Salt Lake City becomes the first Certified Welcoming city in Utah

Sept. 16, 2024

Welcoming America, a national nonprofit organization, announced today that Salt Lake City has achieved the 3-star Certified Welcoming designation.

"Salt Lake City is a place committed to ensuring that every individual, no matter their background, feels a sense of belonging here," said Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall. "Becoming a Certified Welcoming city is a meaningful step in breaking down barriers and creating pathways for everyone to call our city home. We will continue to build a community where everyone feels valued, heard, and welcomed."

Salt Lake City's designation was based on several initiatives, partnerships, and external programs throughout the city, such as:

• Know Your Neighbor Program: This Salt Lake City initiative, in partnership with the Utah Refugee Services Office, emphasizes friendship-building and builds relationships between immigrant and non-immigrant residents, fostering community cohesion and mutual understanding.
• Salt Lake City Arts Council: Recognized for its efforts in equity and inclusion through programming and grantmaking, the Arts Council enriches the city's cultural landscape.
• Horizonte's College Access Program: This program provides vital support and scholarships to high school students, including immigrants, to help them pursue higher education.
• City Connect Program: By offering public Wi-Fi hotspots in community centers, parks, and other public spaces, this program addresses digital access disparities and enhances connectivity for all residents.

"We're excited to honor Salt Lake City for its commitment to inclusivity and belonging. The city's work to connect diverse communities through robust programs like Know Your Neighbor shows a real effort to create an inclusive environment and provides a rich roadmap for building a strong sense of belonging within cities. We look forward to supporting Salt Lake City as it continues to build a welcoming community," said Rachel Perić, executive director of Welcoming America.

Salt Lake City joins an esteemed group of 25 other U.S. cities and counties recognized for their commitment to inclusivity. The 3-star designation reflects Salt Lake City's dedication to advancing welcoming practices with transparency and accountability, as guided by Welcoming America's Welcoming Standard.

Salt Lake City joins Salt Lake County, which was the first county in the country to be certified in 2018.

About Welcoming America

Welcoming America is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that leads a movement of inclusive communities becoming more prosperous by ensuring everyone belongs. We believe that all people, including immigrants, are valued contributors and vital to the success of our communities and shared future. Learn more at welcomingamerica.org.

About Certified Welcoming

Certified Welcoming is a formal designation for local governments that have created policies and programs reflecting their values and commitment to immigrant inclusion. This innovative program assesses local governments on their efforts to include and welcome immigrants in all areas of civic, social, and economic life in their communities. With a Certified Welcoming designation, communities distinguish their local efforts, build a competitive advantage, and gain access to opportunities to share their welcoming practices on a regional, national, and global stage. Learn more at certifiedwelcoming.org

Tags: City Connect, Diversity, equity, Inclusive, Know Your Neighbor program, Mayor Erin Mendenhall, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake City Arts Council, Salt Lake City Council, Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall, Welcoming America, Welcoming Week

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