More than a century ago, Ballington and Maud Booth embarked on a mission of service that continues to this day. Volunteers of America has declared March 8-12, Founders Week, to celebrate its 114th anniversary and reflect on our long history of serving those in need.
The following highlights aspects of Volunteers of America's history and the organization today.
Maud Booth
Co-Founder of Volunteers of America, Maud Booth was a pioneer of the American prison reform movement. She called the prisoners her "boys" and in return earned the name "Little Mother." She gave speeches to prisoners across the country, lifting their spirits.
"I don't come here to prevent you from paying the just penalty of your crimes, take your medicine like men. You know what is right, do it now. When you have paid the penalty, I will help you. I will nurse you back to health. I will get you work. Above all, I will trust you, and it depends upon you whether I keep on doing so or not. Mind, I will help you over the rough places, but I will not carry you."
Ballington Booth
Co-Founder of Volunteers of America, Ballington Booth was born to William Booth, founder of The Salvation Army. Following in his father's footsteps, Ballington and his wife, Maud, became the United States national commanders for The Army. The organization doubled during their 9-year leadership, but Ballington and Maud began to feel that General William Booth failed to understand issues unique to America. Despite the ensuing family turmoil, Ballington and Maud announced they would start a new organization. The birth of Volunteers of America was marked by the first public rally on March 8, 1896.
"Our work is not all bread and shelter. The underprivileged, the weak, and the unfortunate need more. They need sympathy, the warmth of friendship, and the instilling of courage."
Outfitted for Service
Working for Volunteers of America looked and felt much differently than the experience you have working for the non-profit organization we know today. Modeled after The Salvation Army, the organization was structured like a military. Leaders were given officer titles such as "commander" and "general." Local offices were called "posts" and officers wore uniforms like the ones pictured above. It wasn't until 1982 that the military titles and uniforms were eliminated.
"The Volunteers of America is to be a religious organization, military in its methods and having its objective the reaching and uplifting of the people, in America, who have not hitherto been reached or affected by the ministration of any existing religious organization."
- From the Articles of Incorporation approved November 6, 1986
Ministry of Service
The first Volunteers of America posts were entirely devoted to mission work. Each officer was an evangelical preacher who sought to make converts. Before long, it became evident that preaching alone would not fulfill the mission to "reach and uplift" the America people. A hungry person needed a meal before he would focus on the Good News an officer was preaching. Thus began Volunteers of America's social welfare work that continues strong today.
"It was found that the destitute and the needy needed not only that Divine light which brings vision to the spiritual eyes, but the help of the human hand, which answers the cry of the hungry and the thirsty." - Ballington Booth, 1906
Volunteers Today
Volunteers of America has continued to embrace our mission to uplift and empower those that need help the most for the last 114 years. Today, Volunteers of America is one of the nation's largest and most comprehensive human services organizations, serving more than 2 million people in 38 states each year. Our work in Greater Ohio served nearly 1400 people last year in 25 programs in Columbus, Cleveland, Dayton and Mansfield. Our work touches veterans, at-risk youth, the frail elderly, homeless individuals and families, people with disabilities, and those recovering from addictions.
More than a century ago, Ballington and Maud Booth embarked on a mission of service that continues to this day. Volunteers of America has declared March 8-12, Founders Week, to celebrate its 114th anniversary and reflect on our long history of serving those in need.
The following highlights aspects of Volunteers of America's history and the organization today.
Maud Booth
Co-Founder of Volunteers of America, Maud Booth was a pioneer of the American prison reform movement. She called the prisoners her "boys" and in return earned the name "Little Mother." She gave speeches to prisoners across the country, lifting their spirits.
"I don't come here to prevent you from paying the just penalty of your crimes, take your medicine like men. You know what is right, do it now. When you have paid the penalty, I will help you. I will nurse you back to health. I will get you work. Above all, I will trust you, and it depends upon you whether I keep on doing so or not. Mind, I will help you over the rough places, but I will not carry you."
Ballington Booth
Co-Founder of Volunteers of America, Ballington Booth was born to William Booth, founder of The Salvation Army. Following in his father's footsteps, Ballington and his wife, Maud, became the United States national commanders for The Army. The organization doubled during their 9-year leadership, but Ballington and Maud began to feel that General William Booth failed to understand issues unique to America. Despite the ensuing family turmoil, Ballington and Maud announced they would start a new organization. The birth of Volunteers of America was marked by the first public rally on March 8, 1896.
"Our work is not all bread and shelter. The underprivileged, the weak, and the unfortunate need more. They need sympathy, the warmth of friendship, and the instilling of courage."
Outfitted for Service
Working for Volunteers of America looked and felt much differently than the experience you have working for the non-profit organization we know today. Modeled after The Salvation Army, the organization was structured like a military. Leaders were given officer titles such as "commander" and "general." Local offices were called "posts" and officers wore uniforms like the ones pictured above. It wasn't until 1982 that the military titles and uniforms were eliminated.
"The Volunteers of America is to be a religious organization, military in its methods and having its objective the reaching and uplifting of the people, in America, who have not hitherto been reached or affected by the ministration of any existing religious organization."
- From the Articles of Incorporation approved November 6, 1986
Ministry of Service
The first Volunteers of America posts were entirely devoted to mission work. Each officer was an evangelical preacher who sought to make converts. Before long, it became evident that preaching alone would not fulfill the mission to "reach and uplift" the America people. A hungry person needed a meal before he would focus on the Good News an officer was preaching. Thus began Volunteers of America's social welfare work that continues strong today.
"It was found that the destitute and the needy needed not only that Divine light which brings vision to the spiritual eyes, but the help of the human hand, which answers the cry of the hungry and the thirsty." - Ballington Booth, 1906
Volunteers Today
Volunteers of America has continued to embrace our mission to uplift and empower those that need help the most for the last 114 years. Today, Volunteers of America is one of the nation's largest and most comprehensive human services organizations, serving more than 2 million people in 38 states each year. Our work in Greater Ohio served nearly 1400 people last year in 25 programs in Columbus, Cleveland, Dayton and Mansfield. Our work touches veterans, at-risk youth, the frail elderly, homeless individuals and families, people with disabilities, and those recovering from addictions.