[Are you new in town? This is everything you need to know about the Latinos in Utah and the resources available for our familias.]
I am back in the Beehive State after living for about a decade in North Carolina. Although I lived three years in Utah in the late 2000’s (I even became a mom while living here), Utah feels new.
It’s a new Utah in many things. For example, the farms that I remember seeing on my way to Provo by the freeway exits have been replaced with high-tech buildings. (Heck, they even call it Silicon Slopes!) I also noticed that a few small businesses like the place where I got my haircuts have been replaced with other new businesses.
This is all normal. It has been 10 years. It makes sense that it’s a different Utah than the one I remember. After all, I am also a different Linda. I am very excited to make this place my home, again.
Latinos in Utah
![Latinos in Utah](https://i0.wp.com/hispanicmama.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Latinos-in-Utah.png?resize=1024%2C1024&ssl=1)
If there is one thing that makes me excited about the changes for the better is the Latino visibility in the state. I see us everywhere. I see us better organized. Of course, it’s not perfect, but I think it’s darn awesome that we are out there more than a decade ago.
My nerdy self did some numbers and these are the numbers that I got from my Google research about Latinos in Utah:
- 14.4% of Utahns are now Hispanic or Latino, making up the second-largest ethnic group.
- Nearly 1 in 4 Utahns is a racial or ethnic minority. Two-thirds of these children are Hispanic.
- Salt Lake County has the largest minority population at 344,482 or 29.7% of the population, with the
Hispanic population comprising nearly one-third of the minority population.
- Utah was second only to Washington, D.C., in the percentage growth of its non-Hispanic or non-Latino white population, which has risen by 11% since 2010!!!
- The largest groups are Mexican, Spaniard, Salvadoran, Peruvian, Guatemalan, and Puerto Rican.
- We are a young population! The median age of Utah Hispanics/Latinos in 2014 is 23.6 years.
- Hispanics/Latinos are more likely to speak a non-English language at home than any other Utah community, with Spanish being the most spoken language after English.
- And this is super interesting: About 40% of Hispanics/Latinos are foreign-born.
6 Latinx Organizations in Utah That You Should Know
![Latinx Organizations in Utah](https://i0.wp.com/hispanicmama.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Latinx-Organizations-in-Utah.png?resize=1024%2C1024&ssl=1)
Granted. I have only been in Utah for a year and it has been in the middle of a pandemic. Or maybe the fact that I am actually the new girl in town makes this list more relevant. These are some of the Latinx organizations in Utah that are offering resources and support to the local community. I will update as I get to know more, but until then, here is my super list:
- Suazo Business Center is a great resource for Latinos owned businesses. From creation to day-to-day operations, their advisors provide services to support you and your business.
- If you are into tech, this is for you! Latinas in Tech is a non-profit organization with the mission to connect, support and empower Latina women working in tech. I know their director and felt her genuine interest to help other Latinas to thrive.
- Comunidades Unidas‘ mission is to empower Latinx to recognize and achieve their own potential and be a positive force for change in the larger community. They offer immigration, health, and other community support services to familias.
- I like a lot The Dream Center at Salt Lake Community College. They work holistically with undocumented students and mixed-status families from college access to graduation and or transfer.
- Latinos in Action offers an asset-based approach to bridging the graduation and opportunity gap for Latino students, working from within the educational system to create positive change.
- Ella Rises inspires Latina youth with hope, confidence, and purpose; to continue their education, become community leaders, and preserve their cultural heritage. My oldest participated in their museum activity a few months ago, and I loved how the owners were truly invested in the girls success.
Dual Language Immersion Programs in Utah
![Dual Language Programs in Utah](https://i0.wp.com/hispanicmama.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Dual-Language-Programs-in-Utah.png?resize=1024%2C1024&ssl=1)
Did you know that Utah is a pioneering state in dual language programs? La plena, how they would say in Ecuador. How do I know? Well, once upon a time in Manti, I was in this cute fancy hotel celebrating my anniversary, and I met the lady that ran these programs during dinner.
I don’t recall the details of how the conversation started, but I do remember her explaining how dual language education work and how these dual language immersion programs were so successful in NYC and in Utah. I was in awe. Although I am the product of bilingual private schools in Ecuador, it was a different story to learn that there were accessible programs in public school education of USA.
That was the day that I became passionate about dual language programs accessibility. Read why I send my kids to dual language programs here.
Anyhow, if you want to give dual language education a try or if you are looking for your children to continue these programs in Utah, here are great resources that might help you to know:
Check out this short video about first grade in a dual language program!