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Celebrating community in South Salt Lake.
Aug 12
Meet the South Salt Lake 55+ Community Liaison!
Posted on August 12, 2026 at 1:58 PM by Ben Keller
South Salt Lake is excited to welcome Diane Kendresi as our new 55+ Community Liaison. In this role, Diane works alongside South Salt Lake residents ages 55+ to connect them with resources that promote health, safety, and independence. Whether someone needs assistance navigating services, overcoming barriers, or finding opportunities to stay connected and engaged, Diane is here to help. For Diane, serving others has always been more than a career—it's a calling."Helping people has always been my passion, and I feel grateful to have a career where I can make a positive difference in the lives of others," she said. "Throughout my career, I've worked with refugees, families, and individuals from many different backgrounds. Those experiences have taught me the importance of listening, showing compassion, and treating everyone with dignity and respect."As the 55+ Community Liaison, Diane enjoys building relationships and connecting people with programs, services, and activities that help them stay active, informed, and engaged. One of her favorite parts of the job is bringing people together and watching new friendships and connections grow."I enjoy helping people overcome challenges by connecting them with the resources they need and making sure they feel welcomed and supported," Diane said. "I believe every person deserves to feel valued and included, and I strive to create a welcoming environment where everyone feels they belong."When she's not at work, Diane enjoys spending time with her family, learning new things, and finding ways to give back to her community.We can all play a role in building a strong and caring community. If you notice that a neighbor or loved one could use a little additional support, Diane is ready to connect. Together, we can help ensure every older adult has what they need to thrive. South Salt Lake is proud to welcome Diane to the team and looks forward to the positive impact she will continue to make in our community. You can visit her at the South Salt Lake Co-Op (2530 S 500 E) or contact her at dkendresi@sslc.gov or 385-414-4649.
Jun 29
First Responders Hard at Work Saving Lives
Posted on June 29, 2026 at 2:13 PM by Joseph Dane
We'd like to give a shoutout to Captain Arik Campbell, Firefighter Sam Littleton, and Paramedic Doug Berg from the Ladder 42 crew for this month's Kindness in Action spotlight.Our first responders are called upon to handle chaotic scenes every day, but a recent incident reminded us all that "saving lives" extends to the beloved pets that make our community members' families whole. Ladder 42 was initially dispatched to assist Salt Lake City with a garage fire to establish a critical water supply. After successfully securing the line, scene dynamics shifted, and Command reassigned the crew to a very different kind of life-saving mission: providing emergency medical care to two helpless cats that had just been pulled from the smoke and flames. Without hesitation, the crew pivoted from fire suppression to veterinary first aid. Captain Campbell, Firefighter Littleton, and Paramedic Berg got right down on the pavement, administering supplemental oxygen to the highly distressed and unresponsive animals. Thanks to their patient, dedicated care, both cats gradually became responsive and were stabilized. Paramedic Berg and the crew then safely returned them to their incredibly relieved owner, advising her on next steps for a full veterinary evaluation.These images of gear-laden firefighters kneeling on the asphalt to gently hold oxygen masks to small animals is a powerful reminder of the profound empathy our first responders carry with them. Thank you, Ladder 42, for your exceptional teamwork, versatility, and kindness!
Jun 25
South Salt Lake: Healthy Utah Community
Posted on June 25, 2026 at 3:00 PM by Ben Keller
Did you know that South Salt Lake is a designated Healthy Utah Community? This designation was first applied to our city in 2021 for the work we’ve done to implement evidence-based strategies to improve community health. To achieve and retain this designation, South Salt Lake has demonstrated a constant commitment to improving the health of our community through educational programs, recreation opportunities, and community connection. The Healthy Utah Community Designation is awarded by Get Healthy Utah, a non-profit organization that works to improve healthy eating and active living in Utah. South Salt Lake supports these goals by creating high quality recreation programs for youth and adults, providing educational opportunities in afterschool programs, as well as intentional health-focused resource navigation by Promise South Salt Lake’s family liaison team. At the South Salt Lake Community Opportunity Center (SSL Co-Op) we work with partners to create opportunities for community members to learn healthy habits. The South Salt Lake Recreation Department works with Promise South Salt Lake to host a youth summer soccer league in which all players must participate in weekly workshops about opioid safety, as injury risk places young athletes at a higher risk of opioid addiction than their peers. This opioid safety curriculum covers a diverse range of topics including safe warm up/cool down, proper hydration and nutrition, opioid misuse prevention, injury prevention, mindfulness, and good sportsmanship. With 150 young people playing in this league and participating in educational workshops this year, this program is a testament to the power of interdepartmental collaboration to create a safer, healthier community. Each spring, we host a community-focused health and wellness event called Thrive in South Salt Lake to bring together a variety of health resources for residents to connect with in a fun, lively environment. This year, the event was paired with a new mural unveiling at Central Park Community Center as part of the 2026 Mural Fest. The event featured free food catered by a local South Salt Lake restaurant, a petting zoo and games, and a diverse array of health-focused community partners promoting all aspects of health and wellness. Beyond the regular services of a municipal government, South Salt Lake has made three promises to our community: that every child has the opportunity to attend and graduate from college; that every resident has a safe, clean home and neighborhood; and that everyone has the opportunity to be healthy and prosper. Our commitment to our community goes beyond fixing potholes and repairing water lines. We strive to create a healthy community in which all residents have access to the tools they need to live a healthy, fulfilling life.
