Volunteers of America Mid-States (VOA) is a not-for-profit organization that has been empowering and providing support for individuals struggling with things such as homelessness, addiction, veteran services, and more for 129 years.
At the beginning of this year, VOA released a new service line in Knox County. This new line has already provided support for a married couple, Karri and Kris Gilreath.
Karri and Kris both struggled with addiction individually for decades, until they met each other and the struggles of substance abuse brought them closer. The shared addiction would eventually lead the pair to being incarcerated.
However, while in jail, the couple found comfort in sobriety and created a new goal – creating healthy and successful lives throughout their recovery.
Unfortunately, due to their histories, the pair found it difficult to find jobs to support their new goals.
After months had passed and the pair still had no luck in finding jobs, they caught wind of a new Workforce Reintegration Program through Volunteers of America Mid-States.
Karri and Kris were able to find jobs with the help of the new service line through the VOA, which is dedicated to providing employment support across the Commonwealth.
With the help of the VOA’s work team, the pair were able to develop professional resumes, interview preparation, and even locate jobs that complimented their skills.
Since then, Kris has stated “VOA helped me tremendously. My caseworker truly heard me out, understood my barriers, and advocated for me.” Kris and Karri were able to navigate any barriers within their job searches with the help of VOA Workforce Development Specialists and Career Coaches.
“They saw me as a person, listened to my hardships and helped in any way they could,” Karri stated.
Karri went on to land a full-time position as a receptionist at Access Family Health, and is working to go back to college, and Kris found a job as a Peer Support Specialist and Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor and now helps others who are struggling with addiction, find comfort in recovery as well.
“We couldn’t be more thankful for what VOA has done,” stated Kris. “They changed our lives.”
Since the launch of the new service line in January, VOA now provides support to individuals just like Kris and Karri in 21 counties across the Commonwealth. If you or someone you know is unemployed and/or in need of assistance, reach out to someone with Volunteers of America Mid-States (VOA), for another chance.
The Mountain Advocate, September 3, 2025
