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We're hiring! Join us in making a positive impact for over 60,000 community members each year. All positions starting at $15/hr and higher.

    Who We Are

    Utah Community Action was founded in 1965 to meet the needs of the community, especially individuals experiencing poverty. The mission of Utah Community Action is to empower individuals, strengthen families, and build communities through education and self-reliance programs.  We do this through six core programs: Workforce Development, Head Start preschool, HEAT Utility Assistance, Housing & Case Management, Home Weatherization and Nutrition. Each year, Utah Community Action provides these services to approximately 50,000 children and families in our community, giving them the tools needed to attain and sustain self-reliance.

    Apply for Our Programs

    Head Start Preschool

    Our Head Start program focuses on health, education, and self-reliance for children 0-5 and their families. Each year, UCA serves over 2,000 children through free early childhood education, healthy meals, medical and dental screenings, and holistic support for the whole household.

    The Head Start & Early Head Start program has been delivering comprehensive early education services for low-income families in our community for over 55 years and has been recognized as the Best Public Preschool in Utah.

    In 2020, we provided virtual learning and center-based learning to 2,982 children, including 33% of dual learners.

    HEAT Utility Assistance

    Our year-round, Home Energy Assistance Target (HEAT) program assists low-income families struggling with their power and gas bills to maintain safety and comfort in their homes.

    During the pandemic, paying utility bills has been increasingly difficult for many families facing lost income. HEAT also provides energy education to reduce energy bills, budget counseling to help clients stay on track financially, and goal setting to assess additional needs.

    In 2020, this program was able to help 31,999 individuals with over $9.8 million in assistance.

    Case Management & Housing

    Through deposit and emergency rental assistance, landlord-tenant mediation, and homelessness services our Case Management & Housing program helps clients to obtain and maintain safe, stable and affordable housing. This year, one of the most urgent issues facing our community has been the inability to make housing payments with many facing evictions.

    Utah Community Action was able to stabilize 9,849 individuals impacted by COVID-19 and other financial hardships in 2020.

    Nutrition & Emergency Food

    Founded on the belief that access to healthy food provides the foundation for future success, our Nutrition program includes a Central Kitchen.

    From healthy meals for preschoolers and seniors to emergency food assistance, during the pandemic, this program provided contactless curbside pickup meals for community members facing food insecurity.

    In 2020, UCA was able to provide 14,578 boxes of emergency food as well as over 720,000 meals for children and seniors.

    Weatherization for Homes

    Serving Salt Lake, Tooele, Davis, Weber, and Morgan counties. Our Weatherization program ensures families well-being through cost-effective home improvements and energy audits.

    The critical services that Weatherization provides are offered free of charge to clients and include replacing incandescent lighting; repairing windows, doors, and furnaces; wall, floor, ceiling, duct insulation; and carbon monoxide testing.

    Our program reduces utility costs and increases comfort and safety for clients year-round. On average, there is a 35% reduction in energy costs. Last year, UCA was able to serve over 770 individuals through this program.

    Workforce Development

    For many adults living in poverty, there are multiple barriers to earning a living wage. Utah Community Action offers classes and educational resources to help adults obtain employment, increase their wage-earning potential, and decrease barriers to self-reliance.

    Our Workforce Development program increases career pathways for people in the community through: Child Development Associate Credential (CDA), Financial Literacy, and Job Readiness.

    We Make A Difference

    Over

    60,000

    Served in Salt Lake, Tooele, Morgan, Weber and
 Davis Counties

    Over

    5,000

    Adults and children
received education

    Over

    720,000

    Healthy meals served.

    Over

    32,000

    People received housing
 and utility assistance

    • “I am evidence that the Head Start program works. I have been inspired to continue serving others through education. My family has been empowered and motivated to endure through adversity. Our community here in Utah has been, and will continue to be uplifted for the work that each of you do.”

      Sofia Ortega-Flores - UCA Head Start Graduate

      Donate

      Our work wouldn't be possible without the generosity of this community. Donate below to support individuals and families with the services and tools they need to reach self-reliance.

      Make a Donation