Good News Utah Magazine—Fall 2021

P O S I T I V E LY U T A H

+

Magazine

+

The Other Side Academy Creating a better life for convicts, addicts, and the homeless

+

From Refugee to Philanthropist One Utah teen’s quest to change the world

GoodNewsUtah.com

Fall 2021

The Color of Utah HOW NIKKI WALKER IS IMPROVING DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

If you’ve been hurt in an accident, it can often be difficult to know what to do or where to turn.

We’re here to help!

Call us anytime or visit our website for more information

• The bigger and more complex your case the better legal representation you need.

• Hiring an experienced law firm with a proven track record is critical to the outcome of your case.

• Siegfried & Jensen is a team of eighteen attorneys that has resolved dozens of multi-million dollar cases over the past thirty years.

Learn More at: SiegfriedAndJensen.com

801-222-2222

Fall 2021 Contents

22

22 The Children’s Center: Providing Help, Hope, and Healing

IN EVERY ISSUE p. 6 The Bright Side

28

Feature Stories

p. 60 Good News by the Numbers p. 61 High Note

Where can families turn when their very young children need help with mental or emotional issues? For nearly 60 years, The Children’s Center, a nonprofit organization in Salt Lake City, has provided mental health care to enhance the well-being of infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and their families and caregivers—regardless of their ability to pay.

BY CAR OLYN CAMPB EL L

28 The Color of Utah: One Woman’s Quest to Improve Diversity and Inclusion

When people of different races, cultures, and sexual orientations share ideas and work together, it enriches businesses and communities. That’s why Nikki Walker is on a mission to improve diversity and inclusion throughout the Beehive State.

BY JAMIE AR MSTR ONG

34

34 The Other Side Academy: Sharing Hope and Transforming Lives

David Durocher was a drug addict and convict who had spent several years in and out of prison. Then one day he made a decision that helped him to slowly build a brand-new life. Now, he helps others who have hit rock bottom to do the same.

BY LORAL IE PEAR CE

Fall 2021 Contents

Departments & Columns

11

18

Departments 11

The Anonymous Note That United a Community When Elizabeth Gardner found an anonymous note from a lonely LGBTQ teen, she knew that she had to act. And after sharing the note on social media, the local community responded in a unique and heartfelt way to show the teen that she was loved and supported.

By Jamie Armstrong

14 Helping Actors with Autism Shine Provo filmmaker Levi Harris knows that actors with autism bring something special to his productions. And he has made it his mission to show people in the film industry that when they are more inclusive in their casting, it not only benefits the actors but the audience as well.

Fall 2021

By Megan Picket t

utah

2

18 From Refugee to Philanthropist: How One Utah Teen Is Giving Back Ashis Dhakal has experienced poverty firsthand. And he has made it his life’s mission to make the world a better place for others in similar circumstances.

By Kierstynn King

41 COLUMNS

41 Becoming a Legacy Maker When Jennie Taylor became a military widow, she was thrown into the spotlight as she and her seven children grieved the loss of their husband and father. Now, she is building upon her husband’s legacy of patriotism and service by investing in future leaders, honoring military families, and finding opportunities to bring the community together.

By Karen Painter

46 Lego Master Moms This summer, two mothers from American Fork competed on season two of Fox’s hit TV show Lego Masters, where their original creations were judged each week against the creations of other Lego enthusiasts.

By Kierstynn King

50 Changing Lives Through Literacy Many adults struggle with literacy.

Thankfully, Project Read Utah offers free help with reading and writing, with the goal of eliminating illiteracy in Utah County.

By Kierstynn King

53 In the Business of Strengthening Families When Jordan Page decided to start a blog to share some of the ideas she had learned about budgeting and saving money, she never would have imagined that it would turn out to be a ­multimillion-dollar business.

By Randy Scot t

5 Rising Above Life can be hard and is often unfair.

But the world is also filled with incredible people who persevere until they rise above even the most difficult circumstances.

By Jamie Armstrong

8

3 Ways to Enjoy the Good Things in Life I strongly believe that what we see largely depends on what we look for. Here are a few ways that we can recognize and enjoy more of the good things in life.

By Teresa Collins

56 Mary’s Fab 5: Food Trucks Many would-be restaurateurs develop a following with their food trucks until they can establish a brick-and-mortar location, but many still keep their trucks moving!

By Mary Crafts

58 It’s All About the Questions Life is filled with complexity. Are you asking the right questions to solve your problems and get where you want to go?

By Dan Clark

Li a life  lo LET’S GROW TOGETHER My Strong World was created to encourage people to “Ask Yourself.” It’s a place that reminds you that everything is inside of you and offers a safe place to come back to your body and find your center. I offer one-on-one coaching, group coaching, workshops, and retreats with a guarantee that when you apply the principles taught, you can create your best life.

mystrongworld.com

Publisher’s Note

Publisher & CEO

Jamie Armstrong Editors

Jannalee Sandau Madeline Thatcher Director of Sales & Advertising

Alex Saldarriaga

Business Development

Val Butcher

Editorial Interns

Kierstynn King Halen Hubbard

Rising Above Life can be hard and is often unfair. Tragedy strikes. We make serious mistakes. Some are born into unimaginable conditions. But the world is also filled with incredible people who refuse to give up, and they persevere until they rise above even the most difficult circumstances.

Good News Utah @GoodNews_Utah Good News Utah Advertising/Sponsorship

sales@GoodNewsUtah.com Article Queries / write for us

submissions@GoodNewsUtah.com Subscriptions

GoodNewsUtah.com or info@GoodNewsUtah.com Good News Utah

61 South 1300 West, Suite A Pleasant Grove, UT 84062

All my best, Jamie Armstrong

5 utah

Design and Production

Hales Creative Kelly Nield, Creative/Art Director

At Good News Utah, we are constantly searching for positive stories to inspire and uplift our readers, and some of our favorites we have found are about people who have overcome their suffering and have refused to let their circumstances define them. This issue is filled with those stories.

David Durocher was a drug addict and convict who had spent several years in and out of prison. Then one day he made a decision that helped him to slowly build a brand-new life. Now, he helps others who have hit rock bottom to do the same (“The Other Side Academy: Sharing Hope and Transforming Lives,” p. 34).

Jennie Taylor had recently given birth to her seventh child when her husband, Major Brent Taylor, was killed in Afghanistan. To honor his legacy, she has created a new foundation to serve military families and train future leaders (“Becoming a Legacy Maker,” p. 41).

Also in this issue is the story of Utah teen Ashis Dhakal, a refugee from Nepal. He spent the earliest years of his life in a refugee camp before finally immigrating to the U.S. He now spends his time serving the local homeless community and children in Nepal who live in extreme poverty (“From Refugee to Philanthropist: How One Utah Teen Is Giving Back,” p. 18).

Helen Keller once said, “Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it.” It is my hope that the stories in this issue can help us all find renewed strength and determination to rise above the challenges we are facing and then make the world a better place for others around us. What better way to show how indomitable and resilient the human spirit truly is.

Fall 2021

Contributing Authors

Carolyn Campbell Dan Clark Teresa Collins Mary Crafts Karen Painter Loralie Pearce Megan Pickett Randy Scott

Fun facts, inspirational quotes, and other interesting stuff

The Bright Side “All I know is that my life is better when I assume that people are doing their best. It keeps me out of judgment and lets me focus on —Brené Brown what is, and not what should or could be.”

Hugs for Health

H

ugs are a great way to express caring and affection toward another person, but they are also good for your health. For instance, when we hug someone, the level of oxytocin (a.k.a. the “cuddle hormone”) rises in our bodies and in turn lowers blood pressure and reduces stress. In fact, studies show that the effects were especially strong for women.

Other benefits associated with hugging include getting sick less often, reducing levels of pain, feeling less afraid, and improving communication with others. For optimum results, researchers recommend 12 hugs a day, so get out there and hug someone!

Lego bricks were invented more than 50 years ago and have become one of the most prolific toys on earth. In fact, it’s estimated that there are 80 Lego bricks for every person on the planet! Turn to p. 46 to read about two American Fork moms who recently competed on the hit show Lego Masters.

utah

6

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”

—Eleanor Roosevelt

Little Hollywood

D

id you know that there is a place in Kanab known as Little Hollywood? It’s a location that has served as a backdrop for more than 100 movies!

According to the Little Hollywood museum, Kanab made its film debut in 1924 with Deadwood Coach, starring Tom Mix and Tony the Wonder Horse. Later, director William Wellman nicknamed Kanab “Little Hollywood,” and the name has stuck ever since.

Kanab accommodated the Hollywood elite by opening a variety of bars and restaurants, and the stars showed their appreciation by supporting the community. When Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack came to town, Sinatra paid for the swimming pool at The Parry Lodge and bought uniforms for the Kanab High School football team.

Movies like Union Pacific (1939), Buffalo Bill (1944), Planet of the Apes (1968), The Flintstones (1994), The Lone Ranger (2013), and Transformers: Age of Extinction (2014) were all filmed in Kanab, along with several TV shows such as Gun Smoke, Lassie, The Lone Ranger, Daniel Boone, and Death Valley Days.

(Hug) Adobe Stock; (blocks) licensed by Ingram Publishing

Fall 2021

Fun Fact

Fun Fact

The word coat was first used in the Middle Ages, with its modern meaning dating back to approximately A.D. 1300.

Turn to p. 18 to read about a teen from Nepal who has collected more than 3,000 coats for the homeless.

Whether you’ve done the

before or want whole food recipes for your family, this book will inspire you.

[ad]

Learn more and get started at Whole30.com

page

8

Column: Perpetually Positive

+

3 Tips for Enjoying the Good Things in Life I strongly believe that what we see largely depends on what we look for. Here are a few ways that we can recognize and enjoy more of the good things in life. BY T E R E SA COLLI N S

utah

Fall 2021

I

am often asked why I am so happy. In fact, I’ve been stopped by complete strangers who ask me why I’m smiling.

When they ask, “What is making you so happy?” my answer is always the same: I am grateful for today. I am grateful to be alive.

But achieving this level of happiness didn’t come easily.

Like everyone else, I’ve experienced my share of personal tragedies and challenges.

However, after deep reflection and consistently striving to shift my perspective, I have come to more deeply appreciate life’s journey and all the good things it has to offer. Here are my three tips for helping you to do the same.

1. Live with intention.

I focus on being intentional every day. It starts with recognizing that time on this earth is to be valued and lived. Tomorrow is

never promised, and time never stops for anyone.

That’s why I am mindful in using my time to build up myself and others, to spread joy and happiness. Happiness for me is taking time to serve and love others. For example, I enjoy giving small but personal gifts to those who I love, just to let that person know that I appreciate them. I also choose to send texts or call my kids for the simple purpose of sharing my love for them.

So, what does living with intention look like for you?

Starting with small, intentional acts on a daily basis will help to create a richer and more rewarding life.

2. Live in the now.

Life unfolds in the present. But how often do we let the present slip away, rushing past our current blessings while worrying about the future or the past? So

Happiness for me is to taking time to serve and love others.

many people put off going on a trip, investing in self-care, celebrating, or doing something they love. I live daily with the thought to enjoy “right now.” I say, eat the cake, dance, enjoy your favorite foods, go to the movie, and stop postponing the things that bring you joy. Why not do what you can to make yourself and others smile right now?

So often, we wait for the special occasion—the birthday or holiday—to give to others. But I no longer wait to share from the heart. When those special occasions to arise, I like to take my family on trips and give them experiences rather than monetary gifts. It is quite normal for parents to leave money to

Savor a meal. Go for a walk and seek out the beauty in nature. Pay attention to what’s happening in your present moment with true appreciation.

days, he recognized the good that each moment offered. He chose to give thanks for each day remaining and to be happy with his family.

When we are more aware of our lives, we are able to recognize and enjoy more of the good things. So, live in the present moment with intention

and gratitude, energy and enthusiasm. This is the gift you can give to yourself and others every day. If we look for the good in people, the good in life, then we will find it.

For your daily dose of positivity, follow TeresaCollinsStudio.

Fall 2021

3. Live with gratitude.

Living each day with gratitude allows us to mentally focus on the good for a few minutes and actively enjoy our experiences.

How do we experience more happiness? We start to look at our experiences with appreciation and joy. It’s the little things. Savor a meal. Go for a walk and seek out the beauty in nature. Pay attention to what’s happening in your present moment with true appreciation.

When my husband was fighting cancer, I knew that my happiness and my kids’ happiness did not depend on his diagnosis. We chose to look for the good in the worst of circumstances and find happiness despite the situation. We decided as a family to be grateful for each day that we had left with him.

Even though he was not well, his attitude was overflowing with gratitude. He only wanted time with us, and we felt the same.

He enjoyed the simple act of watching Family Feud with me by his side. Even during his hardest

9 utah

Licensed by Ingram Publishing

their children upon their deaths, but it is my belief that it’s best to spend the money now so we can enjoy more experiences together and to create priceless memories.

utah

10

Fall 2021

page

utah

Fall 2021

11

The Anonymous Note That United a Community

When Elizabeth Gardner found an anonymous note from a lonely LGBTQ teen, she knew that she had to act. And after sharing the note on social media, the local community responded in a unique and heartfelt way to show the teen that she was loved and supported.

BY JAMIE AR MSTR ON G

O

n a hot July evening, Elizabeth Gardner was walking with her children in Cascade Park in Orem, Utah, when something caught her eye—a piece of paper lying in the grass.

“I almost didn’t pick it up,” she recalls. But curiosity got the better of her.

When Gardner inspected the paper, she discovered that it was an anonymous note from a lonely LGBTQ teen. The 15-year-old girl had written about how she had just moved to Utah from Idaho, leaving all her friends behind. She described watching some kids playing baseball in the park and wishing that she could join them. She then ended the note

by saying that she would be returning to the park the next evening.

The Plan

Gardner took a photo of the note and posted it on social media. She wrote: “Found this at Cascade Park tonight. Thought it would be cool if lots of people showed up to play some inclusive baseball and make some new friends. Big changes can feel heavy, and everyone can use friends. My kids and I will be there inviting anyone who wants to play.”

Fall 2021

The Response

utah

12

Gardner’s post was shared multiple times on Facebook, and the response from the community was more than she could have hoped for. “We had at least 100 people come and go throughout the evening,” she says.

Jared Goodey and his 15-year-old daughter, Abigail, were two of those people.

“We have LGBTQ people at our house, and we know that it’s difficult in this area sometimes to find like-minded friends and to find the support you need,” Jared says. “Of course we were going to go.”

Abigail invited all her friends to come as well.

“I know from personal experience that it’s really difficult to initially find a notes to her and left them in group of people that you can the park for her to find. trust and feel accepted with,” “We have LGBTQ people she says. “It’s super important, at our house, and we and I wanted to be able to help The Hope with that.”

“Whoever the girl was, I hope know that it’s difficult The people who showed that she saw us and knew that in this area sometimes up to the park brought all those people were there games, and Gardner brought for her,” says Gardner. “I don’t to find like-minded kickballs that said “Come play! know if she came, but for any friends and to find the Everyone’s invited.” Someone kid out there who’s feeling support you need.” even brought a rainbow flag alone like that, there are so and hung it in a nearby tree to many people who would want make it easier for the teen to to support them and make find them. them feel loved and welcomed.

Some people suspect that the author of the note If there are LGBTQ kids who saw the Facebook post was there and was able to see the show of support shared, who saw the people responding, that’s a for her, but no one knows for certain. To make sure success right there.” that she knew people cared, several teens wrote

Abigail adds, “The most important thing was not that she actually showed up and participated. It’s that she knows that there was a group of people that cared enough to come and create this community for her. Just knowing that there’s a group of people who support you in the place where you live is super comforting.”

Fall 2021

“Whoever the girl was, I hope that she saw us and knew that all those people were there for her.”

13 utah

In fact, the event was such a success that Jared and Abigail Goodey have decided to make it a weekly occurrence.

“Clearly there’s a need here,” Jared says. “There was such a bright, happy, loving energy with all of the kids there. It was really beautiful. If we keep doing this in the same place, that increases our chances of making contact with that girl. But at the very least, all these other kids are making connections with each other, and their families are making connections with each other. The more community support you have, the better.”

page

utah

Fall 2021

14

Helping Actors with Autism Shine

Provo filmmaker Levi Harris knows that actors with autism bring something special to his productions. And he has made it his mission to show people in the film industry that when they are more inclusive in their casting, it not only benefits the actors but the audience as well.

BY MEGAN PICKE T T

M

any filmmakers will cast neurotypical actors—those of typical developmental, intellectual, and cognitive abilities—to play autistic characters, like in the recently released Netflix show Atypical. It’s a show about a boy with autism played by an actor who doesn’t have autism. But unlike those filmmakers, Levi Harris

recognizes the benefit of casting actors with autism for these roles—and for all roles.

A Moment of Inspiration

Harris started casting actors with autism when he was casting for his short film The Thunderbird in 2017. The Thunderbird is about a young autistic boy

with autism brought to his script while auditioning, so he cast almost all actors with autism to play roles in the film.

Because of the success Harris found working with autistic actors in The Thunderbird, he now casts actors with autism and other disabilities to play roles in all his films. “We reached out to actors with a history of mental and emotional illness, various learning disabilities—people who thought they would never be actors because of their conditions,” he says. “We felt that they had stories to tell, and if anyone was going to help them, we were.”

According to Harris, working with actors who have autism or other disabilities has improved his films dramatically. “I can’t even describe how powerful and talented and good these actors were at just creating these moments and being able to

A Supportive Environment

Harris bases most of his films on short stories that take place in a literary universe called Anotherworld, which he created with co-author John Cornish. One of his films, Ziggy, also within this universe, was written as a prequel to The Thunderbird and follows the character Ziggy on her own adventures through the woods before meeting Anderson. The actress, who goes by Ziggy Fauske,

Fall 2021

​Inclusive Casting

capture those. I felt honored,” he says.

Cole Squires, producer of The Thunderbird, has also helped produce the rest of Harris’s films and says that working with actors who have autism is unlike any filmmaking he has experienced before. “Working with actors on the autism spectrum definitely allowed us to include perspectives . . . that were new to us—things that would have been outside of our imagination if we had been concocting it ourselves.”

15 utah

named Anderson who doesn’t act the same as other young boys and ventures through the woods with a werewolf. Throughout this adventure, the film depicts Anderson’s experience and emotions. “In the end, he finds out something about himself that maybe ‘normal’ people would never understand anyway,” Harris explains.

Because the story is about a boy with autism, Harris said that in a moment of inspiration he wondered if he would be able to cast an actor with autism to play the part. “I realized after a couple auditions that this particular story would be impossible to do without them,” he recalls. So, Harris cast a boy with autism to act in the lead role.

Harris says that he loved the unique influence and special charm that the actors with autism brought to his script while auditioning, so he cast almost all actors with autism to play roles in the film. “The first film started with a desire to share new stories using people who are seldom given the opportunity to tell those Harris says that he stories,” he says. “Because of that desire, my team produced loved the unique one of the first and only films influence and special featuring actors on the autism charm that the actors spectrum.”

Fall 2021 utah

16

lives in Kaysville and is on the autism spectrum.

A Bright Future She also played a role in The Thunderbird. She said Casper hopes that these films will help those who the experience of acting in Harris’s films, though are on the autism spectrum to accomplish great intimidating, has helped her to grow. things and to be recognized. He also hopes that “At first, I was nervous because it was one of these experiences will help parents who have kids the bigger things I did. Yeah, it was a small-time on the autism spectrum. “Hopefully, it will be indie film, but it was still a film, so I was really a ground [for parents of children on the autism nervous at first,” she says. “But spectrum] for not worrying I think once I got on set and about their kids being diagmet Levi and Cole and all the nosed—that it won’t be the other people like me, I felt at end, but that [their kids] can “I felt like I was back home. I felt like I was back be successful,” he says. “We with people I can relate with people I can relate to in a definitely have something. really friendly and supportive And Levi saw what we could do.” to in a really friendly environment. And acting with “People with autism have and supportive them and being a part of the important things to say—not environment. And film kind of revitalized me and just as individuals on the gave me energy. It just made spectrum but as human beings acting with them and me feel a lot better.” with unique experiences,” says being a part of the film Fauske hopes that these Harris. “I believe that giving kind of revitalized me films will inspire more directhem the opportunity to do tors to cast actors with autism. so will lead us to new creative and gave me energy.”

“The cast was predominantly vistas. It will change things. autistic—almost everyone was . . . Actors on the spectrum somewhere on the spectrum. will find safe places to tell And I really want to see that in movies and films their stories, and it will open the way for others more, especially ones that are about autism.” who have been forgotten, neglected, and cast out Harris also wrote a short film called Pirate in stepping forward and realizing that the world Party and predominantly cast actors on the autism wants their stories, too.” spectrum. Eric Casper, an autistic actor from Harris is in the process of making his company, Riverton, was among those cast, and Anotherworld Stories, Inc., a nonprofit the film was his first opportunity 501(c)3 organization. He is currently to act outside of theater. Most working on a film titled Molly and of the lines in Pirate Party plans to make more films that were improvised, and while cast neurodiverse actors. To Casper normally has a support him in his cause, hard time getting out his you can purchase his book, words, he says, “Levi Stories from Anotherworld, at helped me get out what anotherworldstories.com or I needed to get out and amazon.com. It is available helped to show me the as an eBook or a paperpotential I had. I was back, and 100 percent of able to come up with all the proceeds go toward this great dialogue.” helping actors on the autism spectrum.

INCREASE SALES | RECRUIT TALENT | BUILD CULTURE www.theadventgroup.net

page

utah

Fall 2021

18

From Refugee to Philanthropist

How One Utah Teen Is Giving Back

Ashis Dhakal has experienced poverty firsthand. And he has made it his life’s mission to make the world a better place for others in similar circumstances. BY KI E R ST YN N KI N G

S

ome of Ashis Dhakal’s earliest memories are of living in a refugee camp in Jhapa, Nepal, where he was born. As part of the Lhotshampas minority, his parents were forced to flee ethnic cleansing in Bhutan in 1999. Unable to obtain citizenship in Nepal, they settled at the camp for several years.

“Our house was made from bamboo and hay.

It was full of bedbugs,” Dhakal recalls. “We were surrounded by mosquitos and facing poverty. The conditions were very, very tough.”

19 utah

Moving from a third-world country to a first-world country, Dhakal is sensitive to poverty and inequity.

At the end of 2018, after meeting a homeless man while working at KFC and learning that clothing was one of the man’s greatest needs, Dhakal was inspired to create his charity organization, Ashis Collects Clothes. Dhakal also credits his Hindu faith as inspiration for his charity work. “We’re taught to give, to share happiness together, and to have a positive impact in the lives of those who are struggling,” he says.

In 2019, Dhakal became more focused on his charity.

From Dream to He did his first clothing drive, Reality “We’re taught to give, collecting coats, socks, hats, Dhakal’s family dreamed of to share happiness beanies, and shoes. He then coming to America—specifitook a trip to Nepal, where cally, Utah. They fell in love together, and to have a he spent three months with a picture they had seen positive impact in the working for a nonprofit called of Utah, and they had relatives Youthlinc.

Youthlinc’s goal is to living there. Finally, in 2009, lives of those who are help create lifelong humanitarafter a two-year immigrastruggling.” ians by providing students and tion journey through the mentors with local and interInternational Organization for national service experiences.

Migration, Dhakal, his three During that time, Dhakal helped raised $5,000. older sisters, his parents, and his grandparents, “That $5,000 went toward the people in the were able to immigrate to the Beehive State. village,” he explains. “We taught them skills, and The family was elated to be on U.S. soil. But most importantly, we taught them about the health coming during an economic recession made sector, business sector, and water filters. We bought building a new life in a new country even harder. them sewing machines so they could learn how to “Jobs were pretty hard to come by,” says Dhakal. sew bags, ties, and other items. We bought them “It definitely put a financial burden on my family. water filters and health kits.”

It was hard, but luckily, we were able to overcome Dhakal also visited the refugee camp where he that obstacle.” had lived as a child and was devastated to see the Another obstacle was adapting to a new culture. deteriorating conditions.

“Culture shock was something I had to deal with “Growing up with an extremely poor background, quite a bit,” says Dhakal. He credits the Cub Scouts and then going back and seeing that nothing had with helping him adjust to his new surroundings. really changed and that people were suffering But being an ethnic minority in Utah also really affirmed my ‘why.’ I was in their shoes, and brought many challenges Dhakal. He was bullied in school and was sometimes called a terrorist. Still, I know how it feels. I want to give back because I don’t want others to suffer in the same way,” he says. he did his best to maintain a positive attitude. He recently graduated from East High School in Salt Lake City and is now attending the University of Making Connections Utah, majoring in entrepreneurship. “I have big After launching Ashis Collects Clothes, Dhakal goals to own multimillion-dollar businesses and heard about the Utah Refugee Connection through give away millions to those in need,” he says. others in his community. He reached out to the

Fall 2021

Giving Back

organization’s executive director, Amy Dott Harmer.

The pair got to know one another, and Harmer learned that Dhakal was a high schooler trying to do well in school during the COVID-19 pandemic but was struggling because his computer was not working well.

“In the back of my mind, I thought, ‘I’m sure I could find him a computer,’ but I was worried about what he would do with it,” she says.

Harmer ended up giving Dhakal a computer and made him promise that he would only use it for good. Dhakal agreed.

“Two weeks later, he reached out and told me about his charity and how he was collecting clothes and items for the homeless,” says Harmer. “He told me to let him know if there was anything that we couldn’t take.” Every two weeks, Harmer would drop off items on Dhakal’s porch that the refugee share house couldn’t take.

In the Spotlight

Fall 2021

In the fall of 2020, Comcast launched a commercial featuring Dhakal as part of their internet essentials program. The commercial talked about how Dhakal

utah

20

was changing the world from his bedroom and showed him unloading clothes for his charity and teaching English to children in Nepal on his computer. “Being able to educate and motivate them is a blessing. They want to learn, and that’s the best feeling,” he says.

As a result of the Comcast commercial, Dhakal was then featured on Today as part of the show’s “Tomorrow’s Voices” program, which pairs talented teens with inspiring mentors to help them achieve their goals. “You are leading with a passion that has been buried deep in your soul since you were a baby, and that is going to drive you until your last breath,” host Hoda Kotb told Dhakal during a Today segment in March.

Kotb then told Dhakal that he would have the opportunity to interview and speak to one of his heroes—entrepreneur, philanthropist, and Shark Tank star Mark Cuban. “Mark Cuban is going to put the guard rails up and help you out a little bit here and there, but you’re going the distance,” she said.

Dhakal says meeting Cuban was an awesome experience. “He’s really intelligent and extremely helpful. He gave me a lot of insights about entrepreneurship and being a philanthropist.”

The Challenge

In a March segment of Today, Cuban challenged Dhakal to collect items for a coat drive. “I’d like for you to collect 575 coats that we can then give away to people in need,” Cuban said.

Changing the World

Harmer says that the whole experience helped to give refugees a voice. “Public perception about

Fall 2021

21 utah

At first, Dhakal really struggled to get donations, refugees is often that we give them so much and so he contacted Harmer to see if she was able to help. that they drain our communities, or they take our “He reached out to me and asked if I could help. jobs. But that isn’t the case,” she says. “Refugees At first, it was like, ‘Oh my gosh, is he really going contribute in remarkable ways and want to give to be able to do this?” Harmer recalls. “On Monday, back once they get back up on their feet. Ashis is he only had 10 coats.” the perfect example of that. When we invest in Harmer decided to post about Dhakal’s coat drive human potential, we receive great dividends.” on the Utah Refugee Connection Facebook page.

Dhakal continues to serve both the local and She asked people to donate coats at Dhakal’s home. international communities with various projects. In “We have a rather large following on the Utah May of this year, he collected 500 pairs of shoes to Refugee Connection page, so I was hoping that donate to those in need in the Salt Lake City area. people would reach out. I had told him that I And in August, he raised more than $2,000 so that a couldn’t guarantee people were going to rally, but I sick baby in Nepal could have a life-saving surgery. really hoped they did,” she says.

“I want to change the world through service,” he People did, in fact, rally. In less than five days, says.

Dhakal ended up collecting 3,018 coats.

As far as future plans, Dhakal will be working to “It just went like wildfire,” says Harmer. “People expand his humanitarian efforts both locally and really wanted to support internationally by creating the Ashis’s effort of trying help the Namaskar United Foundation. homeless and help him meet Ashis Collects Clothes will “Refugees contribute this goal given by Mark Cuban. be a program run as part of His entire garage was filled the foundation. “Locally, the in remarkable ways with donated coats.” homeless community is really and want to give back When Dhakal met up with struggling. I want to be able once they get back up Cuban again, Dhakal reported to help them through my that he had collected more nonprofit foundation,” he says. on their feet. Ashis is than 3,000 coats. Cuban then Internationally, Dhakal the perfect example of told Dhakal that Today’s parent wants to build hospitals that. When we invest company, Comcast, was going and schools in third-world to match Dhakal’s donation. countries. “I want to give them in human potential, “You’re setting an example,” countless opportunities like we receive great Cuban told him. “It’s not about scholarships, resources, and connections. It’s not about mainly education because dividends.” who you know. It’s all about I know that with education, effort. It’s all about how hard impossibilities become realyou’re willing to work to get ities. And with education in something done.” their life, I know that they can change the world for Dhakal credits the power of social media and the better.” the generosity of Utahns for his success with To support Dhakal in his humanitarian Cuban’s philanthropist challenge. “I was speechless. efforts, follow Namaskar United on Facebook and It really touched my heart. I’m not only giving Instagram. someone a coat but also helping them to get to a better pathway in life,” he says.

page

Fall 2021

Fall 2021

utah

22

utah

22

The Children’s Center Providing Help, Hope, & Healing

By Carolyn Campbell

Where can families turn when their very young children need help with mental or emotional issues?

For nearly 60 years, The Children’s Center, a nonprofit organization in Salt Lake City, has provided mental health care to enhance the well-­ being of infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and their families and caregivers— regardless of their ability to pay.

W

hen toddler Ezra Blackham exhibited behaviors that his mother, Sonja

Blackham, felt were “more than something he would just grow out of,”

she followed the suggestions of two preschool teachers and a pediatrician.

She took Ezra for an assessment at The Children’s Center, where he later

began mental health and family therapy.

Fall 2021

E

utah

24

zra’s therapy started when he was 3½ years old and continued until he was 7. And the coping skills that Ezra, now age 9, learned at The Children’s Center continue to help him navigate life today.

Blackham explains, “My family has a history of mental health issues, including suicide. As a mother, it was important to me to help our son know how to care for his mental health. I knew that I was okay with therapy and wanted to seek it out.”

Blackham explained that Ezra has a lot of anxiety and gets scared easily. “The thought of getting into trouble puts him in a tailspin,” she shares. Once, Ezra said, “I don’t want to be on this earth because I make everyone else miserable.”

Another time, he told his mother, “I’m afraid Jesus doesn’t want me.”

Ezra’s temper flared when things didn’t go his way at preschool, and he became extremely uncooperative. “Little kids grow out of biting and hitting, and he continued those behaviors longer than we thought was normal,” says Blackham. She and her husband observed that they could reason with Ezra’s older sister if she lost her temper. “We

could talk her out of it eventually and let her play it out, but Ezra would just stay in it the whole day.”

Because Ezra’s behavior affected the whole family, the Blackhams chose to begin family therapy. “We went once a week and then twice a month. Our daughter went with us, and my husband came sometimes,” says Blackham. “We learned how to incorporate coping tools into our daily lives.”

Helping Thousands of Utah Families

Founded in 1962 by Dr. Agnes M. Plenk, The Children’s Center began as a nursery school in a community church. One little boy was quite disruptive there. Plenk felt compelled to explain to his parents that he could no longer attend. His mother was highly distressed. She said, “You are the one person in the community who has the training to help us, and you’re turning us away?”

This conversation was transformational—it inspired Plenk to create The Children’s Center. Often known by her nickname of Agi, Plenk was “a woman ahead of her time,” says Rebecca Dutson, president and CEO of The Children’s Center. “She understood that

Seeking Support

Many early experiences can affect a child’s development and functioning, including development in utero, delivery, and their caregivers’ well-being in

the first few years of life (the most critical period of brain development). “The challenge in diagnosing young children is to look beneath the surface and get as much information as possible about the child’s environment and prior history,” says Mitchell.

Are there signs that a parent can look for that may indicate that seeking a mental health diagnosis might be a good idea? Mitchell suggests that caregivers can seek support when they are worried or unsure about anything related to their child’s well-being, rather than initially focusing on seeking a mental health diagnosis. “Talking with a trusted healthcare provider, such as a pediatrician, is a great place to start if caregivers are wondering about their child’s behavior or development.” She says that the healthcare provider can offer context for typical development and suggest resources and referrals if needed.

“All children have periods in their development where they struggle, so it is important to note the duration and intensity,” says Mitchell. It’s also important to consider the child’s quality of life.

For example, are they enjoying typical activities such as age-appropriate play and peer interactions, sleeping and eating as expected? It’s valuable to consider whether the child’s challenges impact the family’s quality of life. (Do they avoid activities due to the child’s behavior?) She advises, “I encourage all caregivers to listen to their gut. They are the experts on their child. If something worries you or seems off, ask a healthcare professional.”

A young child’s sense of safety and well-being comes from their caregivers, says Mitchell. “They

Fall 2021

The Children’s Center has been a fixture in Utah for 58 years and provides care for more than 2,000 children, families, and caregivers each year.

25 utah

the benefits of going upstream (beginning therapy at a young age) could change the trajectory of children’s lives.”

The Children’s Center has been a fixture in Utah for 58 years and provides care for more than 2,000 children, families, and caregivers each year. The organization has grown to employ a staff of more than 100 people who are dedicated to helping Utah families.

“The Children’s Center is a living, breathing agency that is committed to finding new and creative ways to help our community and the families living in it,” says Jennifer Mitchell, vice president of clinical strategy and innovation. She explains, “We see many behaviors that are considered typical for young children, such as anxiety around separation or challenges in meeting typical milestones or daily tasks such as eating or toileting.” On the surface, these might seem like average challenges. But there could be other complicating layers that are more intense than a child knows how to handle. Some families bring children with behavioral intensities such as “anxiety so severe that a child can’t ever separate and cries in childcare for hours,” says Mitchell. “We don’t want parents to become stuck in a cycle of wondering, ‘Is it bad enough to ask for help?’ We would rather that they go ahead and ask for the help.”

She explains that fewer diagnoses are appropriate for young children than for older children or adults since young children cannot articulate their internal experiences in ways that older children and adults can. They also have little control over their environment. “As a result, many young children present with similar challenges or behavioral concerns, including eating, toileting, sleeping, tantrums, defiance, and delays with reaching developmental milestones,” says Mitchell. “They have limited ability to speak for themselves, if they even have words at all, so much of the evaluation comes from direct observations and reports from parents and caregivers.”

Fall 2021

The center’s team of clinicians, psychologists, and psychiatrists are extremely skilled in using evidence-based treatment and trauma-informed practices.

utah

26

take their cues from them. If a caregiver is ­struggling, distressed, or worried, that may impact their interactions with their child and potentially their relationship. It’s important that caregivers not feel alone in parenting. There are providers available to answer their questions and offer support if needed.”

Sometimes it’s a new concept for people to think that such young children have mental health needs.

“Once they stop and think about this, they realize that it’s true, just like we all have physical health needs,” says Dutson. “I will say that not every child and family needs our services. People come in for an assessment to make sure that we can provide them with the help they need.”

The center’s team of clinicians, psychologists, and psychiatrists are extremely skilled in using evidence-based treatment and trauma-informed practices. “It is very individualized and tailored to each child,” says Dutson. “Science tells us that when we work with very young children, they are highly resilient. When you give children the tools that they need to express themselves appropriately to advocate for their needs and interact with their peers, all of those skills go with them throughout their lives.” The services are “wrap-around” and include caregivers and siblings. All participating children and their families and caregivers are engaged in outpatient therapy; clinicians refer children who need additional assistance to the Therapeutic Preschool Program, which provides intensive daily treatment.

Coping Tools

During family therapy, Ezra and his family received a toolbox filled with coping tools. “It was a physical box, made from a shoebox, filled with little cards.

We learned how to incorporate these tools into our

daily lives,” Blackham recalls. One card depicted rainbow therapy, where Ezra imagined placing his feet in water, then envisioned a rainbow moving across his body. Another card represented a robot rag doll. When incorporating that tool, “Ezra would go really tense and squeeze his body (tight like a robot). Then he let his body relax (like a rag doll),” says Blackham. Ezra’s “special place” was a swimming pool with his sister, mom, and dad. “When he felt scared or anxious, he could think about this special place,” says Blackham. He also learned “cookie breathing,” in which the participant imagines the smell of fresh-baked cookies. “You breathe in as you put them in the oven and then exhale or blow on them to cool them,” says Blackham. “Ezra called it ‘sausage breathing’ because he would rather have a sausage than a cookie.”

Blackham explains that while Ezra took a long time to utilize the coping skills consistently, as time passed, he began to recognize when he was becoming angry. “While I don’t think he consciously pulls out the robot/rag doll coping tool, I still see him tense up and then let his body relax.” She adds, “He doesn’t lash out the way he did when he was younger. He can talk about his feelings and recognize what he is feeling—angry, frustrated, or even just happy.” She says Ezra’s most significant takeaway from the therapy is that he can now put words to his feelings. “That helps with communication in the family. I think it is vital to talk about mental health—to not be ashamed of it.

Mental health issues are more prevalent than we know. So many people are just afraid to talk about it.” After Ezra aged out of The Children’s Center, he continued therapy “because he enjoyed it so much,” says Blackham. “He felt comforted by that support, that somebody outside of Mom and Dad talked to him about his feelings.”

Creating a Sense of Hope

Mitchell says, “At its core, the center focuses on supporting young children and their families by creating a sense of hope, no matter what their challenges are.” Speaking of The Children’s Center itself, Blackham says, “There is so much support and love that comes out of that building that it can benefit any child (for whom the assessment deems appropriate) from the smallest behavior such as anxiety. When families take advantage of the therapy when children are little, building that kind of support in a little person’s mind will only benefit them in the long term.”

Blackham says that she didn’t have a job when their family began therapy and that her husband was self-employed, so she is grateful that The Children’s Center operates on a sliding scale that made their participation possible. “Therapy is expensive, and insurances don’t always cover it,” she says. Because the center is a nonprofit, they can subsidize costs for families who usually wouldn’t be able to afford traditional counseling.

“We do not turn away any child or family who needs our services,” says Dutson.

Center, who helped me so much with their sliding scale program.”

As for Ezra, “He kind of loved the pandemic. It gave him a chance to be at home, away from all of the crazy, anxiety-inducing things that happen at school,” says Blackham. “But he is back at school now. He recently made a great new friend and scored 100 percent on a spelling test. We need more organizations like The Children’s Center to support the mental health of children, starting at a young age.”

To donate, volunteer, or get help, visit ­childrenscenterutah.org.

“At its core, the center focuses on supporting young children and their families by creating a sense of hope, no matter what their challenges are.”

27 utah

For her final MBA project at the University of Utah, Blackham completed a consulting project. She assembled a team that included data analysts, a financial professional, and a doctor. She served as a marketing specialist. “We chose to do our project for The Children’s Center.” In the end, the four team members were “so touched by what The Children’s Center did and does for the community that we dedicated our graduation gifts from friends and family to them, raising just over $2,000.” She adds, “It gave our team a chance to give back to someone who could use it and provided me with a way to personally give back to The Children’s

Fall 2021

Giving Back

utah

Fall 2021

page

28

28

The

U T A H

One Woman’s Quest to Improve Diversity and Inclusion

By Jamie Armstrong | Portraits by Sydney Marie Photography

cultures, and sexual orientations share ideas and work together, it enriches businesses and communities.

That’s why

Nikki Walker is on a mission to improve diversity and inclusion throughout the Beehive State.

Fall 2021

of

different races,

29 utah

CO L OR

When people of

This Is the Place

utah

30

Both Progressive and Conservative

But Utah is on the forefront of creating a state where everyone is welcomed on equal footing.

“A lot of things that have happened in Utah are very progressive, and people really overlook that because it’s such a conservative state,” says Walker.

“Utah has really taken the opportunity to lead the way in terms of equitable legality for certain communities, particularly the LGBTQ+ community.”

Leaders are also taking steps to improve diversity and inclusion at a state level. Before former governor Gary Herbert left office, Walker participated in the signing of the Utah Compact on Racial Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion: A Declaration of Five Principles and Actions to Create Equal Opportunity. “There are all of these amazing statements inside the compact that say, ‘We want to make this a better place—a welcoming place, and a place where everybody feels comfortable,’” she explains. “And knowing that Governor Cox has made a serious commitment to stick by it and elevate it and expand it feels really good. It feels really good to see that at the very tops of government and

Photo courtesy of Nikki Walker

Fall 2021

hen Nikki Walker moved from Jersey City, New Jersey—one of the most diverse cities in the United States—to Lehi, Utah, she came with an open mind. “I didn’t have any preconceived notions about Utah at all,” she says.

Walker describes her Utah County community as “wonderful and welcoming.” Still, as a minority, there have been a few hiccups.

“I have a son who’s going to be 24 this year, and he’s a big guy. He has long dreadlocks, and he’s definitely a presence when he walks into a room.

When we first moved here, going to the grocery store was quite the experience because there are children here who have never met a Black person in their lives—and it’s easy to not meet a Black person in Utah, where we make up less than 3 percent of the population,” she says. “There was a child who saw my son and couldn’t stop staring and pointing. He said, ‘Mom, look! There’s one of them.’

And I thought, ‘One of what? One human being?

One big, tall man? One guy with braids?’”

“It disturbed me,” Walker admits. “But we’ve learned that moments like those are opportunities to talk with parents and say, ‘You know, this place is changing.’”

As the director of brand experience and community engagement for Domo, a cloud software company based in American Fork, Walker works tirelessly to drive diversity and inclusion initiatives throughout the state. “I, too, believe that ‘this is the place,’” she says. “Utah is the place for growth. It is the place for prosperity. It is the place where you can grab hold of a star and make it to the moon. So, it’s my responsibility—the responsibility of people in marginalized communities who live here and don’t look like the population—to educate people and to say, ‘We are all one, and we all want the same things.’”

But doing so is easier said than done, and adjusting to Utah’s unique culture can be a challenge for many minorities. “I can literally name 15 people who, in the past four years, have come and gone because they could not align with the culture,” says Walker. “And I don’t mean the religious culture.

I mean that the culture of this state is very family oriented. It is very ‘This is your group. These are your people.’ And it sometimes can feel cliquish.”

“It feels really good that at the very tops of government and leadership, things like

to see

equity for people of color and equity for people in the LGBTQ+ community are top of mind.”

By expanding their pool of candidates, businesses avoid creating an echo chamber and benefit from new perspectives and new ideas. “When you sit at a table where everybody is the same, everyone is just amplifying each other’s same ideas and beliefs,” Walker explains. “But if you sit at a table with 10 people from different backgrounds, now you can more closely relate to your client, your customer, and your community because you have these different perspectives. For me, diversity has always been about diversity of thought, and you can’t have diversity of thought without diversity of people.”

So, where should employers go to seek out diverse talent? Livingcolorutah.com is a great place to start. The website has links to several minority chambers of commerce and business alliances.

“Utah has the Black chamber, the Hispanic chamber, the Asian chamber, and the LGBTQ chamber,” says Walker. “It’s imperative that your organization is engaging with them because they can get your message to their audience. If you’re looking for local diverse talent, it’s at the chambers.”

Fall 2021

Diversity of Thought

As Walker works with local businesses to improve diversity and inclusion, she emphasizes that equitable employment is completely different than affirmative action. “Nobody wants to be hired because they fit some box that you are trying to check,” she says. “It’s not fair to them. It’s not fair to you. It’s not going to bring any glory to anybody or anything.”

Instead, Walker strives to help employers hire from a more diverse pool of candidates. “Talent is equally distributed, but opportunity is not,” she says. “It is the responsibility of people who are holding power to provide opportunity for all of the talent that exists—not just for the portion of talent that looks like you, thinks like you, talks like you, and worships like you.”

It is the place where you can grab hold of a star and make it to the moon.”

31 utah

leadership, things like equity for people of color and equity for people in the LGBTQ+ community are top of mind.”

But there is still progress to be made. For minorities, “There’s a lot of feeling left out of conversations that are happening around diversity,” says Walker.

“There’s a lot of miscommunication between policymakers and the community right now.”

One example that Walker sites is The C.R.O.W.N. Act—an anti-discrimination initiative for “creating a respectful and open world for natural hair.” The bill was recently brought forward by Representative Sandra Hollins—the only woman of color in the state legislature.

“The C.R.O.W.N. Act is being passed in many states around the country because women of color have been discriminated against because of the way that they wear their hair—whether it’s because of dreadlocks or braids or natural afros,” Walker explains. “Many of the legislators didn’t understand why we needed this bill. And instead of hearing the voices of Black women in the community, one of the legislators told a story about how their nanny has never experienced discrimination because of her hair. “It was very dismissive, and the bill got tabled.” She adds, “I think that on a lot of issues, the legislature is separated from the realities of the things that they are trying to legislate. But I don’t think that it is unique to Utah.”

“Utah is the place for growth . It is the place for prosperity.

Fall 2021 utah

32

in famous Domo fashion, the company created a billboard that simply read: #BlackLivesMatter.

“For me, diversity Unfortunately, many Utah residents did not apprehas always been ciate the gesture. about diversity “It upset half of the valley,” Walker recalls.

“There came a point where we were getting up to 30 messages a day saying that Domo was of thought, and affiliated with a hate group and that we were racist.

Somebody threatened to burn our building down. you can’t have The billboard was vandalized. It was frightening.” diversity of thought Despite her disappointment at the community’s without reaction, Walker said that it created an opportunity to help people to better understand what Black diversity Lives Matter is all about. “It’s an organization. It’s of people.” also a movement. It’s also a statement. There are these three different things circling around, so people get confused and offended,” she explains.

“The organization is controversial, and it is not something that I am affiliated with. But the Black Lives Matter movement is something that I fully support—it’s the idea that the lives of Black people are important. That movement is important to me because it mobilizes people and gets folks excited Domo decided to run full-page ads in the Salt about getting involved in the world in which they Lake Tribune and the Deseret News with the declaralive, whether that means protesting or talking to tion that Black lives matter. They invited other Utah legislators or corralling your friends and cleaning companies to join them, and within 48 hours, 260 businesses had also signed Domo’s statement. Then, up the neighborhood.”

Photos (2) courtesy of Nikki Walker

Black Lives Matter

Without question, diversity enriches people’s lives and strengthens communities. But with diversity of thought and experience comes diversity of opinions and beliefs, which can sometimes be polarizing. The death of George Floyd last summer and the Black Lives Matter protests that followed are a prime example.

“At Domo, right after Mr. George Floyd was murdered, we rallied together. Before all this happened, we had been working in the background on some huge diversity and inclusion programs,” Walker recalls. “Suddenly the timing seemed very insensitive, but we still wanted to make sure that people understood that we saw what was happening and that we supported not only our employees but our customers, our neighbors, and our friends who are Black. We wanted to let them know that their lives matter.”

Getting Involved

And getting involved is something that is second nature for Walker. “My father was a Black Panther and also a Marine,” she says. “Service to the country and to the community was instilled in me from a young age. It was my dream to become a Marine, but because of my asthma, I wasn’t able to.” So, instead, Walker has become actively involved in several organizations throughout Utah, including sitting on the boards of Salt Lake Community College, The Children’s Center, and Salt Lake Academy of Music.

She also serves as Utah County chair for the Utah Black Chamber of Commerce.

“The unfortunate plight of Black women, especially in this climate, is that we have to take our trauma and use it for good,” says Walker. “And the plight of my good girlfriends who happen to be White is to use their privilege for good. So, I’m going to use my trauma to teach. And I expect in return that my White girlfriends will use their privilege for good. If we can do that together, then we can really make a difference here.”

Fall 2021

Progress and Purpose

33 utah

To get where we need to be as a state, Walker understands that patience is key. “Progress is not as fast as people would like for it to be. We’ve spent the past 400 years as a country in racial turmoil, and it doesn’t turn around over one bloody summer,” she says. “But leadership is taking steps to make sure that this is not being swept under the rug, and I think that’s a big win.”

Walker describes her diversity and inclusion efforts as “exhausting but worth it,” and she shows no sign of slowing down. “I found my purpose,” she says. “And right now, my purpose is to connect people and entities to each other so that everybody can win. I know what the communities have to offer, and it’s really awesome to watch it all come together.”

page

Utah

34 THE

Fall 2021

OTHER SIDE ACA D E M Y :

SHARING

HOPE Fall 2021

&

utah

34

TRANSFORMING

Fall 2021

“I want to assert something bold right now. That is that even the most broken people can reinvent themselves and become somebody they have never known. It doesn’t matter if you’35 ve lived your life on the streets, been a life-long drug addict, or spent your life in and out of jails and prisons. Anyone can change. I know because I was one of those broken people.” utah

BY LORALIE PEARCE

Photo licensed by Ingram Publishing

LIVES —David Durocher, Executive Director of The Other Side Academy

“I was looking at a 22-year prison term, my fifth, and that was really humbling. I’d spent the majority of my adult life in there, and now I was going to die in there,” he recalls. “I was scared, broken, and I just needed to do something different. I heard of Delancey Street, and I wrote them. But I didn’t write them to change. I wrote them because it was my only hope of getting out from underneath the prison sentence.”

Fall 2021

Delancey Street

utah

36

avid Durocher is the executive director of The Other Side Academy—a residential ­rehabilitation program based in Salt Lake City. His road to this career he loves has been brutal and jagged; it has also been rewarding, joyful, and worth every drop of blood, sweat, and tears.

“I was a self-centered, heathenistic, gun-running, drug-dealing, out-of-control drug addict and criminal for nearly 25 years,” he says. “By the time I was 38, I had done 4 consecutive prison terms totaling almost 20 years. When I wasn’t in prison, I was on my way back.”

It was on one of those roads back that Durocher made a decision that would transform his life.

Delancey Street is a nonprofit organization based in San Francisco that offers residential rehabilitation services to substance abusers, ex-convicts, and others. The goal of Delancey Street is to help people “learn to lead a productive, crime-free, drug-free life of purpose and integrity.” Where most rehab programs are 30, 60, or 90 days long, Delancey Street’s model is 2 years or longer. Durocher didn’t care—2 years was better than 22. His intention was to only do the bare minimum, but something happened along the way that he did not expect. “Because [the program] is so long, because it’s behavior modification and not some doctor or therapist sitting around all day telling me what I need to change and what I’m doing wrong when I already know those things, [because] it was my peers blasting me for my behaviors until I changed those, I learned how to be an honest, accountable, contributing member of the community living a value-centered life of integrity,” Durocher explains.

Durocher would stay at Delancey Street for eight and a half years, but not all of them were as a student. After three and a half years, he knew that he was ready to reintegrate into the community.

But he was given an opportunity of a lifetime, and he took it.

“The last five years I was in Delancey Street, I actually managed the LA facility. I was what they called the facilitator or the managing director, and I oversaw all 15 vocational training schools—all 200 residents,” says Durocher. “I managed the entire facility, and I did it for free. I was honored that

[they] would ask me. I thought about my life prior to what I was doing and how much I loved what I was doing there [at Delancey Street], helping people get from where I once was to where I was at, and I said, ‘Absolutely, I’ll stay.’”

The Other Side Academy

Research shows that the 30-, 60-, or 90-day models have a 3 to 5 percent success rate. The Other Side Academy’s model is long and difficult, but those who complete their two-and-a-half-year stay have an 82 percent success rate of being drugfree, crime-free, and employed. After three years, that success rate jumps to 91 percent. “The further you get that lifestyle behind you, the harder it is to go back because you’ve learned to live a new life,” Durocher says.

The Road to Recovery

So, how does the program work? “You write us a letter from the county jail. We interview you, and we accept you. You get a letter of acceptance, and you take it to the judge. The judge can then sentence you to TOSA, but only if we’ve interviewed you. Or you can walk through the front door, take a seat on our bench, and ask for an interview,” Durocher explains. “We’ll interview you right then, and if we accept you, you need nothing.”

Fall 2021

The Other Side Academy is a twoand-a-half-year residential training academy for substance abusers, convicts, the homeless, and those who have hit rock-bottom and need help.

37 utah

Once Durocher started helping others, he never stopped. Flash forward to 2015 and the opening of The Other Side Academy (TOSA), and we find him, along with numerous others, helping the most lost among us. Based off the same model as Delancey Street, The Other Side Academy is a two-and-a-halfyear residential training academy for substance abusers, convicts, the homeless, and those who have hit rock-bottom and need help.

“The program is available as an alternative to those facing long-term incarceration as well as those seeking a change from the life they’ve chosen in the past,” Durocher explains. The mission is “to create a therapeutic community available across the world, to all who need it.” And when they say “all,” they mean all. It is a goal of TOSA to never have to turn away someone who is fighting for their life. So, what makes TOSA’s rehabilitation program so unique? Three words: time, peers, cost.

The Other Side Academy is 100 percent self-­ sufficient, meaning that the student doesn’t pay a dime—unlike the typical 30-, 60-, and 90-day rehab programs where often “the amount of help you get . . . is determined by how much money you have,” says Durocher.

The Other Side Academy is all about helping to change behavior. In Durocher’s words, “Drug addicts are liars, cheaters, thieves, manipulators, self-centered, self-seeking, human beings that don’t care about anybody. Who cares if they get clean and sober if they haven’t completely changed? If they’re clean and sober, but they leave the program and they are still sneaky, they’re still liars, and they are still living like a drug addict, then they’re going to use again.”

Fall 2021 utah

38

TOSA provides everything from clothing and food to housing and employment. Students live on the property in dorms, similar to a university setting. They also move through the ranks of freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior. After completing the initial two-and-a-half years, students can choose to leave or stay as long as

know them better, they are assigned a job working for one of TOSA’s companies. As students continue to grow and become their better selves, they are given more responsibilities such as mentoring others in the program or becoming a staff member in training. After completing the program, they might even be hired on as staff.

they need. This is possible because TOSA is self-­ sufficient—they don’t take any money from the city, county, state, or federal government. They don’t take money from Medicaid or insurance companies either. Why is that important? “Because as soon as a student comes to us, whether it’s out of jail or off the streets, they’re responsible for generating a revenue,” Durocher explains. “They’re responsible for their own recovery.”

TOSA has social enterprises that generate the revenue needed to run the program. They have a moving company, thrift store, storage company, and construction company. During the first few months at TOSA, freshmen will live in-house and work by cooking and cleaning. Once staff gets to

While in the program, students do not receive a paycheck for their work. However, it is important to note that TOSA works with several businesses like Sweets Candy, Hughes General Contractors, and several others so that upon graduation, every single graduate is placed into a full-time job. These are jobs that pay a good living wage and offer health and retirement benefits. Graduates can also opt to work as paid staff for TOSA while continuing to live on the property, where they receive reduced rent and low-cost meals, and, of course, the camaraderie of The Other Side Academy community. This community of peers is at the heart of the program and has the most profound influence on every person who walks through TOSA’s doors.

Tori, a former student and current staff member, has learned firsthand why this model changes lives.

“When you come to TOSA, we put you in real-life situations. Everybody has a job from eight to five, and everybody is working on taking accountability and holding others accountable for their behavior.

While you’re working, these behaviors come out, and your peers call you on it.”

She continues, “So, say Jane is [being] negative today. I would say, ‘Jane, they asked us to have a positive attitude.’ Her response can only be, ‘Okay,’ because [at TOSA] there’s no conflict allowed on the floor whatsoever.”

Tori says that twice a week, students go into a “game setting” with about 23 of their peers. It is in

this setting that they hold each other accountable.

“At that time, I would put the game on Jane, and I would say, ‘Jane you had a bad attitude the other day. You made it hard to work. I don’t know why you’re so negative when you came here to be somebody different. Don’t you want to change that?’” she explains. “So, I would address her behavior in that game setting, and then somebody else would chime in with, ‘Jane, I noticed that you lied the other day.’ As we address the behavior in that game setting, Jane can either sit back and say, ‘Okay, I’m here to change. I’m being humble. I’m going to take accountability for this, and I’m going to fix it.’ Or she can say, ‘You’re wrong. That isn’t who I am.’”

But what if there is a disagreement about the comments? “Then we’d get mentorship, and we’d

39 utah

Community and Connection

Fall 2021

This community of peers is at the heart of the program and has the most profound influence on every person who walks through The Other Side Academy’s doors.

Fall 2021

“That change of behavior— thinking and acting differently—helps you teach the next person coming in.”

utah

40

get guidance on that, and we would say, ‘From the feedback in the game setting and talking with your peers and your mentors, Jane, you are like that.

Let’s work through that. Let’s help you through this because this is what your peers are seeing,’” says Tori.

It’s not always easy to be positive, even in the best of circumstances, but TOSA students are taught to try to make the best of each situation. “We have a belief called ‘act as if’—act as if you’re happy until it becomes you. You put that smile on and you get through your workday, and I’m telling you that it makes you a better person in the end. That change of behavior—thinking and acting differently—helps you teach the next person coming in,” says Tori.

“You can say, ‘Hey, I’ve been through this. I know

THE OTHER SIDE VILLAGE The Other Side’s next big adventure is the creation of The Other Side Village—a permanent, tiny-home community in Salt Lake City for men and women coming out of chronic homelessness. Their goal is to build up to 40 homes by March 2022. To learn how you can donate, volunteer, or get involved in other ways, please visit theothersidevillage.com.

what you’re going through. I know what it’s like to have a bad attitude every day. Let me show you how I got through it.’ That’s where the mentorship comes in. That’s how we address behavior and get people to change.”

There are no doctors, clinicians, or therapists who work at TOSA. Everybody who works at The Other Side Academy is an ex-criminal or ex-drug addict or somebody who has been homeless and just gotten their life together. This is by design. “It is called experiential overlap, and the reason it works is because you are being mentored and held accountable by peers—peers who can connect with you on a visceral level, heart to heart, human to human,” says Durocher.

It is the visceral connection that inspires people to fix themselves. It is the heart to heart that enables those who are lost to be found. It is the human to human that helps students to “reinvent themselves and become somebody they have never known.” It is the combination that makes The Other Side Academy so unique and so successful. For Durocher, TOSA represents the culmination of a life changed and the beginning of a wonderful life journey helping others. “I spent the first half of my life helping people to die,” he says. “I intend to spend the rest of it helping them to live.”

Visit theothersideacademy.com to learn more.

page

utah

Fall 2021

41

Becoming a Legacy Maker

When Jennie Taylor became a military widow, she was thrown into the spotlight as she and her seven children grieved the loss of their husband and father. Now, she is building upon her husband’s legacy of patriotism and service by investing in future leaders, honoring military families, and finding opportunities to bring the community together. BY KA R E N PA I NTER

O

n November 3, 2018, Jennie Taylor’s life changed forever. Her husband, Major Brent Taylor, was killed near Kabul by an Afghan soldier that he was training. He was a member of the Utah Army National Guard and the mayor of North Ogden—the first sitting U.S. politician to be killed in action since the Civil War.

“I remember thinking, ‘This is going to be public, and I wish I could just keep it to myself.’

I didn’t like the world watching me get punched in the stomach,” Jennie recalls.

According to protocol, Jennie was supposed to have 24 hours of privacy before they released

us a legacy, and it is our job to now create a legacy and pass it on.”

An American Story

Brent’s name to the news. But by 2 p.m., half the city was on her front porch.

Fall 2021

Creating a Legacy

utah

42

While Jennie doesn’t like the spotlight, she has chosen to embrace it as a way to honor her husband and their seven children. She reads her husband’s journals and finds motivation in them. He wrote about how soldiers in Korea and Vietnam inspired him. When he thought bootcamp or deployment was hard, he wrote, “This may be hard, but it’s nothing like they faced. How can I hold my head up when I meet them after I die? How can I say, ‘Sorry yours was hard, but I gave up.’”

In the years since her husband’s death, Jennie has often found herself in a position to speak about the price of freedom, the value of community support, and the healing that comes by choosing to find hope and happiness despite life’s heartaches.

Then she decided to give even more of herself. On July 6, 2019, in honor of what would have been her husband’s 40th birthday, she established the Major Brent Taylor Foundation.

The mission of the foundation is to train, honor, and engage. “There is a lot of overlap, lots of distinction, but the biggest thing is helping people to become a legacy maker,” she explains. “Brent left

Megan Taylor, the oldest of the Taylor’s seven children, rolled her eyes last spring when the family was asked to come to another patriotic event in Washington, D.C. “Haven’t we already done that?” she asked.

“Meg, this is going to be a part of your life for the rest of your life,” Jennie responded. “You can be irritated that people want to keep talking to you about this, or you can do what I’ve chosen to do, which is to see myself in the middle of the American story.”

As a military widow, Jennie says that she’s seen things that most of America has not. “I’ve been to Dover Air Force Base in the middle of the night and watched as they transferred my husband’s casket.

I’ve been given a flag by a general at my husband’s funeral,” she says. “Most of America sees it in a movie, or maybe they read it in a book or an article, but I’ve lived that. I feel compelled to tell that story because of my background and my husband’s background.”

But Jennie understands that her experience is not hers alone. “It’s not just my story—it’s America’s.

And the flags we fly are for hundreds of years’ worth of people who, unfortunately, like me, have buried someone like that,” she says. “I feel like God has put me in a position to be a voice, too. I didn’t ask for it. I certainly didn’t see it coming.”

A Life of Service

Jennie met Brent in college in 2003 on a blind date.

“We started talking, and I felt a connection,” Jennie recalls. “Brent was a very driven, ambitious, and impressive young man. When he first told me that he wanted to join the military (on our first date!), my stomach hit the floor. I had never considered myself a possible military spouse! But as we continued to date and plan our future together, he had my support 100 percent.”

The couple married in September 2003. Five months later, Brent left for bootcamp and was gone for a year.

Fall 2021

43 utah

for mayor. He was elected as “Our entire first year of mayor of North Ogden in 2014 marriage we wrote letters and In the years since and served until 2017 when sometimes, if we were lucky, a deployment opportunity he’d get a phone call privilege. her husband’s death, presented itself.

It was strange because I was Jennie has often found “Brent hadn’t deployed married but single,” Jennie since 2012. We didn’t even talk herself in a position to recalls. about deployment anymore.

Over Brent’s 15-year milispeak about the price It shocked both of us,” Jennie tary career, he deployed to the of freedom, the value recalls.

Middle East four times. In 2007, The deployment was to he served in Bosil, Iraq, and of community support, Afghanistan to train soldiers. then elected to serve another and the healing that They were shorthanded and year in Baghdad after learning comes by choosing to needed people. According to that they were shorthanded.

Jennie, Brent felt uniquely Brent got into politics in find hope and happiness qualified to take this mission 2009 when he campaigned for despite life’s heartaches. because he had done it before. the North Ogden City Council.

“Brent always felt there was He was elected and served for more he could do, no matter two years—all while actively how much he did. He didn’t feel like he could say, serving in the Utah National Guard and pursuing a ‘No, I’m done. I’ve done too much,’” she says. “We master’s degree in public administration from the were seven months pregnant with our seventh baby University of Utah. Then he deployed again in 2012, when we found out about the deployment. It was this time to Kunduz, Afghanistan. crazy because he had to take a leave of absence, When he returned in 2013, he finished his which meant the whole city knew he was leaving. master’s degree and then started a doctorate in Many people were shocked, but we were united.” international relations—all while campaigning

Fall 2021 utah

44

$135,000 in scholarships to In August of 2018, Brent help train current and future was able to come home on “I wanted to choose leaders. These scholarships leave. It would be the last time are for students who have an that his family would see him young people who interest in following one of alive. know that service is the Brent’s academic paths.

“It was awesome,” says key to leadership and The foundation has Jennie. “We played with the established two scholarships kids and took a vacation. It who are motivated by for graduating high school was a wonderful two weeks.” what motivated Brent: seniors in Brent’s name: one After Brent returned to serving, sacrificing, at Weber High School in North Afghanistan and the kids went Ogden (Jennie’s alma mater), back to school, Jennie felt like and leading.” and one at Chandler High the time until Brent’s release School in Chandler, Arizona in January would go fast. The (Brent’s alma mater). At each weeks went by quickly until high school, these $1,000 scholarships are awarded Halloween—Jennie’s birthday. to one young man and one young woman with a “It had been so hard,” she recalls. “I felt like history of service and leadership.

I had been humbled and refined. I remember “I wanted to choose young people who know thinking, ‘I am a better person now than I have ever that service is the key to leadership and who are been.’ I didn’t worry about Brent because I was so motivated by what motivated Brent: serving, sacriworried about our family. Then the unthinkable ficing, and leading,” Jennie explains. happened.”

The foundation has also created an endowed scholarship of $75,000 with the University of Utah Continuing the Legacy and $62,500 with Brigham Young University. The Now, Jennie is doing all that she can to build upon scholarship at BYU is awarded to an undergraduate Brent’s legacy of patriotism and service through the majoring in political science, and the scholarships Major Brent Taylor Foundation. The logo Jennie at the University of Utah are for a graduate student picked for the foundation is an oak leaf cluster—the pursuing a master of public administration and for symbol for the rank of major in the U.S. Army. The a Ph.D. candidate from within the college of social seven points on the oak leaf represent the seven and behavioral sciences. The award amount will Taylor children. vary depending on the return of the endowment’s “I hope to inspire people to live their own investment, but last year, two BYU students legacy,” she says. “Yours is different than mine, and received a year of half tuition, and the students at mine is different than yours.” the University of Utah received a couple of thouKiersten Cragun, who graduated from Weber sand dollars each.

State University with a degree in public relations In the future, Jennie sees the foundation holding and communications, started working at the leadership workshops for military personnel who foundation in January. want to get into politics. “I think it would benefit “Jennie exudes joy,” she says. “She is a strong our country so much,” she says. “Fifty years ago, person but also very humble. She is the kind of many people in Congress had served in the military, woman I want to be—especially how she balances but that’s not true anymore.” her time with her children and the foundation.”

Training Future Leaders

The mission of the Major Brent Taylor Foundation is to train, honor, and engage. Over the past few years, foundation members have raised more than

Honoring Military Families

The second mission of the foundation seeks to honor military families by identifying, celebrating, and remembering their bravery and sacrifice.

Fall 2021

45 utah

concerts or the chalk art festival,” says Jennie. “He The foundation has already created the Gold Star Families Memorial Monument in North Ogden. loved to see people engaged in service and coming together.”

Other memorials in St. George and Pleasant View The most recent project for Jennie and the are under construction and will be completed in foundation was called Weber Remembers. It November. “These beautiful monuments honor was a coalition with the Weber County Sheriff’s military families and are symbolic of the ultimate Office, local businesses, community members, city sacrifice made by military members in service governments, and police and fire departments. The to their country,” says Jennie. “They stand as a event was a walk-through memorial to commemreminder to those families that our communities orate the 20th anniversary of the September 11 will never forget their sacrifice.” terrorist attacks.

The foundation also places flags at funerals Johnny Ferry, vice president of business for and other community events. In 2021, they placed Honeyville, Inc., designed a living exhibit for the flags at the dedication at the new Vietnam War Dog event based on his experiences visiting the 9/11 Memorial in Layton, and in 2020, they helped with Memorial & Museum in New the funeral of Air Force pilot York City.

Kade Allen from Brigham City, “I’ve been to the 9/11 and with the funeral of Nate Bringing people museum many times. I wanted Lyday, a young Ogden police together is what Jennie to do something to bring the officer killed in the line of duty. idea back here with pictures, The foundation also honors hopes she can spend sights, sounds, and videos,” he military families and others the rest of her life says. “The goal was to bring with their Christmas Magic doing, especially in her the community together. program. “It started with one Regardless of our political and woman with three little kids, hometown. other backgrounds, we can whose husband was deployed all connect because we are in the Air Force. I told her Americans.” we wanted to help her with Bringing people together is what Jennie hopes Christmas for her children. It was one less thing she can spend the rest of her life doing, especially she should have to worry about,” says Jennie. in her hometown. “I feel like I’ve inherited Brent’s The program grew, and last Christmas the life,” she says. “God has been so good to us in this foundation gathered gifts for 25 families. tragedy. Incredible things have happened. My kids are growing up without their father, but he’s Engaging with the Community not gone—not really. I hope to inspire them to live The third part of the foundation’s mission is to their own legacy. I hope they will figure out their engage with community members through cultural missions in life and then just be awesome at it.” and performing arts events.

To learn more, visit majorbrenttaylor.com.

“Events that brought people together is what Brent loved most about being mayor, like the

page

utah

Fall 2021

46

Lego Master Moms

Two mothers from American Fork are out to show the world that Lego bricks aren’t just for kids.

This summer, the duo competed on season two of Fox’s hit TV show Lego Masters, where their original creations were judged each week against the creations of other Lego enthusiasts.

BY K IERSTYNN K I N G

J

en Smart has always been a Lego kid, receiving her first set for Christmas when she was 6 years old. But when she grew up and started a family, she had to forgo her beloved building bricks for a time. “I packed my Legos away for a bit when I got married and when my kids were little,”

she says. “I was just waiting for the time when I could pull them all out and we could play again.”

Susan Earls, on the other hand, didn’t venture into the world of Legos until she started buying them for her 5-year-old son. “I was just buying more and more. At that point, I was just buying them for myself,” she laughs. “That’s really how I got my start.”

47 utah

Smart and Earls met through the Utah Lego User Group (ULUG), where they progressed from building Lego sets with their families to merging sets together to creating original masterpieces.

“I think the transition happens when you [go from] building a set you have instructions for to creating something of your own—an image you see in your head,” Smart says. “You’re thinking, ‘Oh, what would this tree look like in Lego? This building? This train?’ Then you’re wondering, ‘Can I do it?’ Then you’re fiddling with the parts trying to see if you can create what you see in your head.”

Earls says that the expert Modular series that Lego creates helped sparked the inspiration for creating her own buildings and trains. Smart has always loved creating landscapes and draws inspiration from the space sets she used to build as a child. She also creates statues and portraits and has been influenced by fellow Lego artists such as Nathan Sawaya and Sean Kenney. Her favorite creation, a 6-foot-tall Wonder Woman statue, was recently displayed at SCERA Center for the Arts Amy Corbett and Jamie Berard evaluate the teams’ in Orem. creations, eliminating one duo each week.

For Earls, one of her Earl says of the experience, favorite things about Legos “Sometimes it doesn’t even feel is the colors. “Right now, my real yet. It’s starting to sink in “You’re thinking, ‘Oh, favorite kind of Lego color is now, but I was just so shocked.” what would this tree the bright orange,” she says.

“It’s surreal. It is insane,” “I think in recent years Lego Smart adds. “It was a great look like in Lego? This has really expanded on their wave to ride on.” building? This train?’ color palette. They’re making For Earls and Smart, they Then you’re wondering, earthier tones, which is great.” can spend days, weeks, or even One of Smart’s favorite months creating their indi‘Can I do it?’ Then things about Legos is the vidual designs—a luxury that you’re fiddling with infinite possibilities of what they didn’t have on the show. she can create. “The colors “On Lego Masters, you had a the parts trying to see and shapes are fantastic, but certain time frame, which is a if you can create what the possibilities just blow my different element than we’re you see in your head.” mind,” she says. used to,” Smart says. “When we’re building, we’re used to being able to take a break Competing on Lego and mull things over. On Lego Masters Masters, you have zero time for any of that. You’re This season on Lego Masters, Smart and Earls all in 100 percent of the time, and you just have to competed against 11 other two-person teams—and throw those bricks together and hope it works.” they were one of only two female-female teams.

The show is hosted by Will Arnett, and judges

Fall 2021

Building a Friendship

Fall 2021

The duo was eliminated in the sixth episode, “Demolition Derby.” The challenge was to create a wild remote-control concept vehicle and battle it out against the other teams’ creations. Judges Amy Corbett and Jamie Berard were looking for aesthetics and strength for this challenge. The teams had six hours to complete their machine, and Earls and Smart created a tractor called “Muscle Sprouts.”

During the challenge, the duo made remarks about their time management and how they weren’t feeling confident in finishing this challenge. After their six hours were up, the judges reviewed each team’s builds before the derby began.

Corbett said that she loved how Earls and Smart’s creation looked like it was taken out of a kids’ toy box.

While Berard loved the blade “The colors and shapes design, he wondered how are fantastic, but the strong the blades were going to be during the derby portion. possibilities just blow “Visually they look great, my mind.” but I would be surprised if

utah

48

they didn’t come off fairly early,” he said.

Ultimately, Earls and Smart were eliminated.

“You had a nice overall vehicle but were missing some of the details and story touches that we saw in the other teams’

Clicking with the Community

Smart and Earls were able to watch the first episode of the season with their friends, family, and community in one of the theaters at SCERA Center for the Arts. “To see ourselves on that big of a screen was crazy,” Smart says. “Seeing the other

Fall 2021

contestants on the screen was phenomenal. I was cheering and hollering. It was a lot of fun.”

Outside of Lego Masters, both women are active in the Lego community. In August, they attended Brick Slopes—A Lego Fan Event at the Mountain America Expo Center in Sandy. “It’s a really awesome community and support network to be a part of,” Smart says.

To see more Lego masterpieces, follow @ JenRaineSmart on Instagram and Facebook.

49 utah

builds,” said Corbett. “The coolest parts of the build were the blades on the front and back of the vehicle, but they were destroyed really quickly in the derby, leaving a more basic build.”

page

utah

Fall 2021

50

Changing Lives Through Literacy

Many adults struggle with literacy—a skill that we often take for granted. Thankfully, Project Read Utah offers free help with reading and writing, with the goal of eliminating illiteracy in Utah County. BY K I E R STY N N K I N G

I

n 1984, Project Read Utah launched with the goal of providing one-on-one tutoring services to adults with low-level literacy skills, thereby strengthening families, improving communities, and breaking the generational cycle of illiteracy.

Operating out of the Provo City Library, the organization envisions a literate Utah County where

everyone has access to learning opportunities that enable them to reach their full potential.

A Silent Problem

According to Shauna K. Brown, executive director of Project Read, illiteracy is a silent problem. More than 28,000 adults in Utah County read below a

Fall 2021

51 utah

She was so passionate and 4th-grade level, and about incredibly smart, but she 12 percent of adults in Utah “Most people don’t just couldn’t read, so that was County—nearly 50,000—can’t want to learn how holding her back,” she recalls. read at all.

The woman was determined to Funded largely by donato read—they want get off of public assistance and tions and a few government to learn how to read provide for her daughters. grants, Project Read is working Twenty-one years later, hard to help adults become litfor a specific reason, Brown’s former student now erate by teaching basic reading whether it’s for better runs her own business in and writing skills, including employment or wanting Pleasant Grove with several how to use technology. These employees, and both of vital skills help their students to help their kids.” her daughters are college handle everyday situations graduates. She also has two more effectively. grandchildren. “I know that “A big issue that we see with both of her grandchildren are going to know how to literacy is that it links to chronic health issues,” says read because their grandma thought it was importBrown. “For example, adults with low literacy skills ant,” says Brown. struggle to manage their diabetes because there’s so much reading that’s involved with managing the disease. Once people improve their literary skills, their Dedicated Volunteers health improves because they’re able to understand Dedicated volunteers like Jessica McDowell play an the health system and see their primary care doctor.” indispensable role in the organization’s success. “I Each year, Project Read works with about 100 came across Project Read at a time when I didn’t adult literacy students to complete about three have a lot going on,” she says. McDowell planned hours of tutoring per week, usually in the form to be a volunteer tutor for about a year, but seven of two 90-minute sessions or one 3-hour session. years later, she is still going strong.

“We consider Project Read a bridge or a transition “The main reason why I stayed is because I just program,” Brown explains. “Most people don’t just love my student,” she says. “We’ve become good want to learn how to read—they want to learn how friends. We’ve spent three hours a week together to read for a specific reason, whether it’s for better for the past seven years.” employment or wanting to help their kids.” The McDowell and her student do a variety of activorganization also helps students from other counities together such as reading, writing, grammar tries to prepare for the Test of English as a Foreign practice, vocabulary practice, and comprehension Language to help them get into college. practice. One of McDowell’s favorite memories is Most students stay with Project Read until they when she read The Diary of Anne Frank with her are at about a 9th grade reading level. After that, student. “Obviously, that’s a very challenging book,” they can go on to an adult high school program or she says. “For my student, it was one of the first job training programs. “Once they reach that level, books she read that was meaningful and impactful we feel like they’re not learning to read. At that for her. I feel like that was a turning point for us, point, they’re ready to use their reading skills to where she realized that reading can open her mind learn other things,” says Brown. to other cultures and ideas.”

During their seven years together, McDowell has seen her student get her driver’s license, start From Welfare to Successful classes at Utah Valley University, and develop a love Business Owner for English classes. “Seeing her progress in that way Brown initially started out as volunteer tutor at has been really meaningful and rewarding for me,” Project Read. “My student was a young mom with she says. two little girls. We would meet in the Orem Library.

Fall 2021

A Whole New World

utah

52

Fast Fact

43% of adults Project Read also helps immigrants learn with low literacy English and navigate a new culture. live below the Anna Baasanbyamba emigrated from poverty line.

Mongolia to the United States. Before attending Project Read, she was a single mom going through a divorce. “At the time, I was trying to adapt to the American culture and the language. My English wasn’t that great,” she recalls.

She first learned about Project Read when she saw a flyer on the community bulletin board while she was at the Provo City Library with her children.

“Since English is my second language, I always feel like I need to be improving my English. I’m always looking for ways to improve myself,” says Baasanbyamba. “Project Read was great for me Transforming Communities because of the one-on-one tutoring and the fact Project Read changes lives, but it also benefits the that it could work with my schedule.” community as a whole. According to Brown, adults Baasanbyamba says that Project Read not only who improve their literacy skills are able to get off helped her with her English but also helped her in of public assistance, find better employment, and her personal life. “There were a lot of forms and spend more money, which directly impacts the documents that I had to fill out due to my divorce. economy. There is also a link between low literacy They helped me comprehend what I was reading and crime. The Literacy Center states that 75 and helped me fill out legal forms,” she says. percent of incarcerated adults in state prison lack a Baasanbyamba was a student a Project Read for high school diploma or have low literacy skills. about 10 months. When she first joined the pro“The prisons are doing a lot of work to try gram, she was performing at a and increase literacy levels 7th-grade comprehension level, because the chances of but by the time she graduated, recidivism and ending up back Adults who improve she was performing at almost in prison decrease,” Brown their literacy skills are a 10th-grade comprehension explains. “Literacy is just tied level. Since completing the to so many other things in able to get off of public program, she has graduated society.” assistance, find better from BYU–Idaho with her Brown says that improving employment, and bachelor’s degree in business literacy helps create a ripple management. And she is effect because people can spend more money, getting ready to graduate from gain the necessary skills to which directly impacts Utah Valley University with a help improve their lives. “Our master’s degree in finance and students are so passionate the economy. planning analytics. and smart. They want to be After seeing her daughsuccessful, yet they’re just ter’s incredible success, missing this key piece for Baasanbyamba’s mother also enrolled in Project whatever reason,” she says. “When we can help Read. “My mom was really excited for me when them improve these skills, everyone benefits.”

I graduated from Project Read. She now wants to To volunteer, donate, or get help, visit improve her English and is really excited to be a ­projectreadutah.org. student.”

page

utah

Fall 2021

53

In the Business of Strengthening Families

Ten years ago, when Jordan Page decided to start a blog to share some of the ideas she had learned about budgeting and saving money, she never would have imagined that it would turn out to be a multimillion-dollar business that would provide for her family and help hundreds of thousands of people to not only manage their budgets but to also build stronger families.

BY RANDY SCOT T

“

T

he Page Company was a happy accident,” says Jordan Page. Her husband, Bubba, had started a business in college, so initially her role was to support him. Even though they had both always been frugal, when they had their first child, they had a meager income. “We were living off credit

cards and sweet dreams. It got real and scary when kids got in the picture,” she recalls.

Fun, Cheap, or Free

Page went online looking for information about budgeting, but she couldn’t relate to anyone she found. She also tried talking to friends about

Fall 2021 utah

54

they should figure out a way finances, but they didn’t want to monetize the site. Initially, to discuss their mortgages or Jordan’s audience Jordan was resistant to turning debt. her hobby into a business, but “I decided to do it my way continues to grow, and when Bubba explained how and created ways to manage today she has about she could help more people our money,” she says. “We by making it a business, she paid off about $15,000 of debt one million followers agreed. in the same year that Bubba on social media.

Bubba started working with only made about $31,000. The Jordan at the Page Company interesting thing is that it on the side in 2018. He eventuwasn’t that bad.” ally sold his business in 2020, which afforded him Page started a blog called Fun, Cheap, or Free the opportunity to work with Jordan full time at the as a hobby so that she could share all the tips and Page Company. tricks that she was learning. But she worried that Today, the Page Company’s mission is to build she wasn’t getting to the root of helping people stronger families, and Jordan encourages people to solve their money problems. She wanted to quit, define “family” in whatever way works best for their but her husband said, “Don’t quit. Do it your own individual situations. The Pages focus on knowlway.” So, she did. “When I did it differently, it edge and tools to help save time, save money, and started to take off,” she recalls. “I talked about all the stuff that other people didn’t want to talk about.” build stronger family relationships. They currently have two professional blogs, a line of budget and productivity planners, and online courses. They From Hobby to Business also host live events and retreats.

After about a year and a half of blogging, Bubba The Page Company currently has 19 employees, installed Google Analytics on the blog site, and they most of whom are work-at-home mothers. Jordan’s discovered that hundreds of thousands of people audience continues to grow, and today she has were reading Jordan’s blog. Bubba thought that

about one million followers on social media. She has been featured on Good Morning America, Today, and on many other media outlets, and The Page Company was also listed on the 2020 Inc. 500 list of fastest growing companies.

Even with the incredible growth, Jordan says that 2020 was a time of focusing on family. The same week that the COVID-19 restrictions began taking place, Jordan and Bubba had twins—that’s 8 children within 10 years, with 5 kids under age 5!

“We learned to simplify during COVID-19. We canceled everything,” Jordan says.

Lessons Learned

ideas against his, that’s when it gets hard. Working with your The Pages focus on spouse is the best, but it’s also knowledge and tools one of the hardest things you’ll to help save time, ever do. Our marriage has been tested.” save money, and She continues, “I remem1. You can build a mini-­ build stronger family ber one time I said, ‘This is empire part time and still not working.’ We decided to put family first. relationships. hire a VP of operations, and it 2. Work comes third, behind changed our lives. It allowed God and family. us to be the dreamers and 3. If you have a really engaged have someone else handle the hard stuff. We are audience, know what their pain points are and now stronger than ever and absolutely love workwhat they want, and then build that for them—it ing together. It has been a huge blessing for us.” works out.

The final piece of advice that Jordan gives is 4. The principles of budgeting, time management, to create lifestyle goals first and business goals and productivity apply regardless of your second. In other words, create a business that financial situation. supports your lifestyle. How many hours do you want to work a So, what advice does Jordan week? What do you want your offer when it comes starting a family dynamic to look like? family business and, particWhat do you want your ularly, working with your marriage to look like? “If spouse?

2020 has taught us one “First, that’s awething, it’s that nothing some that you want to is guaranteed,” she start a business with says. “Build a business your spouse! Second, to support your are you sure? If you’re lifestyle, not the other going to do it, don’t way around.” do it alone. Get a third To learn more, visit person as a moderator,” funcheaporfree.com. she says. “When it’s your

Fall 2021

When asked about the lessons that she has learned while growing her company over the years, Jordan shared four powerful insights:

utah

55

page

56

Column: Mary’s Fab 5

+

Mary’s Fab 5: Food Trucks Are you a crazed food truck addict? Then this article is for you! The modern food truck movement began in San Francisco in 2008 and has taken the nation by storm ever since.

The idea is that you offer a single item, do it better than anyone else, and take your show on the road. Many would-be restaurateurs develop a following with their food trucks until they can establish a brick-and-mortar location, but many still keep their trucks moving! Here are five of my favorites to whet your appetite to find your next Utah food adventure!

BY MARY CRAF TS

1. World’s Best Corndogs

Get ready for the world’s best corndog! These quarter-pound, 100-percent pure beef dogs are hand dipped in a secret recipe batter and then deep fried to golden perfection. They offer the usual condiments, but the absolute mind-blowing best is the honey drizzle—wow! Also on the menu is their popular smoked cheddar brat and their heavenly cheese sticks made with Tillamook Colby Jack and Pepper Jack cheese. Visit worldsbestcorndogs.com to find a truck near you.

utah

Fall 2021

2. Cupbop

This Korean barbecue in a cup is another long-standing food truck that can be found all over the state. The large variety of bowls is one of the reasons I like this truck so much. I can get spicy or mild.

I can choose from chicken, beef, pork, or tofu. And there is even an option for fried potstickers! The bowls all come with noodles, rice, cabbage salad, and a variety of condiments. Definitely a full meal in a bowl! Go to cupbop.com to see their current food truck schedule.

3. Waffle Love

This customer favorite was one of Utah’s first food trucks and has not only stood the test of time but now has multiple store locations to purchase these delicious waffles. The melt-in-your-mouth Belgian waffles have the special addition of pearl sugar, which creates a unique sugar crunch on the outside and a soft, creamy texture on the inside. The choices of toppings—from fruit to chocolate to whipped cream to caramel—will keep you coming back for more! Find a truck near you at waffluv.com.

4. Capitol Burger

The name says that they are from the devil, but trust me—they are heaven sent! These artisan churros have lots of filling to choose from, but what really sets them apart is the selection of cinnamon sugars. You can have the traditional one, but I recommend stepping out of your comfort zone to try something different like the fiery Diablo sugar! The churros are fried to order, so they are always soft and fresh! They post their food truck schedule on Instagram, so be sure to follow them at @sandiablochurros.

57 utah

5. San Diablo Artisan Churros

Fall 2021

The true food truck aficionado will travel anywhere to feed their addiction. And so it is with me. I drive to Torrey just to have one of Luke’s incredible burgers. He was one of Salt Lake City’s best executive chefs and left it all to sell burgers on small-town Main Street. My favorite is the mac n cheese burger, but come hungry or share. It doesn’t hurt that Torrey is next to my favorite hiking hangout—Capitol Reef National Park. Follow them on Facebook or Instagram at @capitolburgertruck for updates on their food truck locations.

page

58

Column: The Last Word

+

It’s All About the Questions Life is filled with complexity. Are you asking the right questions to solve your problems and get where you want to go?

BY DAN CLAR K

I

n every situation, the person who asks the questions is in complete control of the conversation. You can get wrong answers from negative questions.

You can get wrong answers from positive questions. But you can’t get right answers from the wrong questions. And even when we do get the right answers, they are not always the solution.

utah

Fall 2021

Reasons vs. Excuses

Right answers are critical, but they don’t necessarily solve the problem. The answer “Don’t drink and drive” is right, yet many people still drive drunk.

Which means the better question is: “Why must you drive right now?” followed by, “Is there another form of transportation?”

This produces a better answer: “Because I haven’t been drinking, I will help you get to where you are going safely.”

Questions beginning with “why” and “who” are more

emotionally charged than “what” or “how” questions because “why” and “who” questions are historical in nature. They take us back in time. “Why did this happen? Why must you drive drunk now? Who screwed up?” These questions plead for reasons, but they breed excuses. We all despise excuses and get annoyed when others use them on us, but the fault is usually with the one asking the questions. When we ask a “why or who” question, they are simply answering the question we asked.

Future-Oriented Questions

Instead of asking people to live in the past, we should ask future-oriented questions like, “How can we fix this?” or “What can we do right now to stop the decline and turn this around?”

Notice that these inquiries invite people to live in the present, encouraging positive statements

Questions beginning with “why” and “who” are more emotionally charged than “what” or “how” questions because “why” and “who” questions are historical in nature. about how things can be done better in the future. Notice that these questions are not about how to be a different person but about how to become more of who and what we already are.

Although the past is sometimes a wonderful place to visit, it is a debilitating place to live.

Living in the past dilutes our energy, makes us fatigued and unable to stay productive at work, triggers regret, and often leads to chronic stress, depression, and

Illustration licensed by Ingram Publishing

Driving forward while staring into the rearview mirror is unsafe, irresponsible, and distracts us from focusing on the present road conditions and the direction in which we are heading. So why should we live our lives this way and diminish from the here and now?

Living in the future is equally debilitating because it triggers anxiety, fear, and worse—the ambiguous “must-be-better-thannow” mindset. I am as guilty of this as anyone. There was a time in my life when my sole purpose was to be somewhere else. In the 7th grade, I remember thinking, “When I’m finally a 9th-grader, I will be somebody!” Then, as a senior in high school, I thought, “I can’t wait to get out of here.

Then I’ll focus on school.” It continued with, “When I graduate and get my dream job, I’ll finally feel good about myself,” and “If I could just get married, then I’d finally be happy and feel complete.”

No! If we are not happy single, then we will never be happy married. If we are not the best 7th-grader we can be, we might not even make it to the 8th and 9th grade!

Living in the Present

French philosopher Pascal said, “Too many live their lives hoping to be happy, but because they only hope, they never really are.”

They are waiting for someone to ask them to the prom and haven’t even taken the time to learn how to dance!

When we live for the future, we build grand expectations. We put years of happiness on a single moment, and in doing so, we set ourselves up for inevitable disappointment.

Bottom line: Living in the past is ridiculous because there is nothing that we can do to change it. And our future depends on what we do in the present. So, the key question, which is always the right question, is: Where are you right now? It’s like requesting an Uber ride that requires you to

enter in your current location. If you lie about where you are, the directions won’t work!

The present is called the present because it’s a precious gift that we cannot afford to waste! Today, you have never been this old before. And today, you will never be this young again. So, right now matters, and every “right now” matters.

The power to become is found in living where you are—right now—and asking the right questions so you can live in the present time. Keep on keeping on, because in two more days, tomorrow will be yesterday! +

Dan Clark is a Hall of Fame speaker and The New York Times best-selling author of The Art of Significance.

Fall 2021

Always Somewhere Else

Instead of asking people to live in the past, we should ask future-oriented questions like, “How can we fix this?” or “What can we do right now to stop the decline and turn this around?”

59 utah

anger—which, in reality, is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die. Absurd!

page

60

Good News by the Numbers

+

Diversity and Inclusion

43%

Companies with diverse boards that reported higher profits

57%

Employees who think their company should be doing more to increase diversity

41%

Managers who say that they are too busy to implement any kind of diversity or inclusion initiatives

utah

Fall 2021

85%

CEOs with diverse and inclusive cultures who noticed increased profits

67%

Job candidates who seek out companies with a diverse and inclusive culture

2.3x

1.7x

Higher cash flow that diverse companies enjoy per employee

More innovation that inclusive companies enjoy compared to less inclusive companies

2065

Year when the U.S. is predicted to no longer have a single ethnic or racial majority

To learn about one woman’s mission to improve diversity and inclusion in Utah,

turn to p. 28

78%

People who believe that diversity and inclusion offer a competitive business advantage

7.4%

CEOs of Fortune 500 companies who are women

21%

Increased likelihood of gender-diverse executive teams to outperform on profitability

44.2%

Millennials who classify themselves as non-Caucasian Photo licensed by Ingram Publishing

When people of different races, cultures, genders, and sexual orientations share ideas and work together, the results can be amazing. Check out these fascinating facts about diversity and inclusion.

Utah

High Note

Photo by Drew Armstrong |

@travelsfromutah

+

I am rich today with autumn’s gold.

—Gladys Harper