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Life According to S
Steve Woodard’s future seemed decided by the S’s. Named Steve, his life path started in San Diego. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree...
Feb 10, 20233 min read


From South to West
“My first day here, I woke up and realized there weren’t any Black people,” laughs Shaquana Dobbins, a Direct Service Professional in VOA...
Jan 7, 20222 min read


The Soul Test
I am VOA. Have you ever taken a personality test? I took one called a “soul” test one time and found out: I’m a Server, a person who...
Aug 15, 20211 min read


Window of Opportunity
I am VOA. I had a window when I first started, over in the Broadway building. When I interviewed at VOA, I was so nervous. I had to start...
Aug 14, 20211 min read


Warming Up To Humans
I am VOA. I usually like dogs more than people. They’re not judgy. I’ve got Jake, who’s a mutt. And Oliver is a Cardigan Welsh Corgi. I...
Aug 6, 20212 min read


One Hour of Service
We are VOA. Ellie the potato puller. Ellie the Christmas Elf. Ellie the recipient of the Presidential Volunteer Service Award for the...
Aug 4, 20212 min read


Other Duties As Assigned
I am VOA. Working for VOA for the past 12 years I have been able to witness the wide range of services that VOA offers in the community....
Jul 29, 20211 min read


A Tradition of Giving
I am VOA. “I could never imagine what some of my clients are going through. I just want to help.” Born and raised in Everett by a...
Jul 29, 20212 min read


The Spirit of Grams
"I am humble because I’ve been there. My mom got WIC when we were kids. I’ve had just buttered noodles for dinner or chili all week. I...
Jul 28, 20212 min read


The Big One
Claire Danielson, the new VOA Controller, is explaining about the Big Four: The four biggest accounting firms in the United States. They...
Jul 28, 20213 min read


Acts of God
Jessica Marburger has experience with what insurance companies call Acts of God. “Flooding, tornadoes, hurricanes, fires, riptides. I...
Jul 20, 20213 min read


One Person
Chris Eck remembers. She remembers that old farmhouse they lived in in the DC area, when her Dad was in the Army, an d their Dalmatian,...
Jul 9, 20213 min read


The Purpose of Strong Tea
“We could have anything we wanted for breakfast: tray of eggs, bread and butter, tea with milk and sugar.” Until she was eight, Sophie’s...
Jul 7, 20213 min read


Begin Again
Anne is bragging about her client, a single mom with three kids. The mom moved back into the area with nothing, after a divorce and...
Jul 6, 20212 min read


Caring For Those Who Care For Others
By Brenda Werth, Senior Director of Disability Services Volunteers of America Western Washington When I started as a Direct Support...
Feb 25, 20212 min read
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