SPRING 2007 WESTSIDE LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE GRADUATES TWELVE IN SPRING 2007

     Twelve west Salt Lake residents graduated from University Neighborhood Partners’ (UNP) Westside Leadership Institute (WLI) in a ceremony held on the University of Utah campus, in the Student Union Building, Crimson Room, 6:00p on May 22, 2007. Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon delivered the keynote address, sharing the story of his own development as a leader in serving his community. He said he was certain the members of this WLI class would undoubtedly follow the same arc, investing time and effort in their communities as leaders. Two WLI graduates also spoke about their experiences in community activism and what they learned in as a result of the WLI training. Maria Garciaz, executive director of Salt Lake Neighborhood Housing Services, served as Master of Ceremonies.

CHANGES PLANNED FOR FALL 2007 AND SPRING 2008 WLI SESSIONS

 For the fall of 2007, the Westside Leadership Institute will offer a workshop for graduates of its program focused on learning strategies for making your voice and concern heard by city government officials. Coordinated by University of Utah political science professor, Claudio Holzner, the session will invite former Spanish-speaking participants to build upon the leadership skills they learned through WLI. WLI has graduated over 50 Spanish language graduates. Plans for the session are still in the preliminary stage. Starting dates and times are yet to be determined.

Changes are also in store for the 2008 WLI session. Groundwork is being laid to offer the first WLI session for west Salt Lake youth. Details will be available soon.

Westside Leadership Brochure (PDF)

• Westside Leadership Institute: The Westside Leadership Institute (WLI) supports the development of west side resident leaders as a catalyst for positive change in their communities. WLI offers leadership workshops taught by University faculty and community leaders to west Salt Lake residents while connecting them to local decision-making bodies, funding sources, and further support. Our goal is to equip citizens to take civic action in their communities, while providing learning opportunities for University faculty and students.. Our Spring 2006 session ends May 2. 

• WLI Mission: The WLI is a community/University partnership that supports west Salt Lake residents' efforts to take civic action for positive change in their communities. The WLI works to produce reciprocal benefits for University of Utah students, faculty, and community partners.

• WLI History: Three community partners, University Neighborhood Partners, SL Neighborhood Housing Services (NHS), and SL Weed and Seed, created and opened the WLI in spring of 2004. They brought together six faculty members from the University of Utah with west side community leaders to co-teach a grassroots, community leadership course based on the Pew Foundation's LeadershipPlenty program. Since then, WLI has offered three sessions in English and one in Spanish.

• WLI Classes: Westside Leadership Institute holds sessions once every spring for eight weeks. Classes are held one night a week, from 6:00-9:00 pm., generally beginning in March and ending in May. WLI classes are held at Neighborhood Housing Services and dinner is provided prior to each WLI session. A graduation session is held on the University of Utah campus at the end of the WLI classes. This year's ceremony will be held Sat., May 13, 2006. Graduates are awarded a certificate from the University of Utah and the WLI.

• WLI Curriculum: Based on curriculum developed by seven University of Utah faculty, this locally-based community leadership training teaches citizens how to engage in local government. Students engage in discussions about making meetings work, managing a community project, and identifying community assets, among many other topics. Seven members of the University of Utah community and one community organization leader will serve as instructors this spring:
  • Moises Prospero, Social Work;
  • Luke Garrott, Political Science;
  • Bruce Parsons, Social Work;
  • Dave Patton, Center for Public Policy and Administration;
  • Dennis Alexander, Communication;
  • Ken Embley, Center for Public Policy and Administration;
  • Sandra Parks, Associate dean for Academic Outreach and Continuing Education; and
  • Daniel Pacheco, Neighborhood Housing Services Public Affairs Director.
• WLI Projects: WLI participants will apply the skills they are learning as they work together to plan and implement a project to benefit the community. Each participant will be able to promote a project of personal interest- an opportunity to move a personal interest into community action. In addition, participants can apply for a $400 Community Mini-Grant to carry out a community project. The Spring 2007 cohort initiated a project celebrating the 20 year anniversary of the International Peace Garden located at Jordan Park (1060 South, 900 West).

• WLI Partners: The Westside Leadership Institute is a project of University Neighborhood Partners, the Center for Public Policy and Administration at the University of Utah , and Salt Lake Neighborhood Housing Services. The WLI classes are taught by professors from the University of Utah and west Salt Lake community leaders.
  

• WLI Participants: Residents living in west Salt Lake neighborhoods (west of State Street and between 2100 South and the Davis County line), leaders, or individuals working in the west Salt Lake are invited to participate in the Westside Leadership Institute.

• WLI Leaders: WLI has trained over 85 west Salt Lake residents to date. This crop of budding community leaders has received training on how to run productive meetings, on how to initiate and manage a community project, and on how to communicate effectively with a community. Many graduates have put their skills to good use by taking up positions on local nonprofit Boards of Advisors, community councils, and city government committees. If your organization would like to tap into the leadership skills of these residents, please contact Sarah Monroe at 972-3596 or Daniel Pacheco at 539-1590.

• WLI Registration: To register for the WLI contact Salt Lake Neighborhood Housing Services (NHS) at 801-539-1590 or University Neighborhood Partners (UNP) at 801-972-3596 for an application form. After you fill out the application form, please mail, fax, or deliver it to NHS offices: 622 West 500 North, SLC , UT 84116. Fax: 801-539-1593. The WLI training costs $90.00. Applicants may inquire about a scholarship of $60.00 to subsidize the cost.

"I had a great experience participating in the Westside leadership Institute! I learned to identify strengths and weaknesses, manage conflict, embrace diversity and much more. Our group became fast friends, had a lot of fun, ate great food, and supported one another in our projects. We also came to know a sincere and caring group of University of Utah instructors and community facilitators. I now feel empowered and ready to make positive changes in my community because of the WLI. The WLI gave me an opportunity to better myself, my family and my community!"     - Gina Zivkovic