July 2011 eSpirit
A cord of three strands . . .
One of the advantages Volunteers of America provides to the people and the communities we serve is that we provide a wide variety of services. As a result, we may have someone living in one of our apartments and working at one of our thrift stores, or has a child who is a student at our Children’s Center.
The Scriptures point out that a cord of three strands is not easily broken. Weaving together services can help transform a life into a strong, more self-sufficient individual.
Janelle was a student at our Children’s Center. When she grew up and became a mother of two boys, she wanted them to attend the Children’s Center so they would benefit as she had. She knew how important it is for young people to be prepared for success in school and on into adulthood.
In these tough economic times we know struggling individuals and families don’t need more barriers to getting on their feet and becoming self-sufficient. Life can be tough enough even if you have a job and a roof over your head.
We have numerous additional stories about individuals who have turned their lives around, such as a young man who was homeless and came to live with Volunteers of America and now works in that homeless program; a banker from whom we were seeking a donation who revealed to us that he had lived in one of our apartments when he was younger; a young mother we were helping who went on to finish school and become a nurse; children in our foster care who have been adopted by loving parents; and many other examples.
All of these transformed lives, and many many more, have been possible over the past 114 years – because of people like you. People like you who have been committed to being a part of the work of Volunteers of America to help change lives.
Your gifts, woven together with the gifts of others and the variety of services provided by Volunteers of America forms a strong ministry of service to those truly in need. We are honored to be working with you to provide services so badly needed.
Alan R. Garner, President
Volunteers of America of Pennsylvania