Homeless outreach brings Volunteers of America’s resources to the streets

Posted on November 17, 2011 by comm5775

Story and audio slideshow by LAURA SCHMITZ

Go on a ride-along with the Homeless Outreach Team.

When Buddy Tymczyszyn and Kimberly Bell go to work each day, they don’t need to put on fancy clothes or stare at a computer screen. They don’t need to worry about office politics. But, during the winter, they definitely can’t leave home without their gloves.

Just west of the hubbub of downtown Salt Lake City rests their quaint work center, housing a program that actively pursues a population with which few are familiar.

Utah’s arm of Volunteers of America facilitates a Homeless Outreach Program that is constantly ready for action, equipped with a van-full of necessities, including food, water, beanies and blankets.

A national, nonprofit organization, VOA has a presence in 44 states and employs a range of paid staff, who work to tackle issues such as homelessness and drug addiction.

Tymczyszyn, 22, and Bell, 24, join forces to make up the outreach team. Together, the two pack up a van with supplies each morning to scan the streets of the west side for homeless people in need.

“We do a lot of driving,” Tymczyszyn said of his 40-hours-per-week job in the field.

“Part of [the program] is to get people socks, jackets and blankets — stuff to keep them warm and safe on the streets,” he said. “But the heart of it underneath is to help them with any kind of deeper, underlying issues that may be keeping them out there.”

Both began their posts with a “heart” for the homeless population.

“None of us really deserve to be where we’re at,” Bell said. “Those of us that have enough money or family support to be able to stay in a warm place and have good food, it’s not because we did anything to deserve it.”

The team documents every shoe, scarf and bag of chips they give out in order to ensure that VOA receives adequate donations and its clients — the homeless people they serve — are given proper financial support.

VOA’s donations come largely from the Utah Food Bank and individual donors. Clients will receive state funding based in part on the amount of services they receive from the organization.

As Tymczyszyn and Bell traverse alleys and fields, searching for potential clients, they will often discover vacant tents, blankets or sleeping bags — evidence of a shelter.

“Some are remarkably easy to find,” Tymczyszyn said. “They follow the same, routine pattern every day.”

If the team reaches a “home” of someone who is not there, they will “water bomb” or “sock bomb” the residence, leaving a water bottle or pair of socks with VOA’s business card attached.

“It helps give us a good name to them, so the next time we see them, they can recognize us or they can just give us a call from that number,” Bell said.

During outreach missions, Bell and Tymczyszyn said clients’ reaction to them depends on their approach.

“A lot of times it takes meeting someone five or 10 times before they trust you enough to talk to you. The next step is learning their name, then the step after that is having them take a pair of socks or a bottle of water from you,” Tymczyszyn said. “Every little step of the way is a success.”

Cliff Thurber, 54, has made the streets of Salt Lake City his home for several years. A regular client of VOA, he is an example of the established trust its staff strive to build, as he candidly spoke with Tymczyszyn and Bell like old friends.

“They’ve given me food and good [conversation] and comforting thoughts, so that’s been helpful,” Thurber said of the two.

Thurber moved from Provo to Salt Lake City, seeking a steadier income. He now sells the Salt Lake Street News, a newspaper put out by the Salt Lake City Mission. The nonprofit publication is specifically geared to help people experiencing poverty and homelessness.

“I earn 50 cents a paper,” Thurber said. “Once I sell them, I can turn more money back in and get more papers to sell. I buy them for 50 cents and sell them for a dollar — sometimes people donate more. It’s really coming along.”

Thurber said he does his best to remain law-abiding in his lifestyle.

“Police have never really hassled me,” Thurber said. “I’ve tried to stay above the law and tried to not do anything [illegal] — not be drunk in public places or anything like that. That’s not good,” he said with a laugh.

Though several clients are experiencing homelessness because of job loss or negative life circumstances, some come to VOA with needs arising from addictions.

One frequent client, Kevin Hansen, openly said he was on the streets because of a history of alcoholism.

“I just love alcohol,” Hansen said, describing what he believes to be the ultimate reason for his homelessness.

His past “hurts sometimes, but sometimes it doesn’t.”

Bell and Tymcyzcyzn both agreed their job can be emotionally taxing as they build relationships with their clients and struggle with them through their situations.

“Sometimes, I want to make people’s decisions for them,” Bell said. “Some of our clients are really intoxicated all the time. They drink a lot constantly, and it’s a way for them to drown their pain, but they’re slowly killing themselves — I just want to make them stop [for their own good].”

One goal of the homeless outreach team is an initiative they call harm-reduction. Tymczyszyn said the goal of harm-reduction is to try to get clients into a better situation immediately, working toward the deeper-rooted problems later.

The team provides needle-cleaning kits and safer methods of using cocaine in order to minimize the adverse consequences of the drugs while coming out of addiction.

“If they’re going to use needle drugs, how can they clean their needle to do it safely? If they’re going to sleep outside on the street that night no matter what, how can we try to help them stay warm in the process?” Tymczyszyn said.

Bell said that though she sometimes feels “helpless” because of the negative habitual cycles some clients fall into, she recognizes that any change is “ultimately their choice.”

Despite challenges that come with the territory, Bell said her job is rewarding.

“I wouldn’t have it any other way, because I don’t want to live too far removed from the tragedy that exists,” she said. “I don’t just want to live in ignorance, because ignorance is bliss, but our world isn’t a blissful place.”

This year marks VOA Utah’s 25th anniversary. According to its website, it boasts about 140 paid, professional staff who serve more than 10,000 people throughout the state each year.

“Substance abuse and homelessness are the main areas of focus in Utah,” said Zach Bale, director of external relations for VOA Utah. “We go where we’re the most needed, and do what needs to be done.”

The homeless outreach team is in the field 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday – Friday.

“It’s the most incredible job in the world — I can’t believe I get paid for it,” Bell said.

Filed under: Nonprofits, Organizations | Tagged: , , , , , , , | Leave a comment »

Sorenson Unity, Multicultural centers are a good value

Posted on November 17, 2011 by comm5775

by NATHANIEL BINGAMAN

Come see the center

Once upon a time, children could look down, find two quarters on the ground and use them for a full day of fun. Some would say those days are gone. With an economy spiraling downward and unemployment skyrocketing, having fun with just 50 cents is a thing of the past. Or is it?

The Sorenson Unity Center andthe Multicultural Center, at the corner of 900 West and California Avenue, offer activities for children at prices that have probably not been seen in ages. The centers serve the community of Glendale, which is located on the west side of Salt Lake City.

“Glendale is a low income community. I love being able to give back to the kids in this area,” said Kaleigh Clark, who works in the aquatic center.

The centers are community-based facility that are owned by Salt Lake City and provide programs and services to the residents of the community.

Although they are based in the Glendale area, the community they serve is much bigger. Anyone can go to the centers and pay the same price as a local resident.

Seniors pay only 50 cents Monday through Friday mornings and a dollar during the afternoons. Children under the age of 17 can swim for 50 cents on Fridays and on the other days of the week it is only a $1.50.

“The prices are low, but families can also apply for a scholarship program,” Clark said. The scholarships are offered to children whose families qualify for government assistance, such as Medicare and food stamps. The scholarships allow the kids to participate in as many programs as they want for only $10.

In addition to low cost swimming, people can participate in basketball, soccer, snowshoeing, T-ball, softball and the list goes on and on.

“My kids love it. They have so much fun and it costs so little,” said Claudia Corona, whose children have participated in many different activities offered at the centers.

Corona used to take her kids to soccer practice there. At the time she was in need of work. She noticed they had a job opening. Within a couple weeks she was happily greeting patrons at the front desk. You will probably see her warm smile on your next visit.

“I love my job, I am able to see families come in every day smiling and having a good time,” Corona said. “It is fun seeing mothers and daughters come in to take belly dancing classes together.” Yes, for $10 you can learn to belly dance.

The Corona family spends a lot of time at the centers. Her daughter began working there as a volunteer. “She had a great time playing with the kids. She started as being a referee for youth soccer. Now she works here part time.”

Volunteers are able to participate in various sports programs as youth coaches and referees. “We love our volunteers. They do a great job with the kids,” Corona said.

Coaches at the center are asked to take a test to determine their commitment to the children. They are told to focus on sportsmanship, playing as a team and having a good time. These are not the coaches who are going to yell at your child over mistakes they make on the playing field. It’s all about having fun and learning a little in the process.

For you working parents who need a place for your child to stay out of trouble, the Sorenson Unity Center offers after-school programs for kids 5 to 13. The kids in the program take field trips, swim at the pool, hike, do arts and crafts projects and get help with homework. The center also gives the kids a safe place to learn in a connected and safe environment. These children also learn how to give back to their community.

One program allows the children in the after-school program to be involved in a pen pal program. Children at the center write to seniors who are living at the Sunday Anderson Senior Center. “The kids here are so sweet and smart. They love writing and getting the letters,” said Clarissa Warath, a lifeguard at the center.

Many thought the good old days were gone. But at the centers you can take a step back in time. Things are inexpensive and good values are being taught around every corner.

Filed under: Education, Health & Fitness, Organizations, Sports & Recreation | Tagged: | Leave a comment »

University Neighborhood Partners aims to widen access to education for west side residents

Posted on November 15, 2011 by comm5775

University Neighborhood Partners, located on the west side of Salt Lake City, partners with 25 organizations across the Salt Lake Valley to provide access to education and services for residents of that community.

Story and photo by LAURA SCHMITZ

When Sarah Munro began her dissertation at the University of Michigan, she saw a need to bring access to education to minority communities.

After conducting research in Italy and receiving her Ph.D. in anthropology in 2002, she now works as the associate director of University Neighborhood Partners to make that need a reality.

As part of the president’s office at the University of Utah, UNP is “a bridge between the U and nonprofits on the west side,” Munro said.

UNP was launched in 2002 and acts as that bridge by creating partnerships under three main “umbrellas” — youth and education, community leadership and capacity building.

Serving two ZIP codes and seven neighborhoods on the west side of Salt Lake City, UNP currently boasts about 34 partnerships with 25 organizations. Munro admitted that monitoring the success of UNP is difficult, given that much of its work is seen only by the success of its partners.

“We’re always the convener,” Munro said. “We don’t actually do the work — we bring in community organizers to do the work.”

Munro collaborates with UNP staff in choosing organizations with which to partner. She said she and the seven to 10 staff members then maintain partnerships through ample communication and a positive attitude.

“We’re in constant communication,” Munro said of UNP and its partners. “We sit in both worlds and anticipate needs and goals.”

UNP works by building relationships with organizations that work with underrepresented populations, including refugees and undocumented immigrants. Munro said language, transportation and childcare are major hurdles west-side residents face in accessing basic freedoms, including education and healthcare.

“Our policy is we help anyone who comes to the table,” Munro said. “We don’t choose who we help, the organizations do. We simply create the table.”

According to 2010 census data, about 13 percent of Salt Lake City residents are Hispanic — a 78 percent increase from 2000 census data. As demographics continue to change in the United States, Utah and the Salt Lake Valley, Munro said institutions of higher education must adapt to prepare future students for college by widening access.

“A long-term goal is to move students from the west side to succeed, completing high school and coming to the U,” Munro said. “In 20 years, if the U can’t be more effective at this, it will no longer be the flagship university in the state.”

Rosemarie Hunter, director of UNP, was inspired to join hands with UNP after her time as a social worker. She was involved in the U’s College of Social Work for 16 years.

Hunter said education allows individuals to make choices and decisions from a place of knowledge.

“Education is a shared value across all communities and families,” she said. “Education really is power — anytime you can get access to education, you can take better care of yourself and your family.”

Hunter said UNP’s goal is not to try to jump in and “fix” everything, but to create a “mutual shared space” of learning between members of the west-side community and the U, allowing the U to change to support a more diverse population.

“What we look to do is go into existing places to (allow west-side residents) to interface with university life while going about their daily life,” Hunter said. “The U is learning a lot from residents and their cultural backgrounds and life experiences.”

Another UNP staff member, Brizia Ceja, began working for the organization as a freshman at the U as a student intern.

Originally from Mexico, Ceja moved to the U.S. at 13. She then grew up on the west side and still has family living there. She said she is therefore able to relate to that community on a personal level.

“I’m able to identify with most families I work with,” Ceja said. “I come from an immigrant family. I am the first person in my family to go to college.”

Ceja now works as an academic consultant for UNP to facilitate partnerships with middle and high schools. She said schools on the west side are often crowded with one academic adviser serving many.

“We want to start working with them young to make sure they don’t slip through the cracks,” Ceja said. “We want to make sure students have a safe place with (academic) mentors.”

Ceja said she wants children on the west side to view college as not only a possibility, but a natural progression after high school.

“I want them to know (college) is an option,” Ceja said. “Just like high school follows middle school, college follows high school.”

UNP has established partnerships with two elementary schools, one middle school and two high schools on the west side of Salt Lake City. The organization continues to foster relationships with these students to help prepare hundreds for a collegiate experience.

Filed under: Education, Hispanics & Latinos(as), Nonprofits, Organizations | Tagged: , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment »

Utah nonprofits fighting to stay afloat in a rough economy

Posted on November 15, 2011 by comm5775

Story and photos by BROOKE MANGUM

With the downturn in the economy many businesses are losing their shirts, but what is seldom thought about is how nonprofits are impacted during these times.

According to the National Center for Charitable Statistics (NCCS) the U.S. is home to more than 1.5 million nonprofit organizations. There are nearly 10,000 registered nonprofits in Utah alone.

Although nonprofits may not be the first type of corporation that comes to mind when thinking about big business, it is still a moneymaking entity that relies on a healthy economy. Many Utah nonprofits are struggling to survive and are looking for strategies and ways to stay in business.

“Obliviously in this economy everybody suffers,” said Nancy Basinger, Ph.D., the Lowell Bennion Community Service Center assistant director. “Nonprofits maybe suffer more because there is more demand and there are fewer dollars coming in the door.”

Nonprofits have been an area of research for Basinger for about eight years. She received her master’s degree in nonprofit organizations and her doctorate studying the interactions between government and nonprofits. Basinger has also worked in the nonprofit sector as a bookkeeper and financial director.

Basinger said the main problem facing Utah nonprofits is that community needs are up but the revenues are down. Organizations are being forced to lay off staff members and downsize services even though the demand is still rising. This makes fulfilling the needs of the community extremely difficult, if not impossible.

The Community Foundation of Utah  reported that in 2010, 77 percent of reporting nonprofits in Utah saw an increase in demands for their services. Subsequently, organizations are looking for funding any way they can, since much of their savings have been depleted.

“Organizations that used to keep six months’ worth of expenses in the bank for a rainy day have now spent it all. This is the rainy day and now we have to figure out what to do,” Basinger said.

Nonprofits are tightening their belts and are working to become as cost efficient as possible. This means organizations are finding new ways to deliver their services as well as making changes in funding sources.

Discovery Gateway has fun interactive exhibits suitable for children of all ages

One organization that is doing this is the west-side nonprofit Discovery Gateway. Discovery Gateway specializes in children’s education through interactive exhibits, and like many nonprofits has experienced a drop in funds to the organization.

Steven Suite, chairman of the board of directors of Discovery Gateway, says the museum has been hit hardest by the decrease in donations given by foundations. Many foundations base their donation amount upon the interest they make on their investments. If the foundation’s investments do poorly, the donations to nonprofits suffer.

“Our strategy has been to put more focus on corporate sponsorship, more importantly, finding new donors to help fill the pot,” Suite said.

All donations to Discovery Gateway are tax-deductible

Discovery Gateway children’s museum is a 501 (c)(3) public charity. This type of nonprofit is tax exempt, benefits the community and derives at least one-third of its revenue support from the public.

“Discovery Gateway gets its funding from two places, the ZAP tax, which comes from the government and private donations and fundraising events,” Suite said. “Donations and fundraisers account for more than half of the museum’s yearly income. Without it the museum would cease to exist.”

According to the Community Foundation of Utah, 35 percent of Utah nonprofits have experienced a significant decrease in end-of-year giving. Twenty-eight percent reported a decrease in overall contributions and foundation, and corporate giving is down by nearly 50 percent. Overall, 64 percent of Utah nonprofits have seen donations decrease since the beginning of 2010.

Historically, Utah residents have given a great deal of support and funding to charitable organizations such as nonprofits. In fact, according to a report by the Community Foundation of Utah, the average charitable contribution per tax return in Utah is 4.9 percent while the national average is only half of that at 2.2 percent.

“Luckily, we have not had to go as far as raising our admission prices, or cutting down our hours but we did reorganize,” said Lindsie Smith, Discovery Gateway development and marketing director in a phone interview. “We have made changes in our staff and board of directors, and consolidated. To keep overhead costs down we have not rehired or filled any open positions.”

Filed under: Arts, Entertainment, Culture, Education, Nonprofits, Organizations, Utah's Economy | Tagged: , | Leave a comment »

Utahns Against Hunger encourages Food Stamps program to those who qualify

Posted on November 10, 2011 by comm5775

Food Pantries only feed a small percentage of Utah's Hungry

Story and photo by CECELIA FENNELL

Efforts to end hunger in Utah continue beyond September, the state’s hunger action month, because food donations and distributions from food pantries only feed a small percent of the hungry.

That’s why Utahns Against Hunger, a nonprofit organization based on the west side of Salt Lake City, works to develop more effective community outreach programs for the larger percentage of Utah’s hungry. It does this by providing programs for low-income communities instead of providing direct services.

“Food pantries only feed a small percentage of the hungry so we provide other options and programs to meet all hunger needs in Utah,” said Mike Evans, associate director of Utahns Against Hunger. One option is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as SNAP, a food stamps program.

According to UAH’s website, the organization was originally a project run out of Crossroads Urban Center in the late 1970s. As the community realized the need to improve federal nutrition programs statewide, it was established in 1981 as its own nonprofit organization. Since its beginning, UAH has worked to expand the reach of nutrition programs to “an estimated 1 in 6 households in Utah” who struggle to afford enough food by presenting and passing bills through Utah’s legislature. UAH is not an emergency food provider; instead its mission is to work with policymakers and community leaders to shape public policy by making nutrition programs work for the people who need them.

UAH serves all of Utah, but specifically those in need. Evans said the individuals who are most in need happen to live on the west side, which is why most food pantries are located in that area. UAH commonly advertises its events and programs to homes on the west side. In the past, the nonprofit distributed door hangers with information written in English on one side, and Spanish on the other.

According to its website, “UAH offers 17 food assistance programs, projects and initiatives. One program, Food Stamps, also known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP nationally, provides food assistance to low-income individuals and households through an electronic benefits transfer EBT card called the horizon card.”

Nathan Cram, director of Americorps VISTA, a partner of UAH, has been using food stamps himself over the past two years. Cram qualifies for food stamps because his net income is below the poverty level. He said the horizon card works a lot like a debit card and prevents many cases of fraud because of the rules associated with using it. It can only be used for food items and in stores that sell a majority of food products, he said.

“In order for an individual to qualify for the food stamps program, federal law requires that the individual’s net income be under poverty level,” Cram said. “Essentially they have to live on less than $900 each month,” he said. People can apply for food stamps through the Department of Workforce Services.

“Ninety-seven percent of food given to low-income communities comes from food stamps, only 6.6 percent comes from food pantries,” Cram said in a phone interview.

However, Evans said only 55 percent of those eligible of food stamps participate. “Some don’t know they’re eligible, some would rather seek other options and for others it’s an issue of humility – they want to be able to help themselves,” he said.

As an individual who has participated in SNAP, Cram encourages individuals who qualify for food stamps to participate because the quality of food is better.

“People surprisingly have more obesity in the low-income community because they can only afford foods high in fats and carbohydrates. Food stamps allow higher-quality food,” Cram said.

He also recommends using the food stamp calculator on UAH’s website to get an estimate on eligibility.

Since Utahns Against Hunger is an advocacy organization, it doesn’t need volunteers like food pantries and other nonprofits typically do. Directors of UAH encourage people to speak with local legislative leaders about existing hunger issues as a means to get involved.

“One of the best ways for people to get involved is by talking with their political leaders, volunteering and standing up and having a voice,” Evans said.

Filed under: Food & Restaurants, Health & Fitness, Organizations, Politics, Utah's Economy | Tagged: , , | Leave a comment »

Mallory Black: Spreading the word about nonprofit organizations

Posted on November 10, 2011 by comm5775

Story by RYAN McDONALD

Reeling from a bad break-up in August 2010, Salt Lake Community College student Mallory Black, 23, felt as though she was just going through the motions of everyday life.

“I just wasn’t happy in general,” she said in a telephone interview. “I needed something to look forward to.”

Mallory Black enjoys helping nonprofit organizations. She wants to make a career out of doing public relations work for nonprofit organizations. Photo courtesy of Mallory Black.

While thumbing through a newspaper one day, Black stumbled upon an article that listed different volunteer opportunities available in the community. One particular listing caught her attention. It was a call for volunteers to help at a 5K run hosted by Friends in Need Animal Rescue, a nonprofit organization located in Eagle Mountain, Utah. Friends in Need works to raise awareness of the proper treatment of animals.

“I’ve always liked to help but I never felt like I could contribute,” Black said. “I’ve always loved animals. I thought, ‘Why not? I could do that.’”

It was a 5K that would change the course of Black’s life.

“I just loved what they were doing,” Black said about seeing Friends in Need for the first time.

A business major at the time, that experience and subsequent volunteer opportunities have caused her to want to study public relations.

“It (the 5K) made me think of the impact of newspapers,” she said. “Why was this just a little blurb? I feel like some good things don’t go to print. Not that the media should be painting this beautiful picture of the world, but it gives people hope that other people are doing good things in the world.”

In addition to causing her to think about the role of newspapers in society, the event caused Black to think about the things she could do to help.

“How could I do that?” she thought. “How could I write an article or make this 5K a bigger deal?”

Now 24 and a student at Utah Valley University, Black wants to make a career of doing PR work for nonprofit organizations. Over the last year and a half, Black has volunteered for nonprofit organizations such as the Adopt-A-Native-Elder Program in Salt Lake City and the American Red Cross while continuing to help Friends in Need. She also recently worked as an intern at Salt Lake County Youth Services.

Besides her own volunteerism, the work of others has had a deep impact on Black. She particularly admires Kim and Karen O’Donnell, the directors of Friends in Need. Black referenced the fact that the O’Donnells prepare every single meal for every single animal at the sanctuary every single day.

“I’ve just been so amazed with how much heart these people have,” she said. “They literally do this every day. They are so dedicated and good in their intentions.”

Kim O’Donnell feels the same way about Black.

Kim and Karen O'Donnell, the directors of Friends in Need located in Eagle Mountain, Utah. Photo courtesy of Kim O'Donnell.

“We are very lucky to have her,” he said in a telephone interview. “She really likes the volunteer sector. She’s always been there for fundraising. People like her are really hard to come by.”

Although O’Donnell said that it has become easier with technology such as Facebook, he explained that it is a challenge for nonprofit organizations to get the word out to people like Black about the need for help. He said it is also challenging to spread the word about the services offered by an organization.

“If you’re just a few people, it’s a 24/7 job,” he said of the time it takes to promote Friends in Need. “Word of mouth comes into play a lot. You make do with what you have. Unless you’re a multimillion-dollar corporation, people just don’t know who you are and they probably never will.”

In a previous interview, Rose Maizner, development director of Comunidades Unidas (United Communities) in Salt Lake City, echoed O’Donnell’s struggles with trying to effectively let people know of the services a nonprofit organization provides.

CU focuses its efforts on helping immigrants and refugees find access to health care. Staff and volunteers will often go door-to-door in certain neighborhoods to spread this word. Although it can be difficult, Maizner said the organization has found such a method to be useful.

“Our organization has always been proud of our grassroots approach,” she said.

Black realizes that many nonprofit organizations don’t have the funds to pay someone to do public relations work full time, but that idea has not dissuaded her from making it an important part of her life.

“If it doesn’t work out then I definitely want to try and help out as a hobby,” she said. “I’d want to do it for free.”

Filed under: Nonprofits, Organizations, Profiles | Tagged: , | Leave a comment »

Salt Lake City Head Start: More than just a preschool

Posted on November 10, 2011 by comm5775

Story and photo by NATHANIEL BINGAMAN

Children are the future. In the United States the poverty level is increasing. That increase includes children. So, what are communities doing to ensure that children will grow strong, healthy and educated? One program to assist those in need is Head Start.

Low-income families can involve their 3- to 5-year-old children in Head Start.

According to its mission statement, “The mission of Head Start is to empower and educate young children and families facing adversity.”

The Salt Lake Community Action Program (CAP) opened the first Head Start program in 1965. In its first year the program had 34 students in two classrooms. Today Head Start works with 2,400 different families per year, spread throughout 84 different classrooms. The main campus is located at 1307 S. 9oo West. It also has various classrooms spread throughout the Salt Lake Valley. Children and their families all receive personal attention.

For example, at the beginning of every school year dentists volunteer their time go to the schools and give dental care to every child.

“If you are in pain because your teeth are falling out, you are not going to learn very much,” said Kristyn Hancock, the community partnership manager of Head Start, in a phone interview.

Dental hygiene is not the only thing on which Head Start focuses. The value of a healthy meal is also high on the list.

Children receive two-thirds of their daily nutritional needs during the day. “Our families are on a limited income. Foods that are unhealthy are usually the cheapest,” Hancock said. She also said they serve more than 2,000 meals per day and these are not your typical school lunches. The meals include a wide variety of selections such as pumpkin soup and salmon linguini.

Families with children in Head Start are assigned a family advocate. These advocates work with families and help them engage in their child’s learning.

“We teach parents to read to their kids and how to help them with their homework,” said Kayla Beesley a family advocate in the Head Start program.

Beesley works with 64 families in the Salt Lake area. Her position allows her to help find resources for families. From health care to clothing, she works with local businesses and nonprofit organizations to get families the things they need. Families who have children enrolled in the Head Start program can receive all these services for free. “It is very satisfying to know you are helping someone in their time of need,” Beesley said.

The Head Start program relies heavily on volunteers. According to the website, Head Start places about 4,000 volunteers each year. Volunteers must be 16 years of age or older and complete a background check.

“This job has made me aware of problems that I was not aware of before. Our waiting list is a sign of how much help is needed,” said Katie Smith, the volunteer coordinator for Head Start. “Volunteers help with a lot. They read to the children, play games with the children even help them brush their teeth after breakfast and lunch time.”

Not only do the volunteers help inside the classroom, they can help outside as well. Student-nurses volunteer their time to give free checkups and physicals to the children every school year. Landscapers and painters provide their trades to the interior and exterior of the buildings as well.

“People think we are just a preschool for poor kids,” Hancock said, “but we are so much more.”

Filed under: Education, Health & Fitness, Organizations | Tagged: | Leave a comment »

The U connects to the west side for further educational options

Posted on November 9, 2011 by comm5775
The Jordan River, West Valley City

The Jordan River runs through the west side of Salt Lake City.

Story and photo by JOHANNA WISCHMANN

“Partners in the Park” gives the community on the west side access to information and opportunities for further education after high school.

The program, which focuses on seven neighborhoods, started about nine years ago to raise awareness to people that they can have the chance to receive a further education.

“Partners in the Park” strives to strengthen opportunities for youth to receive further education. It also supports community leadership and helps the community have a more stable foundation by working on things like health, safety, housing and employment.

During the summer, free events are held in ethnically diverse neighborhoods at Jordan Park, Neighborhood House, Riverside Park, Sherwood Park, Westpointe Park, Constitution Park and Poplar Grove Park.

Joèl Arvizo, the partnership manager for youth education and success at University Neighborhood Partners, said particular communities are targeted because “of historical inaccessibility and disadvantages.” He also said, “The families are very interested in direct information for their children’s further education.”

UNP works with culturally diverse Salt Lake City neighborhoods to try to get students interested in attending the University of Utah. UNP partners with nonprofit organizations and U departments and colleges to try to link these neighborhoods to the U and create a stronger foundation for these communities.

“The west side has a lot of stereotypes which often aren’t accurate,” said Sarah Munro, UNP’s associate director. “Partners in the Park” is one of UNP’s programs.

Overall, Munro said UNP’s “program gives the west side the same opportunities that other neighborhoods have.”

Munro said one of her long-term goals is to try to ensure that the west side receives more recognition from the government. “The biggest complaint is that they were under represented,” Munro said. In an interview she described some of the problems west-side residents have had and said people often don’t know how to make their voices heard.

UNP aims to “help build a bridge from the U to the west side.” Munro said programs like Partners in the Park help a lot of children because parents want them to have a brighter future than the situation they are currently in.

“Our policy is to work with anybody,” she said. “They should have the same opportunities that other areas have.”

On average, 400 people attend the events, which feature activities and picnic dinners.

“For the past 10 years the region has been researched and we found that fewer numbers of students were attending the U from that region,” Arvizo said.

“Partners at the Park is necessary to spread information about the help we can offer the community,” Arvizo said.

“Partners in the Park” and the UNP are always looking for help and volunteers. To access more information and ways to help visit the website or contact staff.

Filed under: Education, Organizations | Leave a comment »

Sorenson Unity Center and Planned Parenthood Association of Utah host sexuality class for teens and parents

Posted on November 3, 2011 by comm5775

Story and photos by SHELLY GUILLORY

The Sorenson Unity Center, in partnership with Planned Parenthood Association of Utah, held a workshop in October 2011 to provide a comfortable setting for parents and teens to talk about sexual health and STDs.

But no one showed up.

“I think it’s uncomfortable for teens and parents to participate in a workshop together,” said Angela Romero, program coordinator for Sorenson Unity Center. “Sexual education is a difficult subject to discuss.”

Romero said the Sorenson Unity Center, located at 1383 S. 900 West, has worked with Planned Parenthood for the last three years and has offered two sexuality classes with the organization. The center has also partnered with the Salt Lake Valley Health Department and offered two workshops. The class in October — the fifth —  was the first held for teenagers and their parents.

“The goal is to have healthy discussions about sexuality and health issues related to sexuality, and the risk you take when you become sexually active,” Romero said.

To market the class, Sorenson Unity Center sent e-invites to its community partners and also sent mailers to residents who live near the center.

Planned Parenthood planned three activities for the class, which included mini interviews for parents to do with their teens regarding friendships, media and dating, and one activity geared toward health care and education resources offered by Planned Parenthood and community agencies.

Romero said the goal is to create more awareness about sexuality and encourage parents to provide their teenagers information — information that cannot be found in health education classes in Utah schools — about sexuality in an age-appropriate way.

“We have to meet certain requirements,” Romero said. “With teens and parents being here, Planned Parenthood is able to answer questions that might not be able to be answered in schools.”

Lynn Beltran, STD and HIV program manager at the Salt Lake Valley Health Department, said in an email that laws in Utah dictate what can and cannot be taught in schools. Schools teach an abstinence-only curriculum 95 percent of the time.

Beltran said classes offered at Sorenson are designed to fill the void in sex education classes in schools.

“National research from the scientific community shows that abstinence-only education leads to higher rates of unprotected sex as well as earlier onset for sexual activity among youth,” she said. “Comprehensive sex education really allows for discussion about postponing sexual activity and how to protect yourself if you choose to be sexually active.”

Teenagers who have sex risk sexually transmitted diseases, HIV and unintended pregnancy. Without access to information, many teens do not understand the risks associated with sexual activity.

Beltran said STD rates in Salt Lake County have been increasing for years. She said chlamydia is the most common reported disease and is often a marker of how much infection is circulating in the general population.

“Youth aged 14 to 19 comprise the greatest proportion of our chlamydia infection and in small areas of Salt Lake, 1 in 4 teens has chlamydia,” she said. “So the attitudes of that subset of the population have a strong influence on our increase. It is very hard for public health to compete with cultural shifts when there is no effective comprehensive sexual health education in the school systems.”

An increase in the number of sexual partners a person has, a younger onset age for first sexual encounter, peer pressure and changes in attitudes regarding sexual activity all contribute to the increase, she said.

She also said research shows that youth want this discussion with their parents, even though they may act like they do not. But some parents have a difficult time talking about a subject that many consider taboo.

Annabel Sheinberg, director of education at Planned Parenthood Association of Utah, said in an email that parents are the most influential sexuality educators of their children. Sheinberg, who was responsible for facilitating the class in October at Sorenson Unity Center, said in her talking points that when teens have accurate information, they provide their peers with facts rather than myths.

“What is offered in school is not enough,” she said. “If parents don’t take the opportunity to talk, they are allowing the media to be the main educator of their children.”

Sheinberg also said teen girls between the ages of 15 to 19 in Rose Park and Glendale have a 1 in 100 chance of getting pregnant, which is 10 times higher than youth on the east side near the University of Utah.

But it might be uncomfortable for teens to talk openly about their sexuality with their parents.

Sorenson Unity Center’s Romero said although no one attended the class in October, about 20 teenagers attended the previous class — a class specifically aimed at teens. And not their parents.

“My child actually participated in [the last class],” Romero said. “He said he learned a lot of information. He didn’t really go into detail about things, but he said it made him more aware of risks.”

Hoping for a better attendance for Sorenson Unity Center’s next class, Romero said the center will focus on organizations that already work with populations who have an interest in the topic. She also said the class will cater to teens or parents, but not both.

The Health Department’s Beltran knows that teens are interested.

“They do actively engage in the classes and ask really good questions,” she said. “Our biggest challenge is simply getting people to show up for classes in the community.”

Filed under: Health & Fitness, Organizations | Tagged: , | Leave a comment »

Utah nonprofits, Sorenson Unity Center roll with recession

Posted on November 3, 2011 by comm5775

Story and photo by DEREK SIDDOWAY

In the midst of numerous stock market plummets, layoffs and home foreclosures, many people have come to rely on soup kitchens, housing services, welfare entities and charities such as the Salvation Army and Deseret Industries for basic necessities.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Salt Lake City’s unemployment rate was at 7.4 percent in August 2011. Online real-estate marketing company RealtyTrac reported 560 housing foreclosures in the city throughout September 2011.

With no economic relief in sight, nonprofit organizations in Utah are working tirelessly to meet an increased demand for their service. A 2011 report prepared by the Community Foundation of Utah and Wells Fargo paints a vivid picture.

According to the report, “The New Normal, Changes to Utah’s Nonprofit Economy in the Great Recession”: “Utah nonprofits are, like the families they serve, stretched to the limit,” In addition, “As many as 14 percent have no cash on hand, and are living paycheck to paycheck, much like many of the people who come to them for assistance.”

The report, presented to the Utah State Legislature in February 2011, indicates demand is continuing to increase. In 2009 and 2010, nearly 80 percent of Utah nonprofits saw an increased need for service. These findings hint that up to one-third of Utah nonprofits could be out of business if there is no relief in the immediate future. When the report was published, 70 percent relied on deficit spending or were operating on less than three months of reserve funding.

“There is basically no reserve fund left in the state of Utah for nonprofits,” said Nancy Basinger, assistant director and service-learning manager of the Lowell Bennion Community Service Center. She studied nonprofit interactions with the government for her doctorate research at the University of Georgia in 2003 and is a member of the advisory board at the Nonprofit Academy for Excellence in Professional Education at the University of Utah.

Basinger, who has published various reports and research projects concerning the nonprofit sector in Utah, said nonprofits suffer more in a down economy when demand rises and funding bottoms out. She is concerned over how nonprofits will continue to meet their obligations and serve the community if they are unable to make payroll.

“This is the rainy day and now we’ve got to really figure out what to do,” Basinger said. “The pot is smaller and the (number of) people donating is smaller.”

The pot may be shrinking while demand has done anything but. In addition to providing for the physical needs of their patrons, nonprofits have experienced an increased need for social and mental programs as well.

“Behaviors supported by social services are more in need because of job loss, at-home abuse, substance abuse and no health insurance,” Basinger said.

The Sorenson Unity Center houses a variety of nonprofit organizations selected through its Programming Partnership.

Some nonprofits have responded to these diverse needs by joining forces. For example, the Sorenson Unity Center has found that this strategy benefits patrons in addition to decreasing operational costs. The operation came about in 2008 when the Sorenson Multicultural Center and Salt Lake County approached the city government with a plan to run the center for a reduced cost. Located at 900 W. 1383 South, the Sorenson Unity Center provides services for the Glendale and Poplar Grove neighborhoods.

“Sorenson Unity Center is a way to bring organizations under one roof so that it’s not so difficult to have a million nonprofit organizations competing for the same dollars,” Basinger said. “(Salt Lake City) has decided that it is in its interest as a supporter of society to support the work of those nonprofit organizations. They are working together and accomplishing twice and much with the same dollars.”

Angela Romero, Sorenson Unity Center’s program director, is responsible for the selection of nonprofit organizations through its Programming Partnership. She describes her job supervising the partnership as a way to provide opportunities for the community that would be otherwise unavailable. Nonprofits seeking to use the Sorenson Unity Center’s resources must show Romero the services they will provide to the community before they are approved.

“We want to be a resource through the programs we provide,” Romero said. “We hope individuals can take away something that will help them in dealing with the current economic environment.”

According to its annual report, the Sorenson Unity Center had a total of 8,334 participants in programming activities for the 2010-2011 fiscal year. Overall, the center and its affiliates served more than 18,000 patrons during the past fiscal year. These affiliates — Unity Computer Center, Computer Clubhouse, Donated Dental, Fitness Center, Child Care and general events and meetings — saw a total of 74,283 visitors during the same period.

However, the Sorenson Center and its affiliates receive financing through city funding. This steady source of revenue allows the center to maintain its facilities for the community’s use without wondering where the next check is coming from.

“I think what the recession has done is (create) a greater need for us to provide quality services for individuals that are in our community,” Romero said. “Hopefully more people are able to access the programs we have here.”

Filed under: Business, Organizations, Utah's Economy | Tagged: , , | Leave a comment »

« Previous Page — Next Page »