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HERRIMAN – After a heartbreaking year in Herriman, the community is hosting the Herriman Family Wellness Fair for the very first time. One woman who’s felt the pain of losing a child is dedicating her life to helping her community.
Catherine Voutaz lost her 16-year-old son to suicide a little over a year ago. She says a photo of her son reflects how he likely felt.
“They’re light on one side and darker in the shadows on the other,” she described.
Voutaz said she didn’t expect her son’s death.
“It looks like we live in a place that nothing could happen here ... and yet people are taking their own lives,” she said.
It looks like we live in a place that nothing could happen here ... and yet people are taking their own lives.
–Catherine Voutaz, Herriman Family Wellness Fair
Voutaz’s son, Chandler Voutaz, was the first of many to complete suicide in what was a difficult year for the Herriman community. Today she is devoting her life to helping others.
She’s organized the Herriman Family Wellness Fair, focused on improving all aspects of health.
“What we need to do is bring together wellness, and that means people need to be safe. They need to be physically fit. They need to watch what they’re eating. They need to be emotionally well. They need to think about what spiritually they need to be,” she explained.
They’re offering free yoga and pilates, a music therapy introduction and gardening tips. There's also a chance to learn from local healthcare providers, fitness experts and mental health advocates.
“We would have helped Chandler. We would have done anything in the world to still have him with us. Anything!” Voutaz said.
Join us Saturday for the Herriman Family Wellness Fair, hosted by Healthy Herriman. pic.twitter.com/o7QwmtLUET
— Herriman City (@HerrimanCity) September 24, 2018
She believes bringing resources to Herriman can make a difference.
Voutaz said, “They’re others out there who are still here that can use the help and the resources that are available.”
The Herriman Family Wellness Fair is Saturday, Sep. 29, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Herriman City Hall, 5355 W. Main, with more than 60 informational booths open to attendees.
Voutaz encouraged people to bring their kids for live music, face painting, rock climbing and other family friendly activities.
