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SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Office of Homeless Services has granted the Salt Lake Rotary Club $2.9 million to expand transitional housing for homeless youth, the organization announced Tuesday.
The funding is in addition to the organization's fundraising efforts to purchase housing to expand Salt Lake County's Milestone Transitional Program for youth. The program is focused on young adults, aged 18 to 21, who have aged out of the state's foster care system or are at risk of experiencing homelessness.
"I am profoundly inspired by the dedication of the Salt Lake Rotary Club and their unwavering commitment to our community's youth," said Utah first lady Abby Cox. "Every young adult deserves stability and guidance, and it's upon us as a community to ensure that those who've aged out of foster care are given the foundation for a promising future. This is Utah showing its heart, and I am filled with hope for what's to come."
Utah's foster care system is among Cox's initiatives as first lady in her "Show Up" campaign. Other initiatives in the campaign include educator wellness, service projects and Special Olympics Unified Sports.
More than 120 youths "age out" of foster care each year in Utah. The transition from foster care can leave youth vulnerable to problems such as homelessness or substance abuse. The Milestone program is a partnership between the Salt Lake County Youth Services and Salt Lake Rotary Club centered on those youth.
"It's been said that it takes a village to take care of our young, and the partnership with the Salt Lake City Rotary Club provides the opportunity for youth experiencing homelessness in our community to change the trajectory of their lives," said Mina Koplin, current section manager of Salt Lake County Youth Services
The program works to teach youths the skills to become self-sufficient while providing safe housing, stable employment and connections to ongoing support and resources. Currently, the program is serving up to 19 young adults at a time who are experiencing homelessness in Salt Lake County.
Salt Lake Rotary plans to purchase and renovate two five-plex properties which would house an additional 18 youths.
"This initiative resonates with Salt Lake County's core values of inclusivity and compassion, aiding unsheltered youth in reclaiming their lives," said Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson. "This type of bold intervention will make a generational impact on these young people and their families."
