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Fall 2020

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Front Feature

Front feature image from sculpture at Steenblik Park aka "The Cat Park."

UNP Honored for Community Engagement

By Jewel Morgan

In July, UNP was named the western regional winner of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation's Community Engaged Scholarship Award. Recipients of this competitive award receive a sculpture and funding to produce a two-minute video about their work.

This year presented unique challenges for making a video, with interviews being conducted virtually, and collaboration being primarily done electronically. You can see the video on YouTube.

The regional winners also automatically become finalists for the national C. Peter Margrath Award, which UNP has also won. This national award includes a $20,000 prize.

"This award recognizes over 17 years of hard work by UNP staff bringing together university and west side people in meaningful and authentic partnerships that have had a positive impact on social equity and inclusion in our community," said UNP director Jennifer Mayer-Glenn, "The UNP staff is elated and grateful for the recognition and award that will help us expand our work."

The New Hartland Landscape

By Paul Kuttner and Bruce Neumann

This year UNP partnered with community residents, community organizations, and Design+Build Salt Lake to create a functional landscape that will enhance partnerships at the UNP Hartland Partnership Center.

During the summer, architecture students created a holistic design for the entire project based on community input. Phase 1 of construction began in August on the North side of the building, which includes an outdoor classroom, walking/seating areas, sunshade and water-wise plants. Students faced a tightened timeline and shortages due to COVID but still made great progress on a deck, seating, stormwater system, walls, and access ramp. Due to timing and the onset of winter, final touches and planting will be finished up spring semester.

We are thankful for the tireless work of the architecture faculty, students, and volunteers bringing our vision to life. UNP continues fundraising to finish Phase 1 and start Phase 2 on the South side of the building.

Partners in the Parking Lot

By Jewel Morgan

Residents enjoyed seeing the car parades drive by their homes This spring as we began planning for Partners in the Park - identifying dates, reserving parks, and submitting applications - things started to shut down due to COVID-19. We were hopeful the impact would be short lived, while hearing we should be wearing masks, sanitizing or washing our hands more, and maybe even wearing gloves to prevent infection. The local government had restricted group gatherings to numbers much smaller than we see at these events that range from 350 - 600 participants. Instead of the normal planning meeting, we called on partners, including residents and organizations, to join us in reimagining what this year's events might look like.

In what for many was their first Zoom meeting, we had an amazing number of participants. The planned breakout rooms had a glitch leaving one large group of people who were patient and enthusiastic to share the concerns they were seeing in the community, and what they would like to see with this year's events. Some shared in their first language, followed by English translation for the others. We walked away feeling a sense of hope and gratitude for having had the opportunity to share and connect with others.

Safe distribution of bags at the drive-thru events From the meeting, an ambitious plan arose to have three neighborhood car parades and three drive-thru resource distribution events. The events garnered the new name, "Partners in the Park-ing Lot," noting where events would take place or originate. Volunteers formed committees to plan the logistics of each event. There was a committee dedicated to collecting the items to distribute in bags, one to assemble them, one to coordinate the drive-thru events, one to plan the parade events, and one dedicated to printing and designing signage and resource booklets for distribution.

The groups had to consider safety for everyone involved, following current health orders related to the virus, as well as social distancing while collecting, assembling, and distributing items. Instead of tapering down as a response, they asked for more. Ultimately reaching out to city and state officials to get masks to distribute at events, the Utah Food Bank and even Rancho Markets to ask for items to give to the community at the events, and a local car club to get some unique low riders to join in at the parade. We met with police and city planning officials, and navigated systems at the University of Utah to ensure a safe and successful event series. The plan gained tremendous support, with President Watkins and Associate Vice President Reed dropping bags with us into trunks, and the Salt Lake City mayor's office volunteering with the city's census team to help people complete the 2020 census.

In the end, there were three car parades, three drive-thru events, the collection of items, multiple bag assembly events, and signs posted by community advocates throughout several neighborhoods. We distributed around 1,700 bags filled with information, 10,000 masks, art kits, family activities, LED lightbulbs, and more. Families received food items including rice, beans, canned soup, and other nonperishables. So many partners contributed to get information and helpful supplies to families. The amount of collaboration that went into these events is truly amazing and heartwarming. Again, a community coming together...

Lead for Change

By Saolo Betham

In a year when the COVID-19 pandemic, natural disasters, racial inequality and political tensions continue to impact our communities, the need for resilient and inclusive leadership has become necessary for change. In recent years, the Westside Leadership Institute has expanded programming to promote leadership and representation from the neighborhoods impacted most. Although the Fundamentals course was postponed earlier this spring, 25 leaders returned (virtually) in the fall to resume the course and graduated in September.

Throughout the year, four community-based organizations in the Startups course collaborated virtually and even created virtual spaces and events to resume their own programs. The Workshops course intended for this fall has a new launch planned for 2021.

We have been so inspired by the resilience of these leaders and invite you to join us in celebrating their accomplishments.

Fundamentals 2020 Cohort: Bryce Williams, Katherine Torres, Suzie Akok, Deirdre Straight, Juliette Bautista, Tausoa Mulitalo, Heleine Wolfgramm, Timaima Clawson, Pina Mataele, Rita Auva'a, Jenilyn Satuala, Michelle Tago Tuitupou, Luisa Tupou, Marisela Garia, Bernardina Perez, Janina Wright, Ricardina Cadillo, lveth Salazar, Greta Alarcon, Lourdes Cooke, Ana Cortez, Martin Fonseca, Tania Reyes, Juan A. Zevallos Cadillo, Myriam P. Zevallos Cadillo.

Startups 2020 Cohort: Mayra Zamudio (Comunidad Materna en Utah), Abdikadir Eflin (Somali Bantus of Utah), Juliette Bautista (Club Ability), Catherine Aviles (Artes de Mexico), Laila Villanueva (Artes de Mexico).
Applications are now open for you to join in and create the change that you want to see in your community.

Visit westsideleadership.org for more information and apply today.

Staff Spotlight

Teresa Molina

Teresa Molina, UNP's Associate Director for Community Engagement is celebrating 10 years with UNP. She is a social worker by heart and profession, always connecting loose ends to facilitate understanding and empower all voices. She credits her background, personal and professional, for helping her understand different perspectives and communicate the major concerns of disenfranchised communities. Teresa has learned to rely on people's wisdom, encouraging peer-to-peer models to contribute to a better society through dialogue and common action. Molina's commitment to serve families and youth in their physical and mental well-being have led to the development and strengthening of several local grassroots organizations. Included are Latino Behavioral Health Services, Hartland Community 4 Youth & Families, and NAMI UT, which are culturally and linguistically competent and work with non-native English speakers. In her spare time, Teresa enjoys walking along the Jordan River Trail with her son Isaac and their dog, Norbak. This time helps her connect with nature and with her true self.

Community Resources During COVID-19

During the ongoing COVID-19 health crisis, community needs have grown. The following are some essential resources we hope will be helpful to you and your families.

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Last Updated: 10/12/26