Our Impact: Stories

My name is Araceli Salas; I am Mexican American and the daughter of Mexican immigrants. My parents migrated to Texas in the 80s during President Ronald Reagan’s term. During that time, obtaining residency was not as tough as now. My mom mainly raised me, and coming to an entirely new country was an extreme culture shock to her. My mom did not know how to speak English, let alone get around the town we grew up in. She relied on neighbors and friends she made to take us to school, doctor’s appointments, and school events. My siblings and I became…

Terry Saddler is a happy man. He and his family are settled down with a home and all the goods that go with it. He’s also begun planning to bring in a little extra income with lawn maintenance skills he picked up some years ago. “Happy” and “settled” are not, however, words the Conroe, Texas, resident would have used to describe his family’s life a short four months ago. “We’ve been staying in hotels for 2 ½ years,” he explained. Their transition from living securely in a rental home to joining the ranks of the homeless came fast and without…

Quentin, 34, spent three years in the United States Air Force before being medically discharged from the military. Since then, Quentin has experienced multiple difficulties as a result of the mental and physical trauma he experienced in the military. He lost his job as a result of COVID-19 which made it difficult for him to pay his bills. Initially, Quentin came to Volunteers of America (VOA) Texas for help paying his bills and finding employment. “The staff at VOA Texas worked to make sure I maximized every opportunity within the organization to ensure my success.” Months after becoming a program…

“I was introduced to the THRIVE program through United Way. I was very excited. I thought to myself, ‘This is my second chance at nursing.’” When most of us hear the word “thrive,” we think of what it means to flourish or prosper. For Christine Taylor, however, to thrive means getting a second chance. That’s because when Christine joined VOA Texas’ THRIVE program, she found the way to make a long-ago dream come true: being involved in nursing. Christine, a single mom of a 9-year-old son living with autism, was introduced to THRIVE through the United Way of Greater Houston…

“Being here at Thomas Square Apartments is like an answer to prayer for me.” Joyce Moore, Thomas Square Apartments Resident You could call Joyce Moore the ‘Grande Dame’ of Thomas Square Apartments. At 90 years young, she has called the senior apartment complex home for 14 years, longer than any other resident. It’s also a place she says she is grateful to have found. The apartment complex is nestled in the heart of Burleson, Texas, and is owned by Volunteers of America Texas. The faith-based nonprofit provides housing to low-income seniors who might otherwise lack options for a place to…

SYLVIE WAGNONDirector, Residential Treatment What keeps you motivated and dedicated after the four years that you’ve been with VOA Texas? Coming to work and being able to provide treatment services for those in need, in an environment where I am supported by my supervisory team, working with others who are self-directed to help others as well, and being in a facility that recognizes that we could not do what we do without God’s guidance and support. Explain how you have benefited from growth opportunities at VOA Texas. I came into the VOA in the top position at my facility. I was given…

RODNEY WILSONManager, Facilities Services What keeps you motivated and dedicated after the four years that you’ve been with VOA Texas? The goal is to help men and women get their lives on a stable foundation in order to lead healthier and crime-free lifestyles. Explain how you have benefited from growth opportunities at VOA Texas. I’ve benefited from growth opportunities by being promoted from a Case Manager to a Facility Service Manager which requires a totally different frame of mind and has more responsibility and new challenges every day. What’s your favorite memory at VOA Texas? My favorite memory would be getting a…

ZELLA RICHARDSDFW Veteran’s Outreach Coordinator What keeps you motivated and dedicated after the nine years that you’ve been with VOA Texas? As a previous client, my motivation is to strengthen the vulnerable with effective strategies and tools to overcome, including connect them with viable community partners. Explain how you have benefited from growth opportunities at VOA Texas. VOA Texas provided a safe haven and a loving team to help me not die of my addiction. They have also provided awesome employment, leadership, and spiritual growth opportunities. For instance, I have been elevated to at least four positions, with the most current being…

“Sponsors from VOA really do give you all the tools you need to set you up for success.” Roxaine Oneykakeyah All it took was a chance meeting with a former coworker to set Roxaine Onyekakeya on a path to an independent life, one that includes opportunity, financial stability, and skills for life. Roxaine and her coworker met at a group home where Roxaine’s dedication and commitment to work was clear. She had never heard of Volunteers of America Texas but didn’t hesitate to step up and become a part of the Financial Opportunity Center in Houston where she received her…

“Stephanie helped me get anything I needed. She’s an amazing person.” Duberney Cuero Duberney Cuero can tell you exactly when he became an American citizen. And he can tell you exactly why. It was 2005 at the American embassy in Rome, Italy. He was there as a nearly lifelong resident of the United States and a career soldier who wanted nothing more than to be a full-fledged citizen. “It took three years just to submit the paperwork while I was in Iraq,” he explains. Once in Italy with yet another deployment to a war zone coming up, Duberney asked his…