A woman who knows how violent crime can tear up a person’s world is helping provide comfort to others throughout Salt Lake County.
Vickie Walker’s Circle The Wagons, a non-profit organization, is partnering with Unified Police Department to offer victims, their families and friends information and resources to help recover following a traumatic brush with crime.
"I’m thrilled beyond words to be rolling this program out with Unified," Walker said at a Wednesday news conference announcing the partnership. She said it has been her dream to extend the program from its Salt Lake City base to other communities along the Wasatch Front.
The help comes in the form of small tin cans that she calls "Cans of Comfort," containing lemon drops and a 96-hour survival guide listing financial and therapeutic resources for coping with tragedy.
Walker founded Circle The Wagons after going through her own traumatic experience: She lost her husband of 23 years during the 2007 Trolley Square massacre, and her son, A.J., who was 16 years old at the time, was shot and injured. They were among five killed and four injured by 18-year-old Sulejman Talovic, before he was shot and killed by a police officer.
Members of Unified Police Department’s (UPD) victim assistance program will carry the Cans of Comfort and offer them to victims of crimes.
"It is the road map for the unfortunate person that finds themselves a victim," Walker said. "It’s a road map to guide them toward resources that are there to help them move forward."
Salt Lake County Sheriff James Winder said his department is going to fully embrace Walker’s program. "We are going to make sure victims of violence are not forgotten," Winder said.
Victim advocate Claudia McDonald said the Cans of Comfort will give crime victims a tangible reminder that "there is somebody who cares for them, remembers them and is willing to help them."
"It stands out," McDonald said of the cans. "No one is going to throw away a pretty can. It’s actually very ingenious.
"When you are in trauma you forget everything... But when you have a can like that, it helps you remember that you need to call."
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