By Rainey A. Boateng
September 9, 2002

Ms. Boateng has completed her internship with the U.S. Conference of Mayors this week. She is a student at the University of Utah's Hinkley Institute of Politics. A junior, Ms. Boateng is a Board Member of The National Conference of Community and Justice.

Under the leadership of Mayor Rocky Anderson, Salt Lake City is addressing the needs of its area youth, as well as the needs of young people from many countries who arrive as refugees. Of these youth, many have come to other American cities to escape atrocities such as warfare, violence, and genocide with the hope of regaining a safe haven and a new beginning.

To these new arrivals, Utah's golden arches may be as important as the Statue of Liberty was to immigrants who arrived in the United States via Ellis Island decades ago. Though many of the old issues and problems surrounding refugee resettlement have changed one problem has lingered - transition to a new life. This transition for newly arrived refugees and immigrants presents an outstanding challenge for many of these youths. The problem leaves mayors such as Mayor Anderson with similar challenges in cities throughout the United States which have seen an influx of refugees in the past few years.

What makes Mayor Anderson's approach so unique in assisting in refugee resettlement may be found in the partnership he has forged with a nonprofit organization known as The National Conference of Community and Justice.

The partnership between The Office of Mayor Anderson, and The National Conference of Community and Justice (NCCJ), formerly known as The National Conference of Christians and Jews, was established in 1929 and has been ongoing from the beginning of Mayor Andersons first term that began on January 3, 1999.

There is a motivating force behind the selection of the NCCJ as the vehicle to assist Mayor Anderson's Youth Programs Office in addressing the quantity of problems often faced by refugee youth. This is due largely to the mission set forth by the NCCJ. This particular nonprofit who has been a part of the Salt Lake City community since 1966 and has been active in a variety of community projects. The principle goal of these projects is making life for all people, and especially youth, more equitable, friendly, and free. Under the setting of intense dialogue at various camp retreats throughout Utah provided by The National Conference of Community and Justice, youth from a variety of cultures, socioeconomic, and religious backgrounds come together in an educational community setting in order to promote understanding and respect amongst all people regardless of race, religion, culture, or counThe inclusion of the NCCJ has been instrumental in helping Mayor Anderson's office achieve their own mission to the cities youth. This has been accomplished in a setting that is both educational and fun; a simulated community taking place at leadership camps sponsored by the NCCJ. Leadership camps and trainings ranging from one to six days in length, and camps such as Anytown, Globaltown, Mini-Anytown, and Uni-town are the secret weapon. These camps whose main focus revolves around the organizations mission statement as a focal point accomplish this goal by using a series of programs, skits, and exercises that teach tolerance, and respect, as well as understanding and leadership within a community setting. Over the past decade, the NCCJ camps that have taken place in Odgen Canyon, largely to take advantage of the Rocky Mountain atmosphere, will soon be enjoying a new location. These campUtah Region's Executive Director Joan W. Smith, Doctor of Social Work states the goal of the NCCJ and Mayor Anderson's office for refugee and local youth coming together in these camps is to have them feel accepted and to feel integrated into their schools and to reduce cultural barriers. "Many Refugee youth speak up to five languages, such as those from Eastern Europe and the Congo, but who often speak little English are ostracized by their peers. This is a program that will help them feel more accepted and will help to expand local youth's understanding of various cultures as well as their own, and help them to promote tolerance and leadership in their own communities," Smith said.

The inclusion of the NCCJ has been instrumental in helping Mayor Anderson's office achieve their own mission to the cities youth. This has been accomplished in a setting that is both educational and fun; a simulated community taking place at leadership camps sponsored by the NCCJ. Leadership camps and trainings ranging from one to six days in length, and camps such as Anytown, Globaltown, Mini-Anytown, and Uni-town are the secret weapon. These camps whose main focus revolves around the organizations mission statement as a focal point accomplish this goal by using a series of programs, skits, and exercises that teach tolerance, and respect, as well as understanding and leadership within a community setting. Over the past decade, the NCCJ camps that have taken place in Odgen Canyon, largely to take advantage of the Rocky Mountain atmosphere, will soon be enjoying a new location. These campUtah Region's Executive Director Joan W. Smith, Doctor of Social Work states the goal of the NCCJ and Mayor Anderson's office for refugee and local youth coming together in these camps is to have them feel accepted and to feel integrated into their schools and to reduce cultural barriers. "Many Refugee youth speak up to five languages, such as those from Eastern Europe and the Congo, but who often speak little English are ostracized by their peers. This is a program that will help them feel more accepted and will help to expand local youth's understanding of various cultures as well as their own, and help them to promote tolerance and leadership in their own communities," Smith said.

Utah Region's Executive Director Joan W. Smith, Doctor of Social Work states the goal of the NCCJ and Mayor Anderson's office for refugee and local youth coming together in these camps is to have them feel accepted and to feel integrated into their schools and to reduce cultural barriers. "Many Refugee youth speak up to five languages, such as those from Eastern Europe and the Congo, but who often speak little English are ostracized by their peers. This is a program that will help them feel more accepted and will help to expand local youth's understanding of various cultures as well as their own, and help them to promote tolerance and leadership in their own communities," Smith said.

The NCCJ's uniqueness and ability to help Mayor Anderson in his mission to see all Salt Lake City Youth share in the American dream also can be seen in the diversity of its staff. NCCJ's team includes teachers, socials workers, peer counselors, police officers, legislatures, college, and high school students who represent a totality of the cities diverse community.

Youth from all walks of life in the city of Salt Lake have benefited from the partnership. The NCCJ states that this program is beneficial because it keeps giving back to the community. The NCCJ focuses on a myriad of programs, forums, and partnerships within the community. This has also helped to produce many of the cities leading citizens who have been introduced to bettering and serving communities from their experience with the organization. For new refugee youth the promise is the same. By helping to create a community where every individual is strongly valued and tolerance is stressed, dialogue ensued is one less barrier and one more stepping stone.