South Salt Lake residents have a powerful safety net in the SSL Cares Coalition, an initiative dedicated to ensuring every community member can find the support and resources they need.

Operating officially under the umbrella of the long-running Promise South Salt Lake initiative, the coalition aims to systematically boost resident well-being across the entire city. City officials frequently summarize the effort with the simple, powerful phrase: "Give Help, Get Help." This motto, which you'll see on the city website, stresses that when residents contribute to the coalition, they strengthen the entire community support structure for everyone.

From Tragedy to Promise

The foundation of this comprehensive support system dates back to 2008. That year, the community was galvanized by the murder of Hser Ner Moo, a 7-year-old girl from a Burmese refugee family. This heartbreaking event spurred Mayor Cherie Wood and the community to commit to comprehensive youth and family services, creating the Promise South Salt Lake initiative.

Promise South Salt Lake was built upon three core promises: that every child would have the opportunity to graduate from college, every resident would have a safe home, and everyone would have the opportunity to prosper. 

The SSL Cares Coalition now provides the framework—bringing together residents, leaders and businesses—to systematically deliver on those promises. They facilitate change by aligning partnerships, conducting needs assessments and implementing targeted programming.

The Resources That Help

The coalition supports and aligns with several high-impact community resources that are available to residents at little or no cost:

Promise SSL Co-Op (Community Opportunity Center): This facility focuses on adults transitioning into new jobs, careers or business ventures. It provides reservable workspaces, free Wi-Fi and critical training in digital and financial literacy. A key partner here is the International Rescue Committee, which offers business counseling and loans specifically for refugee and minority business owners.

Community Resource Pantry: Operated in partnership with the Utah Food Bank and Mosaic Interfaith Ministries, the pantry supplies essential items beyond food, including hygiene products and school supplies. This site is also where residents can meet with a Promise SSL Family Liaison to get connected to a wider array of social services.

Housing and Basic Needs Navigation: The coalition partners with organizations like Housing Connect and Utah Community Action to access housing resources. Family liaisons work to guide home seekers through applying for rental assistance, accessing utility support programs (like HEAT) and even homebuying resources.

A Plan for Every Age

The coalition's commitment to what they call “addressing needs from cradle to career” ensures that support is available at every stage of life. This includes services for families, education workshops, kindergarten readiness program and high-quality out-of-school programs for youth. These programs are all designed to address significant community risk factors, including low literacy rates, substance misuse and gang activity.

By bringing these diverse resources and partners together, the SSL Cares Coalition executes the "Give Help, Get Help" philosophy, creating a responsive and comprehensive system of support for South Salt Lake residents.