On Dec. 1st we had a Relief Society Christmas program where the sisters dropped-off their donations.
We had a wonderful response to the call for donations.
Brennan Jeffs and Jack Palmer were great in helping to pack the Tahoe with the donated items. They were sure to fill in every space possible.
Carie, Alix, Kelli and Dani Lowry, Sarah Wilson and Madison Montierth loaded-up the other Tahoe. Carie Lowry was the one who headed-up the project with her girl's help. Three of her daughters used this experience for a Value project to count towards their YW Recognition Award.
When we arrived at the youth center there were a few teens in the parking lot. As soon as we got out of our cars they asked us if we needed any help taking items into the center. They were well-mannered and friendly. After just a few minutes there were more teens helping us take bags of donations inside. Once I entered the center I could feel this overwhelming spirit of love that stayed with me the entire visit. It was the love you feel because we were giving service. I felt love coming from how the people inside cared for each other. I also felt some of the love Heavenly Father has for this group of His children.
The teens were genuinely grateful for our donations. Multiple youth would come up and express their gratitude. Each time the youth would look you in the eye and when they expressed their gratitude—you felt a spirit to spirit connection. One young man even sang a thank you song to us!
The teens in the center range from 15 to 22 yrs. old. Because of the common struggles they share, you can feel they are a tight-knit group. They seek out family relationships, they become "brothers" or "sisters" with the other teens, and they look out for one another. It was truly a joy to be there with these teens. How truly blessed we are to have food, shelter and clothing—the basic necessities of life. I thought of how much I have—and how much I have I could share with others. This experience has been the highlight of my Christmas season thus far. I know as we follow the Savior's example and serve "the least of these" we are the ones that are blessed. May we seek out opportunities to lift the hands that hang down. This will bring true joy to our lives.
Here is some additional information about the center:
Information on the Youth Center:
The Homeless Youth Resource Center delivers a continuum of services to homeless street youth through three components: a Street Outreach Program, a daytime Drop-In Center and Transition Home. They served 855 individuals last year across the three programs -- that's a 110% increase in two years.
Street Outreach Program
Each weekday, youth outreach workers seek out homeless street youth in Salt Lake County. By providing basic need items and establishing trust outreach workers seek to encourage youth to follow-up for services at the Drop-In Center or to seek other services available in the community. If needed, the outreach team provides transportation to service providers.
Drop-In Center
At the Drop-In Center, homeless street youth can receive basic need items. Young women and men can take care of many of life’s daily activities like doing laundry and taking showers. Meals are served twice daily. Youth can attend classes, receive referrals for human services and participate in ongoing case management. The Center seeks to provide a safe trusting environment for homeless youth and help them begin the process of moving out of homelessness and onto the path of self-sufficiency. To assist youth with transitioning to independence even more the Drop-In Center is now offering housing case management services.
Transition Home
The Transition Home is an 18-month, all female program designed to provide support, guidance and structure to homeless youth. Through case management, goal setting and skill building groups and classes, this residential program seeks to help young women ages 16-19 transition from instability and homelessness to reunification with family and/or self-sufficiency.
Mission Statement
Volunteers of America, Utah is a ministry of service organized to reach and uplift those in greatest need and to provide opportunities to experience the joy of serving others.
The ultimate goal is to get these young people off the streets and into a life of self-sufficiency. The Homeless Youth Resource Center is a safe place where street kids can come during the day for a meal, to take a shower, do laundry, attend life skills classes and much needed case management service to help them better their situation.
For more information visiti their website at: http://www.voaut.org/Default.aspx?tabid=2373
