Volunteers of America - History 
Historical Facts
Volunteers of America was founded in 1896 by social reformers Ballington and Maud Booth. They envisioned a movement dedicated to “reaching and uplifting” the American people. On behalf of the organization, the Booths pledged to “go wherever we are needed, and do whatever comes to hand.” That declaration has guided Volunteers of America’s outreach efforts ever since.
THE EARLY 1900s
In turn-of the-century America, there was no shortage of work to do. The Volunteers moved into tenement districts to care for people in poverty. They organized day nurseries and summer camps, provided housing for single men and women, and established the nation's first system of halfway houses for released prisoners.
By 1901 Volunteers of America established its presence in Toledo, OH caring for impoverished individuals and families by providing housing, food, and clothing. Operations included a dispensary, daily religious meetings, and an emergency hospital.
THE DEPRESSION
The Great Depression of the 1930s stretched the nation's private social welfare system almost to the breaking point. Volunteers of America mobilized to assist the millions of people who were unemployed, hungry and homeless. Relief efforts included employment bureaus, wood yards, soup kitchens, and "Penny Pantries" where every food item cost one cent.
Bread lines, soup kitchens, private charity, state and local programs were inadequate to meet the growing needs of those hit hardest by the depression. In the midst of the depression, Volunteers of America began operations in Sandusky, Ohio to fill the gaps in community services.
WARTIME
Volunteers of America served proudly on the home front during both world wars. The group operated canteens, overnight lodging and Sunday breakfasts for soldiers and sailors on leave. Affordable housing and childcare were provided for defense industry workers. Further, Volunteers of America spearheaded community salvage drives during World War II, collecting millions of pounds of scrap metal, rubber and fiber for the war effort.
THE 1960s
Our special mission in housing dates to our organization's founding. Volunteers of America helped accelerate real estate development during the 1960s by taking part in numerous federal housing programs. Since 1968, Volunteers of America has developed 138 affordable housing complexes in 28 states.
THE 1970-1990
In the 1970s, the organization emerged as a major provider of professional long-term nursing care. Today, Volunteers of America offer health care and related services in more than 10 states.
Now in our second century of service, Volunteers of America is one of the nation's largest and most comprehensive human services organizations, touching the lives of more than 2 million people in communities across the United States. Planning for the next 100 years, Volunteers of America will continue to prove that “there are no limits to caring.”
A halfway house for formerly incarcerated men opened in Toledo, eventually expanding services to female and youth offender populations. During this time the Sandusky operations included paper recycling, thrift shops, and emergency shelter for homeless adults.
Housing opportunities were created for individuals diagnosed with mental illness in a variety of settings from group homes to permanent housing. Support services provided additional assistance for individuals to maintain their housing in a least restrictive environment.
Volunteers of America Northwest Ohio
Volunteers of America Northwest Ohio came into existence in 2000 from a union between Volunteers of American Firelands Ohio and Volunteers of America of Toledo. The service area for the affiliate includes the following 13 Northwest Ohio counties: Lucas, Wood, Ottawa, Erie, Huron, Sandusky, Seneca, Lorain, Fulton, Defiance, Paulding, Williams and Henry Counties.
Today, more than 20,000 Northwest Ohio residents benefit from the large array of services available from Volunteers of America.