In 2011, Joy’s husband passed away in his sleep from a heart attack. They had been together for 18 ½ years. Prior to his passing, they were living on his disability, so when he died, Joy had no income. Joy sold what she could to try to keep her home and later tried to stay with friends. Eventually, she began living in her car, at the local Walmart parking lot. During this time, Joy was seeing a psychiatrist to address symptoms from her bipolar and depression. Her psychiatrist put in a referral to Volunteers of America Florida’s Sebring Program.   Joy…

Kevin served his country as a field radio operator for four and a half years while stationed in Pendleton, where he traveled the world to ensure the safety and efficacy of communication channels. After spending about 20 years living overseas, Kevin returned home to Fort Myers after his father brought him a plane ticket, missing him terribly. Kevin decided to stay;  Tragically, his father passed away in 2019, triggering a series of health issues that included heart problems, chronic pain, anxiety, and depression. The loss of his job added to the mounting challenges, transforming his life into an uphill battle….

Transitioning from military life wasn’t hard for Ted, likely due to his athletic background emphasizing discipline and structure. Yet, navigating civilian job opportunities to align with his former military role as a signalman presented challenges.  Unexpectedly, Ted discovered his new calling within the hospitality and food industry. Utilizing the precision and discipline learned from managing flags, spotlights, and Morse code, he began serving up delicious food from a truck he co-owns with another veteran. On top of this, he also works at a popular local restaurant as the head of their events and wedding catering division.  Ted’s life took a…

Join the Tampa Bay Times in the fourth installment of an occasional series as they follow residents’ emotional and transformative journey at Innovare VOAF’s new affordable housing development.

Witness the poignant milestones and gritty challenges in the third installment of an occasional series by the Tampa Bay Times.

After 15 years in Pinellas County, Mr. Kissinger’s life took a tough turn. He lost his apartment and lived in his car until it, too, was taken away. He hit rock bottom with nowhere to turn and just the clothes on his back. He found a spark of hope at Safe Harbor, which led him to Pinellas Hope. Surrounded by others in similar situations, he received meals, a place to sleep, and help rebuilding his life for eight months. But Mr. Kissinger was aiming for a stable future. With Pinellas Hope’s guidance, he contacted Volunteers of America of Florida and…

From a work injury to homelessness and battling substance abuse, Walter’s path to Innovare waschallenging. Yet, his resilience and five-year sobriety journey led him to become the very first resident ofInnovare. Innovare offers Walter a chance for growth – from aspirations to regain his driver’s license to rebuilding independence and crafting a future once deemed unreachable. With direct care services and a nurturing community,Walter isn’t just surviving; he’s filled with hope. Walter’s story symbolizes Innovare’s essence: a place where second chances are real.

Explore the second installment of the Tampa Bay Times series at Innovare apartments. Here, residents engage in a cooking class to learn budget-friendly recipes and connect with neighbors.

We’re delighted to share a heartwarming recap of a memorable evening that celebrated the literary achievements of Sara Mossman Duncan, a proud participant of Volunteers of America of Florida. This outstanding book signing event, held with the generous support of Blue Flamingo in Bradenton, Florida, underscored the power of community and resilience. The event was a showcase of Sara’s latest work and a reflection of the transformative journey she embarked on with VOAFL. Attendees were treated to readings, personal stories, and the opportunity to connect more deeply with Sara’s experiences and insights. We extend our deepest gratitude to Blue Flamingo…

St. Petersburg, FL – FEBRUARY 7, 2024 The spirit of community and collaboration shines brightly as Volunteers of America of Florida (VOAFL) celebrates a significant event in their mission to provide affordable homes.  On February 8th, 2024, VOAFL will receive a massive delivery of six truckloads of furniture at the newly opened Innovare Apartments – a dedicated affordable housing complex in St. Petersburg. Innovare Apartments is unique, even among affordable housing options, by integrating units that cater to extremely low-income households. This notable milestone has been made possible in part due to the substantial discounts of over $38,000 provided by…