Volunteers of America Northern California and Northern Nevada (VOA) moves people from homelessness to independence with love and dignity. VOA houses and shelters more than 1,000 people on any given night in the Reno-Sparks Area.

VOA offers a unique continuum of housing options and services for people who are experiencing homelessness or are struggling. Supports range from conducting street outreach along the Truckee River in the downtown corridor to build rapport with people sleeping outside, to operating the Nevada Cares Campus emergency shelter, conducting case management, and providing more than 400 units of affordable housing.

Rennie’s story reflects the difference these efforts can make to help someone become self-sufficient. After suffering a stroke at a young age, Rennie faced numerous challenges and found himself at the Nevada Cares Campus shelter. He joined VOA’s workforce development program, Reno Works, in partnership with the City of Reno. Despite his limitations, Rennie showed up every day, worked hard, completed the program, and now lives independently with a job at Raley’s. As Rennie shares, “If you see me on a day to day you wouldn’t even know I was once homeless.”

VOA is especially grateful for the ongoing support from the Nell J. Redfield Foundation and their commitment to addressing homelessness in our community.