130 Years of Showing Up for Rochester's Most Vulnerable. Volunteers of America Is Just Getting Started.

Dr. Junior Dillion, President and CEO of Volunteers of America Upstate New York, brings a personal and urgent perspective to the challenges facing Rochester's most vulnerable residents, and explains why the work of VOA has never mattered more than it does right now.Discover how VOA connects housing, health and human services into a unified continuum of care serving over 10,000 people across Monroe, Broome and Tompkins Counties. Programs range from one of Monroe County's largest family shelters and permanent supportive housing to a children's center, reentry services for people coming out of the criminal justice system, universal pre-K and a hydroponic farm growing fresh produce for people who would otherwise go without.Dr. Dillion makes a compelling case for permanent supportive housing, a model showing 80 to 90% housing retention after one year, reductions in emergency room visits, hospitalizations and incarceration, and real economic returns as formerly homeless individuals gain employment and become contributing members of the community. He also shares why that model is currently under threat at the federal level and what VOA is doing to protect and grow it locally.Growing up in England in a low income family with coin operated electricity, Dr. Dillion knows firsthand what it means to struggle, and that experience shapes every decision he makes as the leader of this 130 year old organization.The VOA Upstate New York Gala is April 16th at the Har East Ballroom, with Indiana Barry from News 10 NBC as MC, live music, food and a chance to learn more about the programs your support makes possible.Visit voaupny.org to donate, volunteer or learn about upcoming initiatives including Strikeout Poverty with Citizens Bank and the Red Wings and the I Remember Mama senior outreach program.