To help celebrate the 114th anniversary of Volunteers of America (VOA), the Sleepy Eye Care Center held an open house on Tuesday. Tours were given and refreshments were served.
Founded by Maud and Ballington Booth in 1896, VOA had a vision of “reaching and uplifting” people throughout America.
Many trials in the U.S. helped mold VOA into the organization it was going to become. Through the Great Depression and two World Wars, VOA began specializing in providing homes for the homeless.
In the 1960s, VOA continued to take part in efforts to house those in need. Since 1968, VOA has built over 140 affordable housing complexes throughout the U.S.
And in the 1970s, VOA began to specialize in long-term care for the elderly. Thus, in 1977, VOA purchased the Sleepy Eye Care Center and has been growing ever since.
In 1986, Countryside Retirement Community began. In 1988, VOA purchased the adult day services program already existing in Sleepy Eye. And in 1989, the organization became officially licensed to provide home health.
Currently, the organization has about 125 employees and serves around 200 people each day through its various services.
Several major projects are also underway. New memory care suites will hopefully be open by April 15, and the Safety and Fall Management Program continues to move forward.
