You Showed Up. Our Community Feels It.
On behalf of everyone at Volunteers of America Oregon — the people we serve, the staff who show up every day, and the mission that binds us all together — thank you.
At this year's Community Changemakers Gala, our community came together in a way that moved us deeply. Collectively, you raised over $220,000 to support Oregonians navigating some of the hardest moments of their lives. That number represents more than a fundraising milestone. It represents meals, counseling sessions, safe beds, recovery coaching, and the kind of consistent human presence that changes the trajectory of a life.
To our Sponsors and Donors
This evening — and everything it made possible — would not exist without the generosity of our sponsors, table hosts, and individual donors. Your investment is a statement of values: that every person in our community deserves dignity, support, and a real chance at a better future.
To our presenting sponsors and event partners, thank you for lending your name and resources to this work. You make it possible for us to show up, and to keep showing up. We are honored to count you as partners in this mission.
To every individual who gave, whether for the first time or the fifteenth: your gift matters more than you know.
What your support makes possible
VOA Oregon has been walking alongside Oregonians for decades. Today, that looks like:
- Substance use disorder treatment and recovery services — evidence-based, trauma-informed care that meets people where they are and helps them find their way forward
- Residential and transitional housing — stable, safe environments that make recovery and rebuilding possible
- Reentry support — connecting people leaving incarceration with the resources, community, and second chances they need to thrive
- Mental health services — compassionate care for individuals and families navigating crisis and long-term challenges
- Youth and family programs — early intervention and support that strengthens families and builds resilience
- Support for survivors of abuse — state-certified advocates offer safety planning, housing access, and other forms of free, confidential assistance to survivors of sexual violence, domestic violence, and stalking
These aren't just programs. They are relationships. They are second chances. They are the moment someone decides they are worth fighting for — and finds that we already believed it.
The work continues and we need your help
One evening of generosity goes a long way. But the needs in our community don't pause after a gala.
We want to be honest with you: the funding environment for nonprofits like ours is more challenging right now than it has been in recent memory. Shifts in federal priorities and a highly competitive grants landscape mean that organizations across Oregon are being asked to do more with less. We are navigating that reality thoughtfully and carefully — but the gaps are real, and the people who depend on our services are counting on us to bridge them.
Your continued support makes that possible.
If you weren't able to give at the gala — or if you'd like to extend your impact beyond the evening — we invite you to make a gift today. Every contribution, at any level, goes directly toward sustaining and expanding the services that our neighbors need most.
If you're interested in learning more about major gift opportunities, sponsorships, or other ways to partner with us, please reach out to Brian Hess, our Chief Development Officer.
With Gratitude
The 2026 Community Changemakers Gala reminded us of something we never want to take for granted: we are not doing this work alone. This community shows up. You show up.
Thank you for being Changemakers — not just for one night, but every day.
With deep appreciation, The VOA Oregon Team