to help reach and uplift people in need. Our name meant the organization was comprised of people voluntarily choosing to help others. Back in 1896, a volunteer was anyone who was committed to a mission or cause.
Today, we are a nonprofit organization comprised of over 400 paid, professional case managers, housing experts, administrators, clinicians, caregivers, psychologists and leaders throughout Northern California and Northern Nevada. Our staff carries on the Booth’s legacy of ministry of service by helping those in need rebuild their lives and reach their full potential.
Today, we are a nonprofit organization comprised of over 400 paid, professional case managers, housing experts, administrators, clinicians, caregivers, psychologists and leaders throughout Northern California and Northern Nevada. Our staff carries on the Booth’s legacy of ministry of service by helping those in need rebuild their lives and reach their full potential.
Our History
In turn-of-the-century America, there was no shortage of work for the newly established Volunteers of America. The Volunteers moved into tenement districts to care for people in poverty. They organized day nurseries and summer camps, provided housing for single men and women, and established the nation’s first system of halfway houses for released prisoners.
The Great Depression of the 1930s stretched the nation’s private social welfare system almost to the breaking point. Volunteers of America mobilized to assist the millions of people who were unemployed, hungry and homeless. Relief efforts included employment bureaus, wood yards, soup kitchens, and “Penny Pantries” where every food item cost one cent.
Volunteers of America served proudly on the home front during both world wars. The group operated canteens, overnight lodging and Sunday breakfasts for soldiers and sailors on leave. Affordable housing and child care were provided for defense industry workers. Further, Volunteers of America spearheaded community salvage drives during World War II, collecting millions of pounds of scrap metal, rubber and fiber for the war effort.
Our special mission in affordable housing dates to our organization’s founding. Volunteers of America helped accelerate real estate development during the 1960s by taking part in numerous federal housing programs. Since 1968, Volunteers of America has developed over 300 affordable housing complexes in more than 31 states.
In the 1970s, the organization emerged as a major provider of professional long-term nursing care. Today, Volunteers of America not only offers home health care and related services, but owns and operates several nursing facilities, and assisted and independent living residences.
Now in our second century of service, we are one of the nation’s largest and most comprehensive human services organizations, touching the lives of more than 2 million people each year in communities across the United States. Planning for the next 100 years, we will continue to prove that “there are no limits to caring.”