Asian Association of Utah

Address: 1588 South Major Street
Salt Lake City, UT 84115
801-467-6060

Asian Association of Utah (AAU) is a private, non-profit, community-based organziation fromed in 1977 and has been providing multiple social services for the past 27 years. This mission of AAU is to assist immigrants and refugees in their adjustments by accessing social and educational services and retaining their cultural identities. Treatment services cover areas in mental healt, substance abuse, domestic violence and other court-referred cases. Prevention programs include parenting classes, case management services for school dropouts, tutoring, summer school, and HIV and tobacco prevention. Education and emplyment services consist of English classes, pre-employment training, employment referral services, work-place support, emplyer outreach, and health intervention. In fiscal year 2004, we serve a total of 1,200 clients in various programs.

The agency is well known in the community and need immigrants and refugees heavily utilize services. Close working relationships are developed with school districts, juvenile courts, police departments, immigrant and refugee community organizations, resettlement agencies, state protective services, alcohol and drug prevention and treatment programs and many others. An excellent understanding of communities' needs enhances effectiveness in reaching out to specific populations to provide appropriate services. Bilingual workers with cultural understanding are keys in serving diverse language groups. in additiona to Asians and Pacific Islanders, AAU programs are requested to be extended to many community groups, including refugees from Africa, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East.

As a community base social service provider, the most strenuous challenge is to offer effective ervices that generatemeasurable and long-term outcomes for clients. Working relationships with various departments of the University of Utah are proven to be instrumental in bringing much needed objectivity and expertise in program planning, implementation, and evaluation.