Share

On May 27, 2026, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints previewed its new 250,000-square-foot Humanitarian Center to the media. Located at 1999 West 1700 South in Salt Lake City, the updated facility sits directly across from the old site. It is designed to process global donations more efficiently while providing job and language training to hundreds of immigrants and refugees from over 25 countries.

The center’s leadership, including Welfare and Self-Reliance Services Managing Director Blaine Maxfield, emphasized that the facility’s mission is rooted in Jesus Christ’s teachings to love and serve one’s neighbor, regardless of their religious background. The Church’s First Presidency previously toured the site on May 22.

Core Operations and Programs

The center runs several daily operations aimed at both global relief and local self-reliance:

  • Job Training & Education: Employees (called “associates”) spend about half their day in English language classes. They also learn culinary skills in a large kitchen and get hands-on experience in production, maintenance, and food service.

  • Donation Processing & Recycling: Associates sort through surplus donations from Deseret Industries thrift stores. Clothing is sorted and compressed into 100-pound bales for worldwide shipment, while unusable items are recycled. The facility also decommissions and recycles electronics.Associates at the Humanitarian Center sort donated clothing and household items for humanitarian aid shipments while receiving job training and self-reliance experience.

  • Volunteer Services: Church volunteers work alongside associates to assemble emergency relief and cleaning kits. They also craft roughly 12,000 quilts each year using donated materials to aid those facing disasters.

Real-World Impact

The center serves as a career launching pad. For instance, Zipporah Markus, an immigrant from Nigeria, used her time at the center to earn a phlebotomy certificate, learn to operate a forklift, get her driver’s license, and take civics classes. Similarly, Tina Jones from Peru recently completed a medical certificate while operating a forklift at the facility, noting that the diverse workforce shares a daily tradition of praying together for the world.

An associate at the Humanitarian Center processes donated materials as part of the facility’s mission to provide humanitarian aid, job training, and support for refugees and immigrants.

Public Open House and Dedication Info

Following a private dedication ceremony on the evening of May 27, the center will open to the general public.

  • Dates: Monday, June 1, 2026, through July 23, 2026.

  • Hours: Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

  • Activities: Visitors can tour the facility and participate in hands-on service, such as sorting clothes or assembling relief kits.

  • Scheduling: While walk-ins are welcome, guests are encouraged to book a time via the Temple Square app or by calling 801-240-5954.