Current Building Transformation Project (2024)
AAU is currently revitalizing its Major Street office building in the Ballpark neighborhood. This building, which served as our main office until we relocated downtown 14 years ago, is being transformed from a storage space and human trafficking support drop-in center into a comprehensive community support hub.
Recent Renovations
Second and Third Floor Updates
In July 2024, AAU received the Lowe's Hometown grant to renovate the upper floors and repair the building's aging infrastructure. Lowe's associates from across greater Salt Lake came together with a shared mission to revitalize these spaces. Their comprehensive renovation work included prepping and painting 10 offices, renovating two conference rooms, and refreshing two hallways. The team also revitalized the entire third floor meeting area, replaced ceiling tiles throughout the building, assembled and distributed furniture, power washed the exterior, and deep cleaned all carpets.
An unexpected challenge arose when two large HVAC units required complete replacement rather than repair. We are currently seeking community support to furnish the inside offices, classrooms, therapy rooms, training rooms, and meeting spaces to complete this transformation.
First Floor - Human Trafficking Support Drop In Center
For the past nine years, the first floor has operated as a drop-in center for trafficking survivors. This space has provided essential services including direct support, food pantry access, clothing donations, and a safe space for clients to decompress. However, with annual trafficking referrals approaching 1,000 cases, the first floor space no longer suffices for the growing need. Thus, we must expand into the second and third floor to meet the needs.
AAU's Transformation
Today's AAU: Building to Thrive
Our organization continues to adapt to community needs through a diverse team of over 60 staff members from 17 different nationalities, collectively fluent in more than 30 languages. We provide comprehensive support services that are trauma-informed and culturally sensitive. These services include case management, employment assistance, therapeutic counseling, mental health treatment, English classes, and after-school tutoring. Our mission remains clear: to engage, equip, and empower victims of human trafficking, refugees, and refugee youth to become self-sufficient and thrive.
2010 - 2020: Decade of Growth
In 2011, AAU purchased a building near the Delta Center in downtown Salt Lake City, doubling our available space. The 2014 relocation to this main office significantly improved transportation access for our growing clientele of 2,000-3,000 refugee and immigrant clients annually from over 100 countries. This expansion allowed us to develop a computer lab and enhance our youth, counseling, and tutoring programs, eventually leading to our presence at the Sunnyvale Neighborhood Center. During this period, we also launched our Trafficking In Persons Program, becoming Utah's largest federally-funded trafficking victim assistance program.
2000 - 2010: Decade of Expansion
During this period, we established ourselves as the Refugee and Immigrant Center at the Asian Association of Utah, expanding our services to serve diverse newcomers from around the world. We provided comprehensive support to refugees from Iraq, Burma, Bhutan, Somalia, Afghanistan, and other countries, offering essential case management services from medical appointments to housing solutions. While refugees comprised the majority of our clients, our English classes became a valuable resource for other immigrants as well.
1977 - 2000: Foundation Years
AAU began over 47 years ago in response to a special request from Utah's governor to help resettle Vietnamese refugees from Camp Pendleton at the end of the Vietnam War. Operating from our original location at 1588 S. Major Street, we developed a comprehensive range of services including English Learning classes, afterschool tutoring, elderly programs, case management, and resettlement services. During this time, we also established and organized the Utah Asian Festival, which became a significant cultural event for the community.
