According to the United Nations, a refugee is “a person who is outside his/her country and is unable or unwilling to return to that country because of a well-founded fear that she/he will be persecuted because of race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership in a particular social group.”

Tumaini Welcome & Transition Center

The Tumaini Welcome & Transition Center helps new-comer students successfully transition into their home schools. Participants receive an intensive two-week instructional program focusing on academic and social skills in English. The curriculum includes: oral language, school culture, literacy, numeracy, computers, and collaborative learning.

Serve Refugees Donation Sharehouse

The Department of Educational Equity operates a donation sharehouse for refugees. The new temporary location is in a relocatable classroom in the parking lot of Lincoln Elementary School 3700 S 450 E Salt Lake City Utah 84106 Mondays and Wednesdays from 11 am – 4 pm. It is not inside the school. The relo is in the north side of the parking lot.

For current needs and volunteer opportunities, please visit serverefugees.org and download the “Serve Refugees” app. Questions about donations can be sent to refugeedonations@graniteschools.org or call 385-646-7453.

Volunteer Childcare Helpers for Parents to Learn English

The Granite School District has many community centers where parents can come learn English, computer skills, and more. It is so helpful when there is childcare for the toddlers who come to class with them. Most classes are during the day while older kids are in school. Come play and read to children so that their parents can maximize learning opportunities! Ask for the Community Center when you arrive at the school. Sign-up here.

Language Academy at Cottonwood High

The Language Academy is designed to serve refugees and immigrants from around the world. The Language Academy provides access to a first class education with highly qualified teachers and staff. In an enriching and supportive environment we strive to increase the English language skills and academic achievement of newcomer students to support success full integration into mainstream society.

Cultural Information

• Refugees from the Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Bhutanese Refugees from Nepal
• Interview with a Burmese Karen Father
• Somali Bantu Refugees: Cultural Considerations for Social Service Providers
• Refugee Families from Iraq

Refugee Organizations

• Utah Refugee Center
• Asian Association of Utah
• International Rescue Committee – Salt Lake City
• Center for Applied Linguistics – Culture Orientation Resource Center
• Catholic Community Services
• State of Utah Refugee Office
• U.S. Office of Refugee Resettlement
• Bridging Reguee Youth & Children’s Services (BRYCS) – Refugee Portal