Dear Friend,

Who will you celebrate this Mother’s Day… your mom, grandmother, a friend or loved one?

Whoever it is, I’m sure you agree that a mother’s love is powerful. The same goes for moms at our Volunteers of America centers and programs, going the distance for their children so that they’ll have better, healthier lives together.

Ashley Isaacs was willing to do whatever it took for a brighter future for her baby girl, Ayva. Growing up around substance use disorder and struggling herself, Ashley knew she had to make changes. But she didn’t know how, and also feared being separated from her infant daughter in the process.

VOA’s Freedom House was there to support mom AND child. Ashley learned the root cause of her illness working with our certified counsellors, and she accessed tools to recover and rebuild all while continuing to raise her baby.

This Mother’s Day, we are so grateful for you, and for innovative places like Freedom House that you make possible. Together we’re giving moms the chance to be moms – to love and raise their kids, while making themselves whole again through treatment, job training and support.

Today, Ashley is paying it forward. She now volunteers at Freedom House, helping other moms achieve the same outcome. She even helped develop the program materials! And of course, she continues to raise Ayva, in the comfort of their own home.

Thank you for empowering moms like Ashley through your generosity to Volunteers of America, and for valuing the vital role that moms contribute to our communities. We wish you and your loved ones a very happy Mother’s Day!

With gratitude,

Tanisha Smith, Vice President
Volunteers of America

Special thanks to our friends at Volunteers of America Mid-States for sharing Ashley and Ayva’s story!