Help the Stephen Wade Auto Center work to help homeless and at-risk youth in Southern Utah
Stephen Wade Auto Center is supporting four organizations that work to help homeless and at-risk youth in Southern Utah through the holiday season. The dealership has set a goal to donate a total of $50,000 to Switchpoint, Youth Futures, the Washington County School District, and the Washington County Children’s Justice Center.
Customers who purchase a vehicle from any local Stephen Wade dealership during December will have a portion of their purchase go towards supporting these organizations. Marketing Director Herb Anderson said, "Our children are the future of our community...When you buy from Stephen Wade, you’re giving back to kids that need help right here in St. George.” Nearly 600 Washington County students are currently experiencing homelessness, and many more are living below the poverty line.
Switchpoint helps families in poverty by providing them with a comprehensive plan to achieve self-sufficiency. The organization runs an emergency shelter, food pantry, soup kitchen, and 24/7 child care facility in St. George, as well as making referrals for affordable housing and other services.
Youth Futures offers shelter, guidance, and resources to at-risk youth ages 12-18 and provides drop-in services such as food, clothing, hygiene items, laundry facilities, computer stations, and case management.
The Washington County School District Foundation funds initiatives to improve the quality of education for students in the area. The Counselor’s Closet program, available in every school, collects items that at-risk youth may be lacking at home and provides them to counselors to distribute as needed.
The Washington County Children’s Justice Center helps children and families who have experienced abuse or other crimes by providing interviews, victim advocacy, medical care, and trauma-focused mental health care.
Stephen Wade Auto Center is also collecting essential items for at-risk kids and families through its annual Wish Trees fundraising drive. The four organizations they are supporting rely on donations from the community to provide items such as sleeping bags, jackets, gloves, socks, snacks, cleaning supplies, hygiene products, and gift cards.
Wish Trees with tags detailing specific items needed by each organization can be found inside every Stephen Wade dealership on Auto Mall Drive, and donations will be accepted through December 20th. All donated items will be distributed during the Holiday Season.
