Volunteers of America-Greater New York

📅 Save the Date! Join us on October 8, 2025 at the NYU Kimmel Center in Manhattan for VOA-GNY’s Third Annual Domestic Violence Conference. Every survivor’s journey is unique—and so are their needs, both in shelter and beyond. This year, we’ll explore survivor-centered approaches to healing with experts, policymakers, and service providers addressing housing, healthcare, and financial empowerment. Some featured speakers include: Amanda Farías, Majority Leader, New York City Council Molly Wasow Park, Commissioner, NYC Department of Social Services Mandy Kelso, Head of Financial Education, TD Bank Dr. Uju Obi Berry, Director of DV Mental Health Initiatives at NYC Health + Hospitals Sandra P., Chief of the Civil Rights Bureau, NYS Office of the Attorney General Dr. Anita Ravi, MD, MPH, MSHP, FAAFP, Founder and CEO, PurpLE Health Foundation Shannon Wong, Public Policy Manager, New York State Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NYSCADV) Register for the event today: https://lnkd.in/ekDbFMfs #VOAGNY #DomesticViolenceConference

Have you spotted Eugene (also known as Mr. Hunter) at our Operation Backpack® warehouse this summer? 🎒 For the past 8 years, he’s been a part of the Operation Backpack® team—making sure everything runs smoothly during the volunteer packing events. His dedication to helping kids start the school year ready to learn was recognized by Spectrum News NY 1, who named him “New Yorker of the Week”! ✨ Mr. Hunter, who lives in one of our permanent supportive housing residences in Washington Heights, helps surpervise the interns and keeps everyone on task. But for him, it’s about more than the work: “It’s not about getting paid or not getting paid. It’s what I do in my heart. That’s what it’s all about,” said Eugene. We’re so grateful for Mr. Hunter’s commitment to Operation Backpack®! Watch the full segment here: https://lnkd.in/ePuftYx3 #OperationBackpackNYC #VOAGNY #NYerOfTheWeek

NEWS RELEASE 🗞️ Housing Advocates Celebrate $45 Million Down Payment to Affordable Housing Trust Fund, Call for Full and Sustainable Funding Housing advocates are celebrating today’s announcement from the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (NJDCA) that $35 million will be restored to the state’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund, with an additional $10 million allocated for Habitat for Humanity projects, and that the application process for development projects will reopen. This major win for New Jersey families follows advocacy efforts by the Housing and Community Development Network of NJ (the Network), along with its members and allies, to ensure the Trust Fund is used for its intended purpose: creating and preserving affordable homes. “We applaud this down payment toward addressing the housing needs of low- and moderate-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities.” said Matthew Hersh, vice president of policy and advocacy for the Network. “This is a win for everyone in New Jersey who believes that safe, stable, and affordable homes are the foundation of strong communities. We look forward to the full restoration of the Affordable Housing Trust Fund in the Lame Duck legislative session to make sure NJ is a place everyone can afford to call home.” The NJDCA’s action comes amid growing bipartisan momentum in the Legislature to strengthen and stabilize the Trust Fund: ⭐ Senator Britnee N. Timberlake (D-Essex) has introduced legislation to restore $125 million to the Trust Fund. ⭐ Senator Benjie Wimberly (D-Bergen/Passaic) and Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds-Jackson (D-Mercer) introduced a bill in June dedicating at least half of the new “Mansion Tax” revenue to the Trust Fund, creating a sustainable source of funding for affordable homes. Advocates emphasized that while today’s announcement is an achievement, the work is not done. Fully restoring the Trust Fund and securing a long-term, stable funding stream without diversions will be essential to meeting the state’s growing demand for affordable homes. “We’ve made great progress in recent years towards expanding affordable home opportunities, we can’t afford to stop now,” added Hersh. “Today’s announcement is a positive step in the right direction. Let’s finish the job and ensure the Trust Fund is fully and sustainably funded so every community can provide the affordable homes our residents need.” https://lnkd.in/ePSSMTRw

We hear the term “social workers” a lot, but do you know what they actually do? Social workers are trained professionals who help individuals, families, and communities navigate life’s challenges — from mental health and addiction to housing insecurity to elder care. They work in schools, hospitals, government agencies, and nonprofits like VOA-GNY, advocating for social justice and connecting people with the resources they need to thrive. At VOA-GNY, our social workers help clients gain employment, access healthcare, address mental health needs or substance use issues, and respond to crises involving domestic violence or medical emergencies. Their work is complex, critical, and life-changing. Read our latest article to learn more about the incredible breadth of what our social workers do and why their role is so important: https://lnkd.in/dc8WNx2B #VOAGNY #SocialWorker #WhatIsSocialWork

This National Senior Citizens Day, we’re honoring the strength of older New Yorkers who’ve found stability with VOA-GNY. Meet Lenny, a Bronx native and Lehman College graduate with a degree in accounting. After a long career, he never expected to find himself homeless at 55. When he lost his job and apartment, he spent three years working odd jobs while sleeping on the subway. In 2021, he moved into East Clarke Place, one of VOA-GNY's new residences for older adults, just four blocks from his 93-year-old mother. Now retired, Lenny cares for her and enjoys a vibrant community with fellow residents through barbecues, card games, and movie nights. “It’s a good thing for seniors to be around other seniors,” he says. “It’s a wonderful thing to have that and know that you’re not alone.” #NationalSeniorCitizenDay #VOAGNY

Last week, volunteers from Loews Corporation, including VOA-GNY board member and Loews Corporation’s SVP & CFO Jane Wang, packed 857 backpacks full of school supplies for students living in NYC shelters. 🎒✨ A steadfast supporter since 2017, Loews Corporation has once again stepped up as one of our highest-tier financial sponsors for the third consecutive year. Their commitment goes beyond Operation Backpack®—earlier this year, they hosted their second annual career readiness workshop for our clients from Jamaica Women’s Employment Shelter, providing clients with valuable job-hunting skills and professional insights. 👏 We’re grateful to Loews Corporation for helping ensure that students experiencing homelessness are ready for the school year with the supplies they need to succeed!

Congratulations to Leslie Armstrong, VOA-GNY's Assistant Vice President of Emergency Housing and Shelter Services, for being featured on City & State New York's 2025 Above & Beyond: Social Services list! With 28 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, Leslie has extensive expertise in managing transitional and residential housing programs for individuals and families in need. She oversees two of VOA-GNY’s largest single adult shelters, with a total capacity to serve 335 adults, as well as its transitional family shelters, which can serve 456 families experiencing homelessness. Leslie has worked with her team to develop effective strategies for transitioning single clients and families to permanent housing.  “Going into shelter doesn’t mean that you gave up, it means that you have an inner strength that sometimes people just don’t understand,” Leslie says. “That’s what keeps me going. These are people that, despite what they have been through, just want to keep striving.” Please join us in congratulating Leslie! Read more about her work and achievements here: https://lnkd.in/ezUbQ9Wy #VOAGNY

Yesterday, DSS Commissioner Molly Wasow Park and DHS Administrator Joslyn Carter, LCSW joined VOA-GNY's President and CEO Jeffrey Ginsburg and the leadership team at our Operation Backpack® warehouse to pack backpacks for students living in NYC shelters for the upcoming school year! We are grateful for NYC Department of Homeless Services's continued partnership and support of this initiative as we strive to ensure children experiencing homelessness in NYC have the tools they need to succeed in the classroom and beyond! 🎒✨ #OperationBackpackNYC #VOAGNY #BackToSchool

Make a living by making a difference! 🌟 We are hiring a Public Policy Manager to support our policy team in advancing our vision of ending homelessness in the Greater New York area. In this role, you’ll conduct research, analyze data, develop written materials, and create compelling social media content to advance the policy priorities of VOA-GNY. If you’re passionate about advocacy and public policy—we want to hear from you! To learn more and apply: https://lnkd.in/eupXGrxU #NowHiring #NonprofitJobs #NYCNonprofit #MakeADifference #VOAGNY

Congratulations to Michael S., VOA-GNY's Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, for being featured on Crain's New York Business's 40 Under 40 2025 list! Since joining VOA-GNY in 2017, Michael’s financial leadership has helped grow the organization’s budget from $100 million to $170 million, expanding its impact across 70+ programs. Yet his approach goes beyond numbers. “Working in finance,” Michael notes, “our role is to safeguard the organization’s financial health, ensure compliance, and promote sustainability—but it comes with making tough decisions that may be perceived as barriers to ambition or innovation.” Under his leadership, VOA-GNY has streamlined reporting, improved decision-making, and enabled the organization to expand critical services, including shelters, mental health programs, and workforce development initiatives. Read more about Michael’s work and achievements here: https://lnkd.in/esZcTtCE