About Us
Founded in 1965, Utah Community Action is a nationally recognized provider of comprehensive services for income-eligible families. Their six core programs—Head Start, Adult Education, Case Management & Housing, Nutrition, HEAT, and Weatherization—address barriers to self-reliance to empower individuals, strengthen families, and build communities.
Core Programs
Adult Education
Adult Education offers a variety of low or no-cost services for improving clients’ educational and job readiness skills with individualized support based on client needs and interests. These in-house, community, and higher education partnership programs provide opportunities for clients to acquire and increase skills necessary for advancing in education and employment, key barriers to adults living in poverty. By removing or reducing these barriers through the Adult Education program, students are able to make essential gains on their path to financial stability and self-reliance.
Case Management & Housing
Case Management & Housing assists those experiencing a temporary financial crisis with rental and deposit assistance, landlord-tenant mediation, homeless services and holistic case management. Through this program, as well as connections to other UCA programs and community resources, clients are able to get the support they need to stabilize long-term and achieve self-reliance.
With the completion and opening of the new Homeless Resource Centers, UCA also expanded our homeless services to include intakes and diversions at each center along with the operation of the homeless resource phone line.
Head Start Preschool
Head Start is Utah Community Action’s largest program and has been recognized at the state level as the Best Public Preschool in Utah and the national level as an exemplary program. The programs prepares children 0-5 for kindergarten and future school success through educational activities, medical and dental referral services, nutritious meals and self-reliance services for the entire family. In addition to high-quality early education, Head Start also prioritizes family engagement and promotes equity, inclusiveness, and cultural and linguistic responsiveness to build meaningful relationships.
HEAT Utility Assistance
This program is the largest provider of the HEAT program in the state, accounting for 40% of Utah’s total applications, and is often the first Utah Community Action program many clients access. HEAT services help subsidize and manage the utility costs of income-eligible households. Both seasonal and crisis assistance for power and gas bills is available year-round. Clients also receive budget counseling and education on energy use to achieve financial stability and self-reliance.
Nutrition
The Nutrition Program was founded on the belief that access to healthy food provides the foundation for future success. From healthy meals for preschoolers and seniors to emergency food supplies to culinary training, our focus is on health, education, and self-reliance. This program includes our Central Kitchen, two Food & Resource Centers and the Sauté Culinary Training program.
Weatherization
Helps income-eligible individuals and families reduce energy costs and increase comfort and safety in their homes year-round through cost-effective energy improvements as well as energy education. Common improvements include replacing incandescent lighting; repairing windows, doors, and furnaces; wall, floor, ceiling, and duct insulation; and carbon monoxide testing.
Interested in volunteering?
Sign up to volunteer
Our Mission
Utah Community Action’s mission is to empower individuals, strengthen families, and build communities through self-reliance and education programs.
Our Agency Values
APPRECIATION – We recognize and enjoy the positive contributions of others.
COMPASSION – We demonstrate genuine concern for the well-being of all.
INTEGRITY – We exemplify the highest standards of honesty and accountability.
RESPECT – We have admiration for each individual’s unique strengths and perspectives.
TRUST – We have confidence that the agency and staff will consistently act with the best of intentions.
Administrative Staff
Jennifer Godfrey
Chief Executive Officer
Ian Spangenberg
Chief Auxiliary Officer
(801) 214-3171
Joni Clark
Chief Development Officer
(801) 410-5707
Patrice Dickson
Chief Operations Officer
Social Services
(801) 214-3138
Patty Mazzoni
Chief Operations Officer
Education
(801) 410-5705
Stacy Weight
Chief Administrative Officer
(801) 410-5706
Matt Ulmer
Chief Technology Officer
(801) 410-5710
Joel Dunn
Human Resource Director
(801) 214-3153
Program Managers
Sahil Oberoi
Case Management & Housing Manager
(801) 214-3188
Jackie Drury
HEAT Manager
(801) 214-3175
Aurora Howell
Head Start Education Manager
(801) 410-5719
Gabriella Cubas-Ismaeil
Head Start Family Partnerships & ERSEA Manager
(801) 410-5718
Katherine Peterson
Head Start Health & Mental Health Manager
(801) 410-5724
Board of Trustees
Karen Crompton
Chair
Public Sector
kgcrompton@slco.org
Kelli Meranda
Board Member
Public Sector
Jennifer Kennedy
Board Member
Public Sector
Holly Vantassell Smith
Board Member
Public Sector
Jonathan Pappasideris
Board Member
Public Sector
Janis Dubno
Board Member
Public Sector
Robert Rendon
Board Member
Private Sector
Rebekah Couper-Noles
Board Member
Private Sector
Jake Hawkins
Treasurer
Private Sector
Stephanie White
Second Vice Chair
Private Sector
Julie Buchholz
Board Member
Private Sector
Yolanda Valencia-Price
Board Member
Private Sector
John Delaney
Secretary
Low-Income Sector
Dorthy Longshaw
Board Member
Low-Income Sector
Kandice Davis
Board Member
Low-Income Sector
Stephanie Russell
Board Member
Low-Income Sector
Damaris Casarez
Head Start Policy Council Chair
Low-Income Sector
Katherine Setterberg
Head Start Policy Council Chair Elect
Low-Income Sector
We assist income-eligible families with services including Adult Education, Case Management & Housing, HEAT, Head Start, Nutrition and Weatherization to help them achieve self-reliance.