Help Clay County children in need start the school year prepared

In just a few short weeks Clay County families will start the new school year. As school shopping begins, a local nonprofit, Volunteers of America Mid-States (VOA,) is asking the community to join their efforts and help the families they serve enter the classroom prepared. 

VOA works to empower and uplift the communities they serve through a variety of comprehensive programs. In Clay County, the organization supports mothers struggling with substance use disorder at their Freedom House program and reunites families broken apart by addiction through their Family Recovery Court. They also welcome families into their Recovery Community Center and serve youth in their Restorative Justice Program. 

Tara found Freedom House after struggling with addiction for nearly a decade. While in the program, she found recovery and learned tools to be a successful sober parent to her three kids, Nataley, Sarah, and Jamon. 

“My time at Freedom House was the biggest blessing” Tara said. “Today, I am doing drug court to help maintain a routine of sobriety and also work a full-time job to regain my financial stability.”

This year, Nataley will start 7th grade, Sarah will start 6th grade, and Jamon will go into 5th grade. VOA’s Back to School campaign will help them have everything they need for a great start to the school year. The organization is asking for the community’s support in providing school supplies and gift cards for Tara’s family and more than 300 of the children they serve. 

Donations can be dropped off at the following locations:

-              Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at VOA Recovery Community Center located at 48 Owens Road, Manchester, KY 40962.

-              Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at VOA Family Recovery Court located at 219 Main Street, Manchester, KY 40962.

-              Walmart located at 240 Manchester Square Shopping Center, Manchester, KY 40962.

If you have questions about VOA’s Back to School campaign, contact VOA Community Outreach Supervisor, Sue Fox at SuzanneF@voamid.org.