Stephen Wade partners with 3 local organizations to aid youth, families facing homelessness; how you can help

Stock image | Photo by CentralITAlliance/iStock/Getty Images Plus, St. George News

CONTRIBUTED CONTENT — Imagine a whole school of students living in a homeless situation. This is the reality that teachers, counselors and social workers are facing right now in Washington County. 

Charity Ann (left) and Jamie Bahlmann hang tags listing items needed for local charities on the wish tree at Stephen Wade Toyota, St. George, Utah, Nov. 22, 2021 | Photo courtesy of Stephen Wade Auto Center, St. George News

Approximately 470 at-risk or homeless youth are currently residing in the greater St. George area. That’s roughly the size of the entire student body at Heritage Elementary School. Many are doubled up with another family, while some live in hotels, motels or homeless shelters and others still are living in a car, park or campground. 

‘Tis the season to give, and in the spirit of Christmas, Stephen Wade Auto Center has set a goal to donate $50,000 to three organizations committed to making a difference in the lives of at-risk and homeless youth in the community.

The causes of youth homelessness generally fall into three interrelated categories: family problems, financial crisis and residential instability. Switchpoint, Youth Futures and the Washington County School District Foundation all work to provide basic needs for at-risk youth and families within the community. 

When you purchase a vehicle at one of Stephen Wade’s local dealerships during the “Spirit of Giving” promotion this month, a portion of the proceeds from the sale will go to support these groups’ efforts. 

Additionally, Stephen Wade dealerships are still collecting donation items for Switchpoint, Youth Futures and the school district foundation at the “wish trees” located inside all their dealerships on Auto Mall Drive. 

Each tree is filled with tags highlighting specific items needed by each organization, such as blankets, sleeping bags, jackets, gloves, socks, cleaning supplies and hand sanitizer. Choose a tag from the tree, purchase the item and drop it off at any Stephen Wade location before Dec. 23.

“A student living in homelessness has the same basic needs as any other student,” said Jamie Bahlmann, public relations director for Stephen Wade Auto Center. “If these basic needs are met, the student can focus on learning at school and not whether they’ll have food to eat or a place to stay for the night.”

‘Recognizing the needs in our area’

Switchpoint was founded with the mission of addressing poverty by creating a comprehensive plan to support families on their journey to self-sufficiency. The organization operates an emergency shelter, food pantry and soup kitchen in St. George along with providing referrals for affordable housing and other services. Switchpoint relies heavily on private donors and businesses to fund its mission of empowering those experiencing homelessness, development director Linda Stay said.    

A Stephen Wade “Wish Tree,” in St. George, Utah, date not specified | Photo courtesy of Stephen Wade Auto Center, St. George News

“We are grateful to Stephen Wade Auto for being a vital partner in providing much-needed supplies and monies to bring stability and safety to those we serve, allowing them to focus on restoring their livelihood,” she added.  

Acting as a safe haven in times of crisis, Youth Futures offers shelter, guidance and resources to at-risk youth ages 12-18. Drop-in services allow kids to access food, clothing, hygiene items, laundry facilities, computer stations and case management every day of the week. 

“Youth Futures St. George provides vulnerable youth with a nurturing environment where they can develop the skills needed to work through issues with their families, develop plans to become active, healthy, successful members of our future world and realign their lives in a positive direction,” executive director Kristen Mitchell said. 

Among numerous initiatives to enhance the quality of education for area students, the Washington County School District Foundation collects items that low-income youth may be lacking at home and provides the resources to school counselors to distribute as needed. 

“We are so grateful for Stephen Wade’s continued partnership with us here at the school district,” said Steven Dunham, Washington County School District director of communications. “Their support of our counselor closet program, as well as our at-risk students, impacts all of our students almost on a daily basis.” 

Although the “Spirit of Giving” promotion is the first of its kind, Stephen Wade Auto Center has a long history of charitable giving in Southern Utah, particularly during the holidays.

“We are so grateful for Switchpoint, Youth Futures and our school district for recognizing the needs in our area,” Bahlmann said. “We couldn’t do this without the help of our community.”

Written by ALEXA MORGAN for St. George News.

• S P O N S O R E D   C O N T E N T •

Resources

  • Stephen Wade Auto Center | Address: 150 W. Hilton Drive, St. George | Telephone: 435-222-7605 | Website.

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2021, all rights reserved.

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