wwwNational Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day 2007

National Homeless Persons’Memorial Day 2007Local Events–as of December22,2007 1 1 :00 a.m.ETThe National Health Care for the Homeless Counci l , the National ConsumerAdvisory Board and the National Coal ition for the Homeless have learned of thefol lowing local events.

Please send news of additional events or corrections to these announcements tocounci l@nhchc.org

Alaska

Bethel–A s“mall grass-roots gr”oup with representatives from several local entities,has planned In From the Cold ,a simple celebration to remember the homeless

6:00 pm in the parking lot of the YP Cultural Center. (Dress warmly; thetemperatures are sub-zero even without the wind!) There will be a welcome,aninvocation, some local speakers (hopefully by leadership members from the’CityCouncil and from our local Tribal Officials),a reading ofour City Council sProclamation of the Memorial Day, time for stories,poems, songs,a closingremembrance,and then hot chocolate.A ribbon campaign has been initiated-allare invited to wear a blue/silver/white ribbon this week in honor of the Memorial;just to help us be mindful. For more information,contact Trish at:patric ia.naughto n@alaska.go v.

Arizo na

Flagstaff--Flagstaff Shelter Services,a local advocacy organization for thehomeless,hosts a Memorial Day event on December 21 starting at 5 p.m.at theFederated Community Church,400 W.Aspen Ave.The event will end with acandlelight processional around City Hall.Prayers for those who have diedhomeless in Flagstaff over the past years and for those still living on Flagstaff'sstreets without housing will be offered.

Tucson--The Primavera Foundation will conduct the 2007 Annual HomelessMemorial Service in Tuc son at Evergreen Cemetery and Mortuary,Pima CountyPlot,4:00-6:00 pm,December 21,2007.

Califo rnia

Fresno–The Fresno Homeless Coalition is organizing a Homeless Memorial tobe held at 1 :00 pm until 3:00 pm on Sunday,December 23,2007 at Roeding Parkat the picnic area by the northern end entrance on Olive Street. The program willinclude A Standing Circle,Prayer,Blessing-Sage Burning, the Six Directions,Naming the Departed,and Testimonies (open to everyone).A procession from thepark to the grave site of the unidentified homeless people is tentatively plannedwith a special event to be held at the site.Sweet bread and hot chocolate will beserved. In the planning stages is a memorial mural for the Ambassador Motel thatwill include the names ofthe deceased or possibly a temporary plywood wallwhere the names will be listed.For more information contact Jose Luis Barraza atJ_barraza@c il-F res no.org.

Los Angeles -A group of homeless activist and local residents of downtown LosAngeles who organize with Lo s Angeles Community Action Network willconducy a Candlelight Vigil and March at 5:00 pm on December 21 at 456 SouthMain Street. Light dinner will be served. Contact Gerardo Gomez atkhatalyst42@yahoo.com for information.

Modesto–A vigil is set for 6:00 pm onDecember 21 st at Mancini Bowl inGraceada Park in remembrance of all the homeless who died in the pat year andt“hose in recovery.Organizers invite t”he public to bring a candle and join theLongest Night Homeless Memorial.

died and why.Those who have lost a friend or family member are welcome toshare with us.We also come together to acknowledge persons who have simplygone missing and never been heard from again.We will honor the efforts of thosewho work diligently to bring physical safety, shelter,and health care to thehomeless. This Memorial is being sponsored by participating agencies andorganizations of the City of Redding and Shasta County Homeless Continuum ofC are C oundc il

San Francisco--Please join us to commemorate homeless people—our friends,relatives,neighbors,acquaintances,and even some who none of us got theopportunity to know—this Thursday,December 20,at 5:30 p.m.at C ivic CenterPlaza.Bring a candle, if you can. If youknow of any one who has passed away,please make sure that their name is included in the service by contacting SanFrancisco Network Ministries at 415.928.6209.

San Jose–Approximately 100 people gathered Wednesday,November 14th tohonor the 71 people who died this year in Santa Clara County while living on thestreets or in a shelter. The event was organized by EHC Lifebuilders,a SantaClara County non-profit providing emergency services to homeless people in theCounty. The Memorial Service was held to ensure that no one in the county dieswithout at least being honored. The ceremony was humble,attended by a few

community leaders and people currently living on the streets,and ended with animpassioned singing of Amazing Grace. The number of those remembered wasthe highest since the memorial services began 9 years ago. The event was born ofun-channeled grief in 1999 after several beloved clients of EHC died.Ofthe 71deaths this year, 16 were attributed to homicide, suicide or manslaughter,according to EHC.

Santa Cruz–On Thursday,December 20, there will be a memorial service,which will include a reading of the names of those who died during 2007,at theHomeless Services Center Dining Hall at 115 Coral Street in Santa Cruz.Theservice will begin at 10:00 a.m. In 2007,36 individuals died while homeless inSanta Cr’uz County; the annual death report by the Santa Cruz County HomelessPersons Health Project(HPHP),program of the County Health Services AgencyPublic Health Division, is available athttp://www.nhchc.org/memorialdayp ress.html

Walnut Creek--Fresh Start Walnut Creek will co'nduct a service led by Rev.Sylvia Vasquez and Rev.Phil Brochard of St.Paul s Episcopal Church on Friday,December 21,2007@1 :30 p.m. 1860 Trinity Avenue,Walnut Creek,CA 94596Contact: Susan Prather 925-705-2201

Colorado

Colorado Springs–Longest Night ofthe Year Memorial Service, ’December 21.

5:30 pm–gather at the Salvation Army Soup Line(Walnut&Pike s Peak),5:45–Candlelight Procession to Bijou House for prayer and reflection at the memorialwall.Refreshments following the service. Information at 632-3297. EveryoneWelcome.

Denver--More than 100 people gathered on the steps of the Denver City andCounty Building on December 20 to remember the 104 homeless men and'womenwho died on the streets of metro Denver in 2007. The Homeless PersonsMemorial Vigil was hosted by the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless andattended by Mayor John Hickenlooper. By candlelight,participants read thenames of28 women and 76 menranging in from 20 to 77.

Conne ctic ut

Bridgeport–In recognition ofNational Homeless Person’Memorial Day, theSWCHC McKinney Care for the Homeless program and Homes for the Bravepresent the Third Annual Community Memorial Service in honor of the

Avenue,Bridgeport,CT 06604.Guest speakers include:Rev.David Miller of

the New Hope Missionary Baptist Church,Katherine Yacavone,President&CEOof Southwe st Community Health Center,Representatives from the o ffice o fCongressman Shays,Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch(if schedule permits),PrestonMaynard,Director of Healthcare for Homeless Veterans at VA C T,Joy Kiss,Executive Director of ABRI/Homes for the Brave,Bridgeport Rescue MissionChoir,Full Military Honors Guard o f the Army National Guard o f Stratford,CT,Patriot Guard Riders.Hot Chocolate will be served.The Service will be heldoutside.Please dress for inclement weather. For any questions,please call RickDeNisco or Betsy Baldwin at 330-6010 or Amanda LeClair at 338-0669.Hartford--The Healthcare for the Homeless staff at Charter Oak Clinic held acandleli'ght service at Mercy Housing and Shelter to commerate HomelessPersons Memorial Day.A cairn was erected as the list ofthe names of our clientswho h’ave died this year was read. There was a poetry reading done by one of theclinic s service staff.

Middletown–The Community Health Center, Inc.Healthcare for the Homeles s

pm.

A number of people from the community will be speaking.Speakers include:Sebastian Guiliano,Mayor of Middletown,Mark Massellli,President and CEOCommunity Health Center, Inc.,Katie Martin,Connecticut Coalition to EndHomelessness,Ron Krom,Executive Director of St.Vincent de Paul Place,Susan Hadley M.D.,Medical Director Wherever You Are,and Lu Ann Talbert,National Consumer Advisory Board.An open mic will be available for consumerand family members.We have local musicians coming to play,and small businessowners will be providing hot soup,fresh fruit,hot chocolate,and homemadecookies for everyone attending.Our team will also be distributing small gift bagswith hats,gloves, socks,and toiletries,and will be on hand to help anyone in need.Later that evening,NCAB member Lu Ann Talbert will be staying on the steps ofThe Church of the Holy Trinity all night to raise awareness about homelessnessand the disparities in housing,healthcare, and social services in our community.For more information,please contact Lu Ann Talbert atmorigan2006@yahoo.com.

NewBritain–Please join us in remembering the homeless individuals who havedied in New Britain this year.Help us to fight to end homelessness in ourcommunity through acknowledgement,generosity,and political advocacy. TheCommunity Health Center, Inc.Wherever you are-Health Care for the HomelessProgram will hold a Memorial Service and Candlelight Vigil at South

Suzy Rivera with a Proclamation prepared by Honorable Timothy T.Stewart,Mayor,City of New Britain. Speakers will be State Senator Donald J.DeFronzoand Major Stanley Newton of the Salvation Army ofNew Britain.Hot chocolate

and tea will be served after the candlelight vigil.For more information or to helpout,please contact Agi Erickson at the Healthcare for the Homeless Program withthe Community Health Center.Email ericksa@chc1.com or call 860/244-3642,ext 5551.

New Haven–Service on December 21 at 1 :00 p.m.at City Hall.A light repastwill be served following the service.Alison Cunningham,Executive Director,Columbus House Shelter is the keynote speaker.

Norwich–Generations Healthcare for the Homeless Program and the

Community Care Team will host a Homeless Memorial Day event at Brown ParkMarina. Beginning at 4:30 pm,we will be welcomed by the Reliance HouseCaro lers. S ister Maryann Guertin,Director o f St.Vincent De Paul Soup Kitchen,will conduct the service. Following the service,we will read the names of thoseindividuals who died while living on the streets in the past year. This will befollowed by a moment of silence at which time we will release a wreathcontaining a flower for each name down the river to represent the call to freedom.The memorial service will close with additional songs by the Reliance HouseCaro lers’ . Throughout the event,warm beverage s and light snacks donated byDunkin Donuts will be served. St.Vincent De Paul Soup Kitchen will be open tothe public for an evening meal. In addition,The Norwich Community Care Teamis hosting a Spaghetti Dinner at the Rose City Senior Center at 6:00 pm.Ticketsare$5.00 per person with all proceeds to benefit the Hospitality Center which isthe local No Freeze Shelter.For more information contact Judit Gaudet 860/617-7057 orjgaudet@wcmh.org.

Stamfo rd–The Optimus’Health Care Homeless’Program in Stamford,CT willbe conducting its firstNational Homeless Persons Memorial Day event this year.Further details will be added when they become available.For current information,contact Patricia Gallegos at 203/696-3260 or pgallegos@opthc.org.

District of Columbia

Vigil will also include prayer,poetry,music, testimonials,a’nd local political andreligious leaders. For more information contact Michael O Neill,NationalCoalition for the Homeless at 202/462-4822 ext 20 or emailmone ill@nationalhome le ss.org.

Washington–Unity Health Care at CCNV will be cond’ucting a privateMemorial Service for the Homeless Health Care Project s clients who have diedthis year.

Flo ri da

Fort Lauderdale -- The Coalition to End Homelessness,along with the FirstBaptist C' hurch of Fort Lauderdale and other local agencies hosted a HomelessPersons Memorial Day and Christmas celebration on the night of December 18.Over 400 homeless persons attended,many of whom were chronically homelessliving on the streets.The evening began with a candlelight vigil and march,whereparticipants held up signs bearing the names ofthe homeless that have died duringthe previous 12 months.After the vigil,a hot supper, including dessert andbeverages was served to those in attendance.During dinner,a local reggae bandplayed music which seemed to relax everyone and create a positive energy.Finally,all of the homeless that attended received various gift items, such asbackpacks,blankets,non-perishable food items,clothing,radios, flashlights,andbatteries,and even bus passes.The event was a huge success and there were manypositive comments from those that were glad someone took the time to rememberthem.One final note,which was extremely well received. . . . .a group of localpeople that work as hair stylists volunteered on site to provide hair shampoos andhaircuts to anyone that wanted one.Between 50 and 60 people benefited.Gainesville–This year we will be commemorating National Homeles s MemorialDay on Saturday,December 22 at 6:00 pm in the courtyard of Holy Trinity.HolyTrinity is downtown across from the big clock and down a block.Please join withus in this sacred gathering. Those who wish can bring blankets and/or homemadeChristmas treats.This year,we will be remembering and honoring all homelesspersons who died on the streets during 2007,and especially those who died inGainsville. In addition,we are collecting socks.Visualize a Giant Thermometer:We now have 90 Christmas socks.At least 150 are needed to take to thedowntown plaza. If we get 200,we can take them to the woods,and with 250,they canbe taken to Lynch Park and to the loners who come by the food pantry.So please keep the socks coming!

This will be held at St.Margaret’s Episcopal Church, 1’14 N Osceola Ave,Inverness.Re’v.Eugene Reuman,pastor of St.Margaret s,will conduct the service.St.Margaret s is located at 114 N.Oscelola Avenue.We will be having aCandlelight Ceremony along with the Honor Guard of VFW Post 4272 ofHernando who will be conducting a Flag ceremony along with the blowing ofTaps and the firing of a Rifle Volley.We had one great loss this year and thatwas a homeles s veteran. Contact John Young,President and Homeless Advocateat 352/628 HELP(4357)or hhcocc@peoplepc.com.

Jacksonville--Vigil by the Homeless Coalition on 12/18 in downtownJackso nville.

Genesis Center will be doing a Candlelight Vigil for those who have die’d on thestreets. The Charlotte County Homeless Coalition and the Community sContinuum ofCare will be hosing the event.The vigil will honor nine who havedied this year, four o f whom were US Veterans. For more information, contactIain E.Ocasio 941/627-4313 iain.ocasio@cchomelesscoalition.org.

proclamations,remarks from city o fficials,remarks o f the importance o f the day,music and song,and recognition of all that have died in Monroe County,FL in

2007. The services will be at the following locations:

First Baptist Church of Islamorada,Florida,Memorial Service 10:00 am

–11:00 am

Higher Love Mission C hurch, 1600 O verseas Highway,Maratho n,

Flo rida,Noon–1 :00 pm.

Poiniciana Housing in Key West,Florida,Spalding Court,Tree Planting

Ceremony,3:00 pm–4:00 pm.

For more information,contact Venita Garvin Valdez at 305/498-8779

Orlando–A commemoration of Homeless Persons'Memorial Day will be heldFriday,Dec.21,7 p.m., in front ofOrlando City Hall.The purpose is to honor thememory of homeless people who have died in our community during thepreceding 12 months.Th'e event will consist of a candlelight vigil,a reading of thenames of our co"mmunity s"deceased homeless, speakers--local clergy andactivists--and a speak-out segment during w' hich the homeless can talk abouttheir deceased compatriots and about what it s like to be a homeless person in theOrlando area.This event is being sponsored by Orlando Food Not Bombs,

S.T.O.P. Stop the Ordinance Partnership, the Young Communist League(Orlando chapter)and the Orlando Progressive Alliance. In addition, thecongregation ofthe First Vagabonds Church of God,a local homeless ministry,will atte'nd the C ity Hall commemoration following their own National HomelessPersons Memorial Day event in the Lake Lucerne neighborhood at 6 p.m. Thegroups also will distribute clothing,blankets,personal hygiene items--toothbrushes, toothpaste,etc.--and food to the homeless during the event.Theyhave either gotten the items donated from within the community or have usedtheir own resources to purchase them. Local contact:Ben Markeso--

407.252.1379

Pinella’s County-This year, for the first time in observance of National HomelessPerson s Memorial Day, interfaith memorial services will be held inmunicipalities throughout Pinellas County to remember our neighbors who havedied while experiencing homelessness. These 30-minute memorial services,

coordinated by the Pinellas County Coalition for the Homeless,will featurereadings from diverse sacred scriptures,“music by local choral g”roups such as theAlumni Singers,eulogies on the theme A Time to Remember, and a candlelightremembrance of the deceased. Proclamations from Pinellas County Board ofCommissioners and the cities o f C learwater,Largo St.Petersburg and TarponSprings will also be presented.St.Petersburg City Council Chairman JamesBennett will bring remarks on behalf of the Homeless Leadership Network. Freehot meals will be served after each service to provide an opportunity for homelessconsumers, service providers,advoc ates,c ommunity leaders and others to share ameal together in celebration of the lives of those who once walked among us.The memorial services will be held:

Far North County-Tarpon Springs Area

Thursday,December 20-4:30 pm

St.Timothy Lutheran C hurch,812 E.Tarpon Avenue,Tarpon Springs

North County-Clearwater Area

Friday,December 21-11:00 am

St.Cecelia Catho lic Church,820 Jasmine Way,C learwater

Mid County-Pinellas Park Area

South County-St.Petersburg

For more information,contact George Bolden at Pinellas County Coalition for theHomeless at 727/528-5832 or golden@pinellashomeless.org.

Sarasota–Candlelight Vigil at Salvation Army Center of Hope, 140010th Street,Sarasota,Florida on 12/21/07 at 6:00 PM

Tampa–The Homeless Coalition o f Hillsborough County will hold an interfaithcandlelight memorial service on Friday,December 21 at 6:00 pm to rememberthose who have died homeless in our community.The memorial service is beingheld in Joe Chillura Courthouse Square(across from the County Center,601 E.Kennedy Blvd.)at 6 p.m. During the service we will read the names of 64homeless men and women who died homeless in Hillsborough County.After theservice we will be handing out hygiene kits,blankets,and warm clothing to thehomeless individuals that attend.The Hillsborough County Board o’f CountyCommissioners has proclaimed December 21 as Homeless Persons Memorial

Day;Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio has also proclaimed today as Homeless Persons’Memorial Day in the City of Tampa.For more information contact Lesa Weikel,Community Relations Manager at 813/223-6115 at Lesa@homelesssofhc.org.Ge orgia

Atlanta’–While much o f the nation prepares to celebrate the holidays,SaintJoseph s Mercy Care Services and its collaborative partners in Atlanta,Georgiawilljoin the National Coalition for the Homeless, the National Health Care for the

past year by holding a Candlelight Vigil Memorial Program. Involvement willinclude collaborative partners and area Churches.Over 40 names of persons whohave died this past year have been secured. The memorial service will end byreading names and lighting a candle in their honor. Contact Robert L.Mason at404/880-8720 or rlmason@sjha.org for questions.

Hawaii

Vigil will honor our brothers and sisters who have died during the last twelvemonths while homeless .During the service, friends and families will beencouraged to share their thoughts and memories of their loved ones. Please joinus,our faith community, the homeless/houseless,and homeless Service Providersfrom Honolulu,Waianae,and other parts of Oahu for this special event.StreetBeat is in the process of finalizing plans for the Vigil and is also taking donationsof toys,clothing,hygiene items,and many other items.We will also be providingfree Hepatitis B and/or C screenings and a Hawaiian print T-shirt for thehomeless/houseless and others who are screened, free Hepatitis B vaccine foradults who do not have health insurance or whose health insurance will not payfor it,and we are trying to obtain free flu vaccines for this event as well. If youare a licensed medical assistant or nurse and can help with the vaccinations orscreenings from 2 pm to 6 pm,please call 221-6204. For current information,please contact Sherry 808/723-1921 or 808/946-9324.

Ill ino is

Chicago-Heartland Health Outreach will have a Memorial to honor and

4750 North Sheridan Road on the first floor. For further information contactKathleen Kelleghan 773/751-1788.