The Volunteers of America movement spread to Western Washington in 1898, just two years after founders Ballington and Maud proclaimed in New York that they would go where they were needed, and do whatever came to hand." Helping where help is needed and teaching people how to lead self-sufficient lives have been cornerstone principles in this evolving organization.

As the Booths were charting the organization’s national history, for many years locally, Volunteers of America developed its community-based programs separately at two affiliate locations, one in Seattle and one in Everett. In 1999, the two affiliates merged into what is now known as Volunteers of America Western Washington and now responds to 350,000 requests for assistance each year.

Responding to Needs in Seattle

Volunteers of America was an evangelical presence in Seattle in 1898. After becoming incorporated in 1912 as Volunteers of America of Washington, the organization’s work gradually evolved into social service with The Theodora (1914), a home for abandoned women and their children. As the years progressed these services included a Seattle soup kitchen in the 1930’s, thrift stores in the 1940’s and, after World War II, a summer camp for children from low-income families. Although thousands benefited from the multi-service approach, by the end of the 1940’s The Theodora was the only existing program.

For two decades, until 1965, The Theodora continued to provide housing for women and children. However, in the mid-1960’s, the program’s focus changed. At that time The Theodora was rebuilt on the same piece of property as a modern Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) 130-unit residence for low-income seniors and people with disabilities. Governed by a local Board of Directors, this corporation still thrives today.

In 1985, an additional corporation, Volunteers of America Puget Sound, was established with a separate Board of Directors to govern new social service programs that targeted low-income seniors, children and families. These programs also included the Senior Companion Program, a summer reading program, and a Seattle neighborhood food bank.

Prior to the January 1999 merger with the Northwest Washington affiliate, the Washington and Puget Sound corporations together operated five service programs on a $1.4 million annual budget, supported by almost 50 employees and 50 volunteers. As from the beginning, Volunteers of America’s services and programs represent faith in action and strive to help others to help themselves so that they may become productive members of society.

Responding to Needs in Everett

Volunteers of America Northwest Washington began in Everett, in 1915. Operating as an outpost of the Seattle-based Washington affiliate, the organization offered early programs that centered on the Men’s Rehabilitation Center and the thrift store programs. Emergency assistance and religious counseling programs were also offered on a limited basis. By 1927, services expanded to meet the area’s growing needs and the outpost became a separate branch of National Volunteers of America. A newly built facility housed its four programs.

Between 1927 and 1978, the Volunteers of America in Everett grew to include several new programs including a mission Sunday school, youth programs and a summer camp in Sultan, named Camp Volasuca. In 1971 and 1974, through many local partnerships, new camp facilities were built including a large and small A-frame and a bathhouse.

The organization steadily evolved between 1978 and the present day. The most dramatic change in this time took place in 1985 when the national office granted the local Volunteers of America a charter to begin to operate as a Washington State nonprofit corporation. The local Advisory Board became a Board of Directors responsible for approving policy and establishing direction.

Prior to the January 1999 merger with the Puget Sound affiliate, Volunteers of America Northwest Washington operated 17 service programs on a $10 million annual budget supported by almost 250 full and part-time employees and 400 volunteers. The mission to make a positive impact on the community remained the same from the beginning. An example of faith in action, all services and programs created opportunities to reach, uplift and empower hundreds of thousands of individuals and families each year.