VOA Illinois

Today we highlight Housing Champion Cary Steinbuck, the Deputy Chief for the Housing Choice Voucher Program at the Chicago Housing Authority. Cary oversees the project-based voucher program that provides long-term rental assistance to privately owned buildings. This program has allowed VOA Illinois to provide housing to Veterans and families who need it most, when they need it most. We're proud to partner with Cary and the Chicago Housing Authority and look forward to continuing to work together to provide support to those we serve. #TheVOAWay

Happy 4th of July! Today, we commemorate independence and freedom. However you choose to celebrate, we wish everyone a safe and memorable time surrounded by friends and family. #TheVOAWay #IndependenceDay

Time is flying! We are now HALFWAY THROUGH our annual Operation Backpack drive. Thank you to everyone who is helping us make this school year a success! We still have volunteer opportunities during volunteer week and sponsorship opportunities for our Back-to-School events available, please contact us at development@voail.org if you are interested in learning more! #TheVOAWay

Today we join the City of Chicago in celebrating the LGBTQ+ community at their annual pride parade. #PrideIsPower

#MissionMoment: As we wrap up June, we wanted to highlight our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. VOA Illinois is proud to support the LBGTQIA+ community today and every day. We recently interviewed one of our clinical service coordinators, Randall, about the importance of being a member of the community and how he provides a safe environment to those we serve. Randall said "People are safe around me. I wear the rainbow colors and even if they are not a member of the community, they know they are safe with me." Randall shared that since joining the agency, he has consistently felt embraced and encouraged and it's allowed him to better connect with and support vulnerable populations within our community. We believe that everyone deserves to feel safe, comfortable, and proud of who they are! #TheVOAWay

Today we're highlighting Housing Champion Tracey Scott, CEO of the Chicago Housing Authority (CHA)! Since joining CHA in 2020, Tracey has been instrumental in providing affordable housing options to the residents of Chicago. CHA has been a longtime supporter and champion of the people we serve at VOA Illinois. Thanks to their support we're able to provide Veterans at Hope Manor I, Hope Manor II, and Hope Manor Village with affordable high quality housing options. Thank you for being a housing champion! #TheVOAWay

Congratulations to Mayor Terry Darcy, City of Joliet, for receiving the Profile in Leadership Award at our annual Leadership Celebration! Before taking office Mayor Darcy was a successful business man who supported the individuals and families in Joliet who needed it most. He fought for what was right and supported those in his community. Since taking office, Mayor Darcy has been instrumental in advocating for the people of Joliet. He has been a champion of our work and we were honored to present him with this award. Thank you Mayor Darcy for all you’ve done to better the community of Joliet. We look forward to continuing to work with you! #TheVOAWay

#MissionMoment: Happy Operation Backpack season! We are so grateful to everyone who is participating this year! We are two weeks into the drive and are so grateful and impressed with the progress so far! Thank you to every team, family, and individual that has created a page and started purchasing backpacks and school supplies for the kids we serve. If you're interested in participating and making a difference to those we serve, email us at development@voail.org. #TheVOAWay

Today we are highlighting Housing Champion Kristin Faust the Executive Director at the Illinois Housing Development Authority. Since joining IHDA in 2019, Kristin has been an advocate for affordable housing and the people VOA Illinois serves. IHDA has played a key role in all our affordable housing developments and we're so grateful for the support and faith Kristin and her team have placed in us. Thank you for helping us provide more than a home to those we serve. #TheVOAWay

Want to learn more about the importance of Juneteenth and why we celebrate it? Check out the below video from Jatrice Martel Gainer, the Executive Vice President of External Affairs at Volunteers of America. #TheVOAWay