When a young woman from South America arrived at AAU, she was struggling to overcome significant trauma and exploitation. Through integrated support with trauma-informed therapy, comprehensive case management, and consistent mentorship, she embarked on a healing journey.
Working closely with our behavioral health team, she processed her trauma while simultaneously pursuing her goals. Her resilience shone through as she earned her high school diploma despite the challenges she faced. She didn't stop there: she completed a professional certification program, enrolled in higher education, and secured part-time employment, each milestone building on the last.
Her behavioral health therapist notes
“It’s been a privilege to walk alongside my client on this journey. I’ve seen her show up with courage, honesty, and determination, even on the hardest days. There were moments of doubt and pain, but also so many moments of growth and joy. Watching her grow in confidence, celebrate her accomplishments, and begin to believe in her own potential has been incredibly moving. Her strength and resilience remind me how powerful it is when people feel supported and believed in."
Today, she balances work, school, and continued engagement with support services. She has built a life defined not by what happened to her, but by her strength, her goals, and her hope for the future. Her story is a powerful reminder that with comprehensive, trauma-informed care, survivors can move beyond healing to truly thriving.
AAU's Behavioral Health team provides holistic, trauma-informed, culturally responsive mental health therapy services to refugees, refugee youth and survivors of human trafficking. Our licensed clinicians use evidence based therapeutic approaches tailored to each client's unique needs. Whether we are working to address adjustment disorders, depression, severe chronic illness, or counseling survivors of domestic violence, we strive to provide services that help individuals and families build on their strengths and become integrated members of the community.
Community members interested in supporting our mission can make tax-deductible donations through aau-slc.org/donate. Every contribution helps sustain comprehensive, trauma-informed, culturally responsive services that create pathways from crisis to thriving for Utah's most vulnerable community members.
Thanks to incredible supporters like you, we raised $5,000 on Giving Tuesday, which means with our matching gift, we reached $10,000 total for refugees, refugee youth, and human trafficking survivors across Utah!
Our generous anonymous donor was so inspired by the community's response on Giving Tuesday that they've agreed to extend the matching gift through December 31st! That means every donation made from now through the end of the year will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to an additional $10,000. Donate today to double your impact.
