Search Results

“There’s so much need going on. I can’t just sit on the sideline.” Let’s go back to before Paul started volunteering at the Edmonds College Food Pantry to make sure his classmates had enough to eat. Before he began serving at the Lynnwood Hygiene Center – a converted emissions testing site – to ensure the homeless had access to showers, toiletries, and food. Before he went back to school and enrolled at Edmonds College, to become a Substance Abuse Counselor. Let’s go back to the summer of 2018. Before that, Paul had a career as an auto mechanic. But, a busted ankle left him in a wheelchair that summer. He’d struggled with alcohol before, but with no structure to those long days, why not take a drink? He couldn’t work – and maybe would never be a mechanic again – and was worried about losing his place in Lake Stevens, so he called 211. The operator connected him to VOA Prevention Navigator Anne Hoffman. “She has been super. If it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t have been able to make it.” Anne helped find rental assistance for Paul, first from one source than another. “It’s turned my world around,” says Paul. “I feel blessed because of all the people who supported me.”

“Awful.” That’s how Melissa envisions her fate without 2-1-1. For those who don’t have anyone else turn to, those three digits are a lifeline. Tears of gratitude flow as she tells about the call that lifted her out of the fear and uncertainty she never could have predicted as this year began. Melissa loved her job as a Trader Joe’s crew member. Setting up store displays, handing out food samples, and “doing anything else that needed to be done” for seven years allowed her to contribute to a 401(k) and retirement plan. Taking a chance, she cashed those out, left Trader Joe’s, and fulfilled a lifelong dream of starting her own business. Melissa Lynn’s Permanent Cosmetics specialized in cosmetic eyebrow tattooing. However, as business slowed, she returned to Trader Joe’s to have more income stability as a single mom and briefly stayed in her mother’s one-bedroom apartment. Three generations made the best of it. “We blew up an air mattress every night to sleep,” Melissa says with a chuckle. This year started full of promise. Then, schools closed. She had little choice but to quit her job to stay home and care for her 10-year-old son and 16-year-old daughter. Melissa collected unemployment, cleaned houses, and supplemented with child support payments. It still wasn’t enough. Helplessly watching income dry up over the summer, a fateful encounter in August with another Edmonds mom changed everything. “She told me about 2-1-1 and food assistance, so I could get an EBT card.” Brandi, who Melissa calls an angel, was on the other end of the line. Brandi quickly connected Melissa with Sue, a Fair Housing Counselor who specializes in landlord-tenant relations at the VOA Dispute Resolution Center, and Sue was able to secure three months of housing, seeing Melissa’s family through to the end of this year. Melissa has now extended her home to her mom, and three generations are still making the best of it. Looking forward to post-pandemic life, Melissa will emerge as a lash technician and hairstylist, making people feel beautiful and confident once more. Volunteering is also in her future, extending a hand to single mothers facing similar circumstances, paying forward the generosity she received through that late-summer call to 2-1-1. Instead of despair, “You have hope,” she declares. “You have options. You have people to help you. Just make the effort to reach out.”

For Diana and her boyfriend Christian, movies are a holiday tradition, always in a theater. Last Christmas it was Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker. Go back through the holidays, and you’ll find Avengers, Wonder Woman, Deadpool, and even Jumanji, on New Years Day in 2018. This year it’ll be Wonder Woman: 1984, streaming in their apartment. An apartment they weren’t sure they’d be able to keep. “If Robin hadn’t called me, I don’t know how I would’ve gotten through.” Diana works, but Christian hasn’t had steady work and his mom, Maria, is unable to work. For the first time in their lives, they visited the food bank for Thanksgiving, and they were falling behind on rent. One day, their property manager connected Diana with VOAWW. That’s when she met Robin, an Early Resolution Specialist with VOA. “Robin answers every time I call. She answers all of my texts. I didn’t expect that.” Robin connected Diana with rental assistance to pay for two months in back rent. When Diana found out, “It was just incredible.....I cried.” “What I would like to share most is that there are always helpers out there. I think Mr. Rogers put it best: ‘Always look for the helpers.’ There should be no shame or guilt with asking for help, no matter how much or how long you need it. Our hope with our little family is that we can repay this back in the future in some way.” “Although we may not ever get to meet Robin in person, we are so grateful for her efforts! Thank you so much for all you do!”

Philanthropy that goes beyond corporate responsibility — join VOAWW in strengthening your communities. Stronger Together Partner with us to create lasting change—where every dollar, every volunteer hour, and every shared value builds a stronger, more compassionate community. Partnership Inquiry See our Impact Our Home, Our Foundation: Western Washington Washington ranks among the top ten "Best for Business" states, recognized for its skilled workforce and high quality of life. From thriving corporations to innovative small businesses, our region continues to grow—and so does the need to empower individuals and strengthen communities. As one of Washington’s most comprehensive human services organizations, Volunteers of America Western Washington (VOAWW) addresses urgent needs through eight diverse programs, from hunger prevention to behavioral health and early childhood education. With our employees and hundreds of passionate volunteers , we’re ready to serve—wherever and however we’re needed. Together, we can build a stronger, more vibrant Western Washington. Partner with us and make a lasting impact. Partnership Opportunities Program Sponsorship Recognition on marketing materials, regular updates on the impact of your support, engagement opportunities on site. Employee Engagement Volunteer Days for teams, matching gift programs, corporate fundraising challenges In-Kind Donations Provide goods and services to support our operations: technology, food donations, professional expertise, etc. Other Opportunities In-kind gifts, workplace giving, corporate fundraising, etc. We can customize a partnership that aligns with your company's philanthropic goals. Our Impact In 2025, we responded to hundreds of thousands of requests for help — and today, the need is greater than ever. We are committed to meeting our communities' evolving needs — from basic necessities to health, well-being, and long-term stability. Rooted deeply in the neighborhoods we serve, our team responds with urgency, compassion, and care. Each meal served, each conversation held, and each life touched reflects our commitment to building a stronger, more inclusive future. Together, we’re not just providing services — we’re igniting hope and fostering resilience. 2025 Annual Report View as PDF Our annual report shows the quantity of our impact. Our partners and neighbors show the quality . Support our signature events and gain prominent branding and networking opportunities Rise & Shine Breakfast FEBRUARY An event in support of the Carl Gipson Center, where seniors find friendship, and individuals with developmental disabilities are welcomed with acceptance and encouragement. March Against Hunger ALL MARCH LONG Originally started by the county, we’re proud to be hosting our 27th year of this month-long campaign to raise awareness, inspire action, and unite the community in the fight against hunger, culminating in a 5k walk/run event. Give Hope ALL SEPTEMBER LONG A high-profile event that brings together community leaders, donors, and partners for a celebration and fundraising breakfast to help those in need. Ready to learn more? Get in touch today! You can reach our team at development@voaww.org More than just a charitable contribution—an investment in the health, stability, and future of our community Philanthropy and volunteerism are essential — not only to our community but to your company's success. Today’s consumers, employees, and investors expect brands to align with their values. By connecting your corporate social responsibility initiatives with these evolving expectations, you can strengthen your brand, build customer loyalty, and drive business growth. Transform your business through Corporate Social Responsibility. 77% of employees cite a sense of purpose as a key factor in choosing an employer 78% of investors prioritize companies with strong Corporate Social Responsibility 87% of consumers are more likely to buy from companies that advocate for social issues they care about 96% of employees report a stronger company culture through volunteering Join us in making a difference Together, we can create a stronger, healthier, and more resilient community. To learn more about our corporate partnership opportunities, use the button below to fill out our inquiry form. Partnership Inquiry Empowering individuals and strengthening communities, together Thank you for your partnership with Volunteers of America Western Washington. Your support is vital to our work and to the well-being of our community. Back to Top

Our Board of Directors sets strategic priorities, provides fiduciary oversight, acts as advocates for and ambassadors of VOAWW. BOARD OF DIRECTORS Our Board of Directors sets strategic priorities, provides fiduciary oversight, acts as advocates for – and ambassadors of – VOAWW, and oversees our President/CEO. BOARD CHAIR Suzan Sturholm President/Owner All Things HR PROPERTIES BOARD CHAIR Shannon Testa Director of Operations Lease Crutcher Lewis GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE CHAIR Stephen Zimmerman President (Retired) Crane Aerospace Aimee Do President / Owner / Liaison Administrator Vietnam Education Fund and Mercy House of St. Pius X Church in Mountlake Terrace Todd Henrichsen AVP - Compliance Global Atlantic Financial Group Mark Hulst Owner Skagit Cellars Bryan P. O'Connor Attorney/Principal Jackson Lewis PC Lori Schlindwein Vice President, Service Lines Wells Fargo Bank Amit Singh, Ph.D. President Edmonds College Brian Smith President/CEO Volunteers of America Western Washington Kirstin Tyner Vice President Coastal Community Bank Brenda White VP Local Government & External Affairs Snohomish County PUD Ross Angeledes Owner Odyssey Coins & Collectibles Lisa Janicki Business Owner Retired Skagit County Commissioner

Meet the VOAWW Executive Team Leadership Volunteers of America Western Washington has a dynamic leadership team with a breadth of experience and a passion for serving others. Board Members Executive Team Brian Smith President/CEO Kristi Myers, CFRE Chief Operations Officer John Ng Chief Financial Officer Levi Van Dyke Chief Behavioral Health Officer Nelia Viloria Executive Assistant Dixie Behn Vice President of Infrastructure Claire Danielson Vice President of Finance/Controller Kristin Ely Vice President of Strategic Initiatives Olga Fedorovski Vice President of Human Resources Jessica Moore, CFRE Vice President of Development Amanda Etchey Executive Director, Integrated Community Services Brenda Priest Executive Director, Personal Support Services Cory Armstrong-Hoss Executive Director, Senior Services Galina Volchkova Executive Director, Housing Services John Glennon Executive Director, Hunger Prevention Services Rena Fitzgerald Executive Director, Behavioral Health Robin Hoover Executive Director, ECEAP Services Rick Schoentrup Executive Director, Dispute Resolution Center