Struggling with addiction is not uncommon, though it can feel very lonely indeed. That’s why Lanette Denton wants the Moab community to know that Utah Support Advocates for Recovery Awareness (USARA) is here to help.
Denton is a certified peer support specialist and recovery coach with USARA, a nonprofit organization with the mission “to celebrate, advocate, support, and empower people in all stages of addiction recovery through connecting to resources, building community, and raising awareness that longterm recovery is possible.”
Denton said that USARA’s services are completely free, and that all of its funding comes from grants and donations. It is open to persons of all ages who self-identify as being “in recovery,”
“I don’t turn anybody down,” Denton said.
Denton helps her clients access resources in the community, such as counseling and medical services. She also personally works with her clients on “life skills” such as budgeting, gaining employment, returning to and succeeding in school, as well as managing medications, and more.
While she hopes USARA will have its own building one day, Denton’s office is currently housed in the Four Corners Community Behavioral Health clinic, 198 E. Center St., though USARA is not part of Four Corners.
USARA also holds All Recovery Meetings on Mondays and Fridays at 7 p.m. at the Moab Valley Multicultural Center, 156 N. 100 West. These meetings are for anyone who self-identifies as being “in recovery” and who is “pursuing heath and well-being.” This is not limited to substance use disorders, but includes other forms of recovery, such as recovering from eating disorders.
A flyer for the meetings states, “Experience being understood and not judged. The meetings are a safe place for people to come together, learn from and share hope with one another.”
Family Fun Nights are also held monthly by USARA at the multicultural center. Everyone is invited to come and play games, enjoy refreshments (and, optionally, bring some to share), and enjoy being in good company. The next Family Fun Night is Saturday, August 24, from 6 to 8 p.m.
USARA is also holding a Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT) workshop every Wednesday, starting on Aug. 7, from 1 to 2 p.m. in the board room of the Grand County Library, 257 E. Center St. Topics include setting positive goals, family dynamics and developing positive communicate techniques.
Also, on Saturday, Sept. 28, USARA will host an event called 2019 Recovery Day from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Old Spanish Trail Arena soccer field, 3641 S. U.S. Highway 191. The community is invited to “come celebrate hope, recovery, acceptance and togetherness” with food, games and prizes.
For more information about USARA and its programs and events, contact Lanette Denton at 435-210-0952, or call the Four Corners Community Behavioral Health Moab clinic at 435-259-6131 and dial or ask for extension 443.
Events, workshops, services free of charge
“USARA is a safe space for people to know there’s always support for people who need it.”— Lanette Denton
