AUSTIN — Media crews have been crawling all over town for weeks. News conferences with health officials from all over the country have given updates on positive HIV test rates, plans of attack and that’s all Austin has seen of itself in the news lately.
Angela Danner, a 29-year-old from this city off exit 34 on Interstate 65, wasn’t paying attention to that on Saturday. She plated up, helped her cousins to the table and enjoyed a meal with family.
“People can get out, be free and be themselves,” Danner said. “They can do things and not have people look down on them.”
Families from all around Austin went to the Community Cookout at the Community Outreach Center on Saturday. A little music, food and cornhole were part of a prescription for residents to forget about headlines and focus on each other.
The Scott County Health Department organized the barbecue after a suggestion from the state and local businesses and private donors supported it.
Patti Hall, preparedness coordinator for the Scott County Health Department, said since March 30, she and her staff at the Community Outreach Center have worked 10- to 12-hour days because of the HIV issues. Getting a chance to kick back, even at work, was a welcome change.
“It shows that we’re not the HIV capital of the world,” Hall said. “We’re mending all the fences that need mending, but we’re showing that this is still a nice place to visit and live.”
She said getting families in the area to enjoy each other’s company, even in something as simple as a cookout, goes a long way to help the community’s self-image.
“Our community is healing,” Hall said. “We are a committed family group. We want to accentuate the positive here. We can come together quickly and do this with everyone.”
More than 450 Scott County residents have visited the community outreach center, or One-Stop Shop, that has popped up in response to the HIV outbreak from IV drug use that has reached 160 positive cases.
Joe Smith, deputy chief of the Jennings Township Volunteer Fire Department, manned the grill, turning hamburgers and hot dogs and keeping the food tent stocked.
He said different community players coming out to serve up food illustrates how Austin comes together in hard times or good times, but the community center — which houses a needle exchange program and access to other services — is indicative of Austin’s values of helping others.
“I guess the whole facility sends the message that we care,” Smith said.
Rob Hickman, captain with the fire department, said he’s glad Austin can still get out and enjoy a cookout on Memorial Day weekend, just like other communities across the country. But he also said no matter what, neighbors are pulling together just like they always have.
“We’re in it together, that’s what it’s all about,” Hickman said. “We’ve got faith that there’s still a lot of good in this community.”