Community Resource Guide

Below are listed some resources and references specific for the Karen community. For a complete list of organizations and related information provided by the Utah Refugee Services Office, click here. This document contains further information about refugee partners, English classes, GED programs, Community Learning Centers, Family Programs, Information about contacting Social Security, Health Care, Interpreters, Housing, and much more.

English Classes:

English classes are taught throughout the Salt Lake area. Some locations are listed below:

Refugee Center at Asian Association (RIC@AAU)
155 South 300 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84102
Free or low-fee, small-group pre-literate to intermediate English classes, emphasizing life skills and preemployment.
Full or part-time day or evening classes. http://www.aau-slc.org/
Gayane Manukyan, ESL Coordinator 801 990-9475, gayanem@aau-slc.org

American Preparatory Academy, www.americanprep.org
1255 West Crystal Ave. (2590 South), WVC, 84119, 801 839-3613
Carolyn Sharette, Director, csharette@apamail.org
Melony Leavitt, ESL program, mleavitt@apamail.org
Free English classes offered Tuesday-Friday session I: 8:30 a.m. and session II: 9:30.

English Language Center of Cache Valley
1544 North 200 West, Logan, Utah 84341, 435 750-6534, www.elc-cv.org
Katie Jensen, Co-Director, katie@elc-cv.org

English Skills Learning Center
631 West North Temple, Suite 70, Salt Lake City, UT 84116
The English Skills Learning Center provides free individualized English instruction.
Catherine Barnhart, Executive Director, 801-328-5608, c.barnhart@eslcenter.org
Rachel Blackmer, Assistant Director, 801 328-5608, r.blackmer@eslcenter.org
Beth Garstka, Volunteer Coordinator, 801 328-5608, b.garstka@eslcenter.org

Granite Peaks Learning Center, http://www.granitepeaks.org/
501 East 3900 South, 84106, 385-646-5447, Mary Lou Otteson, Community Ed Coordinator Secretary
For immigrants, refugees, and others with limited English proficiency. Must be 18 years of age or not
registered in a regular K-12 program. Instruction from “Pre-Beginning” to “Advanced.” Citizenship
preparation classes offered. Multiple locations.

Guadalupe Center, http://www.guadalupe-schools.org/index.html
340 South Goshen Street, Salt Lake City, Utah 84104, Phone: 801-531-6100
The Early Learning Center (ELC) provides a continuum of services from birth through age nine. The
Voluntary Improvement Program (VIP) is designed to teach non-English speaking adults.

Horizonte Instruction and Training Center, http://www.slc.k12.ut.us/sites/horizonte/esl.htm
1234 South Main Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84101, 801-578-8574

Lutheran Social Services
4392 South 900 East, Salt Lake City, Utah 84124, 801 588-0139
Free English classes taught by certified teacher – Tuesday and Wednesday 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.,
Thursday 8:00 – 10:00 a.m. (Thursday class is followed by Mana Market – free food.)
If student attends 80% of the class time they receive a free bus pass at the end of the month.

Salt Lake Community College School of Applied Technology
South City Campus: 1575 South State, Salt Lake City, UT 84115, 801-957-3354
More information can be found at: http://www.schools.utah.gov/adulted/public/site_directory.htm

Citizenship Classes:

For those who have been in the United States for 5 years, you can apply for citizenship. The English Skills Learning Center provides great classes, and has locations for small groups as well as one on one training. If you are interested, you will need to call or visit to have an assessment of English ability and then they can set you up with the class that fits you best. Classes for refugees are free.

English Skills Language Center

631 W. North Temple, Suite #70 

Salt Lake City, UT 84116

(801) 328-5608

For help in applying for citizenship, if you are food stamps, you can contact the IRC to receive aid (and possibly financial assistance) in applying for citizenship.