Maud & Ballington Booth founded Volunteers of America in 1896. Primarily because of the initiative of the Denver "post" the Utah affiliate was created in 1907. The services included a free medical dispensary and an inexpensive hotel for the needy. By the end of the 1920s our services had begun to expand. These services included a free employment agency, a thrift store, a convalescent camp, and an emergency shelter. However, during the 1929 Wall Street crash and during the years of the Great Depression the program closed in Utah.

In 1986 the Utah affiliate was re-established as a locally operated 501(c)3 nonprofit. Our services began with opening the Salt Lake City detoxification center. Since 1989, Volunteers of America, Utah has continued to grow our services and programs. These services now include programs in areas such as homelessness, substance abuse, addiction, mental health, domestic violence, and other critical service gaps in our community.

The name Volunteers of America was selected when the organization was originally founded in 1896. It signified that the organization was comprised of people voluntarily choosing to help others. In those days, a volunteer was anyone who was committed to a mission or cause. Since its earliest days, when Volunteers of America brought food, medicine and comfort to people not served by other charities, volunteering has been instrumental in every aspect of the organization's ministry of service.

Our three pillars of care include homelessness, mental illness, and addiction. Find out where to get support.

Meet our Board of Directors.

Meet our executive team and program directors.

Get the latest updates about our work and check out our Annual Reports here.

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