Homeless Persons' Memorial Day

2016 Homeless Persons' Memorial, Photo Credit: Sai Mokhtari
On Thursday, December 21, Care for the Homeless (CFH) will hold a memorial service in observation of Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day. In the United States and remainder of the Northern Hemisphere, December 21 is also the winter solstice, which marks the longest night of the year. The memorial will commemorate those who passed away in New York City while unstably housed. The memorial is co-sponsored by the Master of Public Administration Program at LIU Brooklyn and Urban Pathways.

At CFH’s memorial service, the names of approximately 100 individuals will be read at the service. As each name is read a bell will toll, a candle will be lit, and information about the person will be projected on a screen. Several individuals will receive short eulogies by people who knew them. There will also be an opportunity for participants to add the name of anyone they are remembering who passed away this year while unstably housed.

“For most people, the winter solstice is the shortest day of the year, but for people experiencing homelessness it is the longest night of the year. Sometimes, it can be the longest and coldest night of the year. It’s heartbreaking because many of these individuals are alone on the street or alone in a hospital room when they pass away,” said Jeff Foreman, Policy and Advocacy Director at Care for the Homeless. “As we remember those who passed away this year without stable housing in New York City, it is important to remember that it doesn’t need to be this way. We believe that poor policy choices created the modern-day homelessness crisis, and that better policies can end it,” he continued.

“Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day is a solemn day of remembrance and mourning for people our community has lost”, Care for the Homeless Executive Director George Nashak said. “It’s also a time to reflect on the fact that it doesn’t have to be this way. That we have it within our power to fight, prevent and over time to end homelessness as we know it, and along with it the terrible consequences of chronic homelessness including avoidable premature deaths and suffering.” 


The event will begin with a hot meal at 4:30 p.m., followed by the program at 5:30 p.m., paying tribute with a reading of names and stories, and live musical interludes. The memorial is free and open to the public. The event will take place at the LIU Brooklyn Campus, Luntey Commons, 1 University Plaza, Brooklyn (the entrance is on the corner of Dekalb and Flatbush Avenues). People who wish to attend are encouraged to register here.

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