Representatives from several religious denominations will lead a prayer vigil Thursday for Utah families caught in the crunch of unemployment.

The hourlong event is set for the Union Labor Center, 2261 S. Redwood Road, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

The gathering, sponsored by the Utah AFL-CIO, will include testimonials from people struggling to find work. They will speak about the day-to-day challenges and the stress of paying bills and keeping their families afloat.

Jim Judd, president of Utah’s AFL-CIO, said the event has two aims, to draw attention to the plight of the unemployed and to focus on the fact that Congress has not acted to extend federal unemployment benefits, which are set to expire at year’s end.

"People who find themselves in the position of being unemployed need to be able to avoid foreclosure and pay bills while they continue to look for jobs," Judd said.

Other speakers will address the economic impact that unemployment has on communities and discuss resources available to those facing long periods of joblessness.