This brief history does not illustrate the dedication and hard work so many American Indians and greater community members have committed throughout the years to ensure assistance is available in times of need. Thank you to all who have shown their support for the mission and work of the Indian Walk-In Center.
On June 16, 1974, the Utah State Building Board purchased the building popularly known in Salt Lake as Carpenters Hall, for the price of $10, to establish an Urban Indian Center. The Utah Council of Urban Indian Affairs (UCUIA) leased the building for $1 a year and began to provide social, educational and community services for American Indians residing along the Wasatch Front. By 1976, the Indian Walk-In Center was born with the mission “To aid and assist Native American Indian people and to strengthen the family and community, respecting cultural values and heritage.”
From the beginning, the Indian Walk-In Center has served this mission through the provision of emergency food, clothing, and self-sufficiency education. The Indian Walk-In Center quickly became a focal point for American Indian social activities in the Salt Lake Valley, and the growth of this organization is evidence of the needs within our communities. Below is a brief timeline of important events.
The Center affiliates with United Way, becoming one of a network of agencies that distribute emergency food supplies for all low-income populations. This service leads to increased awareness of the additional assistance needed to form a comprehensive resource center for American Indians and Alaska Natives residing along the Wasatch Front.
IWIC, with the support of United Way of Salt Lake, establishes a Counseling Services Program with one part-time employee. Once again, this addition of services illustrates an extreme need within the American Indian community for specialized services.
The Indian Health Care Clinic and the Indian Alcohol & Recovery Programs of Salt Lake City close and the Salt Lake Area is without culturally appropriate health or behavioral health services for American Indian and Alaska Natives. The community submits a proposal to Indian Health Service to allow The Indian Walk-In Center to continue providing much-needed services. The Center is awarded two Indian Health Service Title V Contracts for the delivery of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, and Adult Outpatient Substance Abuse Treatment.
Following a period of rapid growth totaling more than 500%, wherein service programs expand from two to six major programs and full time staff increases from 4 to 18, the Center earns recognition two years in a row as one of Utah’s top 100 fastest growing companies.
The Indian Walk-In Center currently provides ten major service programs under the leadership of Executive Director Dena Ned (Choctaw/Chickasaw), Board Chair Dory Peters (Navajo), and a dedicated staff of 22 employees. The Center receives funding from state and federal grants/contracts, private community members, and numerous local companies interested in furthering the mission of the Indian Walk-In Center.
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