EveryDay Learners: There’s help available and assistance to be given this holiday season
Courtesy United Way of Utah County
There is help available for those in need this holiday season. If you don't need help, consider helping someone else through contributing at a Giving Machine or through a local charity.
Courtesy United Way of Utah County
There is help available for those in need this holiday season. If you don’t need help, consider helping someone else through contributing at a Giving Machine or through a local charity.
Think of a time that was especially stressful for your family, whether it was a health crisis, a financial stress, a divorce or something else. In that stressful situation, who responded with the care and support that you needed? Was it a church community, a doctor, a social worker, a childcare provider or someone else?
Every family needs help from their community at some point. And, as you know if you’ve ever had someone come to your aid just when you needed them, the right support can make all the difference in making an overwhelming situation manageable.
That’s why access to concrete support in times of need is one of the Five Protective Factors that strengthen families and prevent child abuse. If your family is in crisis mode right now, there are organizations here in our community that can provide support. Here are a few:
211 Utah. If you dial 2-1-1, the information specialists at 211 Utah can help you connect with the services you need, whether you need help paying your bills, managing your mental health, buying food or something else.
Food and Care Coalition. This organization provides free, nutritionally balanced meals seven days a week. To see their hours of operation, go to https://foodandcare.org/meals-2/.
The Refuge. This organization provides support and shelter to anyone who is experiencing sexual abuse or domestic violence. Their domestic violence shelter hotline is 801-377-5500 and their sexual assault services hotline is 801-356-2511.
If your family doesn’t need assistance right now, consider how your family can help provide concrete support to other families and individuals. Here are a few ideas:
Sub for Santa. United Way currently has far more families who need services than people who have signed up as sponsors. Volunteer to buy gifts for a family in need at https://unitedwayuc.org/get-involved/sub-for-santa/.
Giving Machines. With the push of a button, you can give a life-changing gift to someone in need. There is a Giving Machine at the University Place mall in Orem and another one in the food court at the City Creek Center mall in Salt Lake City.
Meals on Wheels. If you have a vehicle or bicycle and one hour a week, you can deliver meals to homebound seniors. Volunteer to feed the hungry at magutah.gov.
By connecting the people in our community with concrete resources, we help strengthen families, and, ultimately, our whole community benefits.