SALT LAKE AMERICAN
formerly Salt Lake American Muslim was established as a cultural organization to promote goodwill and mutual understanding through a multiethnic performing arts festival in 2003. In 2023 it was turned over to the Emerald Hills Institute in Salt Lake City.
In 2006 this organization was rebranded and reorganized as Salt Lake American to provide language and navigating the system services to refugees who faced formidable language and cultural barriers to survival – the prime example being Somali refugees in Salt Lake City Area estimated 10,000 families out of which 300 faced such significant barriers. These refugees need assistance 24-7 in circumstances particularly medical, security, and housing emergencies. As a result, a Somali English language interpretation, translation, and guidance in navigating the system service program was established in 2010 in partnership with the Somali Community Self-Management Agency. Such direct services are provided by the Somali Community Self-Management Agency Social Service Facilitators free of charge on-call 24-7 to their community members. Grant application and the service project is managed by Salt Lake American also known as Salt Lake American Refugee Services.
Prior to 2010 this service program also served other refugee communities such as the Iraqi, Afghan, Myanmar, and Iranian refugee community members living in Salt Lake County.
Assistant Executive Director, Somali Community Self-Management Agency – Direct Services