System-involved youth programming

Hope Series

Our team partnered with the Division of Juvenile Justice and Youth Services to develop an impactful program for system-involved youth that centers hope as its framework. The dynamic leadership workshops use writing, reflection activities, and community murals to develop communication skills, inspire collaboration, and empower youth to explore how they can serve their community.

Our partnership began in 2019 with our first mural project supported by local artist Tracy Williams. In 2023, with funding from UServeUtah, a multi-week program was developed called "Writers Who Hope," which is now an ongoing framework for our system-involved youth leadership development.

"Every person that I worked with...they all have leadership traits. And it kind of helped me realize that leadership doesn't just start with one person, it's more of a group effort... I'm trying to incorporate those skills that they've taught me a little bit more than I have been..."
writers who hope and ogden mural project participant

Ogden Mural 2024

Men of Hope 2024

Writers Who Hope 2023

How We

Build Hope

The foundation of the Hope series is built on upholding the dignity of our youth and showing them love during their journey. We work to ensure that our most marginalized youth know that there is hope, healing, and purpose when we come together and collectively invest in efforts that address existing gaps.

Murals of

Hope

A varied program that invites mentor artist Tracey Williams to guide system-involved youth from idea to painting a mural that will exist in a common area within the center to build legacy within the centers.

Writers Who Hope 2023

Sermersooq / '14

Siargao Island / '08

Valley of Fires / '17

Sermersooq / '14

Siargao Island / '08

Men of

Hope

A several week facilitated course that engaged in lessons on productive communication, conflict navigation, space-making, community building, and healthy masculinity.

Writers Who Hope

A several week program that used writing as a tool to develop leadership, communication, and self-expression.

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Men of Hope

A several week program that built public speaking, leadership, and healthy relationship skills.

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"Watch Us Grow" Ogden Mural

A mural created with mentor artist Tracy Williams and Rob Pacheco at the Weber Valley Youth Center.

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Kindness Farmington Mural

An ongoing program in partnership with One Kind Act a Day and Juvenile Justice Youth Services at the Farmington Center

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Our Partners

Our Sponsors

Overview of Event

The Multicultural Youth Leadership Summit is an annual event for 7th, 8th and 9th grade students and educators. This engaging and dynamic program aims to motivate students to pursue higher education and become leaders of Utah.

The Utah Division of Multicultural Affairs hosted the first Multicultural Youth Leadership Summit on April 30, 2013 at the Davis Conference Center. We have since hosted Summits at Weber State University, Calvin L. Rampton Salt Palace Convention Center, Mountain America Exposition Center, and Salt Lake Community College -Redwood Campus.

Learn more about our most recent event!

The State of Equity in Utah

Our equity efforts are multifaceted and we work with multiple partners across the state to advance opportunity in various sectors.

> More on Equity Efforts

Equity Learning Resources

We believe that education builds awareness and can create the understanding necessary to identify solutions and unify efforts in a collaborative way.

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How We Engage Communities

We prioritize engagement opportunities by interacting with community groups, government-oriented organizations, and ongoing initiatives to build trusting relationships, feedback loops, and co-create solutions to community needs.

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Grant OpportunIties

In collaboration with the Utah Department of Cultural & Community Engagement, we offer various grant programs to support community organizations in their work towards resource expansion and opportunity.

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3760 S Highland Dr, Salt Lake City, UT 84106

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