Volunteers of America, Utah

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Volunteers of America, Utah Providing paths for vulnerable Utahns to improve their lives and increase self-reliance

Amazon Prime Day is here! Millions of deals, a few clicks, and your cart is full in minutes.Before you check out, consid...
08/07/2025

Amazon Prime Day is here! Millions of deals, a few clicks, and your cart is full in minutes.

Before you check out, consider making a truly impactful donation: a monthly gift to Volunteers of America, Utah.

Join Path Changers, our monthly recurring donation program, and help provide consistent support to Utahns facing homelessness, addiction, and mental health challenges: https://voaut.donorsupport.co/page/donate

With the passage of the federal spending and tax bill, thousands of vulnerable Utahns could lose access to Medicaid and the services they receive.

For less than the cost of what most people spend on Prime Day:
🛌 A woman experiencing homelessness can get meals, a shower, and a safe place to sleep.
đŸ‘šâ€đŸ‘©â€đŸ‘§â€đŸ‘Š A family in crisis can meet with a licensed therapist.
🏠 A teen can access shelter and housing support.
đŸ‘©â€đŸ‘Š A veteran or a mother can begin addiction recovery in our detox programs.

This Prime Day, go beyond the cart. Make a lasting impact in your community. Give monthly. Be someone's second chance.

This month and every month, we celebrate the strength, courage, and brilliance of the LGBTQ+ community. At VOA Utah, we ...
30/06/2025

This month and every month, we celebrate the strength, courage, and brilliance of the LGBTQ+ community. At VOA Utah, we are honored to serve, learn from, and stand with LGBTQ+ individuals who enrich our mission and strengthen our community. 

PRIDE is more than a celebration. It’s a reminder that compassion, equity, and belonging are at the heart of everything we do. If you would like to join us in support, please consider the following:

❀ Volunteer and Support Local Organizations
VOA Utah, Encircle, Utah Pride Center, Youth Futures Utah, and more. 

💜 Donate Essential Items 
Hygiene kits (including gender-affirming products), clothing, and underwear! At VOA Utah, underwear (in all sizes, from S to ###L, and must be new) is the product we supply in bulk and spend the most money on keeping in stock.

💛 Advocate for Inclusive Services and Policies
Call your local and state representatives and push for trauma-informed LGBTQ+ care and staff training in shelters, healthcare settings, and schools to ensure affirming care. Advocate for non-discrimination policies that explicitly protect LGBTQ+ individuals and attend rallies and community meetings.
💚 Support housing first programs, be an affirming adult to youth, support mental health access, and elevate LGBTQ+ voices wherever you can. 

Tap the link in our bio for links to ways in which you can support us throughout the year.

Happy PRIDE Month from VOA Utah!Pride is a celebration of identity, resilience, and love. It’s also a reminder of the wo...
04/06/2025

Happy PRIDE Month from VOA Utah!

Pride is a celebration of identity, resilience, and love. It’s also a reminder of the work we must continue to do to create a world where everyone feels safe, supported, and seen.

At Volunteers of America, Utah, we are proud to stand with and serve LGBTQ+ individuals every day. From our staff to our volunteers, from clients to donors, we are strengthened by this community, and they are at the heart of our mission.

Today, we want to thank longtime supporters and who have organized a Pride Brunch Fundraiser, donating all proceeds to our Youth Resource Center since its founding in 2016. Their dedication has directly supported countless LGBTQ+ young people facing homelessness, giving them access to safety, stability, and hope.

We are endlessly grateful. And we are proud to celebrate with you.

đŸłïžâ€đŸŒˆ With love,
VOA Utah

All Donations Doubled Through FridayPartner Highlight: John C. Kish Foundation Huge thanks to the John C. Kish Foundatio...
21/05/2025

All Donations Doubled Through Friday

Partner Highlight: John C. Kish Foundation
Huge thanks to the John C. Kish Foundation and trustee Melina Nicolatus for their $50,000 matching grant in support of our Virtual Founders Day Campaign. Every gift you make through this Friday will be matched dollar for dollar, doubling the impact for vulnerable youth, women, families, veterans, and men in the Salt Lake Valley.

John Kish and his partner Jack built a legacy of compassion, and Melina is carrying that forward by volunteering at our Youth Resource Center and ensuring that those in need are given nourishment, care, and hope. We’re so grateful for their leadership, dedication and support.

Your contribution will be matched only two times a year, and this is one of them. Ready to make your donation go twice as far? Tap that link in our bio!

15/05/2025

Our Founders Day Matching Campaign Starts Now!

Thanks to the generosity of the John C. Kish Foundation, every dollar you give between now and May 23rd will be matched up to $50,000.

This is your moment to make a powerful difference. Join us in honoring the founding of Volunteers of America in 1896 and our VOA Utah affiliate in 1986 by contributing today and bringing hope, healing, and housing to those who need it most.

Visit here to donate: https://voaut.donorsupport.co/page/2025FDV

After two decades of serving through music, Peace Dee has spent the last two months sharing meals and conversations in o...
30/04/2025

After two decades of serving through music, Peace Dee has spent the last two months sharing meals and conversations in our Recovery on Redwood kitchen. As Peace says, “I have always loved to serve! I have done so mostly through music in the last 20 years, and having been part of a vulnerable community myself, I recently thought about other ways I could contribute to a vulnerable community by being a part of what we all love—food!”

Her dedication shines through every dinner shift. “I feel great fulfillment contributing to the client’s well-being. Seeing their smiles and excitement over the variety of meals served for dinner in the course of the week is pure joy!”

Peace’s work reminds us that nourishment goes beyond food. It’s about connection, respect, and helping people feel seen and loved. Thank you, Peace, for bringing your heart and experience to every plate.

As Volunteer Appreciation Month wraps up, we want to spotlight some of the amazing people who make our Detox Centers a s...
30/04/2025

As Volunteer Appreciation Month wraps up, we want to spotlight some of the amazing people who make our Detox Centers a safe haven during personal turmoil. Your dedication keeps us moving forward daily, from serving meals, leading group meetings, sorting donations, or working alongside clients in our garden.

Thank you, Ron, who has led a weekly Co***ne Anonymous meeting, without fail, every Thursday evening for the last twenty years at our men’s detox facility. Ron has always shown up to volunteer his time and share his lived experience. His honesty has offered countless clients a lifeline, and we are grateful for the connection you bring to every session.

For our final Volunteer Appreciation Month spotlight at the YRC, we’re recognizing Jennie Lloyd, who has been volunteeri...
19/04/2025

For our final Volunteer Appreciation Month spotlight at the YRC, we’re recognizing Jennie Lloyd, who has been volunteering on a regular basis for over two years.

Jennie came to VOA Utah looking for a place to put her time and energy into something meaningful. She found that opportunity in the kitchen at the YRC.

“I love to cook and to feed people, a blend of my interests. It’s been a sweet experience to do this with my family,”

What keeps her coming back is the community. “I love VOA Utah. I’m inspired by so many community members who donate time and resources. The clients keep me coming back and the staff. I don’t know what battles the clients are facing, but I’m amazed at how generous and grateful they are for the meals.”

Her favorite memory is from Thanksgiving Day, 2023. “We walked in the facility, and it was so quiet and felt sad. One client approached me and quietly asked if it was okay if he asked what we were having for dinner. I realized in that moment that he had no expectations for dinner. It was so fun to share that we had prepared a full Thanksgiving feast. It was a joyful, happy meal.”

Jennie hopes her efforts bring a sense of hope and reassurance. “That everything is going to be okay. Nobody is forgotten.”

Thank you, Jennie, for sharing your time, care, and meals with the youth we serve.

Continuing our Volunteer Appreciation Month highlight of the YRC, we’re highlighting a group that has shown up for homel...
18/04/2025

Continuing our Volunteer Appreciation Month highlight of the YRC, we’re highlighting a group that has shown up for homeless youth at the YRC for over a decade: the Utah Stonewall Democrats.

What began as a grassroots effort to cover weekend meals has grown into a longstanding partnership rooted in compassion, advocacy, and action. When the YRC opened in 2016, the group quickly reconnected and recommitted from the days of serving at our State Street Day Center because, as they put it, “we came back because of the kids.”

With 30 to 40 percent of our youth identifying as LGBTQ at any given time, the support and visibility this group brings is especially meaningful.

“In the early days, we saw the same youth month after month. That was hard. But now, these kids are finding stability, safety, and futures. That’s the best thing ever.”

What is their advice to anyone considering volunteering?

“This is about the kids. It is not about you. Come with an open mind and a willingness to serve.”

We’re incredibly thankful for the Utah Stonewall Democrats’ ongoing dedication to our youth and VOA Utah’s mission.

April is Volunteer Appreciation Month, and over the next few days, we’ll spotlight a few of the incredible people who ma...
18/04/2025

April is Volunteer Appreciation Month, and over the next few days, we’ll spotlight a few of the incredible people who make the Youth Resource Center such a special place to serve.

Rob Hanson started volunteering at the YRC in 2018 and hasn’t slowed since. He’s tackled everything from laundry and deep cleaning to landscaping and burrito-making (hundreds of them!). With support from his team at CHG Healthcare, he’s helped organize monthly breakfasts and bring in new volunteers, showing what it means to serve with love and compassion.

“I really enjoy the interactions with the kids at the YRC,” Rob says. “I’m always impressed with how polite and grateful they are, despite the tough situations they face. I just hope my efforts, however small, give them the lift they need to move forward.”

Rob’s advice to anyone thinking about volunteering?

“Just do it. Sign up. Making and serving meals here is such a cool opportunity, and unlike many of the volunteer meal service opportunities in the valley, you get to plan your own menu and cook the food yourself!”

Thank you, Rob, for consistently showing up with compassion and kindness. We’re lucky to know you and count you as a YRC and VOA Utah Volunteer.

Volunteer Appreciation: Jacob LawsonTo close out our volunteer appreciation series for the Geraldine E. King Women’s Res...
10/04/2025

Volunteer Appreciation: Jacob Lawson

To close out our volunteer appreciation series for the Geraldine E. King Women’s Resource Center, we’re highlighting Jacob Lawson. Jacob started volunteering with us two years ago. He wanted to understand more about the people in his community, especially those experiencing homelessness or struggling to get back on their feet.

Jacob helps prep and serve meals and enjoys the pace, the energy, and the chance to do something practical and needed. What sticks with him most is the gratitude from the women we serve.

Jacob’s presence brings encouragement and joy, reminding the women they’re not alone. Thank you for showing up week after week. You make a difference by being here.

Faces of the WRC: Meet Heloise đŸ‡«đŸ‡·Heloise Azzis Marciniak came to the U.S. from France with a strong background in volunt...
10/04/2025

Faces of the WRC: Meet Heloise đŸ‡«đŸ‡·
Heloise Azzis Marciniak came to the U.S. from France with a strong background in volunteer work and a desire to stay involved in her new community.

For the past five months, she has volunteered weekly at the Women’s Resource Center, drawn to the welcoming environment and camaraderie in the kitchen. The kitchen staff has become a circle of friends, and the work gives her a sense of purpose.

Her French accent and limited English have unexpectedly helped her build rapport with some of the women she serves. A small group regularly teaches her new words while they share a meal line. In return, Heloise offers warmth, consistency, and genuine interest.

She hopes her presence helps residents feel supported, even briefly, during a difficult time.

“It brings me joy to see their smiles. I feel connected. I hope they can rest, even a little, knowing we are here for them.” — Heloise

Thank you Heloise, for all you bring to the WRC.

Address

1875 S. Redwood Road

84104

Opening Hours

Monday 09:00 - 17:00
Tuesday 09:00 - 17:00
Wednesday 09:00 - 17:00
Thursday 09:00 - 17:00
Friday 09:00 - 17:00

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This is why we do what we do.

Helping Utah's Most vulnerable who suffer from homelessness, mental illness, and addiction by breaking down barriers and uplifting them to a path of self-reliance.