Julie Banks

Family members:
husband Doug, 2 daughters and spouses, 1 son and spouse, 2 young adult sons at home, youngest is 19. Six energetic grandchildren.

What brought you to Columbus Adult Education Center?
I went to an open house here a few years ago, admired the mission, and decided to serve. I have always volunteered in various ways in my children’s schools but felt like I might enjoy serving adults. I also love reading and words. Plus, this building is in my neighborhood—I attended church in this building before it was given a new purpose—so I’m a little attached!

What do you hope to do while serving at CAEC?
I hope to respect students by preparing and teaching well. Each student has different motivations to study English: to create job opportunities to better support their families, to feel confident in their everyday interactions, to expand their learning in general, to make friends, to have fun, and more. (Maybe making friends and having fun are not initial motivations but they are certainly important results I see at our school!) I hope to help them stay motivated, feel more confident and accomplished every week, and feel loved. It’s rather selfish, but I also hope to learn from them: from their fascinating experiences and cultures, from their sometimes humbling motivations and challenges.

Your Interests/Hobbies/Education:
I grew up in Utah. I graduated from the University of Utah in English. I attend lots of U of U athletic and arts events with my family. My work has mainly been raising my family and serving in my church and community. I like working in the yard, getting outside for walks and hikes, playing pickleball, reading to children, hanging out with my family, and eating (treats!)

We are so grateful to have Julie as a volunteer at Columbus Adult Education Center. She has taught both Reading Horizons and English Connect. She is super reliable. She puts extra effort into studying the lessons she teaches, thinking of additional things she can do to enhance the lessons and improve learning. Her degree in English has helped in teaching English Language Learners. She loves the students she teaches and is willing to go beyond the classroom to help them with any needs they may have. Julie is calm, helpful, positive, and resourceful. She is loved by fellow volunteers and students alike!

William Villaparedes

William has 5 family members in Utah. William came to the United States looking for better opportunities to provide for his family and a better future for his children. William feels Utah is a beautiful state with many mountains and natural parks. He says,” The people here are very friendly. This state has a very good economy, a low unemployment rate, a low crime rate, and a low drug use rate.” He has been United States for 3 years. William works for OC TANNER, in The Shipping Department. William likes traveling, seeing new places, hiking, climbing mountains, motorcycles, old cars, the beach, and playing pool. He studied Law and graduated as a Lawyer. He also studied automotive technology, graduated, and worked for many years at General Motors in the Marketing department. In William’s words: “I arrived in Utah in January 2021, my original goal was to work for 6 months and return to Venezuela, but in March 2021, the United States government approved the TPS (temporary protected status) program that I applied for.

In September 2022, the HUMANITARIAN FREEDOM program was created, through which, and with the help of a Sponsor (Claudia la Torre, a very good person who helped me), I made the request to bring my family here. After three years without my family, the government approved my family's application in January 2024. In October 2022 I started working at OC Tanner, with Amber Feigleson being my group leader at that time. She supported me and got me access to the rhelevate.com program for the first time (December 2022). Then maybe in February 2023 Amber helped me register in Columbus and I started attending classes, I don’t remember well but I think I started at the Red level.” William is an excellent student, his attendance in class has been very consistent. He has worked hard, listened, applied what he has learned, and he is now in the advanced group at Columbus. He is also an outstanding person. He is hard-working, respectful, and appreciative. We are so grateful for William, and we are blessed to have him at Columbus. Thank you, William!

In the face of incredible hardship and obstacles, refugees are rising above and connecting our communities in one of the most significant ways: with food. While there are many ways to show support for the refugee community, one way is by supporting local refugee-owned restaurants, which is why we’ve put together our list of a few of our favorite (and most delicious) refugee-owned restaurants right here in Utah!

Laan Na Thai
If you’re craving delicious Pad Thai or Pad Cashew Chicken, then Laan Na Thai is the place for you! Started by Chefs Yupin and Wichai, Laan Na Thai opened in 2016. Yupin helped her mother run a food stand in Thailand when she was young, and after immigrating to the United States in 2009, she became the chef at Ekamai for six years. In 2016, Yupin and Wichai joined the Spice Kitchen and later that year opened Laan Na Thai!

Bhutan House Restaurant
Chefs Kamal and Geeta moved to Utah with their three children in 2010, from Nepal, and before that, Bhutan. Soon after, in 2017, the couple celebrated the grand opening of Bhutan House Restaurant at 1241 East 8600 South in Sandy. The restaurant, run by Kamal, Geeta, and their daughters, features Bhutanese tandoori, which is one of the most popular cooking methods in the Indo-Nepal-Bhutan region. Kamal and Geeta also participate yearly in World Refugee Day and the Salt Lake Downtown Farmer’s Market.

Halab’s Jasmine Kitchen
Looking for authentic and fresh Syrian cuisine? Visit Halab’s Jasmine Kitchen. Chef Ibrahim got his start in his family’s kitchen as a child when he began experimenting with different recipes. After he and his wife Rawiya came to Utah in 2016, they decided that owning their own food business would be a great opportunity. Halab’s Jasmine Kitchen offers healthy and fresh Syrian dishes and prides itself on authenticity. Stop by to try their falafel sandwiches or shawarma!

Jamaica’s Kitchen
Famously known as “Utah’s First Jamaican Food Truck,” Jamaica’s Kitchen is the place to go if you’re craving the flavors of authentic Jamaican food in Utah. Native-born Jamaican Chef Donovan has been working in the kitchen since he was 16. Starting as a dishwasher, he quickly developed a passion for Jamaican cuisine and was mentored by a chef who inspired him to attend culinary school. In 2017 he opened Jamaica’s Kitchen. There, as well as at local markets and festivals, you can find him cooking up dishes like spicy & sweet Jamaican jerk chicken or tender curry goat with rice and beans. Jamaica’s Kitchen also caters!

Learn more about how you can support Utah’s refugee community by exploring CCS’ Refugee Resettlement and Refugee Foster Care pages.

Name: Tonya Merrill

Family members: Eric (spouse), Nathan & Allie (son & daughter-in-law), Heather (daughter), Erika (daughter), Dallin & Brenna (son & daughter-in-law), Nikki (daughter), and two wonderful grandkids, Grace & Luke Why are you teaching at Columbus? I wanted to help empower these wonderful refugees and immigrants to have a successful and productive life. I love to serve and the opportunity to meet new people. Being my Savior's hands in any way, including in a small way at Columbus, I genuinely appreciate it. Interests/Hobbies/Education/ Etc.: I love to do anything water….waterski, snorkel, and especially be at a beautiful sunny beach! I love to do all kinds of sports. Some of my favorites are pickleball, wallyball, gymnastics, and tennis. I love to go on crazy adventures like backpacking trips, rappelling, and ziplining! Anything outdoors is wonderful… camping, hiking, or just walking outdoors. I love to read, and I want a fantastic book club. I love to learn! Currently trying to learn Spanish! I graduated in Computer Science from USU. I love being a mom and vgrandma! We raise a big garden but mostly say we were mostly trying to raise hard-working kids through the garden. I cherish my family and spending time with them. I like to cook and bake for them, which speaks to their hearts and warms our home. I am a Christian and deeply value His teachings; I try to let them guide my life.

Adam Blanco

Adam was born in Caracas, Venezuela, on March 29, 2003. His mother has a student at Columbus, Magdalena Blanco. Both are currently living in Caracas. Magdalena’s mother lives with them also.

Adam lived with his dad in New Jersey, USA, for three years and attended an American school at that time. Adam loves movies. He often makes references to film during class that has a connection to a lesson that is being taught. He especially loves Superheroes and Ghostbusters. He loves Legos of dinosaurs and animals. Adam’s favorite foods are pasta, rice, plantains, lemon pie, and Oreo pie. Adam walks every day and loves to play tennis. Adam works with fabrics taking inventory for his job. He studies Art Graphics. He has created beautiful graphic butterflies, which he has shared via Zoom. Adam is delightful. We love seeing his beautiful smile, which makes us smile every time

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