If you understand Group Andrus, you understand we’re all about displaying up with coronary heart and power. That’s why our household is so dedicated to the Utah athletic scene, from becoming a member of the RSL possession group to investing within the Olympics — we love the lifeblood Utah sports activities pump into our communities. It’s about greater than the sport — it’s in regards to the probability to face shoulder to shoulder with neighbors from throughout the state and cheer, hope and belong collectively. And Utah’s second within the nationwide and world highlight is simply rising with league expansions and the return of the Winter Olympics.
Utah has confirmed again and again that it may shine on the nationwide stage. However what makes us really stand out isn’t simply the highlight — it’s what occurs behind the scenes, the place innovation meets group and investments are made within the individuals who will carry this state into the longer term.
That’s why we’re thrilled that out of numerous worthy causes, the PGA TOUR Financial institution of Utah Championship selected to focus on The Coverage Mission and Teen Facilities because the official charitable beneficiary and group impression program of the Championship. For us, it’s proof that Utah’s values of innovation, group and investing in youth are gaining nationwide consideration.
In response to rising pupil homelessness and boundaries to training, we partnered with The Coverage Mission, the Utah Legislature and a dozen Utah philanthropic households in 2023 to make a landmark funding in Teen Centers. These are protected, welcoming school-based hubs the place college students can entry meals, clothes, hygiene provides, laundry and supportive companies. By the tip of 2025, there will probably be 85 Teen Facilities throughout the state, serving greater than 84,000 college students every year.
Teen Facilities won’t make the nightly sports activities highlights, however for college kids, they’re sport changers. For college kids experiencing hardship, a Teen Heart can imply the distinction between disengagement and alternative. And that transforms futures.
One pupil in Utah County requested to make use of the Teen Heart’s laundry amenities to clean his work uniform. With no washer at house, he had been spending the equal of six hours of wages a month at a laundromat and was even dealing with write-ups at work for a grimy uniform. With entry to the washer and dryer, every part modified — not simply his uniform. The monetary pressure eased, his confidence grew and his entire angle towards college reworked. What may appear like a small comfort to us has been life altering for him.
What started as a pilot has rapidly change into a statewide effort, due to visionary leaders and legislators who understood the long-term impression of those facilities. Teen Facilities exist at present as a result of Utah leaders believed within the concept, funded it boldly and partnered with communities to make it actual. They noticed it for what it’s: a robust, revolutionary answer that addresses rapid wants whereas setting college students up for future success.
That’s additionally what the PGA TOUR acknowledged in selecting a trigger to highlight. They noticed a mannequin that solves actual issues in a sustainable, human means. They noticed a state that makes use of its assets and partnerships to make sure no pupil is left behind. By highlighting Teen Facilities on a nationwide stage, they’re displaying the nation what innovation in training and group help seems to be like.
For us as donors, this alignment between Utah’s values and the PGA recognition is precisely why we’re proud to speculate right here. We consider within the Utah means — massive concepts paired with sensible options rooted in group. Teen Facilities embody these values.
Utah is in the course of a surge of nationwide consideration. These moments carry eyes to our state, however what really makes Utah distinctive is our skill to take that power and channel it into one thing that lasts. Teen Facilities don’t simply serve college students at present; they construct the muse for Utah’s future workforce, leaders and innovators.
That’s why we’re becoming a member of forces with companions just like the PGA TOUR Financial institution of Utah Championship. They acknowledge that Utah’s mannequin is one price sharing nationwide. Most significantly, they acknowledge what we do: the way forward for Utah is in our youngsters, and one of the best funding we will make is in them.
