Volunteers of America Western Washington

Volunteers of America Western Washington (VOAWW) is a faith-based human service organisation founded in 1898 and operating across Western Washington, Snohomish County and Washington State. Over more than 125 years it has grown into a multi-service agency handling hundreds of thousands of requests for assistance a year across eight service areas. It is affiliated with the national Volunteers of America movement, which was founded in New York in 1896.

Its programme areas cover Hunger Prevention, Housing Services, Dispute Resolution, Behavioral Health, Disability Services and Early Learning, the last including free preschool offerings. The work spans food assistance, shelter and housing support, crisis care, community resources and support for people with disabilities, delivered through a partnership of professional staff, volunteers and community supporters.

The organisation was established by Maud and Ballington Booth and states a mission of putting faith into action through a volunteer-driven ministry of service; volunteers are described as playing an instrumental role in every aspect of that work, extending its reach beyond what staff alone could serve. VOAWW states an inclusive commitment to acknowledging, serving and uplifting every person regardless of identity, citizenship, origin, colour or creed.