LAKE ARIEL, Pa. — Kyle Davis from Honesdale says this is his first time picking pumpkins at Ritters in Jefferson Township.
“I just met these guys because I just recently moved to VOA. I'm kind of new to it because I've only been here a year, so I'm new to VOA,” he said.
Davis is talking about Volunteers of America.
The organization helps adults living with disabilities get more involved in their communities.
From taking field trips to Ritters and Knoebels to volunteering with libraries and fundraisers, it's a program Eric Lutz holds very close to his heart.
“We want them to work on their social skills and just be out in the greater community. And the more interaction that they have with people within their own community as well as the larger community is always a benefit,” Lutz explained.
However, they're only in Lackawanna and Luzerne counties. And they're looking for new staff members to help expand their program to 13 other counties in northeastern Pennsylvania.
“We try to get them involved in their local community within seven miles from where they live so that they are really ingrained in their own local community. However, you're right, some of the counties are rural, so that's not always feasible,” Lutz said.
Like where Kyle lives in Wayne County.
He is one of the participants who inspired VOA's push to expand to places like Tioga, Susquehanna, and Lycoming counties.
“It would be easier on the staff for Kyle to get to him and for him to be more local in his own community,” added Lutz.
Allowing Kyle to grow closer not only to his neighbors in Honesdale but his VOA family.
“They're very understanding, they're the nicest people I've met, and the best company I've ever been with,” Davis said.
You can get involved with participants like Kyle and work with Volunteers of America by clicking here.