HOUSING + HOMELESSNESS

After an unexpected arrival, over 20 Venezuelan refugees found help in Salt Lake City

Jan 12, 2023, 7:00 PM | Updated: Jan 13, 2023, 7:48 am

men line up at rescue mission of salt lake, who just helped several Venezuelan refugee men...

Men stand in line to eat dinner at the Rescue Mission of Salt Lake in Salt Lake City Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2013. (Jeffrey D. Allred/Deseret News)

(Jeffrey D. Allred/Deseret News)

SALT LAKE CITY — As a refugee resettlement city, Salt Lake City opens its doors and its arms all the time to people fleeing their troubled homelands. This winter, a busload of refugees from Venezuela arrived in the middle of the night.

On 400 South, a yellow brick building stands close to Pioneer Park. There’s a red staircase that leads to a red door.

It’s the entrance to the Rescue Mission of Salt Lake. Just above it, there’s a faded cross that reads “Jesus saves” in neon lights.

The political climate in Venezuela has for a long time been toxic, which has led to a large number of people fleeing the country to find asylum in the United States.

Don Nicholson, the emergency services director of the mission, told KSL NewsRadio about a night about three months ago, when 20 to 30 young Venezuelan men showed up seeking shelter.

Dozens of Venezuelan refugees arrive

“Well, I was in my room rescue when I got the call. And someone said, ‘we’ve got a ton of refugees.’ So I came down,” Nicholson said.

The unexpected arrivals posed a challenge, with there being a limited amount of space in the shelter.

“But luckily, the weather was good enough when the weather is good enough, a lot of time our regular guys will stay out in camps. And so when they showed up, we actually had room for everyone. We had enough beds and enough overflow to take care of that,” Nicholson said.

So what was their story? Where did that bus come from?

The answer wasn’t entirely clear, according to Nicholson, because of the language barrier.

“They all came in one bus, basically, and were dropped off. Our communication was really at a very all-time low, especially that night,” Nicholson said, adding that he had to use Google Translate. “I have a couple of people that stay here as guests that do speak Spanish –are bilingual. And when I have them, they would help us out.

Assisting the men

The Rescue Mission of Salt Lake has been operating since 1972, helping men who have hit hard times.

Steve Spiess is a job placement coordinator and counselor with the shelter. He helped the group of men gain employment.

“That’s an interesting challenge for us, facing both a language barrier and an unexpected influx of people at the same time, trying to help people find jobs.”

But the men were motivated and independent, and the experience went well.

“We helped them get what they needed: work boots and clothes and a place to stay,” Spiess said, adding, “After giving them job leads, the next day they’ve got a job, they’re out working and we see them leave first thing in the morning and they’re back late at night. Every day.”

Almost all the Venezuelan refugees that arrived at Rescue Mission of Salt Lake have now moved on with jobs and houses

Related: What refugee liaisons have learned from the students they serve

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

Housing + Homelessness

several people sit at a table to eat a meal...

SHELBY LOFTON KSLTV.com

Utah shelters prepare to take in more people under Code Blue protocol

Under a new law, resource centers and other spaces are required to expand their capacity up to 35% if the temperature will fall to 15 degrees or below.

17 hours ago

Inflation has frustrated home buyers, with many feeling like they'll never buy a house. But spendin...

Britt Johnson

Spending is trending but it’s making home buying even harder

Inflation has frustrated home buyers, with many feeling like they'll never buy a house. But spending is part of what has driven it so high.

7 days ago

Coachman's Dinner and Pancake House at 1301 South and State Street in Salt Lake City, Utah Dec. 11,...

Britt Johnson

Condo development on site of Coachman’s restaurant fails

A blow for Salt Lake City's Liberty Wells Neighborhood, a new condo complex on the site of Coachman's restaurant will not be moving forward.

11 days ago

Gov. Spencer Cox, Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson, Clark Ivory, with the Utah Impact Partnershi...

Emma Keddington

Progress is being made to keep unsheltered people safe this winter

Governor Cox and Salt Lake community leaders reaffirmed their efforts to get unsheltered people into warm beds this winter.

18 days ago

New single family homes under construction in the South Jordan area of the Salt Lake Valley. Utah i...

Don Brinkerhoff

Utah needs 178,000 homes to meet projected demand, entry-level housing can help

It’s estimated the state will need another 178,000 homes by the year 2030. Utah needs entry-level housing the most.

21 days ago

Building construction continues with a crane in downtown Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023.  ...

Eric Cabrera

Salt Lake City to build “micro shelter community” for homeless

Salt Lake City leaders want to build a "micro shelter community," rather than a sanctioned campground the homeless.

24 days ago

Sponsored Articles

front of the Butch Cassidy museum with a man in a cowboy hat standing in the doorway...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Looking Back: The History of Bear Lake

The history of Bear Lake is full of fascinating stories. At over 250,000 years old, the lake has seen generations of people visit its shores.

silhouette of a family looking over a lake with a bird in the top corner flying...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

8 Fun Activities To Do in Bear Lake Without Getting in the Water

Bear Lake offers plenty of activities for the whole family to enjoy without having to get in the water. Catch 8 of our favorite activities.

Wellsville Mountains in the spring with a pond in the foreground...

Wasatch Property Management

Advantages of Renting Over Owning a Home

Renting allows you to enjoy luxury amenities and low maintenance without the long-term commitment and responsibilities of owning a home.

Clouds over a red rock vista in Hurricane, Utah...

Wasatch Property Management

Why Southern Utah is a Retirement Paradise

Retirement in southern Utah offers plenty of cultural and recreational opportunities. Find out all that this region has to offer.

Human hand holding a protest banner stop vaping message over a crowded street background....

Prosperous Utah Communities

Utah’s Battle to Protect Youth from Vaping Epidemic Faces New Threat as Proposed Rule Threatens Progress

Utah's strict standards of nicotine levels in vaping products are at risk, increasing health hazards associated with use. Read more about how you can advocate for a better future for Utah's youth.

Aerial photo of Bear Lake shoreline with canopies and people camped out on the beach...

Visit Bear Lake

Last-Minute Summer Vacation Planning? Check Out Bear Lake!

Bear Lake is the perfect getaway if you are last-minute summer vacation planning. Enjoy activities with your whole family at this iconic lake.

After an unexpected arrival, over 20 Venezuelan refugees found help in Salt Lake City