The History of Volunteers of America Ohio River Valley
Volunteers of America was founded in 1896 by social reformers Ballington and Maude Booth. They envisioned a movement dedicated to “reaching and uplifting” the American people. On behalf of the organization, the Booths pledged to “go wherever we are needed, and do whatever comes to hand.” That dedication has guided Volunteers of America’s outreach efforts ever since.
The Early 1900s
In the early 1900s, there was no shortage of work to do. The Volunteers moved into tenement districts to care for people in poverty. They organized day nurseries and summer camps, provided housing for single men and women, and established the nation’s first system of halfway houses for released prisoners.
The Great Depression of the 1930s stretched the nation’s private social welfare system almost to the breaking point. Volunteers of America mobilized to assist the millions of people who were unemployed, hungry and homeless. Relief efforts included employment bureaus, wood yards, soup kitchens, and “Penny Pantries” where every food item cost one cent.
Volunteers of America served proudly on the home front during World Wars I and II. The group operated canteens, overnight lodging and Sunday breakfasts for soldiers and sailors on leave. Affordable housing and child care were provided for defense industry workers. Further, Volunteers of America spearheaded community salvage drives during World War II, collecting millions of pounds of scrap metal, rubber and fiber for the war effort.
The Mid-1950s
Volunteers of America Ohio River Valley came into existence as an affiliate of the national Volunteers of America with Captain Ernest Clements as its first CEO. All offices and programs were located in one building located at 1428 Central Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio. Two floors off the facility were a halfway house for men. The facility housed 35 men at a time and served 111 men in its first year of operation. The men were paid minimum wage to work in a store where they repaired and sold used furniture and other items.
The 1970s
Volunteers of America Ohio River Valley’s office and programs were located at 14th and Clay in Over-the-Rhine. Programs included a halfway house for male drifters, alcoholics, handicapped and paroled felons. At this time, over 350 men were served each year in the programs. A new program for unwed mothers was created.
The 1980s
Volunteers of America Ohio River Valley operated four stores in the Greater Cincinnati area: Price Hill, Reading, Over-the-Rhine, and Covington Kentucky. In July 1984, a new store was opened in Newport, Kentucky. At this time, there were 30 men in the halfway house who provided the repair work on furniture in the stores. More than 500 families each year with more than 1200 children were provided with toys and supplies for the holidays. Holiday gifts and items were also distributed to area nursing homes. The national office of Volunteers of America provided a $90,000 grant to the City of Cincinnati to set up a drug free zone with the main purpose of raising public awareness.
The 1990s
Empowering individuals with disabilities became a part of the Volunteers of America Ohio River Valley effort when it developed a specialized Supported Living Services Program and a Day Employment Program for individuals with developmental disabilities. Individuals were referred by the County Board of MR/DD with a primary diagnosis of mental retardation or developmental disabilities. Antioch Manor, a 1 and 2 bedroom apartment complex, was built by the national office of Volunteers of America through a $1.1 million grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Antioch Manor is a 24-unit complex for adults with qualified disabilities.
The 2000s
In 2003, Volunteers of America Ohio River Valley acquired Parkway Towers, a 95-unit apartment complex in downtown Cincinnati, for individuals of very low income. Woodlands, a 50-unit apartment complex, was built by the national office of Volunteers of America through a grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Woodlands, completed in 2004, is located in Middletown, Ohio, and is available for senior citizens with developmental disabilities.
Volunteers of America Ohio River Valley continues to provide correctional rehabilitation services in Cincinnati and Dayton, Ohio, to individuals recently released from prison. The two halfway houses, Pogue and McMahon Rehabilitation Centers, address issues of chronic mental health, substance abuse, daily life skills, and employment retention. Professionals, using a team approach, provide ongoing individual and group services in collaboration with the individual and the parole officer to meet each person’s needs. The Pogue and McMahon Rehabilitation Centers are accredited by The American Correctional Association (ACA).
Volunteers of America Ohio River Valley has provided services to individuals with developmental disabilities for over a decade, and is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) in the following areas:
- Supported Living: Integrated: DD/Mental Health (adults)
- Community Services: Community Integration
- Employment Services: Employee Development Services
- Employment Services: Organizational Employment Services
As we continue on into the decade, we pledge to continue to serve individuals and families who are least served by others. Wherever there is a need, Volunteers of America Ohio River Valley will be there to help, because we know and believe there are no limits to caring.®