Fall 2016
Partnership News
Front Feature
Front feature image from west side public community art
Head Start heads to Hartland
Planning and construction are underway to have Head Start classes offered at the Hartland Partnership Center starting this winter. University Neighborhood Partners has a historical relationship with Head Start, who had a class in an adjacent unit when we had a location at Hartland Apartments (now Seasons at Pebble Creek). When we moved from the apartment complex, the Head Start class there closed as well.
We look forward to having them at Hartland where entire families are engaged in the activities there.
Head Start is a free preschool for three and four year olds that provides a comprehensive school readiness program to children of low income families. The curriculum includes language, math, science, literacy, and social emotional development. The children are provided with nutritious meals and snacks, and may receive medical and dental services as well.
You can learn more about Head Start by visiting www.saltlakeheadstart.org.
Building Capacity for School-Community Partnerships
Written by Jennifer Mayer-Glenn, Director of Family-School Collaboration, Salt Lake
City School District
In July, I worked with UNP to launch a new partnership aimed at enhancing school -community collaboration. It began with a series of three "design circles." Part research project, part think tank, these circles brought together administrators and teachers from the Salt Lake City School District (SLCSD) with parents and community members, to reflect on the role of School Community Councils (SCC) in west side schools. They were facilitated by Gerardo López from the University of Utah, and Alma Yanagui, Community Organizer and Assistant Partnership Manager at UNP.
I took part in the design circles in my new role as Director of Family-School Collaboration at SLCSD. We learned that although the purpose of the SCC is to facilitate school-community collaboration, it is often alienating to families. We came up with ideas to improve SCCs as a space that welcomes collaboration. Implementation will take place over the school year, and the partnership will continue to learn from the results.
Family-School Collaboration is an essential part of SLCSD's Student Achievement Plan, supported through funding from the School Board. Our office has hired five Family-School Collaboration Specialists. Using Partners in Education: A Dual Capacity Building Framework for Family-School Partnerships1, SLCSD is working to build the capacity of schools and families to develop collaborative partnerships, including:
- Educators and staff who can honor and recognize families' existing knowledge, skill, and forms of engagement; who can create and sustain school cultures that welcome and promote family engagement; and who can develop family engagement initiatives connected to student learning and development.
- Families who can play multiple roles in supporting their children's education; as supporters of learning and development, encouragers of an achievement identity, advocates for improved learning opportunities, decision-makers in schools, and collaborators with school staff on issues of school improvement and reform.
SLCSD believes in authentic, meaningful collaboration with families and the community. We hope that this will grow from the seeds already planted in partnership with UNP.
1 Mapp, K. and Kuttner, Р. J. (2014). Partners in Education A Dual Capacity-Building Framework for Family-School Partnerships. A publication of SEDL in collaboration with the U.S. Dept of Education.
Coaching more than a game
By Jewel Morgan
In 2010, Gilberto Rejón-Magana recognized that kids in his neighborhood were trying
drugs and being recruited to join gangs. A father himself, he wanted to see positive
activities and role models for kids. After many conversations, Gilberto (aka Coach
Juan) decided to start a soccer club for boys living at Hartland Apartments. UNP had
an office there so he reached out for help. With partner support from NeighborWorks
Salt Lake and U of U interns, the club was born. Area residents and students volunteered
to help, and as winter approached the Glendale Middle School partnered too, offering
their gym for practice during the colder months.
In line with the original intent, the club required students to maintain good grades. Some struggled but were able to connect with tutors through UNP to help, and many joined other youth programs at UNP like dance, theater, and Splore. The club began taking field trips, providing an opportunity for parent involvement which led to the program Dads in Action (now Parents in Action).
To boost the students' interest to stay on track, Gilberto wanted to reward them for
academic achievements. Kids show their progress and awards they earn, and in return
get tangible rewards donated by organizations and individuals. Rewards for Awards
pushes students to apply themselves in school.
Gilberto's son, Gilberto Jr. started a reading program where kids could strengthen their literacy skills by reading together. One day, the group went to an area known as the Peace Labyrinth, and found their favorite outdoor reading space vandalized with graffiti. Salt Lake City provides graffiti removal, but the group wanted more. They partnered with the city and the U's Parks, Recreation and Tourism department to teach the kids civic engagement. They formed Hartland Adopt-a-Trail where kids help clean up along the river. Gilberto attended the Westside Leadership Institute with fellow west side resident Van Hoover, and they began the Jordan River Community Initiative to encourage others to appreciate the beauty of our river, and keep it safe and clean.
Last year, Gilberto participated in the UNP Start-Up Incubator, looking to make these
programs more sustainable. Since then he has established the 501(c)(3) non-profit
status for the Hartland Community 4 Youth &
Families programs, has a strong healthy board, a website, and is busier than ever.
It is no longer just a soccer club for local boys as there are now several girls'
teams and they are at multiple west side locations, competing with area youth soccer
teams. Activities include clinics with the U of U soccer team and Real Salt Lake,
canoe trips along the Jordan River with Splore, and trips to watch area teams play.
Check out their website at www.hc4yf.org for more information and to learn how to get involved.
Emerging Partnerships Aimed at Digital Inclusion
By Paul Kuttner
Despite the rapid growth of the Utah tech industry in recent years, we continue to
see significant inequities in access to digital resources. In response, UNP is working
with Google Fiber, the Salt Lake City School District, Spy Hop Productions, and others
to support digital inclusion in Salt Lake City's west side neighborhoods. These partnerships
increase access to technology and fast internet connections and promote critical digital
literacy among youth and adults.
Some of these emerging partnership include;
- Our CASA (Communities Aspiring, Succeeding, and Achieving), higher-ed focused spaces in schools and community centers that foster digital access and education. The Salt Lake City District is supporting five spaces in their schools, and Google Fiber has given a generous donation for computers and furniture.
- Spy Hop Productions, with support from Google Fiber, will be running a new middle school youth media program at our Hartland Partnership Center.
- Beginning conversations about hosting Google Fiber "Community Connections" at UNP's two sites, offering fast Wi-Fi for community members. Watch for more information about each of these over the next few months.
Staff Spotlight
Bruce Neumann
Bruce is the accounting and finance whiz at UNP. He joined our office in 2013 but
worked in the University of Utah's Development Office for nine years prior to that.
Bruce works closely with UNP staff to plan our financial needs to support our mission
and goals.
Bruce also sits on the board for Hartland Community 4 Youth & Families where he lends his financial expertise to help the organization's growth. Bruce has a Master's degree in accounting, but you may be surprised to learn that he has experience working as a waiter, a CNC machine operator, and even a ranch hand.
Bruce has two pet parrots. He enjoys gardening, cooking healthy foods, hiking, working on his new home, and foraging for wild mushrooms. His biggest passion is rock climbing. He spends many weekends climbing in Utah's outdoor playground and spends time at a local climbing gym when the weather calls for it
Community Corner
Mestizo Coffeehouse
Don't be too quick to write off Mestizo as just another latte shop. This west side
business is brewing more than coffee-they are brewing community. Mestizo supports
local non-profits, community groups, artists, and activists as part of their mission.
They offer their community space to a variety of these groups, provide a concert venue
for local musicians, and have gallery space for area artists.
Of course you can also order your espresso favorites, teas, smoothies, and their original
drinks served with sweets, sandwiches, porridge, breakfast items, and other fare.
Be sure to try the Mexican Mocha or the Pistachio Frappe. Mestizo Coffeehouse is located
in west Salt Lake City's NOTE District right inside the Citifront Apartment complex
at 631 W North Temple.
A UNP Comic
What do you see when you think of UNP?