Ogden drop-in shelter for teens has funding frozen.

OGDEN — As the Trump administration cuts federal funding to multiple programs and agencies, a Utah couple deals with the possibility that their 10-year-old nonprofit could take a big hit.

Kristen Mitchell and husband Scott Cattucio co-founded Youth Futures in 2011, aiming to help runaway and homeless teens access temporary shelter and support.

In 2014, the couple worked with state lawmakers to successfully modify Utah’s “harboring a minor” statute to allow licensing of such facilities. 

In February 2015, Youth Futures opened Utah’s first drop-in shelter for teens ages 12 to 17 in Ogden, and a decade later there are still only two such licensed providers in the state.

Volunteers of America in SLC holds the other license, Mitchell said, serving teens and young adults ages 15 to 22. 

Youth  Futures by the numbers:

• 4 programs statewide
• 53 shelter beds total
• 38 days average length of shelter stay
• 60 to 80 teens served daily across all programs
• 100 to 150 volunteers
• 60 paid employees
• $4-plus million budget, 60 percent from state or federal contracts

According to their most recent 990 tax document on Guidestar (for 2023), only Kristen Mitchell and Scott Catuccio drew consistent pay: Mitchell (listed as executive director and vice-president) received $80,749 in wages plus $10,303 in additional compensation for a total of $91,052. Catuccio (listed as president) was paid $68,924 in wages plus $11,468 in other compensation for a total of $80,392. Other salaries and wages totaled $1,237,878.

When I say “consistent” pay, it means they were the top two wage earners in the nonprofit, with Mitchell reporting an average of 65 hours per week and Catuccio 50. The “other salaries and wages” were not itemized.

Port in the storm

“We have outreach, drop-in, shelter and aftercare,” Mitchell said of the services Youth Futures provides. “Our kids change every day.”

At age 16, Vee (full name withheld) traveled from Georgia to Utah by Amtrak in early 2024, her future in question. 

Wearing a thin jacket and Crocs, Vee arrived in Salt Lake City where the snow came up to her knees. 

She planned to live with her mom and two younger siblings in Ogden, but circumstances sunk them into homelessness. 

Youth Futures helped Vee get into school, and provided basic resources (snacks, food boxes and laundry facilities) that made a difference. With assistance, the family found housing and Youth Futures helped Vee apply for jobs and find work.

Vee stayed a year in her first gig at Burger King, then moved on to work as a Certified Nursing Assistant and also in a daycare. 

“I really enjoy my CNA job and I love patients. That’s where my heart is at,” Vee said.

This March, Vee moved into the Youth Futures shelter near downtown Ogden, and in May she graduated from high school.

By midsummer, she plans to move back to Georgia to attend a technology college and earn a nursing certificate — with the eventual goal of becoming a registered nurse.

Vee credits Youth Futures for giving her a foundation that allowed her to thrive.

“When I first got out here I couldn’t regulate my feelings — I was really bad at that,” Vee said. “Speaking to the counselor and therapy staff really helped a lot.”

That hands-on care made a world of difference to a teen in turmoil.

Nonprofit in turmoil

Now, the organization that helps teens through tough times faces its own turmoil as government grants and contracts no longer remain certain.

MItchell said Youth Futures currently has six federal contracts. Their FEMA funding had already been frozen. 

Each October, Youth Futures receives $750,000 in federal “RHYA” funding under the longstanding Runaway and Homeless Youth Act. But Mitchell said that resource is now also in question. 

”Until we hear, we just really don’t know. Normally we would have heard by now,” Mitchell said.

What’s at stake

While Youth Futures benefits from donations of all kinds, government funding fuels the staff that keeps their four locations running seven days a week, 24 hours a day.

Those sites provide drop in/shelter services for teens ages 12 to 17 in Ogden, St. George and Cedar City, along with a transitional living program in Cedar City that houses young adults up to age 22.

Who keeps things running?

Shelter monitors track data and take care of the resident environment, while youth engagement specialists serve as mentors who oversee group sessions, teach classes and interact with teens. Their policy is to keep one of each on shift at all times at every location.

“Then we have a case manager and a house manager, along with an outreach person dedicated to each shelter,” Mitchell said. 

Other paid employees oversee finances, fundraising and facility maintenance. And finally there’s Mitchell and her administrative assistant.

“This is where it becomes really challenging,” Mitchell said. “I don’t want to disrupt services if I don’t have to. Under RHYA, we’re required to be open 24/7 and available.”

Tiffany Garza graduated from Weber State University with a Psychology degree in spring 2024, and was hired on as a youth engagement specialist, then later became a case manager. 

Next to Garza’s desk sits a cozy chair where teens settle in as they talk through challenges with Garza. 

Now 23, Garza sees no downside to her role at Youth Futures: “Working with the kids, getting to know them, helping them access resources and then take the next step that they need — it’s my favorite.”

Feature Image: Youth Futures helps runaway and homeless teens access shelter and support. Photos courtesy of Youth Futures.