Uploaded September 2025 | Updated September 2026, 8 hours ago
In August 2025, our Summer Forum series featured a discussion one of the most urgent and complex challenges facing our community: homelessness.
Our guest speakers were:
Preston Cochrane, CEO of The Other Side Village, a transformative therapeutic community creating deeply affordable housing and long-term support for people experiencing chronic homelessness.
Andrew Johnston, Director of Homeless Policy and Outreach for Salt Lake City and advisor to Mayor Erin Mendenhall, who shared insights on housing policy, systemic issues, and the broader landscape of homelessness across Utah and the nation.
Together, they explored:
- The roots and realities of chronic homelessness
- Stories of transformation and hope from The Other Side Village
- The role of community, accountability, and dignity in building lasting change
- How housing costs, public policy, and prevention strategies shape homelessness statewide and nationwide
This program shines a light on both the human stories behind homelessness and the bold solutions being built right here in Utah.
Recorded on August 10, 2025, as part of the annual Summer Forum series at the First Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City. Special thanks to moderators Tim Chambless and Steve Grizzell for hosting this installment of Summer Forum.
00:00 Introduction
00:24 Welcome – Tim Chambless
01:02 Chalice Lighting – Don Walton
02:07 Introduction of Guest Speakers – Tim Chambless & Steve Grizzell
06:15 Presentation, Part 1 – Preston Cochrane, CEO of The Other Side Village
30:54 Presentation, Part 2 – Andrew Johnston, Director of Homeless Policy and Outreach, Salt Lake City
49:18 Q & A with Andrew Johnston & Preston Cochrane
1:27:25 Wrap-up & Announcements – Tim Chambless
1:28:05 End Credits
🔗 Learn more about The Other Side Village: theothersidevillage.com
🌎 First Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City
→ Website: slcuu.org
→ Facebook: facebook.com/firstuuslc
→ YouTube: youtube.com/FirstUUSLC
🙏 Summer Forum and the other programs at First Unitarian Church are supported entirely by the financial contributions of members and friends like you.
→ Donate here: slcuu.org/give
🎬 Related video topics from First Unitarian Church
→ More Summer Forum presentations: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLouELW-J6FZYtna6Mor0EyGIWIA2yn1Fu
→ Poverty, Income Inequality, Social Class: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLouELW-J6FZbybJiTK_aLi72yufLI6c_I
In August 2025, our Summer Forum series featured a discussion one of the most urgent and complex challenges facing our community: homelessness.
Our guest speakers were:
Preston Cochrane, CEO of The Other Side Village, a transformative therapeutic community creating deeply affordable housing and long-term support for people experiencing chronic homelessness.
Andrew Johnston, Director of Homeless Policy and Outreach for Salt Lake City and advisor to Mayor Erin Mendenhall, who shared insights on housing policy, systemic issues, and the broader landscape of homelessness across Utah and the nation.
Together, they explored:
- The roots and realities of chronic homelessness
- Stories of transformation and hope from The Other Side Village
- The role of community, accountability, and dignity in building lasting change
- How housing costs, public policy, and prevention strategies shape homelessness statewide and nationwide
This program shines a light on both the human stories behind homelessness and the bold solutions being built right here in Utah.
Recorded on August 10, 2025, as part of the annual Summer Forum series at the First Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City. Special thanks to moderators Tim Chambless and Steve Grizzell for hosting this installment of Summer Forum.
00:00 Introduction
00:24 Welcome – Tim Chambless
01:02 Chalice Lighting – Don Walton
02:07 Introduction of Guest Speakers – Tim Chambless & Steve Grizzell
06:15 Presentation, Part 1 – Preston Cochrane, CEO of The Other Side Village
30:54 Presentation, Part 2 – Andrew Johnston, Director of Homeless Policy and Outreach, Salt Lake City
49:18 Q & A with Andrew Johnston & Preston Cochrane
1:27:25 Wrap-up & Announcements – Tim Chambless
1:28:05 End Credits
🔗 Learn more about The Other Side Village: theothersidevillage.com
🌎 First Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City
→ Website: slcuu.org
→ Facebook: facebook.com/firstuuslc
→ YouTube: youtube.com/FirstUUSLC
🙏 Summer Forum and the other programs at First Unitarian Church are supported entirely by the financial contributions of members and friends like you.
→ Donate here: slcuu.org/give
🎬 Related video topics from First Unitarian Church
→ More Summer Forum presentations: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLouELW-J6FZYtna6Mor0EyGIWIA2yn1Fu
→ Poverty, Income Inequality, Social Class: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLouELW-J6FZbybJiTK_aLi72yufLI6c_I
