The Food and Care Coalition broke ground on a new project that will help address the need for affordable housing for Utah County’s homeless.
The Candlelight Villas project will include 72 new permanent supportive housing units as well as a new doTERRA service center as a place where community members can participate in community service opportunities.
“This project addresses a huge gap in our community,” said Brent Crane, executive director of Food & Care Coalition. “We are in the midst of an affordability crisis and currently there are no shelters in Utah County. This is an issue that will take all of us to address and we are grateful for the support of doTERRA and other contributors including VanCon, HomeAid, Edge Homes, Provo City and Utah County that are willing to work together to make a difference.”
Candlelight Villas will be built as a pocket neighborhood to model the community environment that clients will transition to. The neighborhood will be built around important support services including education, medical, dental, mental health services and employment opportunities. In addition to the new housing units and doTERRA community support center, plans include patio and barbecue areas, garden boxes, and welcoming outdoor spaces.
“Self-reliance is one of the seven areas of impact that form the foundation of doTERRA’s philanthropic work,” said Missy Larsen, vice president of philanthropy and community impact. “We are grateful to partner with organizations like the Food & Care Coalition, that provide skills training and education opportunities that help set up individuals for health and success. We are most excited to serve hand-in-hand with those living onsite and in our greater community.”
In regards to the doTERRA service center, Crane noted, “I think many of the problems our clients face stem from a lack of connection. The doTERRA service center will be a space where people can participate in service opportunities, educational opportunities and self-improvement initiatives while connecting one-on-one with others. It represents the restoring of those connections and provides opportunities to serve, which offers the best measure of self-worth.”
