
Volunteers of America Utah opened Ballington House, a 16-bed residential facility for men 18 years and older with a serious mental illness diagnosis and homelessness or at imminent risk of homelessness, in Salt Lake City on Oct. 22.
Ballington House has been designed to provide wrap-around services both onsite and in the community, integrating mental health and substance abuse treatment approaches with the goal of successful reentry and reduction in recidivism as well as homelessness, according to Volunteers of America Utah.

“Not only do we care about everyone in our county, we’re doing the work. ... (The) Ballington House team will provide whole-person services in a space that promotes stability, healing and hope,” Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson said.
The Volunteers of America Utah overview page breaks down the objectives of Ballington House.
1. Empower clients, fostering their autonomy and active participation in their recovery journey.
2. Promote abstinence from substance abuse, emphasizing a drug-free lifestyle.
3. Focus on improving positive emotional functioning, recognizing the crucial role emotions play in overall well-being.
4. Establish accountability through a modified therapeutic community model, where mutual support and collective responsibility drive personal change.

Ballington House does not accept walk-ins or drop-offs, according to Volunteers of America Utah. Clients are referred through a VOA Utah program or another partner program.
The duration of services ranges from four to six months but ultimately depends on the consumer’s response to their treatment and discharge plan, according to Volunteers of America Utah.
