Fall 2021
Partnership News
Front Feature
Front feature image is captured from Bridge over Barriers, part of huge art installation in the 300 North 1-15 underpass at approximately 650 West. The miner pictured is made up of mosaic tiles on a support pillar and is just a tiny piece of the overall installation that resulted from the collaboration of long time UNP partner, NeighborWorks Salt Lake with more than a dozen artists and literally thousands of volunteers over five years.
Utah Community Advocate Class in Rose Park
By Almaida Yanagui
Community advocates are people who have learned to use their voice to create change. They know how to connect with resources, what leaders are, and how to become one. These skills can be applied within their homes and in the community. They can use these tools to interact with neighbors, in schools, and even on a city or state level. The Utah Community Advocate Network (UCAN) is group of residents who connect to use their shared voice to bring about the changes that matter.
A certificate based class is offered to teach these skills. This year, Rose Park Neighborhood Center will host the class and offer a connection for people who wish to become community advocates. The center is providing long term space for the UCAN. This year the class is being taught in English, Spanish, Somali, and Navajo. It is taught by faculty, community members, and a Salt Lake School District employee. The class curriculum which was developed over 10 years, provides a certificate from the U and 3 credits. It requires a great deal from the students who are often parents, juggling jobs and family needs. Upon completion they are invited to apply their skills with UCAN.
Westpointe Street Mural Project
Compass Mural Near Westpointe Park Points Residents to Assets
By Sadika Maheruma Khan and Dr. Ivis Garcia
With the goal of furthering placemaking, the Westpointe Community Council, Pacific Heritage Academy, University Neighborhood Partners, the City and Metropolitan Planning Department of the University of Utah, and the Utah Arts Alliance organized a mural painting event on October 15th and 16th. Together community partners wanted to call attention to two unique community assets in the neighborhood-the Pacific Heritage School and Westpointe Park. Sam Afu, a Pacific Islander artist, along with over a dozen volunteers, painted a colorful compass that is the Westpointe Community Council's logo, as well as a couple of sailing boats that represent strength, invention, and courage. The compass, painted on 1100 North in front of the Pacific Heritage Academy, is near Redwood Road and directs community members to explore these two vital community assets, Organizers and participants were delighted to see the result, we invite the community to go for a walk and enjoy the street mural's bright colors.
Volunteers painting mural at October event
Final outcome of the mural painting event
Growing in to West Valley
By Erik Garcia and Jennifer Mayer-Glenn
For nearly 20 years, UNP and the west side community have built relationships and have learned from each other. Collectively we are addressing systemic barriers to educational success, and bringing together University and west side people and resources in reciprocal learning, action and benefit. During these years, UNP has had a "hyperlocal" focus on the west side of Salt Lake City (SLC). As time has passed, many partners have moved from SLC and now live in West Valley City (WVC) and other parts of the Salt Lake Valley.
Over the last year, UNP has been encouraged by University leadership and stakeholders to commit to the WVC community in much the same way it has in SLC. Additionally, we have engaged community leaders and UNP partners in WVC for their agreement, which we've received. The University of Utah is committed to authentic engagement in west side communities across the Salt Lake Valley. UNP, with the support of the U's new President, Taylor Randall, is starting to plan how to listen and learn from the WVC community. Erick Garcia has joined UNP as the West Valley City Initiative Partnership Manager to listen and learn and begin to build relationships in WVC.
In the near future, watch for an opportunity to guide us as we grow. If you would like to share your thoughts now, please email us at unp@partners.utah.edu or talk to one of the UNP staff.
Club Ability Founder Receives Award
By Saolo Betham
Juliette Bautista, was a participant in the Westside Leadership Institute Fundamentals
and Startups courses. She founded Club Ability to address underrepresentation of Latinos
in STEM education and to encourage more minority students' involvement in tech, offering
them the opportunity to develop their digital and making skills. Currently, over 300
students participate in Club Ability and know how to create their own video games,
apps and code. They are creators of technology and understand computer science concepts.
Club Ability has partnerships with non-profits including Suazo Business Center, Bountiful
Food Pantry, University Neighborhood Partners, Spy Hop, NeighborWorks Salt Lake, and
Worldwide Child Relief Foundation.
Juliette has led many initiatives to increase diversity and inclusion in STEM. She
received the 2021 Living Color Award for her work and was a 2021 Finalist for the
Women Tech Award. Juliette has created an e-learning platform, designed a curriculum
for children to create their own video games, and has collaborated with technology
companies to provide minority communities access to digital devices. She advocates
for diversity and inclusion in technology and believes her students will be creators
of inclusive technology into the future.
Support for a Glendale High School Gains Momentum
In the spring newsletter we shared highlights about local efforts to see a high school built in Glendale. To further this process, Education Collective SLC has been sharing some of the known impacts caused from area students commuting to East, West, and Highland High Schools. They've asked residents to imagine a community driven high school in their own neighborhood, rooted in their local cultures, as they call for authentic community-engaged process for these efforts. They invite everyone to learn more about these efforts and to sign a petition by visiting their website at EdCollectiveSLC.org and to take their community survey at edcollectiveslc.org/survey.
Emergency Rental Assistance Through UNP
By Lavi Uluave
It is hard to remember life before 2020 and COVID-19. As many are recovering from the physical, mental, and emotional effects they are also trying to rebuild their lives due to its devastating influence on the economy, employment, education, healthcare, and housing. The instability of these systems during the pandemic have compounded pre-existing hardships and created new ones for many people especially those living on the west side.
With housing, there has been a push for more funding to help families and individuals
find stability. One way the government is trying to assist this effort is by implementing
the Emergency Rental Assistance Outreach Program (ERAP). They provided Utah with $215
million to assist residents impacted financially by COVID-19 with short-term funding
for rent and utility needs. University Neighborhood Partners (UNP) and Hartland Partnership
Center was selected to carry out an ERAP grant through Salt Lake County's division
of Housing and Community Development to increase ERAP access, outreach, and application
support to the community.
UNP formed a team of 12 skilled Cultural Resource Navigators from diverse backgrounds who speak multiple languages. They are each deeply tied to their community and understand the importance of inviting all to access ERAP.
The applicants we have supported are grateful there is a resource to help overcome their financial barriers. Here are some things residents shared about their ERAP experiencе:
"Since we approved for 4 months rent from the rental assistance program. It has been a huge relief financially, emotionally and mentally. Now we are able to start catching up with our medical bills and other essential needs. Thank you!!"
"There are six members in my family and I am solely responsible to cover all household expenses with my earnings. This Emergency Rental Assistancе Program is a blessing for the people like me who had a high risk of being homeless due to my chronic financial hardship."
We welcome all who are interested. Access the ERAP application at rentrelief.utah.gov
Staff Spotlight
Paul Kuttner
Paul is UNP's Associate Director. Originally from the Boston area, he now lives in
Glendale with his wife, their nine year old son, and their dog Honey.
Paul earned his undergraduate in Michigan, majoring in both social science and theater, before he completed masters and doctorate degrees at Harvard Graduate School of Education. Paul is passionate about community and the possibilities that emerge when groups of people come together to do something collectively, whether they're making art, playing games, taking political action, making decisions, or just trying to understand one another better. Paul speaks both English and Spanish and lived in many places including Chicago, Chile, and Nicaragua before coming to Utah for a fellowship. His background led him to connect with UNP where he has been for the past six years.
He loves reading and enjoys going to restaurants and stand-up comedy shows. Paul and his son have recently developed an interest in rock climbing. When you see him, be sure to ask about his arts background, which ranges from graphic design and playwriting to hip-hop and slam poetry.
Community Corner
Santo Taco Taqueria
Santo Taco is a locally owned taqueria in Rose Park. They have grown very popular
for their authentic, delicious Mexican flavors that come from family recipes made
with fresh ingredients. Diners can enjoy familiar favorites like tacos, burritos,
and quesadillas, but can also order mulitas (quesadillas with corn tortillas), nopal
tacos (grilled cactus), and lengue (beef tongue).
While they have carne asada, carnitas, and very tasty fish tacos, they've taken care to offer vegetarian choices. That said, if you are a meat eater you will find their birria (beef stew) tacos delicious and comforting. They've received attention from the Food Network and are bound to grow even more popular. Check them out at santotacos.com and visit the restaurant at 910 North 900 West, in Salt Lake City.
Hartland is Open!
UNP Hartland Partnership Center is once again open to the community.
- Preschool at Head Start is from Monday to Thursday 8:30 am - 2:30 pm. Enrollment for children 3-5 years old is on a rolling basis. Applications can be found at utahca.org/head-start.
- Child and Family Empowerment Services is open for family and child counseling. More information can be found on their website.
- The Hartland Walk-In Center has been rebranded the Welcome Center and is open Monday to Thursday from 1 p.m. - 7 p.m. All community members are encouraged to come and get connected to resources such as rental assistance, job search, mental health support, and more.