Volunteers of America-Greater New York
@voagny.bsky.social
Anti-poverty organization working to #endhomelessness in NYC, Northern NJ & Westchester County | Founder of Operation Backpack®
Threats to CoC permanent housing funding are putting the housing stability of hundreds of thousands of Americans at risk. Thank you Congressmen Lawler and @pkryan.bsky.social for standing up for this critical funding.
#supportivehousingsaveslives
#supportivehousingsaveslives
Reps @pkryan.bsky.social (D-18) & Mike Lawler (R-17) issued a joint statement urging HUD to disburse CoC funds to protect their constituents' housing.
The CoC has long held bipartisan support. TY representatives for your leadership & shared commitment!
Read more: patryan.house.gov/media/press-...
The CoC has long held bipartisan support. TY representatives for your leadership & shared commitment!
Read more: patryan.house.gov/media/press-...
AMID COMMUNITY-WIDE EFFORT, BIPARTISAN CONGRESSMEN PAT RYAN AND MIKE LAWLER DEMAND HUD SECRETARY DISBURSE COC FUNDS; ENSURE THAT HUDSON VALLEY FAMILIES AND VETERANS STAY HOUSED
Hudson Valley housing nonprofits sounded the alarm on the funding changes, stating their residents faced a “return to homelessness” and total “chaos and uncertainty” due to the abrupt policy changes
patryan.house.gov
December 19, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Threats to CoC permanent housing funding are putting the housing stability of hundreds of thousands of Americans at risk. Thank you Congressmen Lawler and @pkryan.bsky.social for standing up for this critical funding.
#supportivehousingsaveslives
#supportivehousingsaveslives
NJ saw an 8% rise in homelessness in 2025: 13,748 people are unhoused, nearly 2K unsheltered. Permanent housing investments are falling short & federal cuts could make things worse. Senate President Scutari's Municipal Housing Trust Fund is a needed solution.
www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/11/as-h...
www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/11/as-h...
Homelessness is rising. NJ towns might get help with housing | NJ Spotlight News
Effort to address homelessness at the municipal level being led by Senate President Nicholas Scutari
www.njspotlightnews.org
November 26, 2025 at 4:18 PM
NJ saw an 8% rise in homelessness in 2025: 13,748 people are unhoused, nearly 2K unsheltered. Permanent housing investments are falling short & federal cuts could make things worse. Senate President Scutari's Municipal Housing Trust Fund is a needed solution.
www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/11/as-h...
www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/11/as-h...
Reposted by Volunteers of America-Greater New York
NEWS RELEASE 🗞️
Housing Advocates Celebrate $45M Down Payment to AHTF, Call for Full & Sustainable Funding
“Let’s finish the job & ensure the AHTF is fully & sustainably funded so every community can provide the affordable homes our residents need.” -Matthew Hersh
tinyurl.com/AHTFDownPayment
Housing Advocates Celebrate $45M Down Payment to AHTF, Call for Full & Sustainable Funding
“Let’s finish the job & ensure the AHTF is fully & sustainably funded so every community can provide the affordable homes our residents need.” -Matthew Hersh
tinyurl.com/AHTFDownPayment
August 27, 2025 at 4:19 PM
NEWS RELEASE 🗞️
Housing Advocates Celebrate $45M Down Payment to AHTF, Call for Full & Sustainable Funding
“Let’s finish the job & ensure the AHTF is fully & sustainably funded so every community can provide the affordable homes our residents need.” -Matthew Hersh
tinyurl.com/AHTFDownPayment
Housing Advocates Celebrate $45M Down Payment to AHTF, Call for Full & Sustainable Funding
“Let’s finish the job & ensure the AHTF is fully & sustainably funded so every community can provide the affordable homes our residents need.” -Matthew Hersh
tinyurl.com/AHTFDownPayment
What a way to end the week! We are immensely grateful to the Mayor & NYC Council for including $250K in the budget to support #OperationBackpackNYC - our annual community service campaign that provides students living in NYC homeless shelters with the school supplies they need to succeed.
June 27, 2025 at 10:42 PM
What a way to end the week! We are immensely grateful to the Mayor & NYC Council for including $250K in the budget to support #OperationBackpackNYC - our annual community service campaign that provides students living in NYC homeless shelters with the school supplies they need to succeed.
NYC’s next Mayor will have a lot to tackle when it comes to supporting the human services sector.
Learn how seven of the candidates plan to solve late payments, #JustPay, & other issues facing our orgs & communities in @hsany.bsky.social's Candidate Chats.
📽️ www.humanservicesaction.org/mayoralchat
Learn how seven of the candidates plan to solve late payments, #JustPay, & other issues facing our orgs & communities in @hsany.bsky.social's Candidate Chats.
📽️ www.humanservicesaction.org/mayoralchat
June 16, 2025 at 4:09 PM
NYC’s next Mayor will have a lot to tackle when it comes to supporting the human services sector.
Learn how seven of the candidates plan to solve late payments, #JustPay, & other issues facing our orgs & communities in @hsany.bsky.social's Candidate Chats.
📽️ www.humanservicesaction.org/mayoralchat
Learn how seven of the candidates plan to solve late payments, #JustPay, & other issues facing our orgs & communities in @hsany.bsky.social's Candidate Chats.
📽️ www.humanservicesaction.org/mayoralchat
The cost of school supplies is projected to rise this back-to-school season. For the 1 in 8 NYC public school students experiencing homelessness, this doesn’t just limit choices—it can mean going without supplies at all.
You can help through Operation Backpack® >> www.voa-gny.org/operation-ba...
You can help through Operation Backpack® >> www.voa-gny.org/operation-ba...
Operation Backpack® - Volunteers of America-Greater New York
Operation Backpack®, a program that provides backpacks and school supplies to every student living in a New York City domestic violence or homeless shelter.
www.voa-gny.org
May 6, 2025 at 4:58 PM
The cost of school supplies is projected to rise this back-to-school season. For the 1 in 8 NYC public school students experiencing homelessness, this doesn’t just limit choices—it can mean going without supplies at all.
You can help through Operation Backpack® >> www.voa-gny.org/operation-ba...
You can help through Operation Backpack® >> www.voa-gny.org/operation-ba...
Reposted by Volunteers of America-Greater New York
The City relies on nonprofits like @goddardriverside.bsky.social and @voagny.bsky.social to provide life-saving services - but owes the sector millions of dollars for services they already provided. #PayNonprofitsOnTime
April 30, 2025 at 1:54 PM
The City relies on nonprofits like @goddardriverside.bsky.social and @voagny.bsky.social to provide life-saving services - but owes the sector millions of dollars for services they already provided. #PayNonprofitsOnTime
In the recent @gothamist.com article, @davidfbrand.bsky.social reports that NYC's Adult Protective Services has rejected 95% of people referred for assistance this year. The city needs a better functioning services agency to meet the needs of older New Yorkers. gothamist.com/news/nyc-age...
NYC agency meant to help vulnerable adults rejected 95% of people referred for aid
Officials from the city’s Adult Protective Services program disclosed the rejection rate at a City Council hearing inspired by Gothamist’s reporting.
gothamist.com
April 17, 2025 at 6:52 PM
In the recent @gothamist.com article, @davidfbrand.bsky.social reports that NYC's Adult Protective Services has rejected 95% of people referred for assistance this year. The city needs a better functioning services agency to meet the needs of older New Yorkers. gothamist.com/news/nyc-age...
With preschool special education funding now baselined, we can be more confident that students with special needs at our Bronx Early Learning Center will continue to have access to the critical programs they need to thrive. @afcnewyork.bsky.social
NYC commits $167 million to shore up early childhood education system amid federal threats
https://www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2025/04/16/eric-adams-restores-early-childhood-funding-amid-trump-budget-threats/
https://www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2025/04/16/eric-adams-restores-early-childhood-funding-amid-trump-budget-threats/
NYC commits $167 million to shore up early childhood education system amid federal threats
The move will restore $112 million for 3-K, the city’s free preschool program for 3-year-olds, and $55 million to help address a chronic shortage of seats for preschool children with disabilities.
www.chalkbeat.org
April 17, 2025 at 6:06 PM
With preschool special education funding now baselined, we can be more confident that students with special needs at our Bronx Early Learning Center will continue to have access to the critical programs they need to thrive. @afcnewyork.bsky.social
We stand with @lindabrosenthal.bsky.social, Senator Kavanaugh, REBNY, and @winnyc.bsky.social to urge New York State and @governor.ny.gov to fund the Housing Access Voucher Program (HAVP), which will provide immediate relief to thousands of struggling families.
We must do everything possible to insulate New Yorkers from DOGE’s efforts to dismantle Section 8 + HUD — that’s why Senator Kavanagh and I are fighting to include our bill, #HAVP, in this year’s state budget.
Read our op-ed with REBNY & @winnyc.bsky.social ⬇️
www.cityandstateny.com/opinion/2025...
Read our op-ed with REBNY & @winnyc.bsky.social ⬇️
www.cityandstateny.com/opinion/2025...
April 16, 2025 at 7:46 PM
We stand with @lindabrosenthal.bsky.social, Senator Kavanaugh, REBNY, and @winnyc.bsky.social to urge New York State and @governor.ny.gov to fund the Housing Access Voucher Program (HAVP), which will provide immediate relief to thousands of struggling families.
Last week, the @council.nyc.gov released their response to the Mayor’s preliminary budget—and Operation Backpack®, our signature program providing school supplies to children living in NYC shelters, was included in the council’s funding priorities! [1/3🧵]
April 9, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Last week, the @council.nyc.gov released their response to the Mayor’s preliminary budget—and Operation Backpack®, our signature program providing school supplies to children living in NYC shelters, was included in the council’s funding priorities! [1/3🧵]
Reposted by Volunteers of America-Greater New York
Hundreds strong to stand in solidarity to declare that enough is enough! We are here today to say: HANDS OFF HOUSING! #handsoffhousing
@univsettlement.bsky.social @newdestinyhousing.bsky.social @housingworksnyc.bsky.social @hscny.bsky.social @liveonny.bsky.social @unhny.bsky.social
@univsettlement.bsky.social @newdestinyhousing.bsky.social @housingworksnyc.bsky.social @hscny.bsky.social @liveonny.bsky.social @unhny.bsky.social
March 21, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Hundreds strong to stand in solidarity to declare that enough is enough! We are here today to say: HANDS OFF HOUSING! #handsoffhousing
@univsettlement.bsky.social @newdestinyhousing.bsky.social @housingworksnyc.bsky.social @hscny.bsky.social @liveonny.bsky.social @unhny.bsky.social
@univsettlement.bsky.social @newdestinyhousing.bsky.social @housingworksnyc.bsky.social @hscny.bsky.social @liveonny.bsky.social @unhny.bsky.social
CityFHEPS is a lifeline for many of our clients. To truly address the housing crisis, the administration must invest more in both long-term and immediate solutions, including housing access vouchers in the NY State budget. @govkathyhochul.bsky.social
citylimits.org/2025/03/11/o...
citylimits.org/2025/03/11/o...
Opinion: The Problem Isn't CityFHEPS
"Let’s not forget that the cost of vouchers represents people—people who can’t afford rent despite working full-time, people who without the voucher will become or remain homeless."
citylimits.org
March 13, 2025 at 7:44 PM
CityFHEPS is a lifeline for many of our clients. To truly address the housing crisis, the administration must invest more in both long-term and immediate solutions, including housing access vouchers in the NY State budget. @govkathyhochul.bsky.social
citylimits.org/2025/03/11/o...
citylimits.org/2025/03/11/o...
State Senator Cordell Cleare and Assemblymember Andrew Hevesi are calling @govkathyhochul.bsky.social to pass the Supportive Housing Modernization Act, which can save 9000 units of supportive housing, protecting the housing we have already built. @timesunion.com www.timesunion.com/opinion/arti...
Commentary: Residents of older supportive housing units need the state's support
Commentary: The Supportive Housing Modernization Act will keep people in their homes and create new jobs.
www.timesunion.com
March 12, 2025 at 8:47 PM
State Senator Cordell Cleare and Assemblymember Andrew Hevesi are calling @govkathyhochul.bsky.social to pass the Supportive Housing Modernization Act, which can save 9000 units of supportive housing, protecting the housing we have already built. @timesunion.com www.timesunion.com/opinion/arti...
We joined @hscny.bsky.social and 300+ human services workers in Albany on Monday for Human Services State Advocacy Day, demanding a 7.8% investment on ALL human services contracts to cover program costs and ensure a living wage. The human services sector can't wait! #FundHumanServices #JustPay
March 12, 2025 at 7:41 PM
We joined @hscny.bsky.social and 300+ human services workers in Albany on Monday for Human Services State Advocacy Day, demanding a 7.8% investment on ALL human services contracts to cover program costs and ensure a living wage. The human services sector can't wait! #FundHumanServices #JustPay
📢 What’s the number?! 7.8!
Cost-of-living keeps climbing, and State contracts must keep up. A 7.8% investment on ALL State human services contracts is what human services nonprofits need to help cover rising program costs and higher wages. #FundHumanServices #JustPay @hscny.bsky.social
Cost-of-living keeps climbing, and State contracts must keep up. A 7.8% investment on ALL State human services contracts is what human services nonprofits need to help cover rising program costs and higher wages. #FundHumanServices #JustPay @hscny.bsky.social
March 10, 2025 at 4:35 PM
📢 What’s the number?! 7.8!
Cost-of-living keeps climbing, and State contracts must keep up. A 7.8% investment on ALL State human services contracts is what human services nonprofits need to help cover rising program costs and higher wages. #FundHumanServices #JustPay @hscny.bsky.social
Cost-of-living keeps climbing, and State contracts must keep up. A 7.8% investment on ALL State human services contracts is what human services nonprofits need to help cover rising program costs and higher wages. #FundHumanServices #JustPay @hscny.bsky.social
The Housing Access Voucher Program (HAVP) is designed to help families stay in their communities, homes, and schools. @govkathyhochul.bsky.social, please include HAVP in this year’s budget so families like Rhonda’s have a place to call home after fleeing violence.
www.amny.com/opinion/gove...
www.amny.com/opinion/gove...
Op-Ed | Governor Hochul must pass the Housing Access Voucher Program | amNewYork
My name is Rhonda Jackson and I am a proud mother, grandmother, disabled and retired New York City Transit Authority worker, and a life-long New Yorker. This
www.amny.com
March 7, 2025 at 4:18 PM
The Housing Access Voucher Program (HAVP) is designed to help families stay in their communities, homes, and schools. @govkathyhochul.bsky.social, please include HAVP in this year’s budget so families like Rhonda’s have a place to call home after fleeing violence.
www.amny.com/opinion/gove...
www.amny.com/opinion/gove...
We understand first-hand the complexities involved in implementing a true Housing First program. We are grateful to CM @sandynurse.bsky.social and Deputy Speaker Ayala for their leadership in sponsoring this bill—a critical first step toward removing the barriers that prevent access to housing.
“It just seems like we’re putting the burden of proving need [on] people who are very obviously in need,” said @cmsandynurse.bsky.social, who sponsored the bill. bit.ly/4i3bVsn
Council Bill Looks to Simplify City's Supportive Housing Application
The application, dubbed form 2010E, can take months to complete and requires prospective tenants to provide their medication and hospitalization history and show proof of homelessness, as well as a re...
bit.ly
February 21, 2025 at 7:51 PM
We understand first-hand the complexities involved in implementing a true Housing First program. We are grateful to CM @sandynurse.bsky.social and Deputy Speaker Ayala for their leadership in sponsoring this bill—a critical first step toward removing the barriers that prevent access to housing.
Human services workers show our communities love every day. Now, it’s the State’s turn. ❤️ Join us to advocate for a 7.8% increase to contracts & Cost of Living Adjustments for staff.
📨 Email your State legislators by 2/14: Tell them to #JustPay in the budget! 👉 bit.ly/JustPay-Valentine
📨 Email your State legislators by 2/14: Tell them to #JustPay in the budget! 👉 bit.ly/JustPay-Valentine
February 13, 2025 at 6:58 PM
Human services workers show our communities love every day. Now, it’s the State’s turn. ❤️ Join us to advocate for a 7.8% increase to contracts & Cost of Living Adjustments for staff.
📨 Email your State legislators by 2/14: Tell them to #JustPay in the budget! 👉 bit.ly/JustPay-Valentine
📨 Email your State legislators by 2/14: Tell them to #JustPay in the budget! 👉 bit.ly/JustPay-Valentine
This past Monday, VOA-GNY policy and program staff from our senior supportive housing residences and domestic violence shelters joined @thenetworkny.bsky.social’s Advocacy Day! 🧵[1/3]
February 6, 2025 at 9:01 PM
This past Monday, VOA-GNY policy and program staff from our senior supportive housing residences and domestic violence shelters joined @thenetworkny.bsky.social’s Advocacy Day! 🧵[1/3]