Mental Health

Ronal, a former Army Bomb Specialist, faced significant challenges after his military service. Transitioning to civilian life was tough due to injuries sustained in service, including a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and nerve damage in his left leg. These physical limitations, coupled with a struggle to adapt to civilian work environments, led him into a difficult phase. Ronal spent most of his career as a delivery driver, assisting in a woodshop, and managing supply orders. Ronal grappled with drug dependency, which had started as a coping mechanism during his service. His situation reached a low point when he found himself…

Volunteers of America of Florida showcases the impact of supportive housing at Innovare in St. Pete’s Innovation District, instilling hope and stability for formerly homeless individuals.

Learn how Volunteers of America of Florida is tackling the housing crisis with the new Thomas Pines development in Jackson County.

Over the past year, the Tampa Bay Times has been documenting #VOAF Innovare housing journey. The series concludes with its eighth and final installment.

Since Valentine’s Day, the Tampa Bay Times has chronicled the #VOAF Innovare housing journey. Don’t miss the seventh installment in the series read it here.

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…