THE OPPORTUNITY & SUPPORT OF ROTARY OF SALT LAKE CITY IN OUR COMMUNITY
More than 120 youth “age out” of foster care in Utah every year (the majority of which are in the Salt Lake Region), meaning they are no longer in state custody. These young adults and other similarly at-risk populations, such as refugee orphans and those rescued from trafficking, are at high-risk for homelessness, substance abuse, and various other societal ills.
The Salt Lake County Youth Services Milestone Living Program (MLP) assists in ending the cycle of homelessness and dependency by helping young adults become self-sufficient through access to safe housing, stable employment and connections to ongoing support and resources. Milestone Living Program currently serves up to 19 young adults at a time ages 18 to 21 who are experiencing homelessness in Salt Lake County. Since opening Milestone in 2012, 250 young adults have benefited.
Salt Lake Rotary stepped up to raise funds to purchase a property to house an additional 18 individuals a year. The idea for the housing facility began more than four years ago, according to Spencer Ferguson, the president-elect of the Salt Lake Rotary Club, which partnered with the county to make it happen. Each unit includes three separate bedrooms and two shared bathrooms as well as a kitchen and living room. As residents move out of the facility, they will be given kits of basic items including dishes and utensils, bath linens, hygiene kids, bedding and cleaning supplies donated by community partners.
THE OPPORTUNITY
More than 120 youth “age out” of foster care in Utah every year (the majority of which are in the Salt Lake Region), meaning they are no longer in state custody. These young adults and other similarly at-risk populations, such as refugee orphans and those rescued from trafficking, are at high-risk for homelessness, substance abuse, and various other societal ills.
The Salt Lake County Youth Services Milestone Living Program (MLP) assists in ending the cycle of homelessness and dependency by helping young adults become self-sufficient through access to safe housing, stable employment and connections to ongoing support and resources. Milestone Living Program currently serves up to 19 young adults at a time ages 18 to 21 who are experiencing homelessness in Salt Lake County. Since opening Milestone in 2012, 250 young adults have benefited.
Salt Lake Rotary stepped up to raise funds to purchase a property to house an additional 18 individuals a year. The idea for the housing facility began more than four years ago, according to Spencer Ferguson, the president-elect of the Salt Lake Rotary Club, which partnered with the county to make it happen. Each unit includes three separate bedrooms and two shared bathrooms as well as a kitchen and living room. As residents move out of the facility, they will be given kits of basic items including dishes and utensils, bath linens, hygiene kids, bedding and cleaning supplies donated by community partners.
YOUTH AGING OUT OF FOSTER CARE:
COST COMPARISON FOR SALT LAKE COUNTY PER PERSON
People experiencing chronic homelessness cost the public between $30,000 and $50,000 per person per year through their repeated use of emergency rooms, hospitals, jails, psychiatric centers, detox, and other crisis services. This cost is more than double what the maintenance costs for the Milestone Living Program.