This past September, Dr. Junior Dillion, President and CEO of VOA Upstate New York, spoke at TEDxNazarethUniversity, sharing his story of resilience and his inspiring journey from growing up in an underserved community to leading a nonprofit that impacts thousands. Dr. Dillion emphasized that success is rarely straightforward; rather, it’s a series of small steps supported by others. “Starting last and finishing first really means being the best representation of yourself,” he said. “Sometimes it takes others to help bring that out in us.” Now at VOA, Dr. Dillion leads a team dedicated to creating meaningful change by investing in…

As VOA serves our communities, we do so with compassion, love, and faith. At the VOA National Conference held in the DC Metro area from May 4-7, Upstate New York’s President and CEO, Dr. Junior Dillion, and Assistant Facilities Manager Tiffany Bundy were officially ordained as VOA ministers. Our ministers offer optional spiritual care and emotional support in ways that respect each individual’s culture, religious beliefs, practices, and privacy. Congratulations Junior and Tiffany!

Community partnerships are essential to advancing the mission of Volunteers of America Upstate New York (VOA). These collaborations enable VOA to provide critical support and services to individuals and families in need. Among these valued partners, Bank of America stands out for its unwavering support and significant contributions in Rochester. Bank of America’s commitment to supporting local communities aligns seamlessly with VOA’s mission; the bank supports nonprofit organizations that focus on economic mobility in low- and moderate-income communities. Since 2019, Bank of America has invested $3.6 million in Rochester nonprofits to help support programs and resources for working families, youth,…

UPK Students Celebrated in Graduation Ceremony The VOA Children’s Center celebrated students completing their Universal Pre-K programs in June with a moving-up ceremony attended by families as our little graduates prepare to thrive at kindergarten in the fall. Openings Available Now at the Children’s Center The Children’s Center at VOA has recently opened new child care rooms to address the pressing need for child care in the Rochester area. We now have full-time spots available for infants, toddlers, and children aged 3 and 4, as well as after-school programs for children aged 5-12. According to the NYS Office of Children…

Volunteers of America is proud to announce the recent opening of our newest family shelter, “Moving Forward.” VOA has partnered with Monroe County to create a new shelter with 58 private units to address the growing number of unhoused families in the Rochester area as a way to keep families together during a time of crisis. This shelter will serve families of any composition, a model VOA introduced with our first shelter, The Guest House, which opened in 2008 with 14 private units. In addition to safe shelter, Moving Forward will provide families with meals, transportation, and on-site support services…

Wendy Dettmer, Volunteers of America’s Vice President of Community-Based Programs, has been recognized as one of Rochester Business Journal’s 2024 Women of Excellence Honorees. This accolade is awarded by the RBJ’s editorial staff and an independent panel of judges to recognize women for their commitment to encouraging change within their community. Wendy joined VOA in 2022, and she was promoted to VP in 2023. Her division includes VOA’s Senior Housing, Community-Based Housing, and programs within Monroe County Jail and Albion Prison. She also heads one of VOA’s newest initiatives, The Farm. Wendy attributes much of the success of these initiatives…

Dr. Nate Sheppard is VOA’s new Regional Vice President of Site-Based Housing. Dr. Sheppard is a veteran with more than 20 years working for non-profit agencies supervising facilities and operations. As Regional VP, he is responsible for VOA’s permanent supportive housing programs and the Residential Reentry Center. Jannie Hill was named our Vice President of Children & Family Services at the beginning of the 2023-2024 school year. Ms. Hill has more than 20 years of experience in early childhood education, and she is responsible for the VOA Children’s Center in Rochester which includes child care programs for infants and toddlers…

This past November, Volunteers of America launched a new program: The Farm! The Farm is a sustainable program, funded in large part by an American Rescue Plan grant from Monroe County, that helps to combat food insecurity by growing and distributing fresh produce to low-income households…