The CCC’s Purpose is...
to respond to the essential interconnectedness of all Cache Valley’s residents.
to dispel myths related to our various faiths and/or ethnicity.
to encourage and support community activities that are, by their very nature, religiously and culturally unifying.
to engage in educational activities designed to increase community awareness of and respect for religious and cultural diversity.
to share our experiences in the CCC with the larger community of children, youth and adults.
New Series: Origins of Cache Community Connections
In September of 2001, the entire nation was reeling from an unexplained attack on unsuspecting citizens. Anger quickly replaced surprise. Even though Logan and its neighboring communities in Cache Valley were known as quiet and peaceful, whisperings of the growing unrest seen in other parts of the country began to be heard here. Some began to look at others in our communities with concern and distrust because their speech, dress, and customs suggested a possible alliance with extremists. Sensing the potential for conflict within our previously peaceful communities, then-Mayor Doug Thompson of Logan invited leaders from government, business, civic organizations, education, and faith communities to join in a discussion and plan a response. Cache Community Connections (CCC) was born and given a mission to unify, educate, and inspire a community with growing diversity in background, experience, culture, religious beliefs, and aspirations.
We have interviewed some of those community leaders who were present during those initial conversations. Their insights and recollections are presented here as both a reminder of the conditions that existed at the time of CCC’s founding and as a compass directing us to future goals. Their vision is expressed in an early statement from CCC: “Cache Community Connections is composed of a group of interfaith religious and civic leaders. It extends an open-door invitation to the leaders representing all religions and denominations and civic groups in Cache Valley in the belief that spiritual leadership and unity are vital to our community’s well-being.”
14th Annual Rev Dr Martin Luther King, Jr Community Remembrance
Connecting Neighbors: Isaiah Jones
Isaiah Jones is the Senior Director of Campus and Community Engagement for the Division of Diversity, Inclusion and Equity at USU. Jones transitioned to this role after serving as the USU Parent & Family Coordinator for Orientation for the past four years. He also is a graduate of USU, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in human physiology in 2012 and a master’s degree in history. He also holds a master’s degree in philosophy from the University of Notre Dame and is currently working on his doctorate degree in applied sciences, technology & education from USU. Isaiah is married with three kids and loves reading and watching movies about fairies with them.
Connecting Neighbors: Ronen Sabag
Ronen Sebag (pronounced ‘sah-baugh’) is an Israeli-American educator and a disability rights advocate. Ronen is Jewish, born and raised in Haifa, Israel, and defines himself as Mizrachi (Jewish of Middle Eastern and North African descent). Ronen is an Accessibility Consultant at Utah State University, and he also instructs pre-service teachers at USU’s School of Teacher Education and Leadership.