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Real People. Real Challenges. Real Solutions. www.voaky.org Inspire Volunteers of America of Kentucky, Inc. Summer/Fall 2013 Starting school with confidence Plus: From homeless to homeowner

Volunteers of America of Kentucky's Inspire - Summer/Fall 2013

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News from Volunteers of America of Kentucky serving Kentucky, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Southern Indiana.

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Page 1: Volunteers of America of Kentucky's Inspire - Summer/Fall 2013

Real People. Real Challenges. Real Solutions. www.voaky.org

InspireVolunteers of America of Kentucky, Inc.

Summer/Fall 2013

Starting school with confidence Plus:

From homeless to homeowner

Page 2: Volunteers of America of Kentucky's Inspire - Summer/Fall 2013

Help kids we serve start school with everything they need: backpacks, school supplies, uniforms and

CONFIDENCE.Mark and Valajiah will be starting kindergarten this fall. Their families were served by Volunteers of America, and thanks to generous support from the community, kids just like them have the support they need to succeed in school. Our Back to School campaign helps us provide all the standard school supplies, plus comprehensive services to help students succeed in the classroom including:

• Learning assessments conducted by trained educational professionals

• One-on-one tutoring and homework help in our Study Buddy Room

• Learning resources including books, computers, games, and educational toys

• Hot, healthy meals including fresh fruits and vegetables

• Customized, ongoing case management to help families achieve stability and self-sufficiency

You can help!Make a tax-deductible contribution in the attached postage-paid envelope or online at www.voaky.org.

Back to school

Special thanks to our media sponsor:

“I consider Volunteers of America a valued

partner in our community’s efforts to address the

growing number of students experiencing

homelessness. Please join me in supporting the

Back to School campaign and give kids in need the

chance to succeed in the classroom and in life.”

Dr. Donna HargensSuperintendent, Jefferson County Public Schools

2 Inspire

Page 3: Volunteers of America of Kentucky's Inspire - Summer/Fall 2013

Dear Friend,

As you read this, major changes are underway at Volunteer of America. Our administrative team, including our Human Resources, Finance, External Relations, and Operations staff, is moving to a new headquarters at the historic Guthrie Coke Building at Fourth and Chestnut Streets in downtown Louisville. We had outgrown our existing space; the move positions our organization to be geographically closer to many of our business and community

Lisa DeJacoBoard Chair

Jane W. BurksPresident and CEO

4 Clients thriving Stories from Developmental Disability Services

5 Why get involved? Hear from an intern and volunteer

6 From Homeless to Homeowner Celebrating three successful journeys

8 In Motion Happenings throughout the region

Volunteers of America serving Kentucky, Tennessee, West

Virginia and Southern Indiana creates positive change in the

lives of individuals and communities through a

ministry of service.

Volunteers of America of Kentucky, a fully accredited charity, meets or exceeds all

20 of the Better Business Bureau’s Standards for Charity Accountability.

Volunteers of Americ a of Kentuck y, Inc. 3

Board of Directors

President and CEO, Jane W. BurksChair, Lisa DeJaco, Wyatt Tarrant & Combs, LLC

Treasurer, G. Bradley Smith, Mountjoy Chilton Medley, LLCSecretary, Sharon Johnson, LG&E and KU

Tyson Adams, Stites & Harbison, PLLCSandra Chambers, Jefferson Community and Technical College

Chris Conliffe, Conliffe & Hickey InsuranceAl Cornish, Norton HealthcarePatricia Cummings, Consultant

Karen Dunaway, CPA, PLLCDavid Fennell, Retired, PNC BankBarbara Ford, Barbara J. Ford, LLC

Keeta Fox, Papa John’s InternationalSteve Magre, Magre Outsource

George McMinn, Messer ConstructionKen Middleton, Middleton Consulting, LLC

Mark Mitchen, UPSDickie Oliver, YUM! Brands

Paula Purifoy, Metropolitan Sewer DistrictCindy Read, KentuckianaWorks

Paula F. Sherlock, Commonwealth of KentuckyScott Summers, Dinsmore & Shohl

Chris Ward, Deming, Malone, Livesay & OstroffMelanie Warren, PNC Wealth Management

Carl Williams, Jefferson County Public SchoolsKen Wilson, Brown-Forman Wines USA

Board Counsel

Michael Lannon, Attorney at Law and CPA, Weber & Rose, PSC

in this issue

message from the president & board chair

partners and government agencies with whom we collaborate to serve the most vulnerable citizens across the region. We invite you to join us at an exciting grand opening celebration in August; details are included on the back cover of this magazine.

We are also preparing for the significant changes the Affordable Care Act will create for the delivery of care to underserved populations. With our skills, experience, and a highly credentialed staff, we are poised to expand our medical case management and behavioral health services for high-risk populations. Our team of professional staff is working diligently to respond to a growing need for our services.

It is an exciting time to be a part of Volunteers of America. We hope you will join us!

Sincerely,

President’s Advisory CouncilPamela E. Barry, PNC Wealth Management

J. David Flanery, Papa John’s International, Inc.Daniel Hall, University of Louisville

Richard Hallman, UPS AirlinesDonald Kelly, Wyatt, Tarrant & Combs, LLP

Jack D. Sweeney, PNC Bank

Senior Staff

Jane W. BurksPresident and CEO

Bay BaltesSenior Vice President of Human Resources

Rita BondAssociate Vice President of Developmental

Disabilities Services for Tennessee

Tiffany Cole HallAssociate Vice President of Developmental Disabilities Services

for Northern Kentucky and Southern Indiana

Tom GeorgeSenior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Jennifer HancockChief Operating Officer

Jonathan KuehlSenior Director, Operations Support and Oversight

Jennifer McMinnVice President of Clinical and Regional Services

Editorial/creative

Jennifer RecktenwaldSenior Director of Communications

Claire SheehanCreative Services Manager

Page 4: Volunteers of America of Kentucky's Inspire - Summer/Fall 2013

Ruth Ann, a resident in one of our residential Developmental Disability homes in Southern Indiana, is an expert bowler and is known for her amazing memory. Though legally blind, Ruth Ann is active in her church and in the community and has worked at Texas Roadhouse for seven years. While on the job, she works independently drying, sorting, and rolling silverware. Ruth Ann says she loves her independence and appreciates the Volunteers of America staff because they help her live her life the way she wants.

Residents thrive with help from United Way of Greater Cincinnati

Volunteers of America serves 100 individuals with cognitive and developmental disabilities in Northern Kentucky. Thanks to support from the United Way of Greater Cincinnati, we are able to provide around-the-clock care at our Supportive Living Homes, adult foster care, respite housing for temporary situations, and independent living with drop-in support, community living supports, weekly group activities, and transportation for day services.

One of our residents, 19-year-old Jacob, came to us two years ago and has thrived in our care. His vocabulary has expanded, and he began using a device that allows him to communicate in full sentences. He loves animals, movies, country music, and being outdoors.

Another young resident, 20-year-old Derek, is part of our Adult Foster Care

program in Northern Kentucky. His foster care provider, Travis McDaniel, works with Derek on verbalizing his feelings. Travis and Derek refer to themselves as roommates, which gives Derek a sense of independence. They prepare meals, go to movies, and exercise together. Travis says Derek feels like his biggest accomplishment is that he finally belongs somewhere.

We thank the United Way of Greater Cincinnati for helping us provide the highest quality care to Jacob, Derek and other individuals with developmental disabilities.

4 Inspire

Ruth Ann lives life to the fullest

Jacob, above with a furry friend, and Derek, below at right, with his foster caregiver Travis.

Page 5: Volunteers of America of Kentucky's Inspire - Summer/Fall 2013

Volunteers of Americ a of Kentuck y, Inc. 5

Why I GIVE BACK toVolunteers of America

Linda Rice, the owner of an insurance business, has supported Volunteers of America for more than 20 years. She volunteers weekly in the Study Buddy Room at our Family Emergency Shelter, where she offers tutoring and homework help to kids we serve. Linda is also a member of our Positive Change Society, a multi-year giving circle for those who want to invest in long-term solutions for the people we serve. And she has introduced many of her friends, family members, and business associates to Volunteers of America, who have in turn become supporters.

When asked what motivates her to give of her time and financial support to Volunteers of America, Linda had this to say:

“Working with children experiencing homelessness has brought me much hope and happiness. As a member of this community, it is important to me to connect and in some way help make it a better place. I am able to see the difference it makes in the day-to-day life of the families at Volunteers of America and have also witnessed the successes achieved by those who have been served by the organization.

“The moment a child’s eyes light up when she has figured out how to do a math problem, or when a child colors a picture for his mom and is so excited to give it to her, gives me the immediate satisfaction of knowing that in some little way I have made a difference. A young man who had been served at the shelter came back years later to say hello and remembered that I had helped him with his school work. This made me realize that those seemingly small moments can have a major influence in someone’s life.”

Students can explore career options withVolunteers of AmericaKathryn Fisher, a junior at Indiana University Southeast majoring in Communications, has participated in a Community Engagement internship with Volunteers of America this spring and summer. She talks about how the experience is helping her forge a career path.

Why Volunteers of America?What really drew me was not what I would be doing, which is event planning, but really the organization that I would be working for. I love to help people and if I could help plan these events that were ultimately helping people in need, it was where I wanted to be.

Most interesting and unexpected experience during the internship:I got to help at a recording session with clients in the Women’s Addiction Recovery program. The Kentucky Center for the Arts’ Arts in Healing team worked with them to write songs and record them in a real studio. At first the clients were all a little shy but as the day went on, they opened up and really expressed what the lyrics meant to them and that was really special to be a part of.

What I’ve learned from the experience:So many times people go into jobs for the money or they just want a 9 to 5 job, but here I’ve observed that with the staff at Volunteers of America, it’s more than just a job to them. They are deeply invested in the clients’ lives and working to the best of their ability to make it a better tomorrow for them. For me, it is really inspiring and encouraging to see the right people in the right jobs.

Career goals:I don’t really know what I want to do with my major yet. I do know that I want to help people, whether that is in non-profit or in business. I plan on challenging myself along the way. The sky is the limit!

To learn more about internship or practicum opportunities with Volunteers of America, contact Community Engagement Coordinator Josh Kornberg at [email protected] or (502) 636-4644.

Page 6: Volunteers of America of Kentucky's Inspire - Summer/Fall 2013

From homelessto homeowner

Fuller Center partnership with Volunteers of Americais resurrecting lives, communities

Page 7: Volunteers of America of Kentucky's Inspire - Summer/Fall 2013

Volunteers of Americ a of Kentuck y, Inc. 7

For many families and individuals who experience homelessness, the idea of seeing one’s name to the deed on a house would simply be a dream. For three individuals served by Volunteers of America, that dream is coming true through the Fuller Center for Housing’s Save a House/Make a Home initiative.

The progam takes donated vancant properties, many of which are considered “toxic assets” by banks or investors, and turns them into decent homes.. Volunteers of America has helped prepare three candidates — Joe “JoJo” Thomas, Louis Alexander, and Phonecia Carney for the program.

JoJo and Louis had both been homeless and suffered through drug and alcohol addiction. Both got their lives back on track in Louisville with life skills training from Volunteers of America and addiction treatment. Louis became a Fuller Center homeowner in December 2011, JoJo in May 2013.

“I never imagined in a thousand years that I would be a homeowner,” said Louis, who spent decades addicted and estranged from his adult son. Not only has he given up alcohol, but he holds a steady job and has repaired his relationship with his son.

“I feel a whole different new way of living,” he says. “I feel like I’m more responsible. I’m a taxpayer. I’m a part of something good now, and I’m giving back freely with no motives.”

JoJo’s new home is just a few doors down from Louis’s. Seeing the positive change in his friend’s life inspired JoJo to follow in his footsteps. “Louis and I come from the same cut, from the bottom of having nothing. I’ve seen his growth, and him being a homeowner is unbelievable,” says JoJo, an Army veteran who spent time on the streets. “Because who’d have thought Louis would have a house? It’s the same thing people are saying about me.

‘Who’d have thought JoJo would have a house?’”

Phonecia Carney recently moved into a Fuller Center home with her three children — 14-year-old Jeremiah, five-year-old Valajiah, and two-year-old Tristan. Like JoJo, she became homeless after leaving the Army. She turned to Volunteers of America for emergency shelter and case management in 2007.

“I never thought that I would own a home, especially as a single parent at 33. To me, it’s the most wonderful feeling because they’ve got somewhere stable, to love” she says of her children. “We’re not constantly moving around. It’s hard when you don’t have a home to go to, and you’ve got kids to raise.”

The Fuller Center makes potential homeowners full partners in the process by requiring their participation in the building and revitalization of their homes, and in return they maintain the property, pay taxes, and make no-interest, no-profit mortgage payments into a fund to help future homeowners.

John Launius, Director of Program Development for Volunteers of America of Kentucky, helped recruit Louis, JoJo, and Phonecia to the program. He is a Fuller Center of Louisville board member and chairs the organization’s Home Selection Committee. “The Fuller Center is a great partner for us because our organization takes a holistic approach with clients to make sure they’re ready to live independently, and the Fuller Center provides an opportunity for them to put those skills to work,” Launius said.

“For our clients, they’ve overcome a lot, and they continue to persevere and work on themselves for their families,” he added. “And for many of them, the thought of owning a home was probably not there. An opportunity like this gives them not just a place to live but an opportunity for home ownership and to continue on that path of rebuilding their lives.”

Thanks to Chris Johnson, Director of Communications with the Fuller Center for Housing, who contributed to this article.

At left, Phonecia Carney sits on the steps of her new home with children Tristan, Valajiah, and Jeremiah.

Volunteers of America graduate Joe “JoJo” Thomas participated in the renovation of his future home.

Photo by Chris Johnson, Director of Communications, Fuller Center for Housing

Volunteers of America graduate Louis Alexander moved into a Fuller Center home in 2011 through a special zero-interest loan.

Page 8: Volunteers of America of Kentucky's Inspire - Summer/Fall 2013

8 Inspire

Volunteers ‘Give a Day’ to build a compassionate communityA total of 143 community volunteers pitched in to support Volunteers of America during Louisville Metro Mayor Greg Fischer’s city-wide Give a Day Week of Service in April. Together they contributed 326 hours of their time to help with landscaping and spring cleaning at our facilities, organizing fun activities for our clients, and serving meals at our residential programs.

These efforts are instrumental in helping us maintain critical services and improve the quality of life for people we serve. Equally important, the time and attention contributed by these volunteers sends a message to our clients that Louisville is a compassionate community.

Many thanks to all the individuals and groups that participated, including the Indian Professional Council, Horseshoe Casino, Heine Brothers’ Coffee, Southeast Christian Church, Pepsi Co, Passport Health Plan, Bellarmine University, the Shelby Park Neighborhood Association, and the German-Paristown Neighborhood Association.

Basketball great shares inspirational story to support Volunteers of America

Blue Grass Motorsport hosted a “Hoops and Hope” reception in March to celebrate the release of an autobiography by one of Kentucky’s biggest basketball stars and inspire guests to learn more about Volunteers of America. University of Kentucky, NBA, and Olympic champion Derek Anderson shared signed copies of Stamina, his inspiring story of perseverance through homelessness, injury, and other challenges. He also encouraged attendees to mentor young people, especially those served by Volunteers of America. Thanks to Positive Change Society member Mike Vine and Jim Haynes of Blue Grass Motorsport, who hosted the event and invited their friends to be a part of this special evening.

In Motion

Volunteers of America board chair Lisa DeJaco; Jennifer Hancock, Volunteers of AmericaChief Operating Officer; Derek Anderson, and Blue Grass Motorsport owner Mike Vine.

During the Week of Service, members of the Indian Professional Council (IPC) and their family members, along with Metro Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer, cut the ribbon to open a computer lab for school-age children we serve at our

Louisville Family Housing Campus. IPC donated computers, software, and furniture and networked all the workstations.

Funding for our programs provided in part by:

Page 9: Volunteers of America of Kentucky's Inspire - Summer/Fall 2013

Volunteers of Americ a of Kentuck y, Inc. 9

In M

otio

nSupporters ask for gifts to serve people in need

Friends and associates of Volunteers of America are using their personal milestones as an occasion to support Volunteers of America.

Will Barry and Erica Young (right), longtime supporters who tied the knot in April, invited their guests to celebrate their wedding with a contribution to Volunteers of America. Their request garnered more than $1,500 to support our mission.

Sara P. Urrutia —Senior Program Manager of Sponsorships and Grants with Volunteers of America’s national office — celebrated her birthday recently by inviting friends and family to support our Brightening Birthdays initiative that provides gifts and party favors for homeless children served by Volunteers of America. In addition to financial gifts, they donated enough items to fill 20 goody bags for upcoming parties at our shelter.

If you’d like to use a wedding, birthday, anniversary, or some other special event as an occasion to invite others to support Volunteers of America, contact Senior Director of Development Farrah Ferriell at [email protected] or (502) 636-4638 for more details.

Community partnerships expand availability of HIV testing

Volunteers of America has opened a new satellite location in West Louisville to provide free HIV testing and confidential counseling geared toward high-risk individuals. A grand opening celebration on June 3, sponsored by Walgreens, drew community leaders and focused on the need for increased education and awareness.

Our HIV Services team is now offering the “Wellness on Wednesdays” program in partnership with Walgreens at two Louisville-area locations. In addition to free HIV testing, free blood pressure, blood sugar, and body composition testing is also offered. This fast, pain-free and confidential testing is available every Wednesday between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. at the Walgreens locations at 3410 West Broadway and 200 East Broadway in Louisville.

Photo by Todd Pellowe

Page 10: Volunteers of America of Kentucky's Inspire - Summer/Fall 2013

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In Motion

Vols and Tide celebrate rivalry to support Volunteers of AmericaOur fourth annual Tennessee vs. Alabama Celebrity Golf Tournament and festivities in June brought together dozens of former football greats and Volunteers of America supporters to raise money and awareness for our Developmental Disability Services in Middle Tennessee. The event raised more than $90,000, including $10,000 from presenting sponsor Nissan North America. Thanks to the guests, athletes, musical performers, volunteers, and staff, all of whom made the event such a huge success again this year.

Tommy (right), a recipient of our Developmental Disability Services in Middle Tennessee, enjoyed the dinner and silent auction with help from his Direct Support Professional, Ryan Gaskell.

Volunteers of America staff including (left to right) Monica Virgo, Denise Garrett, Tanishia Bell, and Shaletta Shumpert helped out at the tournament.

Tennessee Advisory Council member Ben Wilson (left) and his wife, Whitney, enjoyed the festivities and issued a matching gift challenge that garnered more than $5,200 to support our services.

Their favorite teams may be rivals, but Mike Brothers (left) and Grady Brothers were happy to team up on the golf course.

Page 11: Volunteers of America of Kentucky's Inspire - Summer/Fall 2013

Our Real³ Journey is a one-hour interactive tour that demonstrates how we help real people facing real challenges to find real and lasting solutions. Real³ Journeys take place at our Louisville Family Housing Campus at 1321 S. Preston Street (enter on Ormsby Avenue) unless otherwise noted.

Please give us one hour

Tuesday, August 13, 6 - 7 p.m.Thursday, August 08, 4 - 5 p.m.Thursday, August 22, 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.Tuesday, August 27, 6 - 7 p.m.Tuesday, September 10, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.

To RSVP, contact Robyn Przybylek at (502) 636-4660 or [email protected].

In M

otio

n

Volunteers of America of Kentucky, Inc. 11

Grant newsFor the third year in a row, Volunteers of America of Kentucky has been awarded support from The Home Depot Foundation (THDF) to support our initiative to address veterans’ housing needs, specifically to repair and rehabilitate properties serving veterans and their families. The $88,000 grant will be used to continue improvements at our Shelby Street Clinical Campus in Louisville, where we provide addiction recovery and HIV services to veterans and others in need.

Yum! Brands has provided $40,000 in grant funding over the next two years to support our Culinary Arts program for clients in our Louisville-area programs. Under the direction of our professional chef Ann Stainback, participants learn valuable career and life skills through instruction from industry professionals, field trips and hands-on experience preparing and serving meals at our facilities. The funding will also allow our staff to consolidate some of the food preparations at our Shelby Street Clinical Campus and Louisville Family Housing Campus.

*Wednesday, September 18, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. (takes place at 1436 S. Shelby Street in Louisville)

Tuesday, September 24, 8:30 - 9:30 a.m.Thursday, October 17, 4 - 5 p.m.Thursday, November 07, 8:30 - 9:30 a.m.Tuesday, December 10, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Page 12: Volunteers of America of Kentucky's Inspire - Summer/Fall 2013

KentuckyLouisville (502) 636-0771Lexington (859) 254-3469Florence (859) 372-5600

www.voaky.org

Southern IndianaNew Albany (812) 944-5213

West VirginiaCeredo (304) 453-2900

TennesseeKnoxville (865) 546-4813Nashville (615) 885-2552 Memphis (901) 937-0100

570 S. 4th St., Suite 100 | Louisville, KY 40202-2504

Nonprofit Org.US Postage

PAIDPermit 961

Louisville, KY

office locations

Join us for a Grand Opening Celebrationat our new headquarters in the historic Guthrie Coke Building

Thursday, August 15

10 a.m.News conference with elected

officials and special guests

11 a.m. – 2 p.m.Street fair and celebration with

food, fun and fellowship

570 South Fourth StreetLouisville, Kentucky

At the corner of Fourth and Chestnut streets