Category Archives: Success Stories

Empowering Adults at the English Skills Learning Center!

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by Rachel Blackmer
English Skills Learning Center
Guest Blogger

The English Skills Learning Center (ESLC) had a class graduation for employees of the University of Utah who participated in a Workplace English class provided by the ESLC. Twelve students received certificates congratulating them on the progress they made on the post-tests at the end of the class. The employees who participated in the class were from Somalia, Mexico, Croatia, Guatemala, and Bhutan and had varying levels of English ability. The students learned how to fill out work forms, call in sick or late to work, give directions to visitors on campus, ask clarifying questions when given directions from supervisors, and report problems to supervisors.

One of the students, Bedha, is from Nepal and had only lived in the U.S. for 8 months when he started attending the classes. He had attended college and had been a teacher in Nepal. At the class graduation, he gave a speech about what he had learned in the class and said that this class had helped him make the decision to go to college! He plans to attend Salt Lake Community College later on this year. This encouraged some of the other students to also look into taking college courses. The successes of these students exemplify the powerful results of the ESLC’s mission to bring the promise of integration, security, and empowerment to adult English language learners in Salt Lake County.

class graduationEnglish Skills Learning Center works with United Way of Salt Lake as a Strategy Partner. English Skills Learning Center serves Kearns, South Salt Lake, and West Valley City by training volunteers to teach and supervise English classes for the growing adult newcomer population.

Thank You from the Heart – on Valentine’s Day!

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drew_martinezby Drew Martinez
Senior Resource Development Executive

“Thank you united people!”  – writes an elementary student participating in one of the 22 United Way of Salt Lake Community Learning Centers throughout Davis, Salt Lake, Summit, and Tooele counties. These amazing thank you’s were sent to United Way of Salt Lake from several elementary schools after the Stuff the Bus community volunteer project during Day of Caring, 2012.

There’s nothing more rewarding than a child humbly expressing gratitude with a simple thank you – and we loved some of the funny anecdotes! Take a look at this slideshow to see just that. We add to their thank you and thank all the companies and individuals that donated to Stuff the Bus. Be on the lookout for 2013 Day of Caring and Stuff the Bus info coming soon!!

THANK YOU for showing us all what it means to LIVE UNITED.

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A Wonderful Celebration of Service!

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by Chelsea Nelson

Interactive Communications Director

Today, United Way of Salt Lake held our annual Celebration of Service event at the Little American Hotel with over 600 in attendance!  This is one of our favorite and most exciting events of the year!  We had the privilege of honoring people and organizations who have made an incredible impact in our community over the past year–as well as enjoyed a great lunch and cheered for a very happy finalist from our workplace campaigns who won a year lease on a Mini Cooper!

This year we honored Paula Green Johnson as our Volunteer of the Year, Tom Love as our Compassionate Leader of the Year, Comcast as our Outstanding Corporate Partner, and JP Morgan Chase took home the President’s Award of Excellence.  These individuals and organizations went above and beyond by giving of their talents, resources, time, and voices to help United Way of Salt Lake move forward with its mission to improve lives and build stronger communities.  Without Paula, Tom, Comcast, and JP Morgan Chase, United Way of Salt Lake would not have been able to create opportunities for children and families with the success that this past year has brought.  Community Learning Centers and Collective Impact work are thriving in so many ways because of their help.  We can not thank them enough for their efforts and support.

“I am honored to have the privilege of working side by side with these amazing individuals and organizations.  This year’s award recipients are true visionaries, believers in United Way’s mission, and dedicated advocates for change,” said Deborah Bayle, President and CEO.  “Their expertise, long-term commitment, and enthusiasm have been critical in helping shape the work we are doing to improve lives and build stronger communities for us all.”

United Way additionally recognized hundreds of supporters and partners who collaborate with United Way of Salt Lake to advance the education, income, and health of our neighborhoods and communities.

Today, we also presented our Annual Report to the Community for 2011-2012. You can find the report HERE and we hope you will all take time to read it to find out how United Way of Salt Lake is changing.  The Annual Report will also help in better understanding our vision for Collective Impact work and community problem solving by working across community sectors to achieve long-term, large-scale social change.

Also, a big congratulations to Elly Klatt with First National Bank of Utah who got the lucky key and started up the beautiful Mini Cooper!  She was the proud winner of Mini of Murray’s year long lease as well as a year’s worth of gas from Tesoro.  Thank you to both Mini of Murray and Tesoro for this awesome prize!  Elly, we hope you enjoy your new ride and we thank you for participating in your workplace campaign and supporting United Way of Salt Lake!

We hope you were able to join us for this great event and to help celebrate these wonderful partners, champions, and friends that we are so
proud to be connected with!

Our promise is to create opportunities so children- even in the toughest neighborhoods- have the chance to become productive, self-reliant members of our community and we know we couldn’t do it without this year’s award winners!

Thank you for LIVING UNITED! 

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Thank you to our generous sponsors: American Express, Savage, CHG Healthcare, Rocky Mountain Power, Wells Fargo, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, KSL,
Mini of Murray, Tesoro, and OC Tanner.

Without you, this event would not have been possible!

Congratulations, Greg Summerhays!

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by Gavin Reese

Ray, Quinney and Nebeker

Young Leader Chair

I am honored to announce that the 2012 Young Leader Member of the Year is Greg Summerhays!!

The Young Leader Member of the Year exemplifies outstanding commitment to creating lasting change by promoting philanthropy and civic engagement with the next generation of business and community leaders.

Greg was one of our first members of Young Leaders and he has been among the most outstanding and dedicated. His contributions to the development and activities of Young Leaders have helped increase the influence and visibility of the group. He is a quiet advocate and motivates others to get involved through his actions.

Aside from his work volunteering and advocating for early childhood education and on behalf of immigrants and refugees with the Young Leaders, Greg has also served on numerous other UWSL boards and committees.

Greg never hesitates to volunteer his time and resources. We are so lucky to have him as an engaged member of our group and a dedicated volunteer. He is committed to our community and to making it a better place for all of us to live and work and raise a family.

Thank you Greg, for all you do–you are so deserving of this award. Congratulations!

Join with us in celebrating Greg and a great
year for all of our Young Leaders at the
Young Leader Annual Event on FRIDAY NIGHT!
Contact Christina DeVore at christina@uw.org.

Day of Celebration for Enterprise Rent-A-Car!

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by Shannon Harmon

Resource Development Executive

Two weeks ago, I had the pleasure of joining Enterprise Rent-A-Car for a fantastic day on the slopes at Park City Mountain Resort where they celebrated their significant participation in Young Leaders.  Enterprise has a long tradition of community involvement and the last couple of years have been no exception. In fact, the last couple of years have been stellar. Enterprise employees have really stepped up their already significant involvement and have been nothing short of a shining star for United Way of Salt Lake!

We really appreciate all 34 of their Young Leaders and all of their fantastic employees who have contributed so generously to United Way.  Through their contributions, United Way of Salt Lake promises to create opportunities so that all children and families, regardless of their circumstance, have the same chances to succeed in school and life.  It goes without saying that we couldn’t do this without companies like Enterprise and their committed employees.  In addition to 34 Young Leaders, we also want to thank Neil Hafer for his service on our Board.

Enterprise Rent-A-Car knows what it means to LIVE UNITED!!

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