WINTER 2012

NEWSLETTERSUPPORT AND SHELTER FOR OVERCOMING HOMELESSNESSPresidentRobert Hyde

President ElectKamie BrownSecretaryBob Allen

TreasurerPaul Christenson

Past PresidentHilea Walker

Executive DirectorMatthew M. Minkevitch

Board of TrusteesEric Bergeson Rob Brough Gary E. Carlson Twinkle Chisholm Dale Cox Dain Craig Erica Dahl Doug Duehlmeier Steve Eliason, Emeritus Chip Everest Richard Fetzer Brandt Goble Gloria Gustin Joseph Horton Richard Humpherys Lee Imlay Jennifer A. Johnson Julie Lu Hugh A. Meadows Jana Saba Tony Smith Steve Starks Kerry Steadman, Emeritus Daela Taeoalii-Higgs Ray Whitney Matt Willes

We need your help $9.00 provides one night of shelter to

one person at The Road Home.

$50.00 provides 22 days of electricity to one family in housing

$125.00 provides one month of housing to one person at Palmer Court

$500.00 provides 1 family services to move back into housing through our innovative Housing Program

www.theroadhome.orgDonate. Volunteer. Learn.

Homeward-bound: leaving the shelterThe holiday season is a busy time for many of us, including our team at The Road Home. In a recent meeting with the staff of Simmons Media, who graciously share their time and talent with us each year during our Holiday Radio-a-Thon, our Executive Director Matt Minkevitch shared an experience he had at our Salt Lake Community Shelter.

His story brought focus to the reason behind all our hard work this time of year. He reminded us that each donation, each coat or blanket helps ease the pain of others. Together, we ease human suffering and truly honor the spirit of the season.

“Recently, I was walking out of the shelter, making my way through the hallways from my office to my car. It was late in the evening. My coworkers on the swing shift were twenty minutes away from greeting our coworkers working the graveyard shift. It can be surprisingly serene at this time of night at our downtown shelter.

Just a few hours earlier, our shelter was humming with activity. A group of volunteers provided an all shelter dinner, at which all men, women

and each family with children had an opportunity to enjoy a delicious meal.

A young girl overflowing with energy ran down one of our hallways just far enough to separate herself from her worried mother, who had momentarily lost her in the din of the festive activity. The girl was proudly wearing her new coat that she had received from our warehouse earlier in the day. She gave an excited account of her prized acquisition to one of my thoughtful teammates to whom she had turned for assistance. Mother and daughter were quickly reunited.

Outside of the shelter, the unseasonably mild day was giving way to a frigid night. Throughout the evening, single women were trickling into our women’s shelter, some ever so quietly as if apparitions. One by one, women continued to turn to us as their refuge from the cold.

By the time I found myself walking through the halls, the women had quietly filled all of the beds that were available in our women’s facility. Our team had provided mats and bedding to an additional number of women who were sleeping peacefully in our women’s shelter lobby. A few women had also moved into the hallway of our family shelter.

I walked as quietly as I could, attempting to avoid disrupting the fragile slumber of the angels that lay on either side of me as I passed.

During this moment I thought of my home. My Karyn and our lovely daughters were there, already fast asleep. The image of their precious faces was swimming in my imagination as I passed a woman who lay to my left, on her bedding in the hall, fast asleep.

She was far too skinny and seemed ever so frail. The lines on her weathered face suggested years of

struggle and pain. For a moment my gaze fixed upon the image of her tired face.

The image rested in my mind, then blended with the images of my Karyn, Amelia, and little Lizzy. I thought of my Lizzy in particular. As I tuck her in at night, her face erupts in a gentle, playful smile. Happy dimples emerge from her plump cheeks. In this passing moment, my Lizzy’s smile washed across this woman’s face like a warm spring rain.

At times like these, when our human family rests in the halls of our shelter, nestled in the heart of our community, where compassion embraces need and hope entwines with opportunity, we are all connected. We are all one.

Throughout the days ahead, my teammates and I will continue to work in our diligent quest to provide housing opportunities for all who have for too long turned to our shelter as their only housing alternative.

We will lose neither our focus, nor our commitment to the sustainable alternative permanent supportive housing provides. As we work each day into the night in pursuit of this worthy goal, our beautiful coworkers during the graveyard shift continue their work through the night to alleviate the suffering of those who turn to us. At dawn, they will entrust the mission to us again and we continue our work.

We are indebted to each of you who support us in this effort for the privilege you bestow upon us as we serve those who turn to us in their moment of need. Our commitment, like the work we embrace, remains constant. Thank you.”

Matt M. Minkevitch : Executive Director - The Road Home

The Road Home Radio-a-Thon December 20 & 21

THE ROAD HOME NEWSLETTER WINTER 2012

Upcoming Events

For more event information visit www.theroadhome.org/events

Santa Hat Dash & Reindeer RunSaturday, December 22 | 10:00amSugarhouse Park, Salt Lake City

Start at Sugarhouse Park and end with hot chocolate at The Dodo. Wear warm running gear along with Santa or reindeer accessories of your choice. Bring donations of warm clothing, towels or hygiene items to help men, women and families staying at The Road Home this winter.

Gifts made in Memory & Honor from August through December 2012

In Honor of In Memory ofMatthew & Courtney CruickshankDaniel JacobyLiwanag FamilyMichael Treshow, VI

Helen Blackwood Jeff BrandenburgJack Gallivan

Success story: Emily

Candy Cane Corner

Christmas Jam 3December 13 - 15 Thursday and Friday 7:00 p.m. Saturday 2:00 and 7:00 p.m.216 Paxton Ave., Salt Lake City Join The Road Home for this yearly Rock ‘n’ Roll Christmas concert! Featuring performances by Salt Lake’s best musicians and vocalists.

The Road Home Holiday Radio-a-ThonThursday & Friday, December 20 & 21 6:00am - 8:00pmThe Road Home Salt Lake Community Shelter 210 S. Rio Grande St. (455 W.), Salt Lake City

Over two days, nine radio stations reach out to over two million listeners who help raise vital funds that provide shelter and supportive services to people in our community. Donations of warm clothing, blankets, boots and household items welcome! Bring in your donation, meet the DJs and have your photo taken with Santa!

December 3 - 23 Monday - Friday 12:00 - 7:00 p.m. Saturday - Sunday 12:00 - 5:00 p.m. 502 West 300 South, Salt Lake City

Donations of new unwrapped clothing, toys and household items help families at The Road Home, YWCA of Salt Lake and Volunteers of America, Utah celebrate the holidays. Walk-in volunteers are welcome.

S M T W T F S

December January

1 2 3 4 5

6 7 8 9 10 11 12

13 14 15 16 17 18 19

20 21 22 23 24 25 26

27 28 29 30 31

S M T W T F S

1

2 3 4 5 6 7 8

9 10 11 12 13 14 15

16 17 18 19 20 21 22

23 24 25 26 27 28 29

30 31

Volunteers and committee members often help the families staying at our shelter celebrate the holidays. One volunteer made arrangements with Savers to pick up donations of children’s Halloween costumes for kids at our Community Winter Shelter in Midvale. When he arrived, the manager hadn’t had time to pick things out and asked a staff member, Emily, to help gather the costumes.

Emily asked where the costumes were going to be donated. The volunteer explained that they were for children staying at The Road Home’s seasonal, overflow shelter in Midvale. Emily was very excited to hear that the donation would help The Road Home. She told the volunteer that two years ago, The Road

Home had helped her get back on her feet.

She had gone through a divorce and her husband had left her and her two daughters with nothing. She found not only shelter at The Road Home, but also the support and resources she needed to move back into housing, find a job and to rejoin the community. She told our volunteer how grateful she was for the help she and her daughters received. She even remembered that on a hot summer day someone had dropped off ice cream bars at the shelter. This simple act meant so much to her family. Every chance she has, Emily donates to The Road Home and encourages her friends to do the same.

Candy Cane CornerCandy Cane Corner helps

families at The Road Home, YWCA of Salt Lake and Volunteers of America, Utah celebrate the holidays by providing new clothing, toys and household items.

Donations of new, unwrapped clothing, toys, books, games, puzzles, wrapping paper and everything needed to make the season bright are donated by our community. These donations stock the shelves of Candy Cane Corner, where parents staying at The Road Home can select gifts for their children and families.

Candy Cane Corner is run almost exclusively by a team

of volunteers who help us with everything from stocking shelves to decorating the store.

This festive project provides an empowering experience for parents and fosters the principal of self sufficiency the three partner agencies focus on.

Candy Cane Corner is now open to clients of The Road Home, YWCA of Salt Lake and Volunteers of America, Utah as well as to the public for donation deliveries and tours. We are thrilled to announce that our need for volunteers at Candy Cane Corner has been met for this holiday season. More information at: www.candycanecornerslc.org

The Road Home Radio-a-Thon December 20 & 21

THE ROAD HOME MISSION The mission of The Road Home is to help people step out of homelessness and back into our community.

We have a wide variety of programs that help individuals and families: HOUSING PROGRAMOur approach is to help people get into well-matched housing options as quickly as possible after they come to the shelter. We then work to help them sustain their new housing. SHELTERThroughout the year, The Road Home provides emergency shelter to families and individuals through our main shelter and Community Winter Shelter. SELF-SUFFICIENCY PROGRAMSome individuals and families face a harder road from shelter to housing. This program utilizes case managers to address those challenges. EMERGENCY SERVICESThis office assists individuals and families with essential needs they may have, such as clothing or social services.CHILDREN’S PROGRAMHomelessness is hardest on children. The Road Home works with local agencies to provide enriching activities to the children living in the shelter.PALMER COURTPalmer Court, a permanent supportive housing development, was completed in 2009. Now filled to capacity, Palmer Court provides affordable apartments for families and individuals emerging from homelessness.

Council on homelessnessIn September 2012 the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness invited The Road Home’s Associate Executive Director of Programs Michelle Flynn and Executive Director of the Tacoma Housing Authority Michael Mirra to present on how their organizations have leveraged mainstream resources and collaborations to address family homelessness.

The mission of the USICH on Homelessness is to coordinate the federal response to homelessness and to create national partnerships. The council focuses on maximizing the effectiveness of the Federal Government in contributing to the end of homelessness through partnerships with the private sector.

Michelle Flynn presented on how The Road Home serves as a rapid re-housing agency using the flexibility of Temporary Aid to Needy Families (TANF) to invest in housing stability for families experiencing homelessness.

The Road Home assists families in shelter move

as quickly as possible into housing through a regular reassessment process, which determines the level of support needed. Families in emergency shelter are assessed for rapid re-housing assistance after seven days.

The program has been financed with a combination of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s one-time Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-housing Program funds and state TANF funds. Through partnerships with the State Department of Workforce Services and TANF, there is also a strong program emphasis on getting families into gainful employment.

All services are focused on removing housing barriers and increasing income.

The Road Home’s model of assessment and continued supportive services for families assisted through rapid re-housing has been extremely successful. 84% of the 1,044 families assisted have remained stably housed.

Chronically Homeless Services: one yearThe Road Home’s Chronically Homeless Services and Housing (CHSH) project has entered our second year of funding through a grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and in partnership with the Fourth Street Clinic.

During the first year of this program, our team accomplished many goals, not least of which was building a new outreach program from the ground up. Additionally, throughout the year our CHSH team engaged with a total of 83 chronically homeless individuals living in shelter and on the street. Services provided to these individuals ranged from brief interventions like providing food and other basic necessities, to helping clients secure mainstream benefits,

and helping them secure permanent supportive housing. In total, 30 previously chronically homeless individuals were placed into housing in permanent supportive housing developments and in scattered site community based apartments. Our work, however, does not end with housing. Housed clients continue to receive case management and recovery services aimed at assisting them with integration into the community and successfully maintaining housing. For some clients, this may also include securing employment or participating in vocational training.

In addition to our goal of effectively housing chronically homeless individuals, we also endeavor to assist clients in accessing mainstream

benefits. To this end, 29 clients were enrolled in Medicaid, 11 Supplemental Security Income or Social Security Disability Income applications were filed, and 15 clients secured General Assistance. Accessing these benefits allows clients the income and medical treatment needed to address complex medical and psychiatric

illnesses, thereby supporting self-sufficiency and enhancing quality of life.

After a very successful first year we are excited to continue our work. Over the next year our CHSH team will be out in the community continuing to work with our housed clients and seeking to connect with others in need of assistance.

The Road Home’s Chronically Homeless Services and Housing project help men and women return to housing.

THE ROAD HOME NEWSLETTER WINTER 2012

Your gift changes lives, one person at a timeThe Road Home is excited to announce the continuation of one of our favorite holiday traditions, our annual Holiday Radio-a-Thon, Thursday and Friday, Dec. 20 and 21. For 17 years, local radio stations have helped The Road Home gather vital donations, which help men, women and families overcome homelessness year round.

Once again, nine local radio stations will spend two days broadcasting live from our Salt Lake Community shelter, reaching over two million listeners.

The Road Home relies on the generosity of our community during our Holiday Radio-a-Thon to make financial contributions which help us provide life saving shelter and services. We also collect in-

kind donations that provide for the basic needs of the people staying with us.

Our Holiday Radi-a-Thon is more than a wonderful way to participate in the spirit of the season. It is an opportunity to help us change lives, one person at a time.

It takes as little as $9 to shelter one person for one night. In that one night of shelter a man, woman, mother or father has the chance to connect with The Road Home and find access to a variety of resources designed to help them return to housing and get back on their feet.

The Road Home’s emergency shelter programs compliment our focus on housing, providing an initial solution to the crisis of homelessness and lasting assistance that helps families

and individuals secure stable housing.

While the number of people turning to us for help continues to rise, we have also never been more effective in helping people step out of homelessness and into housing.

Through innovative housing programs like Palmer Court, our permanent supportive housing development, and our Chronically Homeless Services and Housing project we continue to make great strides in helping people overcome long-term homelessness. These programs have helped many people have what they never thought was possible again, a home of their own.

We continue to work tirelessly to help families move out of shelter and back into housing as quickly as possible. We have sharpened our tools and become a national leader in working with families to overcome homelessness.

We are continually moved by the outpouring of support from our community during the holiday season and particularly during our Holiday Radio-a-Thon. When we see parents step through the door of their new home or children excited about their new school, we think of you, our generous partners. We are deeply grateful for the enthusiastic support you provide to work

these small miracles. We look forward to making

sure your donations have the greatest impact during our Holiday Radio-a-Thon through the power of matching grants from a variety of generous community sponsors. These grants effectively double the impact of each individual donation we receive, ensuring they are matched, dollar for dollar.

We hope you will join in the festive atmosphere of our Holiday Radio-a-Thon by visiting our shelter to deliver your donation, meet the DJs, and even have a photo taken with Santa. You can also join us by listening to any of our nine participating stations, including: 1280 The Zone, 101.5 The Eagle, FM 100.3, X96, 103.5 The Arrow, 104.7 La Favorita, U92, Rewind 100.7 and 107.9 The Mix.

Special thanks to Simmons Media and Bonneville Salt Lake Broadcast Group for their continued support of The Road Home.

Special thanks to our 2012 Radio-a-Thon sponsorsPresenting Sponsor Bonneville Salt Lake Broadcast Group Simmons MediaSorenson Legacy Foundation Media Sponsors KUTV Channel. 2 Silver SponsorsGerber Construction Morgan Stanley

Stephen G. & Susan E. Denkers Family FoundationBronze SponsorsProgrexion Copper SponsorsAAA Clearlink CommGap International Language ServicesImagine Health

KeyBankNeways, Inc.The Burton FoundationThe Kennecott Utah Copper Charitable Foundation Waste Management Zinc SponsorsHershey Company Intermountain HealthcareMagelby and Green PC

Mantyla McReynolds Regence BlueCross BlueShield of UtahSmith’s Food & Drug Stores Utah Building & Construction Trades Council Web Incentive Management

The Road Home’s 17th Holiday Radio-a-Thon

Some of our youngest supporters brought jars filled with coins to help during our 2011 Holiday Radio-a-Thon.

Warm clothing donated to The Road Home helps the people staying with us.

THE ROAD HOME NEWSLETTER WINTER 2012

THE ROAD HOME NEWSLETTER WINTER 2012

Volunteer News: making the season brightPlayroom Renovation

In early November, volunteers from the Bennion Center at the University of Utah came together for a renovation of our Salt Lake Community Shelter children’s playroom. After four months of careful planning they were able to execute their vision for a bright, clean and fun space for children staying with us. Volunteers installed new flooring, locking cabinets added new paint and contributed new books and toys.

The renovation was made possible through the time and dedication of over 140 volunteers. Their efforts have made our playroom more welcoming for the hundreds of children and volunteers who spend evenings reading, playing, and learning there throughout the year. Grateful Volunteers

O.C. Tanner helped 100 families in The Road Home’s housing programs celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday through their donation of holiday food boxes. These boxes have everything a family needs for a traditional Thanksgiving meal, from turkey to cranberry sauce.

In addition to the generous donation by O.C. Tanner, we also received boxes from the Utah Food Bank, 3M and other volunteers. We are deeply grateful for the help we received in providing this

special meal to families who are getting back on their feet.

Once again, the students at Woods Cross High School hosted a Thanksgiving dinner for families and women staying at our Salt Lake Community shelter. Special thanks to John Sadler for his help in coordinating this much loved event.

Each year, Woods Cross High School provides transportation, dinner and entertainment for a Thanksgiving dinner a few days before the holiday. The women, parents and children who attend always have a wonderful time and are grateful for the opportunity to engage with our enthusiastic volunteers. Spooky Volunteer Fun

Volunteers provided Halloween fun for all our little ghosts and ghouls at our Salt Lake shelter, Community Winter Shelter in Midvale, and at Palmer Court, our permanent supportive housing development.

Dozens of volunteers turned our parking lots into a festive trunk-or-treat for the children staying with us. Everyone was able to dress up thanks to generous donations of new and gently used costumes. All the kids enjoyed bags filled with candy and treats. It was a spook-tacular holiday at The Road Home. Volunteering Excellence

The Road Home was delighted to attend this

year’s Utah Philanthropy Day luncheon. One of our long time volunteers, Alex Sosa was recognized with the Helping Hands award for his remarkable service to The Road Home. Holiday Volunteers

We have many volunteer opportunities during the holiday season at The Road Home. Our annual Holiday Radio-a-Thon would not be possible without the hundreds of volunteers who help us sort incoming donations, greet our supporters, answer phones and keep things running smoothly while nine local radio stations broadcast live from our shelter. We would love to have you, your family, co-workers or church group join us for this year’s annual Holiday Radio-a-Thon on Dec. 20 and 21. To sing up to volunteer, please e-mail us at: volunteer@theroadhome.org

Call to actionThe holiday season is an

important time of year at The Road Home. Hundreds of volunteers provide dinners and kid’s activities throughout the month of December. We are so grateful for the outpouring of support we receive during the holiday season.

While the number of people turning to us for help remains high throughout the winter, we see a decrease in the number of volunteers after the new year. Volunteers are needed in January and February to provide dinners, organize kids activities and help at our front desks or in our warehouse. Contact Us: Kelli McFall 801-819-7293 kmcfall@theroadhome.org Alicia Gates 801-819-7298 agates@theroadhome.org Ivy Ivers 385-351-2392 iivers@theroadhome.org

Palmer Court has seen many exciting events and changes during the fall months. Volunteer and employment programs continue to thrive at our permanent supportive housing development.

Helping Palmer Court residents rejoin the workforce would not be possible without the efforts of our Department of Workforce Services (DWS) team, which recently added two members of AmeriCorps. These new volunteers will

provide additional support to Palmer Court residents as they prepare to reenter the workforce.

Employment continues to be a key element in assisting residents to establish self-sufficiency. Our collaborations with Valley Services, the DWS and Vocational Rehabilitation are making significant progress in helping residents find employment.

Valley Services has employed 10 Palmer Court residents

as part of the Palmer Court custodial, laundry and team leader staff. Seasonal positions will soon be added, along with more laundry staff positions, creating an additional five to ten on-site employment opportunities at Palmer Court.

Valley Services has also employed five Palmer Court residents at various locations throughout the community, including Salt Lake Community College and Salt Lake City Administrative Services.

Helping opportunities grow at Palmer Court

Volunteers in our playroom provide kid’s activities and book clubs to keep children staying with us active and engaged.

Palmer Court provides permanent housing and support.

The Road Home Radio-a-Thon December 20 & 21

Blankets (all sizes) Socks (adult & children)

Shoes & Boots

Towels Diapers & Wipes Coats & Jackets

THE ROAD HOME’S MOST URGENT NEEDSOur Salt Lake Community Shelter and Palmer Court are currently in need of:

All items can be delivered to The Road Home210 South Rio Grande Street (455 W.) 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. seven days a week, including holidays.

To view a full donation needs list, visit our website: www.theroadhome.org/needslist