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Show The West View Page 11 Local Clinic Helps — ~ Pete Suazo Center Helps Minority Businesses _ Protect Homeless — ~ Get Off the Ground from West Nile Virus a Masters in Business Administration from Brigham Young University. During Heyn’s client is assigned a mentor, who helps with writing a business plan and completing loan applications. Mentors are volunteers who speak both Spanish and English. Some mentors are business owners and others are business stu- first interview dents cult it is to start a new business. By Melissa Sillitoe By Melissa Sillitoe He owns a Wingers franchise in A west side business, The Fourth Street Clinic, is at the fore- front of preventing a West Nile virus (WNV) outbreak among the homeless population in Salt Lake City. The virus, which is spread when infected mosquitoes bite and infect animals or humans, has moved steadily from the East Coast to Utah. Non-human WNV was first detected in Utah in August 2003, and the infection has spread to nine Utah counties, including Utah County. The first Utah County case of WNV in a human was detected in September 2003. There were 2,862 cases and 262 deaths from the virus in the U.S. in 2003. Most infections are mild; some have West Nile fever, while very few patients (1 in 150 of those infected) develop neurological disease. Fourth Street Clinic’s Medical Director, Adi Gundlapalli, MD, PhD, spearheaded efforts to prevent the transmission of the disease among Utah’s homeless population. Homeless people are especially at risk for exposure to the virus because they live outdoors and may camp near the Jordan River, a natural mosquito habitat. Gundlapalli Home, organized Volunteers a task force of America, the of the Salt Clinic, Lake The Road Department of Salt Lake City’s West Side is home to the Pete Suazo Center for Business, a nonprofit organization that helps Latinos and other underserved people to become business owners. There is a real need for this type of service in our community since Latino people comprise 19 percent of Salt Lake City’s population, according to the 2000 census. The Center opened in 2002 at 625 West Girard Avenue (540 North), and was named for deceased State Senator Pete Suazo, who worked passionately for social and economic justice for minorities in Utah until his tragic death in 2001. Gladys Gonzales, the chair of Health, the State Department of Health and local hospitals, to edu- the cate service providers and the homeless about WNV and ways to prevent it. : Preventing the virus is easy - campers need to avoid stagnant water and wear mosquito repellent around riverbanks. Fourth Street Clinic raised funds for purchasing enough mosquito repellent for 750 to 1000 people to use this summer. Volunteers of America’s outreach workers distribute the repellent to homeless people. The risk of becoming infected with WNV is quite low. WNV is not transmitted by casual contact. There is no danger of the virus being spread directly from homeless people to the general could only find janitorial work when she moved to Salt Lake City, but had the experience to start a Spanish-speaking newspaper. Senator Suazo believed in her vision and helped Gonzales apply for a small business loan. Her successful newspaper, Mundo Hispano, currently employs twelve people. Executive Director Robert Heyn knows firsthand how diffi- population. ae Center’s Board of Trustees, Provo, a small financial company, co-owns a car lot, and earned with new clients, he explains that they’ll need to be willing to work 12-hour days without pay while becoming established. In work, ness much Commerce, : spite of the risk and hard Heyn says owning a busiis fulfilling. “It’s not so that you think you want to be a millionaire. For me, it’s the ability to have something running that is good for you, the community, and the people who work for you.” New citizens face unique challenges as new business owners. Many don’t write or speak English well enough to write a business plan or to complete the government forms to get the financial assistance for which they qualify. They are used to different laws about how to incorporate. Even if they are experts in their field, these obstacles from BYU. The Center partners with Zions Bank, the Utah Microenterprise Loan Fund, the Utah Department of and other financial resources. Enrique Soto, owner of Uno One Graphic Design (www.unoone.com) went to the Center to turn his freelance jobs into a formal business. “They did everything for me. They were friendly and positive and told me about loans and did the paperwork for me.” He may call the Center again if he needs further training or assistance. Just five months since his _ business opened, he has no regrets about making this decision. “It required money, lots of time, and you need your husband or wife’s commitment, too...but it’s worth it,” he said. can stop them before they even begin. The Pete Suazo Center turns visions into practical plans. Each You can contact the Center at support @ petesuazocenter.org or call 521-1709. He began with pinto beans and a dream. Today his dream is a reality. Emmigrating from Mexico, Jorge Fierro utilized creativity, initiative, and a Utah Microenterprise Loan to package and distribute “Rico De Le Olla Pinto Beans” to four markets in Salt Lake City. In 1998, he opened Rico Mexican Market, which now employs 14 people and carries over 120 different gourmet food products — truly a dream come true. ee se 3 8 = = cties : ~ Se = = Rees eeYG. ee ie ee & Sas ee EE nye eee ? ; othe : tee eB ee & oF Se ae : ag ® Se ae LOAN . FUND Jorge Fierro owner of Rico Mexican Market |