Letter from the Director

As 2021 begins, there is so much of 2020 to reflect upon. This issue of Community Voices is important because it documents the actions, thoughts, and reflections if our many partners as we responded to events of this past year. The coronavirus ravaged the west side community in so many ways. For numerous years, our communities have been calling for more access to healthcare. The coronavirus exposed the resulting health disparities that have led to higher rates of death. Housing and employment disparities have led to higher rates of infection. In addition, many in our nation have woken up to the realities of structural, implicit, and explicit racism. There were several institutions, organizations, and individuals who reached out to UNP staff wanting advice on how to reach community members. I think it was a bit of a wakeup call for institutional leaders that they needed to build relationships and, because of its depth of relationships and community connections, UNP was in a good position to help other institutions respond to the needs of our community during this unprecedented time. All the while, we continued our partnership work toward our vision and mission.

As you read this edition of Community Voices, you will see how our community came together. You will learn how Partners in the Park became Partners in the Park(ing) Lot; educators became creative, agile, flexible, and successful; researchers sought to have an even greater positive impact on equity, inclusion, and anti-racism; government partners leaned on UNP to connect them to the community; and we worked to be resilient and positive, even in the most difficult of circumstances.

Additionally, UNP received a prestigious recognition as the winner of the national C. Peter Magrath Community Engagement Award. This award recognizes the nearly 20 years of meaningful, authentic, reciprocal learning, and action of UNP and its partners. It took the vision and support of three believing and supportive leaders. Congratulations to Irene Fisher, Rosemarie Hunter, and Sarah Munro who laid the groundwork for something amazing to happen on the west side of SLC. And, congratulations to Farah Ali, Abdulkhaliq Barbaar, Amanda Finlayson, Paul Kuttner, Jarred Martinez, Abdullah Mberwa, Teresa Molina, Jasmine Montoya, Jewel Morgan, Bruce Neumann, Julianne Rabb, Rosalia Rosas, Lenn Rodriguez, Saolo Betham, and Almaida Yanagui, as well as our community and University partners and many others for making this vision a reality.

This has been a tremendously difficult year for all of us. Yet, we still find spaces (especially Zoom) to build community and deepen relationships. Please take this opportunity to read about these great things that have happened within our partnerships and with our partners over this past year.