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Check out this article involving refugees!
Now Enrolling: National Driving Scrhool
Classes Starting Monday, October 24, 2011 8:00 am to 10:00 am
Cost for State Required Driver Education: $250
We have over 200 computer based driver license practice test questions and answers in Spanish, Arabic, French, Swahili, Urdu, Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, and many others languages to help our students pass the written knowledge test for Learner’s Permit.
For more information, visit us on the web @ www.nationaldrivingschoolusa.com
National Driving School
1750 West 4160 South Suite 200
Carriage Square- Off Redwood
Tel: 801 661 5938
Tel: 801 502 7985
Check out this recent story from the Salt Lake Tribune concerning refugees http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/52952241-78/lake-refugee-refugees-salt.html.csp
Driver License and Identification Card (S.B. 47)
As of July 1, 2011 Utah law allows a refugee or approved asylee to take the knowledge portion of the driver license test orally, in their native language, for an original limited-term driver license. In order to take advantage of this new law, applicants must use an approved interpreter while taking the test.
- The applicant will schedule an appointment for their knowledge test on-line at www.driverlicense.utah.gov. The applicant will need an email address in order to receive the appointment confirmation. If applicant cannot obtain an email address, they can call Driver License Customer Service at 1-801-965-4437 or toll free at 1-888-353-4224 to schedule an appointment by telephone. Note: DL requires 24-hour notice to cancel or change appointment.
- Once applicant receives their appointment, they should call one of the approved interpreting companies to schedule an interpreter for the knowledge portion of the driver license test.
*Interpreter costs are the responsibility of the applicant*
- Pentskiff Interpreting Services: 801-484-4089 or 1-888-898-7129 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Contractor requests at least 24 hours advance notice.
- CommGap International Services: 801-944-4049
- Linguistica International: 801-262-4550 24 hours a day/7 days a week. 30 minute notice is required for onsite interpretation.
Program 'Empowering Parents' to learn English, read to kids
SALT LAKE CITY -- For many parents who speak English as a second language or speak little to no English at all, getting involved in their child's education is difficult...
Read more...
Lending a hand to refugees in America
Refugees 101
A refugee is a person who is forced to flee his or her country due to past persecution, or a well-founded fear of future persecution, because of political opinion, race, religion, nationality, or particular social group. Read more...
Statistics at a Glance
Take a look at some interesting statistics on refugees resettled in the world, the United States and Utah. read more
Refugee Resettlement in Utah - 2000 - 2009
State of Utah Refugee Office
On behalf of the Utah Refugee Services Office (RSO), welcome to our Web site. We hope you will browse this site and in the process gain an understanding of refugees and the services available to them. We intend the site to expand and improve with your input, so please let us know what you think. The Web site is meant to be useful to refugees, service providers, public and private partners, and the community at large. It should assist us in sharing information, coordinating services, and becoming closer as a community.
Governor Jon M. Huntsman, Jr. established the RSO in 2008. The RSO resides within the Department of Workforce Services. This office provides leadership in service coordination, policy review, accountability, advocacy and resource development and management for essential services to refugees in the State of Utah.
Our Mission
The mission of the Utah Refugee Services Office is to maximize the quality and pace of refugee integration, coordinate all services for refugees and manage Federal funding.
Our Business Plan
The Refugee's Road to Integration
Our Staff
Gerald Brown, Director
Gerald Brown, Director 801-526-9787 geraldbrown@utah.gov
Rebecca Bell, Administrative Asst. 801-526-9483 rbell@utah.gov
Amy Wylie, Program Specialist 801-651-9025 awylie@utah.gov
Norman Nakamura, Program Specialist 801-526-9749 normannakamura@utah.gov
Irina Pierpont, DWS Liaison 801-526-9759 ipierpont@utah.gov
Joseph Nahas, Capacity Bldg Specialist 801-759-5976 jnahas@utah.gov
Felecia Maxfield, Program Specialist 801-550-0922 fmaxfie@utah.gov
Monthly Activity Reports (as reported to the Refugee Advisory Board)
Event Details and Descriptions
Governor Herbert Declares June 2011 as Refugee Month in Utah
Refugee Map by School Districts in SL County Refugee Map by Municipalities in SL County
Ali, a local unaccompanied refugee foster care youth graduates from High School.
June 2011
By Julie Lyon- Salt Lake Tribune
September 4, 2011
Utah’s driver license law continues to force most refugees to take the exam in English, despite efforts to make the process easier for new arrivals. The language requirement has apparently led hundreds of refugees living in Utah to illegally drive with licenses from Arizona and Colorado, where translation is allowed.
After 21 years of suffering, Sudanese refugee is face of courage and diversity
By Ladd Brubaker
SALT LAKE CITY — When government troops attacked Nyandeng Aleu's small village in southern Sudan, the people quickly scattered into the forest, fleeing in terror. But not everyone could escape. Around 15 villagers were shot dead...
School pushes refugee students to succeed
By Jennifer Stagg
SALT LAKE CITY -- The teachers and staff at Granite Park Junior High School have made learning about much more than textbooks. Every day, they work to help the diverse student body succeed...
Utahns urged to ‘be a blessing’ for refugees
By Heather May
An angel named Amy transformed the lives of the Nahas family, refugees from Sierra Leon. Joe Nahas recalled how Amy Wylie stopped his wife and children as they were heading downtown on a cold autumn day in 2004, months after they had arrived in the United States, and brought them winter jackets. She helped his wife start a child care center and then expand it. She secured a plane ticket for Nahas to join his family in Utah and later got him his job...
Iraqi journalist, now a refugee in Utah, building a new life
By Mohammed Mushib
Refugees are part of the collateral damage of unrest in the world, and Utah has long been a destination for those displaced from their homeland...
Refugees worry about teenagers ill-equipped for Utah schools - Salt Lake Tribune
By Kristen Moulton
Refugee teenagers, particularly from war-torn African nations, are discouraged and disconnected because they are not equipped for the class work they are expected to do in Utah classrooms...
June 12: Wasatch Choice for 2040; Refugees in Utah; Utah Civility and Community 2011 (Segment 2)
Gov. Gary Herbert has declared June Utah Refugee Month. Each year more than one thousand people from around the world are relocated to Utah, in order to escape violence and persecution in their own countries. They are refugees...
read story
Refugees tell their tales of terror and hope :: Catholic News Agency (CNA)
By Marie Mischel
Fleeing war-torn countries and political persecution, refugees from all around the world come to the United States to find peace and to prosper. Through the years, 30,000 of them have been resettled in Utah...
Support Threatened for Refugees in Utah Whose
Trauma, Persecution Led to Mental Health Issues
Mike Terry, Deseret News
An Iraqi refugee at his home on Thursday, May 12, 2011. Although he and his
family were able to escape after numerous attempts at the lives of he and his
family, the mental scars and consequences have followed him to Utah as
as continuing to see a mental health therapist is a necessity.
Red Butte Gardens Service Project by Refugee Students
April 2011 - This service project was completed by students from the Language Academy at Cottonwood High School. A small grant to help fund this project was written by Carrie Pender, the Refugee Outreach Specialist.
Refugee farm sprouts in West Valley City
STEVE GRIFFIN | The Salt Lake Tribune) Bhagiratha Bhattarai, of Bhutan, points to an emerging pea plant she is growing. Her effort is part of an initiative sponsored by Salt Lake County, the Utah Refugee Coalition and the International Rescue Committee to use urban farming as a way to help refugees transition into their new life in Utah. The farm in West Valley City encompasses 36 community gardens.
April 20, 2011
to read the entire story
New Roots farm to nourish bodies and souls of refugee families
Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
to read the entire story
KSL Cultural Connections
Listen to the Interview with RSO staff members Gerald Brown, Irina Pierpont, Amy Wylie and Joe Nahas
http://pandora.bonnint.net/audio/2011_03_20_cultural_connections.mp3
Artist who refused to paint for Suddam Hussein, debuts artwork in Salt Lake
Written by Alexis Scott
news@abc4.com...........March 2011
Eric Schwartz' Trip to Tunisia and Egypt
Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees, and Migration
We spoke with many people in the transit camp near Ras Djir. Though they seemed both exhausted and bewildered, their basic needs were being met and they expressed deep gratitude for the efforts to provide them with assistance.
Photo courtesy of UNHCR/ A.Branthwaite
Sudanese Community Meets with Governor Gary Herbert - March 2011
Congratulations to English Skills Learning Center
for receiving the 2011 Volunteer Nonprofit Program of the Year!
read letter sent to ESLC from the Lt. Governor and Director of Commission on Volunteers
March 1, 2011 - Columbus Branch Boy Scouts at Steiner Ice Rink
See the Good in Pathways
a video showcasing the Utah Refugee Pathways to Self Sufficiency project
BYU broadcasting did a fabulous job
http://byutv.org/watch/2151-305?sms_ss=mailto&at_xt=4d49b34f0f1ebbf4,0
Utah Refugee Pathways to Self Sufficiency is a project of the Utah Refugee Coalition
partnering with Salt Lake County
Test Your Knowledge
Utah Refugees in the News
Utah Foster Parents Welcome Refugees
Catholic Community Services Finds Them Homes
Opara "Ben" Aikuli, an orphan from Congo,
was placed as a foster child in Susan Johnson's
home in Roy.
The Deseret News - November 1, 2010
Refugee Women in the Community
This photograph of a Bhutanese woman was taken by
Nick Steffens, a professional photo journalist who has
volunteered his services to benefit refugees. The photo
was taken at a recent Bhutanese celebration held at Horizonte.
Halima Voted Today!
It is the vision of the English Skills Learning Center to
bring promise of integration, security and empowerment to adult
immigrants and refugees in the Greater Salt Lake Area.
Here is an example of this vision being implemented.
(pictured: Halima and Beth Garstka)
Sudanese Community of Utah (SCUT) Honored at State Capitol
Pictured Left to Right:
Santino Bol, President,
Dedi Ramba, Secretary,
Tino Nyawelo, Chair
Mike Mower, Governor's Office.
Mike is mentoring the very successful Sudanese Community of Utah.
Issues Facing the Refugee Community
Transportation
Getting Refugees on the Road a Tough Task.....
The Salt Lake Tribune - July 19, 2010
'English only' driver's test change makes refugees' lives even tougher
The Salt Lake Tribune - April 23, 2010
Utah Driver License Update - January 2010
See important changes to the Utah license or identification card
Housing
Low-income Homes Under Construction
Deseret News - October 17, 2010
TANF Housing Assistance
For More Information
Unemployment
Housekeeper Tluang Hnin, from Myanmar, makes a bed at Park City resort. There are 14 from Myanmar on the staff.
Deseret News - June 18, 2010
read full story
Refugee Youth Issues
Newcomer Academy for refugees and immigrants may end due to school district budget cuts
Kee Meh, from Thailand
The Deseret News - May 9, 2010
Creating a Community Center
Health Clinic
Resettling Outside the Salt Lake Valley
UNHCR The UN Refugee Agency
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees was established on December 14, 1950 by the United Nations General Assembly. The agency is mandated to lead and co-ordinate international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide. Its primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees. It strives to ensure that everyone can exercise the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another State, with the option to return home voluntarily, integrate locally or to resettle in a third country. It also has a mandate to help stateless people. In more than five decades, the agency has helped tens of millions of people restart their lives. Today, a staff of some 6,600 people in more than 110 countries continues to help about 34 million persons. Read the latest news................
View Archived Press Releases
For Questions or Comments regarding this site
contact Rebecca Bell at rbell@utah.gov
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Resource Manual
Refugee's Plea 
