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| Hollowell and her husband Bob with U. S. Senator Orrin Hatch |
Carol Hollowell, Executive Director at Switchpoint Shelter
and Resource Center at 948 N. 1300 West, reported on the progress of her
organization in its first year of operation.
Among impressive statistics, she noted the completion of a new 2500
square foot pantry building on their campus which provides food for an average
of 2300 families each month.
Approximately 1800 individuals and families were sheltered at SwitchPoint
in the past twelve months and plans are in the works for more emergency and
transitional housing.
Currently there are 18 dorm-room style accommodations available
for overnight or longer stays for up to 130 individuals. These accommodations include bunk beds and
cots, a shower, and laundry services.
SwitchPoint also offers classes (GED, food handlers, etc) and 13
wraparound services each week on a regular schedule. 
Hollowell and her husband Bob recently returned from a cross
country (San Francisco to Virginia) bike ride where they visited 19 of 23
shelters they had on their itinerary (“four we had planned to visit had closed
their doors due to lack of funding” she noted).
“Like us, everyone of the shelters are struggling in two areas –long
term funding and lack of affordable housing – especially for those with mental
health issues,” said the Director. At
the end of the Hollowell’s ride, they met with U. S. Senator Mike Lee (“a
champion for thinking outside the box”) who commended Switchpoint as a model
for other communities across the country in dealing with issues relating to
mental illness and homelessness, including a growing number of children in the Washington
County School District categorized as homeless. “Lack of education is the
biggest contributor to poverty,” states Hollowell.
How can SGR help?
Switchpoint needs “more of everything … more funding, more volunteers
who can teach computer classes, serve meals, provide counsel and write grants.” For more information, contact Hollowell at
435-627-4663 or by email to info@switchpointcrc.org.
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