Volunteers of America, Utah

Program Overview and Background

Volunteers of America is a national nonprofit organization with 31 affiliates across the United States that provide social services to address the most significant needs within their unique communities. Volunteers of America, Utah serves individuals experiencing substance use disorders, mental health concerns, domestic violence, and homelessness in Salt Lake County.

Part of VOAUT’s continuum of care is its Prevention Services, which implements evidence-based substance use prevention programming for youth and families.

In 2018, the Amplified Mentoring Program was created to expand Prevention Services’ long-standing group mentoring program and to provided one-to-one mentoring opportunities for youth impacted by opioid misuse and other drug use.

Program Services

The Amplified Mentoring (AMP) provides group and one-to-one mentoring opportunities for youth in Salt Lake County. Group mentoring programs are provided in partnership with local schools and community centers. Youth participate in 10 to 12 workshops with an AMP professional mentor to learn skills for managing difficult feelings, creating healthy friendships and refusing negative peer pressure.

After completing the group mentoring program, eligible youth can be matched with a trained volunteer mentor. Youth meet with their one-to-one mentor 6 to 8 hours a month for 9 months with ongoing support from AMP professional staff. This is a community-based mentorship. Mentoring activities can include talking, hiking, going to a movie, learning a new skill, working on personal goals, and more.

Target Population

AMP serves youth ages 10 to 17 with increased risk factors for substance use. These risk factors include high transitions and mobility, family conflict, substance abuse in the family, low commitment to school and academic failure, interaction with antisocial peers, antisocial attitudes and/or behaviors, and a history of substance use.