WSU Student Named Newman Civic Fellow
OGDEN, Utah - Weber State University student Kristen Mitchell has been honored nationally as a Newman Civic Fellow for her work establishing a youth shelter in Ogden — the first of its kind in Utah.The Newman Civic Fellow Awards honor extraordinary college students who demonstrate a commitment to solving problems in communities across the country. Mitchell is the only student from a Utah university to receive the award this year. Fellows are nominated by college and university presidents who are members of Campus Compact, a national organization committed to fulfilling the public purpose of higher education.
Mitchell, who will graduate this spring in social work, is the founder of Youth Futures, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that opened in February 2015. Youth Futures is dedicated to providing safety, advocacy, guidance and resources to homeless and runaway youth.
Mitchell identified a lack of youth shelters in the Ogden area six years ago, and has been working ever since to open one.
“My commitments toward building a better community have been long-standing,” Mitchell said. “I have always been a civically engaged citizen.” Her own challenging experiences and life as a single mother have made her passionate about helping young people, and given her an understanding of youth from both a parent and adolescent perspective.
In 2011 Mitchell worked on a support hotline for LGBTQ youth and found she lacked the resources to actually improve their situations. She realized that to truly help young people, she needed to create a youth shelter. Mitchell returned to school after a 20-year absence to gain the credentials she needed to fulfill this goal.
By returning to school, Mitchell was able to gain the support and assistance of her professors and fellow classmates in the College of Social & Behavioral Sciences. “I motivated students, faculty and volunteers, as well as community members, foundations and corporations to raise funds, gather donations and spread the word about the new youth shelter,” Mitchell said. Through these efforts, Youth Futures received attention from local news media, and Mitchell raised more than $250,000 in just one semester.Creating this unique shelter also required Mitchell to work closely with the state. She successfully advocated for a legislative change that allows for the housing of homeless youth.
“Youth Futures is the first shelter of its kind in the state of Utah,” said Charles A. Wight, WSU president. “Kristen’s success is the product of personal focus, drive, passion, courage, outstanding leadership and organizational skills.”
Youth Futures is the recipient of WSU’s Alan E. and Jeanne N. Hall Endowment for Community Outreach Grant. The nonprofit is also registered with WSU’s Center for Community Engaged Learning, which will allow service-learning opportunities for future students.
“I am passionate about motivating others to serve their community as a part of becoming a lifelong engaged citizen,” Mitchell said. “I look forward to helping many homeless and disadvantaged youth through my new homeless youth shelter.”
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- Jennifer Perry, College of Social & Behavioral Sciences
801-626-6241 • jenniferperry1@weber.edu
- Contact:
- Kristen Mitchell, College of Social & Behavioral Sciences
801-540-3772 • kristen.mitchell1969@gmail.com
Allison Barlow Hess, director of Public Relations
801-626-7948 • ahess@weber.edu