Interweaving for Deeper Impact
Strategic Priority 1: Deepen the impact of UNP-supported partnerships through a stronger interweaving
of west side neighborhoods, the University of Utah, and influential institutions around
shared questions, priorities, and successful models.
Depth and Sustainability: Identify partnerships and strategies that are effective and have momentum. Focus on deepening that work and creating structures to support partnership sustainability.
Partnership Capacity: Support partners and partnerships in building their capacity to take on roles related to convening, goal setting, assessment, and evaluation.
Horizontal & Vertical Integration: Increase communication, resource sharing, and collaboration horizontally — across partnerships, sectors of the community, and stakeholders — and vertically, across levels of decision-making.
Knowledge Building: Deepen our shared knowledge base through community-engaged research foDeepen focused on the work and priorities of partnerships.
Breathe4Trees: Planting Roots for a Better Future!
By: Freda Sauni and Nancy Drozdek, Cofounders of Breathe 4 Trees
At Breathe 4 Trees, we believe that planting a tree is more than an act of kindness
for the environment, it’s a symbol of growth, hope, and community. Founded with the
mission to combat deforestation and inspire sustainable living. Breathe 4 Trees is
a nonprofit organization that brings people together to plant trees and cultivate
a greener tomorrow.
Our vision goes beyond just planting trees. We aim to create awareness about the critical role trees play in combating climate change, improving air quality and enhancing overall wellbeing. This is not just an environmental movement— it’s about fostering a culture of care and responsibility for our planet and its future generations.
Our Journey So Far: Since our first annual event, we’ve been working to build stronger
connections with our communities, educate individuals about the importance of trees,
and create spaces where people can come together to make a lasting impact. We are
proud of the momentum we’ve built and are inspired by the support of individuals,
families and other organizations who share our vision.
Why it Matters: Trees are essential to life. They provide oxygen, shade, and habitats for wildlife and they stand as a reminder of nature’s resilience. By planting trees, we are not only giving back to the earth but also creating a legacy of care and stewardship.
Our success lies in the hands of our community and there are countless ways to contribute:
- Join us for our tree planting event.
- Volunteer your time or expertise.
- Donate to help us provide resources for sustainable planting projects.
- Spread the word about Breathe 4 Trees and encourage others to participate.
We invite you to stand with us. Together, we can breathe new life into our communities
one tree at a time.
For more information or to get involved contact us or follow us on social media.
Hartland Community 4 Youth & Families
By: Coach Juan, Founder of HC4Y&F and Arturo Canela, UNP Director of Development
It’s a Thursday evening, and the sun is setting on the horizon. The cheerful chatter of children fills the air as they dart across the field, chasing a soccer ball. Suddenly, a whistle pierces the noise, and 30 youth sprint toward its source. Standing at the other end is Coach Juan, a familiar figure of guidance and encour-agement. “Picture time!” he calls out. The children eagerly line up, pose for a quick photo, and gather to hear Coach Juan’s final thoughts before they head home for the evening.
This is a typical day for Coach Juan, the Executive Director of Hartland Community 4 Youth & Fami-lies (HC4YF), where soccer becomes a tool to unify youth, teach them core values about respect, love for one’s community, and an unending desire to thrive and persevere.
Founded on June 15, 2015, HC4YF is a grassroots non-profit organization that is family-driven and community-oriented. Partnering with public, non-profit, and for-profit organizations, HC4YF addresses the needs of Salt Lake County’s underserved and un-derrepresented populations. We sat down with Coach Juan to learn more about his journey, philosophy, and leadership in advocating for the community he serves. Born in the summer of 1960, Coach Juan comes from a small Mayan village on the Yucatán Peninsula. Growing up surrounded by elders and community leaders, he learned the value of collaboration and shared purpose. Prior to inaugurating HC4YF, Coach Juan has been a tireless advocate for youth and fami-lies in Salt Lake City’s west side communities, 20 years before starting his non-profit. His mission is to create inclusive spaces where young people feel a sense of belonging, stay engaged in school, and are inspired to pursue higher edu-cation and lifelong learning.
Coach Juan’s phi-losophy is rooted in cultural awareness and community values. “We serve the underserved, promoting education with responsibility, respect, compassion, and self-discipline through sports,” he explains. “By doing so, we create opportunities and involvement for youth and families.” This approach ensures that HC4YF recognizes and celebrates the diverse cultural backgrounds of the youth it serves. When asked about his personal inspiration, Coach Juan shared, “My journey is not unlike many other immigrants’ journeys. What sets me apart, specifically, are my roots.” He emphasized the communal nature of his upbringing in a traditional indigenous community, where collective effort was a way of life. “In the U.S., community is built through friends, close relatives, and family ties. But in traditional Indigenous commu-nities, the family often constitutes 60 to 80 relatives working together.”
This sense of togetherness drives HC4YF’s mission. While the organization is family-run, its impact ex-tends beyond familial connections to benefit the entire community. Coach Juan recognizes that many im-migrants, including new Americans who often come from war-torn countries, share common aspirations: a better life and opportunities for themselves and their children. “We serve them too because their needs are the same as other members of the community,” he states.
As the sun sets and the children disperse, their laugh-ter lingers in the air—a testament to the lasting impact of Coach Juan’s work. For him, every whistle blown, every practice run, and every life touched is a step toward a brighter, more inclusive future.
Online Case Management Certificate Course
By: Dr. Teresa Molina, MBA, MSW, PHD and Tek Neopany, MSW, CSW, MBA, MA
The Case Management Certificate (CMC) program, a ten-month continuing education initiative, has been transforming lives and building communities since its inception in 2013. A joint effort by University Neighborhood Partners (UNP) and the College of Social Work (CSW), this program was created to address the educational needs of individuals with limited access to higher education, particularly those from refugee and immigrant backgrounds. Designed with inputs from local community-based organizations (CBOs) and resident leaders, the CMC curriculum reflects a commitment to social justice and practical education tailored to the needs of diverse communities.
In 2024, UNP expanded its reach by launching an online Spanish-language version of the CMC program. This innovation has proven to be both feasible and impactful, increasing enrollment while maintaining cost-effectiveness. The 24-25 cohort attracted 120 applicants from countries such as the USA, Uganda, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, and India, with 89 eligible participants embarking on this transformative educational journey. The online format has made the program accessible to a broader audience, fostering a global learning community. For the first CMC cohort in Spanish, a total of 19 students are now in their second semester.
The program’s success lies in its unique strengths. It builds strong relationships with local and international CBOs, offers a curriculum co-developed by CSW faculty and community leaders, and provides a platform for students to expand their skills, knowledge, and networks. With the support of dedicated instructors and directors, participants gain valuable expertise in case management while forming lasting connections with peers and mentors. The program’s focus on leadership, job creation, and pathways to higher education has made it a stepping stone for graduates pursuing careers as social workers, community advocates, caseworkers, and family support specialists.
As the CMC program continues to grow, its dedicated team—guided by a vision of inclusivity and empowerment—remains committed to creating opportunities for individuals to achieve their educational and professional aspirations. Through ongoing collaboration and innovation, the Case Management Certificate program exemplifies the power of education to transform lives and build stronger, more connected communities.
CMS Leadership
- Dr. Rosemarie Hunter
- Dr. Patrick Panos
- Tek Neopany
- Dr. Teresa Molina
Bridging Borders
By: Dr. Rosey Hunter, Annalise Keen, Yusuf Maung, Jenny Mayer-Glenn, Neh Meh, Jude Perno, and Julianne Rabb
35,064. That’s how many hours have comprised the 4 years of COVID-induced waiting to embark on the over 24-hour trek to Ban Mai Nai Soi refugee camp. But for the Utah team that makes up Bridging Borders, every hour was worth the wait.
“It was very emotional — it was really meaningful for the partners to be reconnected,”
Bridging Borders co-lead Julianne Rabb said. “We’re lucky in that regard because it
could have fizzled. Four years is a long time, but that is a testament to the power
of the long-lasting relationships that have been made.”
This trip was the first international visit since the camps closed to outside organizations
in 2020. It’s that level of trust — over a decade in the making — that is the backbone
of Bridging Borders.
“I participate because these are my communities, and I deeply care about them,” Rosey
Hunter, one of the original founders of the program and current co-lead, said. “Through
my participation, I have grown — really it has transformed how I live and how I practice
my profession. This program demonstrates global partnership and reciprocity that has
enriched communities in Southeast Asia and in Salt Lake City.”
When Karen and Karenni refugees — ethnic groups native to Myanmar (Burma) — began arriving in SLC, local organizations were unsure how to support them. Through relationship building, communities voiced a priority: to not forget the people they left behind and maintain their cultural identity.
So with Hunter’s leadership, a field study trip was organized in 2008 to camps along
the border of Thailand and Myanmar (Burma). The relationships built resulted in a
host of programs such as cultural orientation classes, educational support for parents,
cultural preservation programs — and of course, Bridging Borders.
International partners inform Bridging Borders on the topics camp residents identify
and prioritize. Then, the team of community members, faculty, and cultural liaisons
(former residents of the camps) embark on the long journey to the border.
“We build the curriculum around their requests and the program is delivered in a way that builds on the talents of the community,” Hunter said. “While other service abroad programs may have some of these aspects, the Bridging Borders program is also focused on how the partnership work continues in each of the communities.”
This model of empowerment has led to relationships that have withstood the test of four years, 8,000 miles, and a global pandemic. Yusuf Maung, one of the Youth Team Workshop Instructors, recalls Hunter speaking with NGO staff as if they were old friends: “because in a sense, they were.” Hunter, one of the original founders of Bridging Borders, has served as one of the team leaders for about 13 years.
“The consistency in staff and visits (pre-COVID) is key,” Maung said. “Many groups, especially here in Utah, do service trips and things like that but it seems they do one-offs. While those can be beneficial, building true connections with NGO staff in the country provides a better experience for everyone and as a result, better service to the refugee communities.”
One of the core tenets of Bridging Borders is trust — something that’s only earned through intentional relationship building and maintenance. For co-lead Julianne Rabb, it looks like recognizing that the camp residents are experts in the work. Her greatest hope? Bringing requested resources to support the community in their work.
“This is not humanitarian tourism. We’re not going in and serving anyone,” Rabb said. “We might practice, we might offer some suggestions, but then letting them translate into what works for the community and not being presumptuous enough to think that we know how to do it, because I don’t.”
One of the community requested trainings came from teachers instructing students with disabilities in the camp’s Inclusive Education program. UNP Director Jenny Mayer-Glenn and Huntsman Mental Health Institute (HMHI) Psychiatrist Annalise Keen were selected as instructors.
“I consider the Inclusive Education teachers as colleagues in the work of helping children,” Keen said. “They care about their students and want to do a good job. They want more training and resources so they can improve their work.”
About 26 teachers participated in Keen and Mayer-Glenn’s workshops. Teaching experience ranged from just a few months to seven years. Due to a lack of formal training, some of the teachers expressed a lack of confidence. A common theme? Curiosity, and a fierce desire for more training.
“I remember the enthusiasm of the Inclusive Education teachers when they were discussing their ideas in small groups — they reminded me so much of the residents I work with at HMHI,” Keen said.
Cultural liaisons Neh Meh and K’chawtee as well as Yusuf Maung worked with youth to
inspire digital entrepreneurship. Neh Meh, who was born in the Ban Mai Nai Soi refugee
camp and now works as a photographer in Utah, manages the social media page for the
Karenni Community in Utah.
“This connection inspired me to return to the camp, where I taught young people how to use cameras to capture their stories and share their culture with the world,” she said. “My work is focused on giving them tools to share their voices with the world, both visually and through storytelling, helping them build confidence and skills for the future.”
Maung, who is Burmese and grew up in Utah, formerly worked on the IRC Immigration Team before transitioning to municipal government. The meaningful emotional weight from that work was a large reason why he wanted to attend this trip.
“To be in a camp like that, to see those people and hear those stories, was impactful in so many ways,” Maung said. “The same moment every day as we were leaving the camp: that realization that I could leave, that I had that freedom… I still feel sadness and guilt every time I think about it. That could have been me. But with some luck, I grew up here, born to parents who were able to travel and start a new life in the US.”
Due to the legal classification that these camps are “temporary,” the assistance camps
can receive is sharply limited and growing narrower. For Rabb, the current resettlement
context weighs heavy on her mind.
“This is not just a loss for folks that are currently facing uncertainty regarding
resettlement — it’s a loss for communities here, for those that have resettled and
have lost hope of having their families join them,” Rabb said. “It’s just such a missed
opportunity to celebrate and encourage the beautiful tapestry of our community.”
Maung echoed the importance of continuing to invest in programs that prioritize global
exchanges of knowledge like Bridging Borders.
“Any minority/underrepresented community has a unique set of experiences so while they may not be the same across those communities, they rhyme,” he said. “By having a better understanding of what they deal with here in the US, how they show up to work/school and how it is informed by their past trauma and experiences, is essential to help them integrate to the best of their ability.”
Bridging Borders pays for cultural liaisons to attend and for the vital work they provide regarding cultural connectivity. With more financial support, more cultural liaisons could attend the trip, assisting in ensuring smoother operations overall as well as the indescribable process of reconnecting to cultural roots.
Rabb rode alongside Neh Meh as they entered Ban Mai Nai Soi for the first time since she left as a child. Bearing witness to the emotional reunion, Rabb says, was too special for words.
“We know [Bridging Borders] is important to them… we know it’s a priority to stay
connected to their cultures,” Rabb said. “But then to see what it looks like in real
time, how powerful that was for her — it was incredible.”
If you are interested in learning more about Bridging Borders through participation
or financial support, contact arturo.canela@partners.utah.edu and julianne.rabb@partners.utah.edu.