One Greater Ohio: Volunteers of America of Greater Ohio Welcomes Aboard Northwest Ohio Affiliate to Form Statewide Organization

Volunteers of America of Greater Ohio and Volunteers of America of Northwest Ohio officially combined operations July 1, 2013, following unanimous votes by both organizations’ board of directors.  The $45 million, expanded, state-wide organization will retain the Volunteers of America of Greater Ohio name and welcome the Northwest Ohio affiliate staff and programs aboard. 

“It’s long been the mission of Volunteers of America to go where ever we are needed and to do whatever comes to hand – the right move was to combine operations to serve more people through our shared mission and values,” said Dennis Kresak, president and CEO of Volunteers of America of Greater Ohio.  “Moving forward as one organization, we will continue to focus on providing the very best service and care to our neediest neighbors across the state.  We truly will be greater together.”

Two affiliate organizations combine for a joint $45M operating budget and service to 34,000 individuals in need  

The strategic move to consolidate the two affiliate organizations’ similar human service programs under one umbrella supports shared ambitious growth goals to help more people and increase impact in years to come.  The expanded organizations’ programs serving more than 34,000 each year provide services such as long and short-term shelter for homeless men and women, veterans and families, food pantries, educational programming for youth, affordable and supportive housing for seniors, those with mental health needs, individuals and those with disabilities, mental health and addiction treatment for veterans, reentry services for those recently released from prison and job readiness, training and retention programs for homeless and at-risk veterans.

The addition of the Northwest Ohio service area will expand Volunteers of America of Greater Ohio’s reach across the entirety of the state’s 88 counties with programming focused in the metro areas of Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, Mansfield, Sandusky and Toledo as well as various smaller communities throughout the state.  Two members of the Northwest Ohio board of directors will join the Volunteers of America of Greater Ohio board.  

“Combining to form a larger, stronger organization will grow our ability to serve even more people here in Northwest Ohio,” said Scott Brown, former board chair, Volunteers of America of Northwest Ohio.  “It’s a win-win situation and I look forward to being part of Volunteers of America of Greater Ohio as we continue to rebuild lives in Northwest Ohio and across the state.”

Under Kresak’s 20-year leadership, Volunteers of America of Greater Ohio has been through multiple mergers, most recently in 2010 with the Ohio River Valley affiliate of Volunteers of America with offices in the greater Cincinnati area.  

The organizations will begin operating as one immediately.