By Aidan Mortensen | KOAL News
As part of its annual effort to raise awareness of the unhoused population across the Castle Country, Utah Support Advocates for Recovery Awareness will host its Stand in Solidarity event on Friday, Jan. 30.
Representing USARA, Peer Recovery Coach Damon Davis joined the KOAL newsroom to discuss the event and its importance to the area.
“The idea was born out of boredom in the winter and the desire to do something to raise awareness for people who are struggling,” explained Davis of the event’s origin. “A lot of people don’t know that we do have unhoused individuals sleeping under overpasses and out in the sticks by the airport, places like that. And so we just thought it’d be a fun thing to do to see who shows up and see if we could get some support to raise awareness.”
He continued, “We had a lot of good donations, a lot of warm, like hand warmers, clothing was donated and people just stopped by to see what the crazy folks outside were doing, you know, and it was just, it was a neat experience and we’re excited to do it again this year.”
Currently, the event is scheduled to take place in freezing temperatures, with forecasts predicting temperatures in the 26 to 28 degree range throughout the night.
“What we’re hoping is that this event becomes kind of a central collecting point. Like last year, we had so many donations of just warm clothes, hats, beanies, hand warmers, anything that you would want if you had to sleep outside, and people just kind of came out of the woodwork, and it was refreshing,” expressed Davis.
This year, USARA has received permission from Price City to close an entire street block for the event, starting at the USARA building located at 91 East Main Street. The festivities begin at 4 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 30, and run until sunrise on Saturday, Jan. 31
The affair will also feature games and refreshments, including coffee and hot chocolate, donated by community partners.
“People are free to come and go as they please. You’re welcome to sleep out. We want people to come, pitch a tent, and be a part of it. Last year, we had people stay till pretty late in the morning, but we’re hoping to get more of a village set up on the closed street and enjoy ourselves.”
Closing our conversation, Davis shared a simple message,” Come see us on the 30th, and let’s get cold and crazy.”
USARA’s Stand in Solidarity takes place on Friday, Jan. 30, beginning at 4 p.m. at the USARA building located at 91 East Main Street. For questions, call (877) 590-5965 or visit www.myusara.com.
