Social Work faculty, Drs. Jayme Walters and Jess Lucero, alongside USU alumna Nicole Burnard (BSW ’22, MSW ’23), designed, fielded, and analyzed a community-based study on public attitudes toward developing a warming center to address emergency shelter gaps in the Bear River Region. The assessment data informed the planning of the William A. Burnard (WAB) Warming Center, which officially opened in December 2022.
Key highlights include:
- Burnard’s early leadership grew from a personal connection to homelessness and evolved into writing a successful $10,000 seed-funding grant for the warming center concept.
- Supported by USU’s Transforming Communities Institute and the Department of Social Work, the team conducted a countywide survey showing more positive public attitudes toward emergency shelter compared to 2017.
- Results guided conversations with elected officials, planners, service providers, and residents, contributing to the partnership with St. John’s Episcopal Church to host the center.
- WAB Warming Center has sheltered more than 100 individuals in its first season and continues to grow with strong community support. Starting its fourth season in December 2025, the center has served 400 people over the last three winters.
- The Cache Valley community has donated thousands of dollars in money and goods, along with serving more than 20,000 hours.