Sycom GM RSS feed generatorMon, 28 Jun 2010 01:40:53 GMThttp://volunteersofamerica.org/default.aspxCopyright 2009en-usThu, 09 Sep 2010 10:40:55 GMT1/Marys_AdvocateMary is an active, vibrant octogenarian who visits the neighborhood Volunteers of America senior center in her community regularly. When Mary is faced with lifes problems, she knows she can count on Linda, one of our employees. Mon, 28 Jun 2010 01:40:53 GMT/Jaimes_New_StartListen as Jaime, a young woman in her 20s, fights years of addiction with the help of Volunteers of America's New Start program. With the support and direction of the New Start staff, Jaime learns the coping mechanisms necessary to overcome drug abuse forever. Mon, 28 Jun 2010 01:37:22 GMT/Roxannes_JourneyListen as Roxanne, a Navy veteran and survivor of Desert Storm, describes the help she received from our Veterans Services Program. With the help from this program, Roxanne is steadily making her way back home. Mon, 28 Jun 2010 01:38:27 GMT/Herbie_Comes_Full_CircleListen as Herbie describes how Volunteers of America Northern New England helped him as a child in the 1940s - and today through one of their senior housing facilities.Mon, 28 Jun 2010 01:36:24 GMT/Get-Involved/Give/Why-Give-To-Us-Stories-of-Hope/A-First-Time-to-Celebrate-Life.aspxAt the age of nine, Maggie had been admitted to a state facility due to mental retardation. For almost 49 years she lived in an institution where everything was done for her. Mon, 28 Jun 2010 01:23:40 GMT/Get-Involved/Give/Why-Give-To-Us-Stories-of-Hope/Learning-to-Love.aspxHer loveless past and lack of a caring, maternal role model had not prepared her for motherhood. While she loved her children, her parenting skills were so poor that she didn't know how to be a nurturing, loving parent.Mon, 28 Jun 2010 01:23:55 GMT/Get-Involved/Give/Why-Give-To-Us-Stories-of-Hope/The_Forgotten_Veteran.aspxReturning to civilian life proved to be a difficult adjustment for Rodney. When he was honorably discharged after 10 years in the U.S. Marine Corps, the sudden independence simply overwhelmed him. Mon, 28 Jun 2010 01:23:09 GMT/Get-Help/National-Network-of-Services/Children-Youth-Families/Crisis-Intervention/Crosswalk-Emergency-Shelter.aspx"I start seeing the kids for what they are beneath all that-terrified children, alone and scared to death-all of them. I have changed. I now realize I am not just playing pool-I am spending time with scared little kids-not because I have to, but because I want to. " - Bridget Canon Director of Youth Services Mon, 28 Jun 2010 01:24:40 GMT/Get-Help/National-Network-of-Services/Children-Youth-Families/Prevention/Camp-POSTCARD.aspx"Who would like to read their story?" asked Shayne's fifth grade teacher as she walked down the aisle toward his desk. Shayne felt a drop of sweat running down his forehead-and then another. His stomach tightened and he stopped breathing. He would have given his favorite Babe Ruth baseball card just to be able to simply disappear, but he was a tall young man and his striking red hair made disappearing all but impossible. As the teacher walked by and chose another student, Shayne started breathing again.Mon, 28 Jun 2010 01:24:53 GMT/Get-Involved/Give/Why-Give-To-Us-Stories-of-Hope/A-Renewed-Life-Knows-No-Age-Limit.aspxChange can be difficult at any age, but for Esther, who was in her late 80s, the loss of her daughter plunged her into deep depression. For most of their lives Esther and her daughter had been constant companions, going everywhere and doing everything together. Mon, 28 Jun 2010 01:25:07 GMT/Get-Involved/Give/Why-Give-To-Us-Stories-of-Hope/Joanne-Takes-Back-Her-Life.aspx"The more I got away with, the more I wanted to get away with." That's how Joanne sums up her earlier life. By the age of 14 she was abusing drugs and alcohol. Through the years, numerous attempts to get clean failed. Mon, 28 Jun 2010 01:25:21 GMT/Get-Involved/Give/Why-Give-To-Us-Stories-of-Hope/A-Young-Father-Gets-Back-on-His-Feet.aspxAs a single parent, Kirk worked hard to provide a good life for his four-year-old son, Kirshawn. When he lost his job due to steel industry cutbacks, Kirk managed to live off his savings while he looked for a new job. But jobs were scarce and hard to come by. Mon, 28 Jun 2010 01:25:35 GMT/Get-Involved/Give/Why-Give-To-Us-Stories-of-Hope/We-Wont-Give-Up-on-Lucas.aspxAt the age of 18, Lucas was no longer eligible for foster care. In the eyes of the state, he was considered an adult and able to care for himself. Nothing could have been further from the truth. Emotional scars and unresolved issues left him vulnerable and at risk.Mon, 28 Jun 2010 01:25:49 GMT/Get-Involved/Give/Why-Give-To-Us-Stories-of-Hope/A_Place_To_Call_Home.aspxLife had always been hard for a good man named Walter. He lived in the basement of a church, but he was about to be evicted. This was not the first time he had been homeless and he figured he could live in his old station wagon for a while. Mon, 28 Jun 2010 01:26:55 GMT