Stories

Ronaldy came to Volunteers of America-Greater New York after fleeing an abusive relationship. VOA-GNY supplied her with a safe home of her own in permanent supportive housing and emotional support when she needed it most.

When Theresa first arrived at one of our domestic violence shelters, she barely spoke. It took time and patience for Assistant Program Director Lizzette Torres to build a trusting relationship so Theresa could receive the support she needed to build a new life for herself and her children.

When she was most in need, Cathy, a single mother and immigrant from Colombia, got connected with VOA-GNY for housing, mental health resources, and more. She met Senior Counselor Andrea Balbuena, and everything changed.

While living on the street, John, a U.S. Navy veteran, picked up restaurant work whenever he could. VOA-Greater New York provided him with permanent supportive housing and the resources to thrive and fulfill his dream of becoming a chef. Now he's getting ready to open his own restaurant.

Martin and his wife thought they'd be spending their retirement with family in North Carolina after leaving their rent controlled apartment. But when those living arrangements didn't work out, they returned to New York only to discover they couldn't afford to rent. Instead, they became homeless.

Lourdes experienced violence and trauma from a young age. For twenty years, she dated the same boyfriend on and off until he became abusive when she was pregnant. When Lourdes decided to leave him, she came to a VOA-GNY emergency shelter for help. It was here that she learned to thrive.

Meet some of the children at VOA-Greater New York's family shelters who received backpacks and school supplies through this year's Operation Backpack® campaign.

From the time he was a child growing up in Spanish Harlem, Benny learned to do what was needed to survive. When an injury prevented him from working and he became homeless, he found a place to sleep in exchange for his help cleaning. But it's been a long time since Benny has had a home, a place of his own—until he moved into East Clarke Place Senior Residence.

All Kelvin ever wanted was to be with his children—even when that meant entering shelter to stay together. The support he found at VOA-Greater New York's family shelter in Bushwick, Brooklyn was all that he could hope for and more, as he worked to get his family back on its feet.

Tiffany "aged out" of foster care at nineteen. Not ready to live on her own, she was transferred to an independent living program. At first, she struggled to adjust in the program and clashed with other youth. But her case manager saw potential in Tiffany and helped give her a second chance.