Omegon Treatment Center Joins Volunteers of America Family of Programs in Win-Win Partnership

(Minneapolis, Minn., June 21, 2007)—Volunteers of America of Minnesota today announced that Omegon, Inc., a nonprofit, dual-diagnosis residential treatment center for adolescents located in Minnetonka, Minnesota, will become part of the Volunteers of America family of programs effective July 1, 2007.

The addition of Omegon’s specialized program for treating adolescents with both mental health and chemical abuse issues will complement Volunteers of America’s existing residential treatment centers, mental health clinics, foster care program and other family treatment programs, as well as expand its array of services for adolescents. The partnership will enhance the services and supports available to Omegon clients, their families, and its staff, in addition to providing Omegon with the infrastructure for ongoing leadership, quality program development and facility renovation.

Commenting on the partnership, Michael Weber, President and CEO of Volunteers of America of Minnesota said, “The inclusion of Omegon into our Children and Family Services program significantly expands our capacity to meet the needs of adolescents and their families today and in the future. We are honored that the Omegon board of directors selected us to serve as the environment in which their program will continue to thrive.” He continued, “Volunteers of America has served Minnesotans since 1896 and currently offers sixty programs in six major lines of business. We welcome Omegon’s rich history, positive reputation, strong programming and highly qualified staff into Volunteers of America.”

Gene Washington, Chairman of the Volunteers of America of Minnesota board of directors, echoed Weber’s remarks and added, “Our organization’s history includes multiple examples of developing innovative, quality programs to meet the emerging social issues of the day. Omegon has a similar history and we look forward to their added capacity as we anticipate meeting the challenges of the next decade.”

Omegon was founded as Pharm House in 1975 to serve adolescents with alcohol and drug problems. When Barbara Danielsen, LICSW, LADC, became Executive Director 21 years ago, the program developed a dual-specialization, treating adolescents with both mental health and chemical abuse problems. As Omegon’s board of directors approved the partnership with Volunteers of America, Danielsen reflected, “Omegon broke new ground as a treatment center for dually-diagnosed adolescents. We have become very successful in this field, and I’m really pleased that Volunteers of America will continue to offer this specialized program through Omegon.”

Jim Gray, longtime Chairman of Omegon’s board of directors, spoke of the board’s commitment to assuring a strong provision for ongoing executive leadership, facility renovation and program quality. As the board took action on June 19, 2007 to implement the partnership, Gray explained, “Omegon’s board of directors and its Executive Director have served for a long time. As we looked into the future, the board identified the strategic need to collaborate with an organization which has the infrastructure to support program development and a commitment to quality programming in order to continue the Omegon legacy. We believe that the Volunteers of America organization and its rich variety of programming will effectively meet that need.”

ABOUT OMEGON, INC.

Omegon, Inc. is a nonprofit, co-educational, dual-diagnosis residential treatment center which offers specialized treatment services for male and female adolescents, ages 12 to 18, who are experiencing serious emotional, social and/or behavioral disorders, combined with the abuse or dependency of mood-altering chemicals. The Omegon treatment program consists of group, individual and family therapy in addition to health-oriented recreational, independent living skill development activities and special needs groups. The program has a dual license and is accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. The facility, located in Minnetonka, Minnesota, accommodates 26 adolescents and features spacious living areas, ample room for therapeutic, educational, indoor recreation programming, administrative functions and a large outdoor sports environment.

ABOUT VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA OF MINNESOTA

Volunteers of America of Minnesota is a nonprofit organization which offers a wide variety of services to more than 33,000 children, adolescents and their families, older adults, students, persons with disabilities and other special needs, and ex-offenders each year. With its corporate office in Golden Valley, Minnesota, it is one of the oldest, largest and most comprehensive human service organizations in the state and has more than 60 programs, 700 employees and 4,000 volunteers. Volunteers of America of Minnesota has a rich history of developing innovative, quality programs to meet emerging social issues and prides itself on sponsoring programs which are able to articulate explicitly the outcomes achieved in the program participants’ lives. To learn more, call (763) 546-3242, or visit www.voamn.org.