Merger will expand VOA effort

Volunteers of America, the state's largest front-line, nonprofit social service agency for people with substance abuse and the chronically homeless, is expanding its counseling services and upping its client list by several thousand.

VOA is merging with Cornerstone Counseling Center, the mental health, substance abuse and domestic violence treatment/prevention nonprofit. Cornerstone, which has affiliates around the country, focuses on promoting mental health, particularly reducing substance abuse and preventing domestic violence.

The merger with Cornerstone adds new services to VOA's regular homeless, youth and senior citizen outreach programs as well as a unique children's care center.

With nonprofits and government agencies alike rating substance abuse as the No. 1 threat to healthy families and Utah communities, the merger couldn't be better timed, said Mark Manazer, vice president of clinical services for VOA, Utah.

"The merger allows us the flexibility to deliver whatever level of outpatient treatment an individual may need; whether a client needs an intensive 20-hour-per-week program or a weekly group session, we will now be able to fill those needs," he said.

Staff members from both agencies will be able to better monitor clients from entry to exit as well as tailor emergency and long-term care.

"Being able to follow a client through this process is important," said Kathy Bray, acting VOA president. "Tracking an individual's progress and having them stay with one agency will facilitate easier access that is more efficient for clients."

The merger gives VOA, Utah a combined $7 million operating budget, most of which is raised through donations.

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E-mail: jthalman@desnews.com