Homelessness Executive Summary

Many communities in this country are home to individuals and families experiencing homelessness. In Salt Lake City, Utah we see thousands of individuals and families that are experiencing homelessness. Some of these individuals and families seek assistance at the local shelter, various homeless outreach programs and other agencies that provide assistance to the homeless population. One agency that provides assistance to individuals experiencing homelessness is Volunteers of America of Utah. This agency provides a variety of services to the homeless population through their many programs which are; detoxification center, outpatient treatment, residential treatment, housing, youth resource center and homeless outreach program. The program this

paper will focus on is the homeless outreach program which is run by Charly Swett LCSW, who is the director of homeless outreach programs.

Charly has been working for Volunteers of America of Utah on and off for the past eight years. Charly has been working in the social work setting for many years. She started off working at a wilderness program for adolescents with substance abuse. She later went on to work for Volunteers of America. She worked at their detoxification center for many years and within the center she held various positions such as recovery assistance, case manager and staff manager. While working at the detoxification facility she was attending the University of Utah where she received her MSW degree. Once she received her degree she worked with an outreach program through Volunteers of America as a therapist. She was in this role for two years and was able to gain her license. Shortly after gaining her license, she left her employment with the outreach program for a new opportunity with the Salt Lake County Housing Authority where she worked as a Service Coordinator. Recently, Charly left her employment with the Housing Authority and returned to Volunteers of America as the Homeless Outreach Program Director where she oversees four outreach programs.

I am currently working for the Salt Lake City Housing Authority as a Service coordinator and Activities Director. The individuals we serve have experienced chronic homelessness and have reported disabilities that include physical impairment, mental illness and substance abuse. The client’s I work with are in need of additional resources and benefits that can be provided to them through Volunteers of America of Utah Homeless Outreach Program. The homeless outreach program which is overseen by Charly Swett LCSW provides the following services; emergency services, vouchers for identification card, vouchers for birth certificate, vouchers for food and clothing at Welfare Square, assistance with housing, assistance with social security and Medicaid benefits and case management services.