Service with Purpose
AmeriCorps Utah Member Gathering
Thursday, March 27 | Utah Cultural Celebration Center
1355 W 3100 S, West Valley City, UT 84119
Schedule
7:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.
Registration and breakfast
Crossroads and Great Hall
8:30 a.m.
Welcome
Loggins Merrill
Great Hall
8:45 a.m.
Keynote address
Jennie Taylor, Major Brent Taylor Foundation
Great Hall
9:30 a.m.
Member recognition
Mayor Karen Lang, West Valley City
Great Hall
10:30 a.m.
Break and benefits hall
Crossroads
11 a.m.
Breakout Session 1
12 p.m.
Lunch
Great Hall
12:45 p.m.
Keynote address
Great Hall
1:30 p.m.
Breakout Session 2
2:30 p.m.
Break and benefits hall
Crossroads
3 p.m.
Service project
Great Hall
4:15 p.m.
Closing remarks
Great Hall
4:30 p.m.
Adjourn
Map
Sessions
Laura Rothlisberger Huefner
Do you know the ins and outs of how to use your education award? Join this session to discover all the ways you can make your education award work for you! You can use the award to repay qualified student loans and to pay current educational expenses at eligible institutions of higher education and training programs. There are also ways to extend your award's use period and transfer your award under specific conditions. Explore all the benefits and limitations of your award during this information session led by an AmeriCorps alumna.
Kelly Lemons
Session 1 only
Discover effective strategies for building your brand story, expanding your network, and leveraging LinkedIn to target the right connections. Learn how to use AI tools to optimize your digital presence, supercharge your job search, and make an unforgettable first impression.
Kelly Lemons
Session 2 only
Discover how to optimize your career documents using AI to ensure they get past digital gatekeepers. Learn how to target your resume, craft a winning cover letter, and create powerful references — all with practical tips that will give you a competitive edge in today’s digital job market.
Lauralee Solimeno
This session will focus on the benefits of federal work study, the intent of federal work study, and how it’s being utilized to make an impact in the community. Additionally, we will cover how to utilize federal work study to reduce loans being taken. This session would benefit anyone interested in federal work study, first generation students, and those wishing to get involved in their community.
Personal Finance 1: How to Build Your Credit
Vincenza Vicari-Bentley and Kelan Combe
Session 1 only
Do you want to (re)build credit and increase your credit score but you’re not sure where to begin? It can be confusing to understand how certain credit behaviors affect your credit score. In this session, you will join Accredited Financial Counselors from USU Extension to learn more about: How to understand a credit score and your credit report, products and strategies to build or rebuild your credit, and how to protect your credit.
Personal Finance 2: How to Budget with Limited Income
Vincenza Vicari-Bentley and Kelan Combe
Session 2 only
Participants in this session will learn how to prioritize expenses, track spending, and create a realistic budget that aligns with their financial goals. Whether you're managing bills, saving for future needs, or simply looking to make the most of your resources, this class offers valuable tools to help you take control of your finances. Join Accredited Financial Counselors from USU Extension to learn about: How to create a simple budget and prioritize expenses, easy ways to track your expenses, and how to automate your finances to make budgeting easier.
Leah Labato
Join Leah Lobato, Business Relations Coordinator with the Utah State Office of Rehabilitation, a division of the Department of Workforce Services to learn more about disability. The presentation will share information on disability etiquette, disability statistics, specific disability issues, accommodations, resources, allyship and ways to provide access and opportunity for individuals with disabilities.
Skills for Disagreeing Better
Lori Cartwright
The Skills for Disagreeing Better workshop helps participants understand the values and concerns of those who differ from them and teaches essential skills for communicating across differences and finding common ground. During this workshop, participants will learn to grow understanding of the values and concerns of people who differ from you, learn skills for listening in a way the other person feels heard, and learn skills for sharing viewpoints in a way the other person might hear even if they disagree
Grand Ballroom
The project will involve sorting cartridges used by Multi-State Center West. These cartridges belong to the National Library Services for the Blind and Print Disabled and are being repurposed for a new type of digital download known as Duplication on Demand.
Speakers
Jennie Taylor is a highly sought-after motivational speaker for topics such as resilience, grief, patriotism, service, family dynamics, and living a purposeful life. She has spoken across Utah, in California, Arizona, Georgia, Manhattan, and Washington, DC. Jennie has been interviewed by Time magazine, Fox News, CNN, and NBC’s Today show. A high school teacher with a Masters in Education by trade, Jennie is also the mother of seven children, ages 4 to 16, and the Gold Star Widow of Utah Army National Guard Major Brent Taylor.
Commissioner, Utah Commission on Service and Volunteerism
AmeriCorps Alumna
Ruby Vejar is a dedicated small business owner and a passionate advocate for global diplomacy. Currently pursuing her studies at Weber State University, Ruby balances her academic commitments with her role at Utah Global Diplomacy, a nonprofit organization focused on fostering international relationships and understanding. Her exceptional contributions to diplomacy and community service have earned her the prestigious Young Diplomat of Utah Award, among other accolades. Ruby is actively involved in various initiatives that promote civic engagement and social responsibility, reflecting her commitment to making a positive impact in her community. In addition to her professional achievements, Ruby has gained valuable experience through her work with the American Democracy Project, AmeriCorps, a congressional intern and as a legislative intern at the Utah State Capitol. Her diverse skill set and dedication to service illustrate her potential as a future leader in both local and global contexts. Ruby Vejar is also an AmeriCorps Alumna and UServeUtah Commissioner.
Laura Huefner has been involved with AmeriCorps for more than15 years, first serving as an AmeriCorps VISTA member in Maryland. After graduating from BYU with an MPA, she worked for the AmeriCorps federal agency for seven years in the Utah office. She has since worked for an AmeriCorps State program (go Student Success!). She now serves as the AmeriCorps Seniors Program Manager for UServeUtah's rural Foster Grandparent and Senior Companion programs.
Lauralee Solimeno is the community work study coordinator at Weber State University’s Center for Community Engaged Learning. She manages Waldo Reads, an America Reads literacy program, and has taught English, psychology, and health in alternative high schools. In fall 2025, she will teach Healing Informed Life, an honors course on trauma-informed resilience. She is pursuing a doctorate in educational leadership at Southern New Hampshire University, focusing on gratitude’s impact on workplace satisfaction. She holds a master’s in curriculum and instruction with an emphasis on trauma and resilience and a bachelor’s in integrated studies. Her experience includes teaching resilience skills to Title I students in Utah and Puerto Rico.
SESSION: Personal Finance Basics Sessions 1 & 2
Vincenza Vicari-Bentley, AFC is an accredited financial counselor and the lead program coordinator for the Empowering Financial Wellness program with Utah State University Extension. She is as passionate about personal finance as she is about really good food. She’s currently enrolled in a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) program to further her skills to continue to empower others to make informed decisions with their money.
SESSION: Personal Finance Basics Sessions 1 & 2
Leah Lobato, Business Relations Coordinator, Certified ADA Coordinator (ADAC), Utah State Office of Rehabilitation, a division of the Utah Department of Workforce Services DWS. Promoting employment and retention of individuals with disabilities in competitive employment by leveraging public and private partnerships. She is an advisor to the board of Utah’s Chapter of Job Placement and Development, a member of the National Rehabilitation Association, Utah Rehabilitation Association, Salt Lake City Accessibility and Disability Commission, Disability:IN Utah Steering Committee, 2024 40 Over 40 Recipient, and Yoga Forward Board. She is a certified yoga teacher with 500-hours of training and currently leads yoga practices in the Utah State Correctional Facility.
Lori Cartwright
Braver Angles Utah Chapter
SESSION: Skills for Disagreeing Better
Lori Cartwright is the Blue State Coordinator for Braver Angels Utah, a national organization dedicated to fostering understanding and constructive dialogue among people with different perspectives. In this role, Lori collaborates with individuals and organizations throughout Utah to improve communication, strengthen relationships, and promote mutual understanding. Lori was drawn to this work after experiencing a challenging period of division that led her and her husband to make significant life changes, including relocating and exploring new opportunities in different states and countries. Eventually, they returned to Utah, where Lori is committed to helping others navigate differences through open and respectful conversations. With a background in education and the legal field, Lori is also a writer, hiker, and avid reader who enjoys exploring ideas through books and movies.
Surveys
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