November 26, 2018

To whom it may concern,

On behalf of Comunidades Unidas (CU), please accept this letter of

recommendation for Melissa Marulanda. Ms. Marulanda has been
involved with CU since 2017. From the beginning Melissa worked
above and beyond all expectations to support with the development
of various programs including our Immigration Clinic and Advocacy
and Civic Engagement Programs.

Comunidades Unidas is a community based organization whose

mission is to ensure that Utah’s Latinx community has equitable
access to basic resources including low-cost health care, civic
engagement opportunities, and leadership development. With this
same vision, Ms. Marulanda began an internship with CU.

Within weeks, we were able to see her involvement, commitment,

passion, and love for our community. She worked side by side with
members of our immigration clinic to help create educational
materials used to inform local community members about their
rights.

Melissa also supported with the development of focus group

materials administered through the Utah Department of Health.
Such focus groups were aimed at understanding the challenges that
youth living in the west side of Salt Lake City face when engaging
with local government. Hence, Melissa focused on generating
questions and developing strategies that would help increase youth
participation through these focus groups. Melissa’s involvement with
the focus group helped shed light and provide invaluable information
to help bring key resources to the neighborhoods of our community
that it the most.

Lastly, Melissa also participated in our ​“Vote for 2: Raise your Voice,
Defend your Rights” n​ onpartisan voter registration and education
campaign. Throughout the campaign, Ms. Marulanda helped
connect with other youth to engage those eligible to pre-register to
vote. Through her dedication much needed information was delivered to youth. Her
ability to connect with her peers allowed us to pre-register youth across high schools
with high minority populations across the Salt Lake Valley.

Since 2017, Melissa has completed more than 500 hours of volunteer service in
educating the Latinx community, guiding our community members, providing referrals
and encouraging others to give back to their communities. Moreover, she has been an
example for her peers and other youth, inspiring them to tap into their own potential.
Melissa has demonstrated important leadership skills as it is clear that no challenge is
ever too big or small to her.

Today, Melissa continues to volunteer with Comunidades Unidas past meeting her initial
internship hour requirements. Thus, her love and dedication to serving her community
have truly set her apart. I admire and feel honored to know Ms. Marulanda. It has been
a pleasure to work side by side with her to ensure our families are healthy and civically
engaged in the state of Utah.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at 801-487-4143 or

maria@cuutah.org

Sincerely,

Maria C. Montes