About - HandsOn River Region
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2026-03-03T14:32:19+00:00
Who We Are
About HandsOn River Region
HandsOn River Region was founded in 1974 as the Voluntary Action Center following a community-wide study conducted by the Junior League of Montgomery and the Community Council of the Montgomery Area United Way. That study culminated in the formation of the Voluntary Action Centers (VAC). VAC evolved through the years, eventually merging with the Points of Light Foundation in 2007 to form the HandsOn Network of volunteer management agencies.
Today, our goal is to grow capacity of area nonprofits through our programs while providing coordinated, managed volunteerism to the community. But we do so much more. Keep reading to find out more about what we do, who we are, and how we got here.
Who We Are
About HandsOn River Region
HandsOn River Region was founded in 1974 as the Voluntary Action Center following a community-wide study conducted by the Junior League of Montgomery and the Community Council of the Montgomery Area United Way. That study culminated in the formation of the Voluntary Action Centers (VAC). VAC evolved through the years, eventually merging with the Points of Light Foundation in 2007 to form the HandsOn Network of volunteer management agencies.
Today, our goal is to grow capacity of area nonprofits through our programs while providing coordinated, managed volunteerism to the community. But we do so much more. Keep reading to find out more about what we do, who we are, and how we got here.
HandsOn River Region
Our Mission
The mission of HandsOn River Region is to mobilize volunteers and connect people, information, and services to meet local needs and build a strong, caring community.
Beyond volunteer mobilization and management, HandsOn River Region also:
Manages the 211 Information and Referral Helpline
Coordinates regional disaster preparedness and response
Collects and disseminate data to assist in providing services to combat homelessness
Serves as the centralized point of access for coordination of housing services
Partners with local dentists and nonprofit partners to administer a pro bono dental program
Operates the area’s largest Christmas charitable giving program
HandsOn River Region
Our Mission
The mission of HandsOn River Region is to mobilize volunteers and connect people, information, and services to meet local needs and build a strong, caring community.
Beyond volunteer mobilization and management, HandsOn River Region also:
Manages the 211 Information and Referral Helpline
Coordinates regional disaster preparedness and response
Collects and disseminate data to assist in providing services to combat homelessness
Serves as the centralized point of access for coordination of housing services
Partners with local dentists and nonprofit partners to administer a pro bono dental program
Operates the area’s largest Christmas charitable giving program
HandsOn River Region Team
Our team is dedicated to making the River Region the best it can be.
Latoya Brooks
ALSDE Team Leader
Michael Bryant
Enroll Alabama Field Navigator; HRR Team Leader
Tasha Cooper
Executive Director
Timera Cooper
HMIS & Coordinated Entry Specialist
Laurel Teel
Community Engagement Manager
Meghan Willet
211 Team Leader
Beth Cox
Multiservice Program Coordinator
Courtney Furman
Office Coordinator
Jayne Moser
211 Information & Referral Specialist
HandsOn River Region Team
Our team is dedicated to making the River Region the best it can be.
Latoya Brooks
ALSDE Team Leader
Michael Bryant
Enroll Alabama Field Navigator; HRR Team Leader
Tasha Cooper
Executive Director
Timera Cooper
HMIS & Coordinated Entry Specialist
Beth Cox
Multiservice Program Coordinator
Courtney Furman
Office Coordinator
Cheryl Gunn
ALSDE Coordinator
Stephany Hammock
Operations Manager
Jayne Moser
211 Information & Referral Specialist
Collen Skyes-Ray
Enroll Alabama Field Navigator
Laurel Teel
Community Engagement Manager
Meghan Willet
211 Team Leader
HandsOn River Region Board
Our board is vital to supporting River Region residents and initiatives.
John George Archer
Gilpin Givhan, PC
Treasurer
Amerika Blair
Junior League of Montgomery
Paul Brown
Pathway Decisions
President
Jimmy Hyde III
PCN Bank
Stefania Jones
Alabama Department of Commerce
Robert Lee
Edmundite Missions
Quenita Mitchell
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency
Christine Smith
Cadence Bank
Vice President
Ashley Thorne
River Region Trails
Jacquelyn Tomlinson
Delk & Tomlinson
Melissa Valdes
Alabama Department of Mental Health
It All Began in 1973
HandsOn River Region History
1973
The Junior League of Montgomery and the Community Council of the Montgomery Area United Way (now River Region United Way) became interested in starting a Voluntary Action Agency (VAC) and a steering committee for the development of VAC was established. A start-up grant was applied for in 1973 and accepted in February 1974.
1974
On March 7, 1974, a press conference was held to introduce VAC to the community. VAC operated under the auspices of United Appeal (now known as United Way) for eight months and attained agency status on December 1, 1974.
1977
Established the Voluntary Action Transportation System (VATS). Volunteer drivers transported people who were economically or physically deprived to doctors’ appointments, groceries, etc.
1978
Organized a steering committee to establish a child abuse prevention program in Montgomery. This early effort resulted in the establishment of the
Family Sunshine Center
. We also helped establish Hospice of Montgomery.
1980
Established a citywide Christmas Clearing House – VAC’s largest direct service program. This program coordinates and matches families in need with individuals, organizations and businesses who want to provide a little help and hope during the holidays. The program’s primary benefit is partnering with 32 agencies to eliminate duplication in giving.
1985
Established the information & referral program.
1990
Established the Tri-County Clearinghouse Network, a network of churches and agencies shared information via fax machines on resources and client assistance. The purpose was to maximize community resources and let agencies know who helped whom- when, where and how. Daily information was faxed and computerized so that each agency received a daily printout of activities. This process kept duplication of giving to a minimum.
1992
Thanks to the National Volunteer Center, IBM Corporation, the Junior League of Montgomery, and United Way, VIC became a totally automated agency. IBM and United Way of America supplied the computer system; JLM supplied software; Match Point and the National Volunteer Center supplied the technical support. This made an expanded Corporate Volunteer Program possible beginning in July, 1992.
1993
Adopted a new name, The Volunteer & Information Center, Inc. (VIC) after implementing information & referral in 1985.
2002
Received funding from HUD to develop, implement, and maintain a Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) for homeless service providers in a five-county area to better track the movement of the chronically homeless (both sheltered and unsheltered) through the Continuum of Care System. The Information & Referral program adopted the three-digit moniker, 211.  VIC established the first 211 call center in the state, making Alabama the fourth state in the country to operate 211 and allow for a 24/7 information and referral service system.
2007
Expanded 211 coverage area from 5 to 12 counties. 211 Alabama officially became statewide.
2012
211 service expanded to 14 counties in South Central Alabama.
2013
Agency named changed from The Volunteer and Information Center to HandsOn River Region.
2017
Established Pay It Forward, an initiative of the Volunteer Management Program which coordinates with area dentists to assist those in need of dental services by “banking” volunteer hours is established.
2018
Established the Coordinated Entry program in the local Continuum of Care to coordinate and centralize services for housing and homeless assistance.
2020
Partnered with the City of Montgomery and Uber to provide free rides to vaccination appointments during the COVID-19 pandemic.
2021
Partnered with United Way Worldwide and DoorDash to provide free food deliveries for those experiencing food insecurity and facing transportation barriers.
(334) 264-3335
1537 Jean Street
Montgomery, Alabama 36107
Copyright © 2026 | HandsOn River Region
Copyright © 2026 | HandsOn River Region
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