The Road Home

Originally established as the Traveler’s Aid Society in 1923, The Road Home changed its name in 2001 to better reflect our mission of helping people step out of homelessness and back into our community. The Road Home is a private, non-­profit social service agency that assists individuals and families with children experiencing homelessness in Salt Lake County and along the Wasatch Front. We offer programs and services such as: emergency shelter, case management, emergency services like ID and birth certificates, and housing programs aimed at helping individuals and families with children to re-enter housing in our community. These programs and services are critical to helping people get back on their feet after a period of homelessness.

One great success we have seen is Joseph's family. Joseph is the third generation of his family to experience chronic homelessness. At age 11, he had been homeless multiple times. When he was 8, Joseph and his family moved to Palmer Court. Going to school was a difficult thing. Joseph had many learning disabilities and behavioral issues, and although he was receiving intensive services through the school district, school was not his favorite pastime.

During the first year of living at Palmer Court, Candace, Joseph’s mother, made a commitment to get her children to school every day and to give them the support they needed, which she wished she had had as a child. Candace followed through with that commitment and was an active participant in her children’s education. The next year, Joseph was able to “step down” to a lower level of intensive services at school.

Now, the family has moved out of Palmer Court and is living happily in their new home. Candace came back to visit Palmer Court and reported that Joseph loves his new school and that his teacher is impressed with how much he assists the other students. He is the last one to eat lunch because he helps out the other children and teachers. He is a role model for his younger siblings and is excited to attend school.