VOA of Western New York

The Volunteers of America provides a wide array of services to individuals and families in need.

Larry Standhart lost two marriages and got into trouble with the law because of alcohol and drug abuse.

"I got arrested for criminal impersonation. I impersonated a doctor to obtain pain killers."

Standhart then faced completing drug court and recovery counseling, or spending two years in prison.

Now, after two years of sobriety, he's moved from emergency housing, to a halfway house, to the Volunteers of America's Supportive Living Facility on Rochester's State Street.

"During their stay at the Supportive Living Center, they receive case management and counseling services," said Joan Tannous of the VOA. "They also may receive transportation services to and from their appointments. Namely, mental health appointments, medical appointments, or maybe even addiction services appointments. Many of them are in recovery in terms of addiction."

"It's for us, people like me, to transition to a better job, get some job training, vocational training, degree to go on to work in whatever field they choose," Standhart said. "The help is available through the VOA and people they know."

And Sandhart already knows what he wants to do when he moves to fully independent living.

**pic** "I do want to become a counselor for teenagers. I think I'm going to go to MCC and get my associates in human services. From there, transfer to St. John Fisher and get my bachelors in criminal justice."

The Volunteers of America can't help people like Larry without the public's help in the form of cash donations and volunteers.

"We need more counselors, we need more facilities, organizations like the VOA," Standhart said. We have to keep these places open to keep giving people hope."

The Volunteers of America has a goal of raising $80,000 in this

year's R Caring Gifts campaign.

You can find brochures at any Wegmans store. To make a gift,

call 647-1150, or click on the link below.

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