American Fever Dream - Episode Summary: Jillian Olmsted On Serving The Homeless Population, NIMBYism, And Running The In Between

Release Date: March 27, 2025
Host: V. Spehar and Sami Sage
Guest: Jillian Olmsted, Executive Director of The In Between

Introduction to Jillian Olmsted and The In Between

In this poignant episode of American Fever Dream, host V. Spehar welcomes Jillian Olmsted, the Executive Director of The In Between, a groundbreaking facility in Salt Lake City, Utah. Spehar introduces Jillian by highlighting her previous appearance on Jared Freid's podcast, Be Interesting, emphasizing the enduring impact of her work on combating homelessness and providing compassionate care.

V. Spehar [01:37]: "Her name is Jillian Olmstead and she's the executive director of this place called the in between, which is in Salt Lake City, Utah. And their mission is to end the tragedy of vulnerable people dying in the streets of Utah by providing medical respite and end of life care to those experiencing homelessness."

Mission and Operations of The In Between

Jillian delves into the origins and mission of The In Between, celebrating its upcoming 10th anniversary. The facility was conceptualized by a local nurse who recognized the lack of hospice care options for the homeless. Since its inception in 2015 with a 16-bed capacity, The In Between has served over 900 individuals, providing medical respite and end-of-life care.

Jillian Olmsted [02:13]: "Even before we opened our doors, this was an idea created or dreamed up by a nurse at a local hospital who was finding it really difficult to treat people... In 2015, we opened our first facility, a 16 bed facility, where we were predominantly providing a place for unsheltered individuals to receive hospice care."

Diverse Clientele and Individual Goals

The conversation shifts to the variety of individuals The In Between serves. Jillian explains that clients range from first-time homeless individuals facing medical crises to chronically homeless persons who have cycled through shelters repeatedly. The facility offers personalized care, aiming to break the cycle of homelessness by providing support and pathways to permanent housing.

Jillian Olmsted [04:15]: "Sometimes we have people coming in and it's their first time experiencing homelessness... For those that are chronically homeless... we have to work a little bit harder to help them bring those walls down."

Heartwarming Stories: Weddings and Dignified Passings

Jillian shares touching stories that highlight the human side of The In Between. Notably, the facility hosted two weddings, illustrating the sense of community and belonging it fosters. She also recounts the story of Ernie, a resident who chose to pass away on his own terms, reflecting the facility's commitment to respecting individual wishes.

Jillian Olmsted [06:07]: "We actually had two people, two weddings that got married at the in between... And once he became close to passing, he asked us to help arrange hospice care from a tent in southern Utah so that he could pass away living on the land in the same way he chose to do when he was a teenager."

Overcoming NIMBYism and Building Community Support

Addressing the challenges of NIMBYism (Not In My Backyard), Jillian describes initial resistance from the neighborhood upon The In Between's establishment. However, through consistent positive interactions and demonstrating the facility's benefits, community support has grown, even contributing to increased local property values.

Jillian Olmsted [10:10]: "A few neighbors come and get us because one of our residents had maybe fallen down or injured themselves... Many neighbors bring us cookies during the holidays or their kids will make us cards."

The "No One Dies Alone" Program and Volunteerism

A significant segment of the episode focuses on The In Between's participation in the No One Dies Alone program. Jillian explains how trained volunteers provide companionship and support to residents in their final moments, ensuring dignity and reducing isolation.

Jillian Olmsted [12:52]: "Those volunteers can just watch for those signs. I don't know what we would do without them because there's never enough staff to support all of the residents that we serve."

Funding Challenges and Sustainability

The discussion turns to the financial aspects of running The In Between. Currently reliant on grant writing and private donations, Jillian expresses concern over potential Medicaid funding cuts, which could significantly impact the facility's sustainability. She emphasizes the importance of financial contributions and community support to continue their essential services.

Jillian Olmsted [22:16]: "We're privately fundraising about $2.5 million with very little of it being government funding."

Expanding Impact and Future Goals

Looking ahead, Jillian outlines plans to expand The In Between's capacity from 63 to 80 beds, thanks to recent legislative support. She also highlights the unique model of integrating hospice care within a medical respite setting, allowing for flexible and comprehensive care tailored to individual needs.

Jillian Olmsted [23:28]: "What makes us us really unique is that we became a licensed assisted living facility which allows us to give a higher level of care... we figured out how to incorporate hospice care in a medical respite setting."

Opportunities for Listener Support

In the final segments, Jillian offers listeners multiple avenues to support The In Between, including financial donations, volunteering, and spreading awareness. She encourages community members to contribute essentials like groceries and participate in volunteer programs to bolster the facility's operations.

Jillian Olmsted [35:43]: "You can sign up to volunteer on our website. You can also look at our wish list... throw a couple extra groceries in your cart and bring it over to the in between."

Closing Reflections

Host Jared Freid and V. Spehar express their admiration for Jillian's unwavering dedication and the profound impact of The In Between. They underscore the importance of compassionate care in addressing homelessness and encourage listeners to engage with and support such initiatives.

Jared Freid [38:21]: "I'm just wishing you all the best of luck with this new, bigger facility. I'm so proud of you."

Key Takeaways

• The In Between serves as both a medical respite and hospice care facility for the homeless in Salt Lake City, aiming to prevent deaths on the streets and support individuals in overcoming homelessness.
• The facility has successfully served over 900 individuals, with a significant number transitioning to permanent supportive housing.
• Overcoming NIMBYism has been crucial, with community support growing through positive interactions and demonstrated benefits.
• Volunteer programs like No One Dies Alone play a vital role in providing compassionate end-of-life care.
• Funding remains a critical challenge, with reliance on private donations and grants amidst potential threats to Medicaid funding.
• Expansion plans are underway to increase the facility's capacity, enhancing their ability to serve more individuals in need.
• Listeners are encouraged to support The In Between through donations, volunteering, and spreading awareness.

Resources Mentioned:

• The In Between: TheInBetween.org
• End Well Organization: EndWell.org

For further information and to support The In Between, visit their website at TheInBetween.org.