Today, Crystal is over-the-moon excited to go to work and spend time with her sweet baby boy. She finds joy in the little things, like taking walks and exploring nature.

Judge Sara J. Harper is a woman who exemplifies what it means to live a purposeful life, dedicated to making a difference in the world. At Volunteers of America Ohio & Indiana, we believe this so much so that we named a housing community dedicated to serving women veterans after her. We’d like to share with you why she is so special. “People would tell me, ‘Oh you can’t do that.’ So, I did it anyway. Away from them.” The Honorable Judge Sara J. Harper Judge Sara J. Harper was born on August 10, 1926, and grew up in Cleveland…

Each year, we honor our nation’s veterans on November 11th, Veterans Day. It’s a time to take a step back and reflect on the sacrifices these men and women have made to keep us safe. It’s a time to honor them, celebrate them, and thank them. We can never be grateful enough for their service, but we can try! Make sure you take a moment this week to do something special for the veterans in your life. Whether it’s buying a cup of coffee, taking them to lunch, or a simple text message – your words will go a long…

Reflecting on my life, I ask myself: What will be your legacy? I think back to a brief part of my life, when I had the opportunity to serve my country with the United State Marine Corps. Stepping on the yellow footprints at the Marine Crops Recruit Depot (MCRD) in San Diego, CA, I had no idea on how making the transition from a civilian to Marine would be significant in continuing the legacy of military service within my family. My great-grandfather served in the World War II, my grandfather served in the Vietnam, my father did a short time…

In October, we recognize Emotional Wellness Month! It’s a great opportunity to take a step back and do a self-check on your mental and emotional health. But, what does it mean to be emotionally well? An emotionally well person is ready to adapt to change and difficult times, as well as successfully handle the stressors that come along in life. Our day-to-day feelings and emotions play an important role in how we deal with life’s changes. So, maintaining the ability to recognize and understand where you are in your journey with emotional wellness is key to being mentally prepared for…

Each year, we recognize September as Suicide Prevention Month. It’s an opportunity to spread awareness for the staggering statistics around suicide and what can be done to help those who are struggling with their mental health. At Volunteers of America, we know our nation’s veterans often face many challenges when returning from service, including unemployment, poor mental health, physical injuries, and the need for safe, secure housing. If these difficulties go unaddressed, their mental health challenges can worsen. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs’ National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report (2019), veterans account for 13.5% of all suicide deaths…

At Volunteers of America Ohio & Indiana, we believe in a world where all people live in safety, with social, emotional, and physical well-being, spiritual fulfillment, justice, and hope. When a person walks through the doors of VOA, they are greeted with respect and open arms to help them rebuild their lives. June is PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) Awareness Month. We sat down with one of our Clinical Supervisors, Vanessa Hogan, MS, LMHC, LCAC to learn more about PTSD and how friends and family members can best support their loved ones. In your role, how do you help people…

The men, women, and families who walk through the doors of Volunteers of America Ohio & Indiana for the first time seeking help often think there is no hope left for them.  The staff who welcome these men and women to VOA programs do so with arms wide open – ready to help carry their burdens, lighten their load, and remind them that there is always hope. They are people with a passion for uplifting others to help them rebuild their lives.  Khamisi Jordan is one of those passionate people.  Khamisi is a Community Case Manager at one of our VOA Veterans Resource Centers and if you know him personally,…

While it might feel like summer just started, it’s getting to be that time of year again… that’s right, it’s back-to-school season!

It’s a fun and exciting time for kids as they look forward to their first day of the new school year. But it can also be stressful and expensive for parents. That’s why shopping at VOA Thrift for kids’ clothing makes sense! You can snag amazing finds at great value for everyone in the family.

Check out the variety of children’s clothing in our stores below! You can find something for everyone (and even for your home), but here we’re highlighting our kid’s collection. They’ve likely outgrown last year’s wardrobe and will need some “new to them” outfits for school!

Operation Backpack® is a Volunteers of America signature program that helps local kids reach their full potential and thrive as they start the school year. Community members like you rally together to donate backpacks and school supplies to give kids the confidence and tools they need to succeed and dream big.