FARMINGTON—There are 1,300 children in Davis County who are experiencing homelessness, making it difficult to come to school and succeed. The Davis Education Foundation has worked to create teen resource centers that offer those students the help they need to reach their full potential and to give them hope for the future. 

The first center opened at Clearfield High in April 2021. Now with a $1 million joint donation from the Larry H. & Gail Miller Foundation and the Huntsman Foundation there will be five more with plans to construct three more at Syracuse, Bountiful and Viewmont high schools. Gail Miller and the Huntsmans were recognized for their donation at Tuesday night’s school board meeting.

“This is an opportunity to honor amazing people who believe in our children,” said Davis Education Foundation Executive Director Jodi Lunt. “This $1 million will give children hope for a brighter future and level the playing field for things that are out of their control.”

Teen Centers offer students a safe place to study, do laundry, eat and have access to counselors and other resources. Centers at Northridge High, Layton High, Mountain High and the Renaissance Academy opened in the fall. The Woods Cross High teen center is under construction.

“We couldn’t have put five in this year,” Lunt said. “You got us on our way. This money will allow us to complete the other three. Thank you for valuing and investing in children in the Davis School District.”

This is humbling, said Miller. “I can say I know a little bit about poverty. My parents married in 1928 and had their first child in 1929. They had five children during the Depression. We had no money or possessions to speak of. That’s why I want to be involved here with these student efforts.”

What the world needs now is love, she said. “We need to serve each other and do everything in our power to provide a safe and secure place where they can have a fulfilling future. I hope this center is temporary for them, that they can realize their dreams and have success so they can elevate the community and watch out for the next generation.”

“We did the easy part,” said Huntsman. “What an example this is in Davis County. We see it as an investment not a donation. We believe in investing in people early on to give them the tools to succeed and do the best they can.”

It’s so easy for teens to be discouraged, said Miller. “They think, ‘what’s the use? I'm an outcast’ they’re hungry and don’t have a place to sleep. It makes it hard to come to school and fight those battles every day. This gives them a chance to become part of the student body.”

Davis County should be the model for everyone throughout the state, said Huntsman. “They’re doing it right.”

Homelessness is a silent and pervasive problem in Davis County, said Lunt. “They need a place where they can get wrap-around services where they can feel warm and safe to ensure they stay in school.”

Lunt also announced plans for a 16 bed facility in Layton for overnight teen resources. “Everyone leaned in to do what’s right,” she said.

These students are the most vulnerable, said Lunt. “They aren’t children who are in trouble, they just need someone to reach out to them.” λ