A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held in June for the Uplift Community Alliance and Uplift Thrift, previously called the Assistance League of Salt Lake to mark this newly independent organization. Millcreek Mayor Jeff Silvestrini cut the ribbon to make it official.

“Uplift Community Alliance is a newly independent organization that fosters goodwill in the community through our 10 philanthropic programs for adults, children and families in the community,” said Carrie Drown, acting president.

“Uplift School Kids is the new name for The School Bell Program,” Drown said. The School Bell Program provides children in need with new clothes and other essential supplies. Improving a child’s self-esteem can help a child improve their overall academic experience. 

“The mission statement is the same. The work that we provide to the community, the vouchers, and the school programs are all the same,” Paula Veenstra, a 10-year volunteer said. “We do the same things for the community that we have always done.”

For the Uplift School Kids program, “We get a list from the schools throughout the valley of kids that are in need as far as clothing and we go out and get the supplies. The child gets a bag with their name and age on it. Each child gets a full coat, underwear, socks, shoes and a dental hygiene kit. We deliver it to all of these schools,” Veenstra said.

Drown said that for middle school aged students, “They are given a gift card for Old Navy and they are able to pick their own clothes. Sometimes this is the first time these kids have been allowed to pick out clothes by themselves.”

“The second largest program is Operation Healthy Teeth. We provide emergency dental care for children who have no other way of getting the dental care they need,” Drown said. 

Uplift Community Alliance also assists children that have aged out of foster care. They are given vouchers to buy clothing, shoes and toiletries to help them be better prepared for job interviews.

Adults can find assistance through the Brighter Tomorrows program. “Men and women trying to get back into the workforce are referred to us by different agencies and can get new clothing and vouchers to shop in the store,” Drown said.

The Uplift Thrift shop is located at 2090 E .3300 South in Millcreek and has been there for over 50 years. “We are known as the Nordstroms of thrift shops. We sell only the very best here. This shop funds 70% of the funds needed for our programs. This is our powerhouse,” Drown said. 

“The community has been very good to us and so wonderful about donating to us. They shop here and we are a total volunteer organization and so the volunteers staff the store. They are dedicated and amazing,” Drown added.

“We love donations and if we can’t use them in the store we have resources to pass them along to someone who can and we welcome anybody who is interested in volunteering,” Drown said.

Uplift Thrift is open Tuesday through Saturday, noon until 4 p.m. and Thursdays open until 7 p.m. More information can be found at ULCAUtah.org.