Our History
Our Name
The name Volunteers of America was selected
when the organization was founded over 100 years ago. It signified that the
organization was comprised of people voluntarily choosing to help
others. When Maud and Ballington Booth thought of
names for their new organization, one word remained
prominent: "volunteer.” In those days, a volunteer was anyone who was
committed to a mission or cause. Since its earliest days, when
Volunteers of America brought food, medicine and comfort to people not
served by other charities, volunteering has been instrumental in every
aspect of the organization's ministry of service. Our services are now delivered through a partnership of professional
staff, volunteers and other community supporters.
Volunteers of America currently operates programs that serve abused and
neglected children, homeless individuals and families, senior citizens,
youth at risk, people with developmental and physical disabilities, and
many others. Every year, over two million people across the nation feel
the helping hand and compassion of Volunteers of America.
Our History in Oklahoma
Riding shotgun on turn-of-the century stagecoaches isn’t the
kind of activity that springs to mind when you think of human service.
However, according to some old publications, protecting stagecoach
drivers and passengers was one of the services that the early Volunteers
of America performed in Oklahoma. The organization had a presence here
when the state was still part of Indian Territory in the early 1900s.
The belief that local people know best how to serve local
needs is a philosophy to which Volunteers of America remains true. From
the Tulsa headquarters, Volunteers of America of Oklahoma has expanded
services and community outreach to our five other locations in Tulsa, Oklahoma
City, Bartlesville, Muskogee and Bernice.
Volunteers of America of Oklahoma provides affordable housing
and vocational services to those with developmental disabilities, with
specialized residential care for individuals with Prader-Willi Syndrome.
Volunteers of America serves the homeless population of Oklahoma by
helping individuals in obtaining permanent supportive housing and
assisting those individuals with managing their income through our Payee
Services Program.
Volunteers of America of Oklahoma also helps senior citizens
through a variety of programs. We provide affordable housing for
low-income seniors in the Oklahoma City, Kingfisher, Choctaw and Broken
Arrow areas and in Kansas. The Advantage program offers case management
services to elderly persons living in their own homes and supported by
Medicaid to ensure their medical needs are met. The Caring
Companions program matches volunteers with nursing home residents who do
not have any regular visitors and our Muskogee office’s RSVP program
provides people over 55 with opportunities to volunteer in their
community.
Volunteers of America of Oklahoma’s Family Services provides
outpatient counseling for children, adolescents and adults. Sessions can
take place both in the home and at the Family Services Office in Tulsa.
Both daytime and evening appointments are available.