About Us
Our Vision Is To
End Homelessness
On March 8, 1896, before a packed crowd at Cooper Union, Maud and Ballington Booth founded an organization dedicated to what we now call human services.
Today, Volunteers of America-Greater New York (VOA-GNY) is at the forefront of developing innovative housing, health, and wealth-building services for families and individuals experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness.
Through 70+ programs located in New York City, Northern New Jersey, and Westchester, we deliver services to more than 35,000 adults and children annually. We’re also advocating for better systems and policies to meet the needs of the community.
Our Solution
We’re tackling the most prevalent causes of homelessness by:
Providing a continuum of housing that helps individuals and families achieve stability.
Addressing the physical and mental health needs of our clients using proven interventions.
Empowering clients to strengthen their career opportunities and build a financial safety net.
Advocating for the needs of those we serve and fight to create transformational change.
Can we end homelessness?
We’re working towards “functional zero” – a national standard of quickly re-housing anyone who does become homeless. Homelessness may always exist to a degree, but it should be uncommon, brief and a one-time occurrence.
VOA-GNY accomplished this for veterans as a founding member of the coalition that ended chronic veteran homelessness in New York City in 2015. Now we want to do the same for all.
Legacy of Innovation
Over the last 130 years, VOA-GNY has built a proud legacy of leadership and innovation.
- We were one of the nation’s earliest adopters of the supportive housing model. Today, we’re the fifth largest provider of supportive housing in the region.
- We were the first nonprofit providers contracted by NYC to operate shelter services and we continue to lead the way.
- VOA-GNY was a founding member of the coalition that ended chronic veteran homelessness in NYC
- We are a prominent voice bringing awareness to the connection between domestic violence and brain trauma.
- VOA-GNY was selected as the City’s exclusive partner on Street to Home, a successful “housing first” pilot that transitions unsheltered New Yorkers into housing
About Our Name
When Volunteers of America was founded, a “volunteer” was someone whose vocation was to serve others through a commitment to a mission. Today, we are still staffed by mission-driven professionals working to support individuals and build thriving communities, only now we call them “employees.”
Volunteers of America was founded in New York City in 1896 and has since expanded to 46 states as well as D.C. and Puerto Rico. The national headquarters are located in Alexandria, Virginia. Volunteers of America-Greater New York is one of the largest independent local affiliates.
Help us end homelessness in our community
Our vision is to end homelessness in Greater New York. With your support, change is possible.