One hundred years ago, Maud and Ballington Booth acted upon their desire to help others by starting the Volunteers of America. VOA has grown into one of the largest nonprofit organizations in the US, operating over 400 human service programs nationwide. The Visionaries visited four of them: The Charles Gay Shelter in Wards Island, New York City offers nearly 1000 homeless men a place of hope and transition. In Shreveport, Louisiana, Ron Anderson directs several after-school programs for youth of all ages. Anderson himself was a troubled teen given just the sort of second chance he now offers to hundreds of kids each year through the Lighthouse. Bill Nelson, the director of the only correctional facility for women operated by a nonprofit organization, believes that inmates need "tough love," that they be treated with dignity and respect, and that every inmate -- every human being -- has worth. A Meals on Wheels program delivering 3,000 hot meals a day and warm greetings to senior citizens in Denver.
