Stories of Light

Heather Schelble, volunteer for VOA of Colorado’s Meals on Wheels program, has a deep passion for helping others. Her grandfather delivered for Meals on Wheels in California for over 40 years and well into his 90s. She would go with him on his route starting when she was just five years old. Today, Heather is passing along her servant’s heart to her two little boys. Both of her sons – one just started kindergarten and the other just learned to walk – often come with her when she makes her Meals on Wheels deliveries every week.  With just about every delivery, Heather takes the time to talk with the recipients and form relationships that…

The holidays are a time for joy and generosity, and VOA Colorado’s Village Toy Drive is at the heart of it all. This beloved annual tradition, spearheaded by the incredible Michelle Gruber, brings our community together to ensure that every child in need experiences the magic of the season. Michelle’s dedication and passion for this initiative have made it a cornerstone of hope for families facing challenges. “Every toy represents not just a gift, but a message of love and support to the families we serve,” she says. Since The Village Toy Drive began, Michelle estimates that 18,000 children in…

The cycle of homelessness is complex. This is especially true for our veterans. In addition to an already overwhelming and challenging set for circumstances such as a lack of affordable housing, poverty, job or income loss, mental illness, substance abuse, and health problems, many vets live with debilitating PTSD, often don’t have a good family or support network, and must deal with a complicated and nearly impossible system when it comes to receiving benefits and resources. VOA Colorado’s Veterans Service Center (VSC) located at 1247 Santa Fe Drive in Denver, stands as a testament to compassion and innovation in supporting…

As we observe Domestic Violence Awareness Month this October, we are reminded of the silent pain endured by too many in our community. Behind closed doors, countless individuals—our neighbors, friends, and family members—are living in fear. Across the nation, 1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 men will experience severe intimate partner violence. In Colorado, over 27% of women and 14% of men face the unimaginable reality of domestic violence at some point in their lives. These numbers are not just statistics—they represent real people, with real stories of suffering and survival. At Volunteers of America Colorado, we believe…

Toni Hunter, associate director of VOA Colorado’s Mission, describes the facility in two simple words: “holistic and transformational.”  Located at 2877 Lawrence Street in Denver’s RiNo District, the Mission is a daytime center for people in the community experiencing homelessness. The program provides clients with food, basic hygiene products, clothing, job training, employment assistance, spiritual guidance, referrals, and a comforting place for relaxation and refreshment.  Recently the Mission began providing dog food for clients’ pets, as well. According to Hunter this is a vitally important addition as many people needing help might not seek or receive assistance if they had…

In 2023, more than 25,000 homeless women veterans in the U.S. were served by the Veterans Health Administration’s homeless programs. Additionally, homelessness among women veterans increased last year by nearly 24 percent according to data from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. In that same period, the number of unsheltered women veterans—those living on the streets, in a car or in another unsafe situation—jumped nearly 48%, from 1,464 to 2,165. VOA Colorado is combating this alarming trend through several of our programs and services, including the Sinton Sanctuary. The 24/7 facility is specifically for senior women and women veterans…

“These kids give me a reason to get up every morning. They remind me I’m still needed.”— Foster Grandparent Program Participant In classrooms across Colorado, quiet moments of connection are sparking lasting change. In one elementary school, a once-struggling reader sits side by side with his Foster Grandparent, carefully sounding out each word. By the end of the year, his reading score jumps from 26% to 76%. But the numbers only tell part of the story. What’s harder to measure is the confidence in his voice and the pride in his smile. That’s the magic of VOA Colorado’s Foster Grandparents…

For those in our community who are experiencing homelessness, life is especially difficult. Helplessness is a daily struggle. Feelings of loneliness, desperation, and fear are often overwhelming,  The Irving Street Women’s Residence, located at 601 South Irving Street in Denver, is one of VOA of Colorado’s programs that aims to provide a respite from that cycle of despair. According to Courtney Fischer, the facility’s senior residential manager, Irving Street is Colorado’s only remaining Safe Haven program, a designation that allows it to serve chronically homeless women (which is defined as being homeless for one continuous year or four times in three years) who…

“When you look up in the sky at night, it’s dark. But there are also stars that shine light. Be a star; be a light in someone’s life.” These simple but profound words come from one of VOA of Colorado’s brightest volunteers! Kevin MacCary is retired military, a former board member, and a super active volunteer.  Kevin’s involvement with VOA Colorado dates back over 15 years. From the very beginning, he says that he could not believe how organized the organization was. “The leadership, the staff…they all do so much, and the amazing thing is that they do it all…

As a dedicated VOA Colorado volunteer, Joanne Lee was faced with a unique challenge during the school year when her classroom received an influx of students who didn’t speak English as their first language. One student, a young boy from South America, stood out to Joanne. He spoke only Spanish, and even the Spanish-speaking staff found it difficult to communicate due to cultural language differences. Joanne noticed that the boy had become withdrawn, unsure of how to connect with his classmates and teachers. He seemed isolated, unable to express himself. But during recess one day, Joanne—whom the students lovingly call…