Project 2016-2017

Approximately 100 students at East High School are currently homeless. As minors, they are not able to access many of the services that are available to homeless adults in our community. The principal observed that most of these students attend school and are working on their education, but are often ostracized by other students, in large part because of their hygiene.

Chapman-Richards Cares is proud to have partnered with East High School and the Salt Lake School District to provide showers and laundry facilities for these students. We have provided a safe environment for homeless students to shower and do their laundry during school hours.

Completed in early 2017, the facility features men’s and women’s washrooms, each with a private shower, restroom, towels and washcloths, washer and dryer, and folding tables.

The East High School PTA has collected donations of gently used clothing and shoes, new socks and underwear, as well as food, to be able to offer the students as needed. Grants have been given to provide soap and laundry detergent.

A few of our Chapman-Richards Cares Committee members have organized volunteer groups to donate clothing and food, organize and stock The Leopard Boutique (clothing) and The Leopard Stash (food pantry).

Chapman-Richards Cares has been honored to be part of this amazing project that aligns so perfectly with our mission statement. The hope is that by making it possible for students who are experiencing homelessness to be able to feel more confident in their own school, they will be able to perform better in classes, enabling them to gain the skills necessary to transition into successful adults.

● Chapman-Richards Cares is a Corporate Advised Fund under the Community Foundation of Utah ●