Simply put, Volunteers of America Western Washington works with community, business and government partners to solve the region’s most complex human service issues.   These partnerships provide resources that, together with our regional human service expertise, enable and ensure our ability to reach, serve and empower individuals, families and communities with the resources they need to be successful.

Our Mission in Western Washington

Volunteers of America Western Washington, a Christian organization, is dedicated to reaching, serving and empowering diverse individuals, families and communities.

Our Guiding Principles for Direction and Action

Community First.  We listen closely to the community to discover unmet needs, and then create solution for our area’s most critical human service challenges.

Commitment to Excellence. We positively impact this community because of the dedication and commitment of our professional staff.  Our solid infrastructure, enriched and strengthened by the efforts of volunteers, allows us to tackle complex community issues with continued success.

Effective Stewardship.  We understand and appreciate the value of our resources and direct them efficiently towards those we serve.  We effectively manage contributions to make the greatest impact on the greatest number of the most vulnerable among us.

Faith in Action.  We engage people of all faiths to reach, uplift, serve and empower the human spirit.  We strive not only to affect the material condition of those we serve, but also to touch and strengthen their spirit.

Our Social Impact in your Neighborhood

Building Community Capacity 
At Volunteers of America, we continually weave together the resources and strengths of our community to bolster our existing network of services.  over the years, we have formed numerous partnerships - big and small - resulting in a powerful synergy of effective, well-placed assistance for those in need.  We’ve earned a reputation for being fair, responsible and insightful when it comes to leveraging resources.  Whether we join together with church members, high school students, local business owners, elected officials or community individuals, we know that to build community capacity we must recognize and facilitate the strength and generosity of others.

Fostering Independence
Perhaps the heart of our mission is to nurture the dignity of those we serve.  That’s why our programs aim to foster independence.  This means we step in where needed to provide just enough support - a meal, transportation, lively conversation, or help with daily living - so that individual can remain at home.  All of us want the freedom to make everyday choices about how we live.  We respect this human quality and seek ways to promote the dignity that comes with independence.

Promoting Self-Sufficiency
We believe in people.  We believe that each person can lead a healthy, productive life.  And sometimes our job is simply to work with others to recognize that very thing.  Many of the people who seek our services need help through a crisis.  This may mean financial help with daycare costs while attending college, a supply of groceries while families work to stretch household budgets, or emergency shelter as they dream of permanent housing.  For many in a period of crisis, having someone that believes in them empowers hope and perseverance, and ultimately can mean the difference between living in despair or thriving in self-sufficiency. 

Supporting Positive Development
Our programs that support positive development operate on the firm belief that it is never too early - or too late - for a person to learn to improve his or her life.  Children can blossom in our early childhood education programs as easily as those with disabilities can at our popular Camp Volasuca summer camp.  Both replenish a sense of self-worth and foster growth through positive learning experiences.  Our prison reading and dispute resolution programs also recognize the value of developing skills that transform lives.  We truly believe that, through positive guidance, vulnerable individuals can not only learn to get by, but also can reach their potential and soar.