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SALT LAKE CITY — There are people sleeping on the streets who could be in a shelter tonight if there were enough staff members to help them, Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall said Thursday.
Mendenhall pleaded with the people of Utah to answer a call to help fill over 100 job vacancies that assist Utah's homeless population.
Volunteers of America, Utah, The Road Home, and Utah Community Action are the three main homeless service providers who are asking for help filling full-time, part-time, seasonal and volunteer positions. Mendenhall said there is urgency in filling these positions, particularly because of the winter.
At a Thursday press conference, Mendenhall spoke about the temporary overflow shelter at the Ramada Inn on 1659 W. North Temple that she said should be opening soon.
"There are people sleeping on our streets last night and tonight who could be in this shelter ... if there were enough applicants qualified for staffing and keeping the facility safe and running," she said.
Michelle Flynn, executive director of "The Road Home," said that even if you don't think you are qualified to work, you should still apply.
"Sometimes people don't think they're qualified for these types of positions," Flynn said. "What we're looking for is people who care."
Flynn noted that at Volunteers of America, Utah, there are 30 open positions with the organization's overflow program, as well as 40 other year-round positions at the resource centers.
Amanda Christensen, division director of adult homeless services at Volunteers of America, Utah, said that her organization currently has eight full-time positions, with a total of 40 total job openings. Of those openings, there are positions working directly with homeless women and youth, detox, counseling and treatment teams.
Mendenhall again urged the public to take a look at the job openings, calling it a "critical need." She also spoke of Utah's volunteerism, asking for those who "have the time" to consider applying for the jobs within the Homeless Resource Center and overflow shelter providers so they can be staffed and open their doors during what she called a humanitarian crisis.
"There is a critical need right now," Mendenhall said. "We know another winter storm is on its way here … We are a state known for volunteerism and for supporting each other. This need is great. So please hear their call and help us to be able to open the doors to the shelters sooner than they are currently on track to do."
