FCC Sponsors VOA Luncheon

Volunteers of America is a faith-based nonprofit organization founded in 1896 that provides affordable housing and other assistance services primarily to low-income people, including veterans, low-income seniors, children and families, the homeless, those with disabilities, recovering addicts and the formerly incarcerated.

On May 15, 2019, Volunteers of America (VOA) Midstates held their Fourth Annual Building Better Communities Luncheon to raise funds for their programs in Clark and Floyd Counties. First Christian Church was proud to sponsor the luncheon with a Wholeness Grant and VOA raised over $64,000 to support their programs in Clark & Floyd Counties!

The luncheon featured testimonial speakers, Mark and Al Hublar, who have traveled around the country to advocate on behalf of individuals with developmental or intellectual disabilities. Mark and his dad, Al, spoke to the challenges and successes they’ve had over the years as the Hublar family saw Mark’s potential, not his disability. Just a few years ago, Mark began receiving In-Home Support Services from Volunteers of America Mid-States, where his support person, Greg Smith, has truly been an empowering part of Mark’s life. As Mark has lived independently for many years, Greg’s assistance allowed Mark the opportunity to truly get connected to his community – whether it’s going to see Tayla Lynn in concert, making a new dinner recipe together, or going to the gym, Mark has seen a major improvement in his quality-of-life. At Volunteers of America, the goal is to create positive change in the lives of individuals and the community through a ministry of service. The support from Greg and other VoA staff members has created a major positive change in Mark’s life. Mark, in turn, is now also creating positive change through his message of opportunity and inclusion in the workplace and in the world.

My opportunity to learn has made all the difference to me. ~Mark Hublaras

The event ended with US Army veteran Jason Brown, who received housing support from VOA while on the path to recovery. Brown said, “VOA didn’t judge, question or lecture me. I was a veteran who needed help, and that was good enough for them.”

To see the video featured at the event, please click here.

The wholeness grant used to fund this ministry was made possible through your faithful financial support of our church and its ministries and help fund a variety of efforts to make our world a better place.

You can find more examples of those efforts or apply for a grant to make the world a better place by clicking here.