Founded in 1965, Utah Community Action is one of the largest nonprofit agencies dedicated to fighting poverty and its root causes in Utah. Today, we serve over 60,000 people annually through six core programs–Adult Education, Case Management & Housing, Head Start preschool, HEAT utility assistance, Nutrition, and Weatherization for homes.
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 Adult Education program increases career pathways for people in the community through five main learning opportunities: Child Development Associate Credential (CDA), Sauté Culinary Employment Program, ESL, ACHIEVE! Financial Success, and an in-house GED Prep program.
In 2020, UCA helped 304 clients access better job opportunities.
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.
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.
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.
Founded on the belief that access to healthy food provides the foundation for future success, our Nutrition program includes a Central Kitchen, the Redwood and Copperview Food & Resource Centers, as well as a partnership with Salt Lake County Aging and Adult Services to provide meals at the Midvale, Millcreek, and Draper Senior Cafes.
From healthy meals for preschoolers and seniors to emergency food assistance, during the pandemic, this program has 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.
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.
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Served in Salt Lake, Toole, Morgan, Weber and Davis Counties
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Adults and children received education
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Healthy meals served.
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People received housing and utility assistance
“Utah Community Action came into my life at a critical moment. It gave me a safe space, practical help, a sense of community and belonging, and encouragement. I am truly so grateful, and I know I can never repay what was done for me, but look forward to the day I can pay it forward.”
Paola Leao - UCA Client
“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