Support Liberty Park Neighbor's Recovery

Please Help Our Neighbor Heal After Being Hit by a Car

Hello compassionate community,

I’m Sarah G—a Salt Lake City downtown native, Central City resident, and active neighbor who believes in the necessity of showing up for each other. I love this historic, urban neighborhood and the way it requires and invites us into closer connection with our neighbors. I've welcomed building dynamic, real relationships in my neighborhood and I’m reaching out today on behalf of one of those relationships.

A long-time Liberty Park unsheltered neighbor - and now my friend - Travis H, was hit by a car this past Thursday while walking across State Street. His ankle was shattered. After being treated in the ER, he left on a pair of crutches. If you’ve ever tried to navigate city streets on crutches with a backpack, you know how nearly impossible that is.

After two hours reaching out to any/every organization I could find in hopes of procuring a wheelchair loan (including the ER he received care from), I put out a call on Reddit —and the community responded immediately. He was in the chair the next day. That moment of solidarity was but another example of what I know we’re capable of when we act together: we meet needs that No Gov. Agency or Institution can - again and again.

Now, we’re facing the next—and more critical hurdle: Temporary shelter so he can recover safely.

Despite calling every social worker, shelter, nonprofit, local religious group, and personal contact I have - the answer has been the same: no openings, no vouchers, no funding.

He's been respiting on a friend's couch since the accident but the accommodation isn't sustainable and he needs to move into a new place in a couple of days. Without something more "permanent" in place when that happens, his options are limited to returning to the street - just days after sustaining a severe injury.

He deserves rest. He deserves safety. He deserves the basic dignity of healing without sleeping on the sidewalk with a broken ankle. And we deserve to be the sort of neighbors and community members that insist upon that for one another.

We’re raising $1,600 to cover:

* One month in a clean, safe motel ($1,349.92)

* Basic food, medical supplies, and hygiene needs ($150.08)

Every cent raised will go directly to covering the essentials during his recovery. If you’ve wanted to help in your community and not known what is needed for the greatest direct impact— this is it.

Whether you can give $10 or $100, every donation creates the safety net that our systems have failed to provide. And reminds all of this that we're in this together.

Let’s show what direct community care can do - again!

And again, and again.

With deep gratitude -

Sarah and Travis