Nancy Hughes Moyer

President and CEO, VOA Illinois

As we continue to celebrate 130 years of service, we recognize that we would not be able to keep making a difference without our dedicated supporters. The Community of Hope is a group of givers who are committed to joining us on the frontlines to make a difference in the lives of those who need it most. By joining the Community of Hope, you not only allow us to have the ability to plan our initiatives better and to confirm that each project we undertake is sustainable, but you also create a pool of dependable resources so that we can extend much-needed services unhesitatingly across our community.

Our summer camp provides a safe, supportive, and enriching environment for children that live at Hope Manor II and Hope Manor Village. Throughout this six-week program, children are given opportunities to learn, grow, and explore beyond their everyday experiences. Through educational activities, field trips, creative projects, and cultural experiences, campers are introduced to new ideas, places, and possibilities that broaden their worldview and help them discover their own interests and talents.

For many of the children we serve, summer camp offers much more than just a way to fill the school break. It provides a structured and stable environment where they can build friendships, develop confidence, and create positive memories that last long after summer ends. The program encourages teamwork, curiosity, and personal growth while giving children the freedom to simply enjoy being kids. By offering a combination of safety, support, and adventure, the program helps ensure that every child has the opportunity to thrive, explore the city around them, and return to school in the fall with renewed confidence, friendships, and a sense of possibility for the future.

We want to take another moment to recognize and thank everyone who supported this year's Operation Backpack program! Because of you, we were able to distribute a record-breaking number of backpacks to the children we serve and children in our communities. Whether you purchased a backpack, organized a drive, volunteered, or spread the word, you made a direct impact in the lives of the children that we serve. We could not have done any of it without you!

This year, we distributed 2,105 backpacks to children in VOA Illinois programs and were able to donate backpacks to 17 different community partners. The impact of your support reaches far and wide, and we are incredibly grateful. 

We are excited to continue counting down to our 9th Annual Charity Golf Classic on September 21! Every swing drives change, and YOU can be a part of the movement. It is an opportunity for our community to come together in support of a shared mission and create lasting impact for the individuals and families we serve. Foursomes have sold out but there are still a variety of non-golfing sponsorships available to purchase!

Every dollar raised through the Charity Golf Classic directly supports our essential programs, helping ensure that we can continue serving those who need it most. Together, we can make a real difference both on and off the course. Register today and help us drive change, one swing at a time!

Every year, the unsung heroes of Operation Backpack are our volunteers. During volunteer week this year, we welcomed 80 volunteers from 12 different groups who dedicated their time and energy to helping children start the school year prepared and confident. These volunteers tirelessly filled, organized, sorted, and distributed backpacks, ensuring every student received the supplies they needed for a successful school year.

Their generosity, enthusiasm, and commitment played a critical role in helping us serve thousands of children and families. Beyond the backpacks they packed, our volunteers brought encouragement, compassion, and a shared belief that every child deserves the tools to succeed. Operation Backpack truly would not be possible without the dedication of these individuals and groups who stepped up to make a lasting difference in our community.

Thank you so much for your support of VOA Illinois! We would not be able to provide essential services to those who need it most, when they need it most, if it was not for supporters like yourself!

For any questions regarding the content of this Newsletter, please contact the development team.