Community Partner Programs (CPP) partners with nonprofits, schools, government programs, and other local community organizations to build a reciprocal relationship where students get opportunities to learn more about social issues in our community and make a difference in the lives of community members while the organizations are supported by enthusiastic volunteers and student leaders to achieve their goals. This program focuses on regular-ongoing opportunities, most of which being about an hour a week, or 4 hours a month.
Volunteer Program Structure
We are partnered with 40+ programs each year and organize them into 6 issue areas depending on what our volunteers do with them. Please explore our current partners below and the work they are doing in the community.
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Advocacy
The Advocacy Issue Area partners with organizations that support individuals and communities facing systemic barriers—such as refugee families, older adults, animals, disaster‑affected populations, and the unhoused—by expanding access to essential services and rights. Volunteers help fill critical gaps in support and assist people navigating complex or isolating circumstances.
- American Red Cross
- Best Friends Animal Society
- Catholic Community Services
- International Rescue Committee
- Jewish Family Service
- Ronald McDonald House
- Youth Resource Center
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Arts & Recreation
The Arts & Recreation Issue Area partners with organizations that foster creativity, belonging, and community connection through arts, sports, and recreational programming. Volunteers coach adaptive sports, support events and performances, and engage children and adults—including people with disabilities—in creative and active experiences.
- Arts for Youth
- Canyon Hospice Music Therapy
- Elevate Theater Company
- Special Olympics Utah Team
- U-FIT
- Utah Symphony | Utah Opera
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Education
The Education Issue Area partners with local schools and organizations to support academic growth for refugees, adults, and youth in underserved communities. Volunteers help with homework, literacy skills, ACT prep, and adult job‑readiness support.
- ACT Prep
- Bud Bailey Youth Tutoring
- Guadalupe Center
- Hser Ner Moo
- Project Read Utah
- Refugee Job Club
- Road Home Literacy Night
- The Children's Center Utah
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Health & Wellness
The Health & Wellness Issue Area partners with hospital and community programs that promote wellbeing for children, adults, and older adults. Volunteers support activities such as patient companionship, free vision screenings, and wellness assistance.
- Friends for Sight
- Hospice and U
- Maliheh Free Clinic
- Primary Children's Hospital
- Rides for Wellness
- Salt Lake Veteran's Home
- UAF Legacy Health
- Utah Naloxone
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Mentorship
The Mentorship Issue Area partners with organizations that support at‑risk youth, immigrant and disabled adults, and low‑income families through consistent, relationship‑based mentoring. Volunteers build meaningful connections, offer encouragement, and support personal growth through ongoing one‑on‑one or small‑group engagement.
- Best Buddies
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Utah
- Circles Coaching
- Girl Scouts Outreach
- Road Home Teens' Night Out
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Sustainability & Food Justice
The Sustainability & Food Justice Issue Area partners with organizations that advance environmental stewardship and sustainable food access. Volunteers help with community gardening, recycling efforts, food recovery, school garden upkeep, and meal delivery to older adults.
- Bicycle Collective
- Edible Campus Gardens
- Feed U Food Pantry
- Food Recovery Network
- Meals on Wheels
- Social Justice Gardens - Mountain View
Student Leadership
- All actively enrolled students are eligible to apply to become a Partner Liaison. Preference given to current volunteers within the Community Partner Programs.
- Applications open in February each year to fill positions of departing student leaders for the following year.
- PLs serve from April to April (a full calendar year including remote engagement over the summer)
- IAC Applications open early in Spring semester to prepare for transitioning leaders. All current Partner Liaisons are encouraged to apply.
- They mentor 10-15 partner liaisons and lead changes in the program.
- Issue Area Coordinators receive a scholarship each year (so long they meet eligibility requirements)
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