Volunteers of America Texas, Inc.

Volunteers of America Texas addresses the root causes of poverty through programming in the areas of substance abuse treatment, affordable housing, employment support, vision care, prevention programs for children and families and services for the developmentally disabled. Services in the Greater Houston area include:

Chemical Dependency Treatment and Housing: The McGovern Campus provides residential substance abuse programming specifically focused on women's issues. Women may bring their young children into residence with them while they are receiving treatment so that the family unit remains intact. The program is holistic in approach, assisting women to achieve self-sufficiency through individual, group and family counseling, life skills training, case management, employment preparation, children services and parenting and family classes. In addition, adult outpatient treatment services are provided at the McGovern Campus and in Conroe and Huntsville to offer a continuum of care. The WHO-A (Women Helping Ourselves) program provides a therapeutic community for women with addictions who are currently incarcerated at the Harris County Atascocita womens facility. Haltlands provides permanent housing and support services to homeless women and their children who have graduated from a treatment program. The new Lydia Project, starting October 1, will provide rental assistance and case management services for graduates of McGovern Campus and WHO-A.

Developmental Services: The Home and Community-based Services program (HCS) fosters independence and consumer control by supporting people with developmental disabilities so that they can continue to live with their families or in homes of their choice. In addition, the Deaf-Blind with Multiple Disabilities Program offers individuals residential alternatives that maximize independence, communication and interaction with the community. The Texas Home Living Waiver provides support services to persons on the waiting list for HCS services. Beginning in late fall, 2009, the Life Enrichment Center will provide daily living skills and supported
employment services to assist individuals with disabilities to engage in productive and meaningful activities that support growth and independence.

Affordable Housing: Lakeview Place, Fort Bend Gardens and Harvestwood Apartments provide affordable housing for low income seniors and for adults with disabilities. Azalea Terrace and Camelot Pines provide affordable housing for seniors. Heights Manor provides housing for persons with brain injuries and physical disabilities. For all housing programs, Service Coordinators deliver access to day-to-day care, as well as education and wellness programs. Housing is designed to enable residents to maintain independent living and to maximize their quality of life. Programs are located throughout Harris and the surrounding counties.

Prevention and Youth Services: The CAN-DO Program provides drug prevention for inner city and at-risk youth in various Houston elementary schools and community sites. The program uses educational support groups to increase self esteem, teach positive decision making and coping skills, and reduce the likelihood of substance use. In addition, the Strengthening Families Program component provides support to both parents and children to help them improve communication skills and bonding so that family functioning is optimized and parents are better able to protect their children from alcohol and drug use. The VOA Action Team, in partnership with the Major League Baseball Player?‚??s Trust and VOA National, promotes community involvement and leadership potential among high school students through interaction with major league baseball players and VOA service programs.