Faces of VOA Illinois

Mr. Johnson Meet Mr. Johnson, a father, partner, Veteran, VOA Illinois client and so much more. Mr. Johnson came to VOA Illinois in November 2022, when he and his family were in need of assistance to get back on their feet and find housing. Mr. Johnson was staying with his partner and their five children at a family-friends, but needed to find a place of their own, and hopefully before the holidays. Mr. Johnson is an Army Veteran, who proudly served his county for four years. Mr. Johnson began to hit hard times during the COVID pandemic, when he was let go from…

Janelle Janelle’s story is one of resilience, determination, and unwavering love for her children. Despite being a victim of extreme domestic violence and a drug problem in her household, Janelle never gave up on her dream of reuniting with her kids who were taken into foster care by VOA Illinois in 2019. Janelle knew that she had to work hard to overcome the challenges she faced. She underwent therapy, domestic violence services, parenting classes, parenting coaching, substance abuse counseling, and psychological evaluation. She also found the strength to leave her abusive boyfriend and move into her own place. She found…

Jason Parisi As one of Spruce Manor’s first residents, Jason struggled with anger issues and communication barriers due to his deafness and low vision. But with the help of Service Coordinator Nancy Harper and the support of VOA Illinois staff and neighbors, Jason was able to overcome his challenges and find his happy place at Spruce Manor. Jason even married fellow Spruce Manor resident, Nicole! The residents all celebrated together. Despite facing a recent health crisis and further deterioration of his vision, Jason remains a source of joy and inspiration to his community. His love for holiday decor and his…

Robert Brown Meet Mr. Brown, a Veteran who grew up in West Garfield Park and enlisted in the Army in 1986. He served in Germany, Korea, Panama, and Desert Storm, and even attended the special military facility at Aberdeen Proving Grounds to learn about weapons of the world. After leaving the military, Mr. Brown moved to Memphis for his medical training to become a clinical cardiology assistant. However, life turned for the worse when he faced setbacks with illness and a difficult divorce. He found himself lost in the darkness, living in abandoned buildings and turning to drugs and alcohol…

Sonya & Chantel Sonya and Chantel always knew they wanted to help children in need. Sonya, a social worker, and her wife Chantel, had both been familiar with the foster care system and wanted to make a difference in the lives of kids who needed a loving home. Through VOA Illinois, they met Madeline, VOA Illinois’ Foster Care Licensing Coordinator, who was working with two youth who needed a new home. In July of 2021, Trey and Maria, who had been with VOA Illinois since 2018 and worked with Madeline ever since, were placed with Sonya and Chantel. Madeline gushes,…

Meet Mr. Buford, a 57-year-old Marine Corps Veteran from Chicago’s west side. Mr. Buford joined the Marine Corps in 1976 when he was just 23 years old. For him, it was a chance to do something positive with his life. Most people in his network were in gangs, and he didn’t want to get involved in that. The Marine Corps provided a structure and discipline that he carried with him throughout his life. However, the transition to civilian life was hard for Mr. Buford. He struggled with the lack of structure and found himself getting involved with drugs. But then…