VOA Voices: Jason Brown

Standing before more than 300 community leaders and supporters, U.S. Army veteran Jason Brown told a very personal story of how Volunteers of America had changed his life.

“It’s not easy to stand before all of you today. I was just inches away, so many times, from having a very different end to my story. As you think about Volunteers of America, I hope you’ll realize that the smallest things can make the biggest difference in someone’s life. Someone who cares, someone who helps, someone who forgives your mistakes, someone who gives you a second chance,” Jason said.

Jason shared his story of overcoming addiction and how Volunteers of America helped him to find a home for him and his family at the second annual Building Better Communities Luncheon on May 17. The Building Better Communities Luncheon is a fundraiser for Volunteers of America’s wide range of programs that serve Floyd and Clark Counties in Southern Indiana.

Volunteers of America was a key part of changing Jason’s life, which is one of the reasons Jason wanted to share his story with our supporters. Our Supportive Services for Veterans Families program helped Jason and his children Kristen and Kaleb (pictured, left) find an affordable three-bedroom house, provided beds and needed household items, and pre-paid security deposits and rent. Jason struggled with post-traumatic stress after service in Korea and Iraq, but with our help, he and his family were able to get back on their feet. Today, Jason is working full-time and living with his children in their home in Clarksville, Indiana.

“I hope when you hear my story you’ll be happy for Kaleb and Kristen. Because when Volunteers of America changes somebody’s life – like they changed mine – they aren’t only helping a man who had some trouble. When Volunteers of America extended their hand to me, they lifted up Kaleb and Kristen. They helped two great kids who deserve a healthy father and a loving home,” Brown said.

Read this News and Tribune article to learn more about Jason’s story and how we were able to serve him and his family.