CC PACKET 02281989 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Volunteers of America Minnesota • D Q YESTERDAY . . . . TODAY . . . . TOMORROW Volunteers of America has been serving the services in Buffalo, Cleveland, Philadelphia, needs of America for nearly a century, provid- Indianapolis, St. Louis, and MINNEAPOLIS. ing over 400 programs in 170 communities across the country. Services are offered to On June 4, 1896, Volunteers of America children and youth, the elderly, families, dis- began.their services in Minneapolis by offer- abled persons, offenders and ex-offenders, and ing food and shelter to homeless men. During to communities at large. those early years food baskets for Thanksgiv- ing Day and Christmas food, clothing and toys Since its establishment in 1896, the Volun- were distributed. teers of America has demonstrated an ability to • change and grow as our country, its needs, and Services were held in the Mission Hall at 9 the needs of its people change. North Second Street and evangelical open air meetings were offered on street corners. Now. as in the past, the Volunteers of America's programs are designed to respond to A men's hotel and industrial department the concerns of individuals and communities. opened; and in 1920, Andrick Home at 245 Oak Grove Street was purchased as a girl's home. Volunteers of America's continuing mis- sion, to provide material and spiritual assistance During the depression years children were to people in need, regardless of race, creed or brought to summer camp at rented campsites; color. and in 1943, property on Dutch Lake, near Mound, was purchased to serve 200 boys and girls. This property was sold; and in 1954, land YESTERDAY north of Anoka was given to the Volunteers of America for the site of a year-round program, The Volunteers of America, the first thus Bar-None began. religious social-service organization founded in the United States, began as a movement of humanitarian service that has lasted over nine decades. TODAY On March 8, 1896, Ballington and Maud As society has changed so has the Volun- Booth established a New York Bowery Mission teers of America. dedicated to provide material assistance as well as spiritual comfort and guidance. In Minnesota, the Volunteers of America provides services for children and youth, adults When the Volunteers of America was less and the elderly, and offenders and ex-of- than twelve weeks old it had organized program fenders.