Systemic Change Through Partnership

UNP Hartland Bridge Clinic and the College of Social Work: Strengthening Partnerships and Increasing Opportunities

Julianne Raab, UNP staff

Since the early years, UNP and the University of Utah’s College of Social Work have effectively focused on community capacity building through the connection of students, faculty, community leaders, residents, and organizations. Over the years, the College of Social Work has placed and supported over 50 students with UNP.

Upon opening in 2004, UNP Hartland quickly became a coveted student internship placement, offering an engaging, diverse, and meaningful experience for future social workers… meeting the community right where they’re at.

The partnership continues to create a space for students to practice in a culturally diverse setting, learning alongside community members, and gaining competencies in a field that is becoming increasingly diverse.

In 2014, one year after the Bridge Clinic began providing additional clinical support and increased the number of internship opportunities, the College of Social Work awarded UNP Hartland the “Practicum Field Agency of the Year.” This is a fine example of reciprocal learning, action and benefit… together as partners, we have created an important bridge between the University and Community. We plan to continue providing meaningful student experiences to send forth waves of culturally competent, confident social workers. Transformative Opportunities Through UNP Staff Positions

A recent UNP Hartland Master of Social Work (MSW) student detailed her experience in the following words:

“In the beginning I was feeling empty; I didn’t know how to fit it and was unsure of my skills. I now have a lot of confidence; I feel like I have more value as a social worker. I know how to navigate the system and accept that the work is difficult and slow. And I love working with the community.”

Julianne is the Clinical Director at the UNP Hartland Partnership Center.

From Participant to Supervisor

Japhet Sengiyumva, UNP staff

My family is originally from Burundi, where my younger brother and I were born, but because of the Hutu and Tutsi war we had to move. We moved to Tanzania were we lived happy as a family and I got two more siblings, my sisters. We lived there for a few years, then we came to the United States when I was 10, about to turn 11. I started coming to the UNP when I was thirteen or fourteen.

At first I participated in the programs at Hartland. Whether it was art, homework, drumming, or dancing. I loved all the programs but my favorite was drumming because it reminded me of where I’m from and it just got my heart pounding.

In high school, my favorite subjects were math, physical education (P.E), science, and LDS Seminary.

I graduated last spring from East high school but instead of saying goodbye to Hartland, I was invited to say hello to a job at the Hartland youth center. My duties include writing the schedule, setting up the Kids Café, helping with homework, and most of all helping the kids learn good behavior. But my favorite part is watching how they can sometimes control themselves and work with each other.

When I am not working at Hartland, I’m a student at Salt Lake Community College. I haven’t decided on a major yet, but I’m looking into becoming a school teacher.

Hartland has been a big part of my life since coming to America. First it was a place to go and have fun and make more friends after 

school, and now it’s my parttime job.

Japhet is the Youth Center Assistant Coordinator at the UNP Hartland Partnership Center.

Hartland Community 4 Youth & Families

Teresa Molina, Associate Director, UNP

In 2005, “Juan” Gilberto Rejón Magaña was a resident who joined the UNP Hartland Resident Committee. He represented the Latino community living in the 300- unit apartment complex where the UNP Hartland Partnership Center was located at the time.

Juan worked intensively to integrate all residents, including recently-arriving immigrants and families of refugee background, at Hartland. As a song composer, Juan wrote the Hartland song in 2007, which became a touchstone for residents to identify with the Hartland community. Juan became a spokesperson to include all Hartland representative national flags of origin in the new UNP Hartland Partnership Center mural, which brought a sense of belonging to all communities, who now say “Hartland is our center.”

Juan also sensed a need for recreational activities for youth. He applied all his efforts to create the Hartland Youth Soccer Club that started practicing at the Mountain View elementary school field in 2010.

By 2013, these partnership efforts led to giving voice to the community in a more structured form, so that the “legacy of Juan” can have a sustainable future for generations to come. As a result, the Hartland Community 4 Youth & Families (HC4YF) nonprofit organization was created, which currently coordinates the Hartland Soccer Club with six teams and over 150 youth participants plus many other programs, including: Hartland Community Adopta- Trail, Hartland Reading and Story Telling, Hartland Community Rewards for Awards, Parents in Action, and the Jordan River Community Initiative.

Youth now have the opportunity to be socially responsible, have self-discipline and respect for nature and others at little or no-cost. Thank you Juan for your inspiration.

Teresa serves on the board of Hartland Community 4 Youth & Families.

Latino Behavioral Health Services (LBHS)

Patricia Riano with Teresa Molina, Associate Director, UNP

In 2011, UNP began working with NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Health) Utah, and Westside Leadership Institute graduates in an effort to respond to the Latino community’s mental health and substance use needs by strengthening individual and family peer to peer support systems. As a result of this partnership work, a new nonprofit organization was born in December 2013.

Below is an introduction to Latino Behavioral Health Services in Spanish:

Latino Behavioral Health Services (LBHS) es una organización no lucrativa, cuyo propósito fundamental es lograr que la población latina y otras comunidades diversas de Utah se concienticen acerca de la enfermedad mental y sus efectos, a través de apoyo, educación, empoderamiento y recuperación; queremos que la vergüenza y el miedo a pedir ayuda se pierdan y nuestra comunidad aumente su calidad de vida para no perder su dignidad.

Ofrecemos programas de salud mental, trastorno de abuso de sustancias, inclusión de jóvenes, y prevención al suicidio, manejados por pares. Creemos que la recuperación no solamente es individual, sino también de la familia y de la comunidad.

Colaboramos con otras organizaciones incluyendo procesos de investigación con las Universidades, ofreciéndoles una vinculación directa con la comunidad para desarrollar proyectos de mutuo beneficio. Hacemos todo esto en colaboración directa con UNP de la Universidad de Utah, con cuyo apoyo hemos avanzado para desarro llar todas estas colaboraciones.

Patricia and Teresa serve on the board of LBHS.