In a momentous celebration of Salt Lake City's achievement as a 3-star Certified Welcoming city by Welcoming America, AAU received recognition in a special ceremony alongside other community partners. Our organization was honored for its continued commitment to making Salt Lake City a more welcoming and inclusive community for all residents.

The ceremony, attended by Salt Lake City Council Chair Victoria Petro and Director of Access and Belonging Damian Choi, featured a symbolic tree planting to commemorate the collaborative efforts of nonprofit organizations that have contributed to making Salt Lake City a welcoming place for all. This tree will stand as a living testament to the ongoing work of organizations like AAU and our fellow community partners in fostering inclusivity and belonging.

Salt Lake City joins an distinguished group of just 25 U.S. cities and counties to receive this certification, making it particularly meaningful that our organization could be part of this achievement. As the city received its 3-star Certified Welcoming designation, we're proud to have contributed to the initiatives and partnerships that made this possible.

Since 1977, AAU has assists tens of thousands of refugees, immigrants and refugee youths  from all over 100 countries to achieve outcomes of substantive improvement, self-sufficiency, and thriving. Our linguistically sensitive and trauma-informed service is delivered by specialized staff who journey with each individual and family as they transition to life in Utah. Our specialized teams will work to ensure our clients are connected to all appropriate services through a holistic approach to services.

Looking ahead, AAU remains committed to supporting Salt Lake City's welcoming initiatives and continuing our work to ensure that every resident, regardless of their background, feels at home in our community.