Background
Each year since 1990, on or near the first day of winter and the longest night of the year, the National Coalition for the Homeless (NCH) has sponsored National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day to bring attention to the tragedy of homelessness and to remember those who have paid the ultimate price for our nation’s failure to address the lack of safe, affordable housing in our country.
In an effort to maximize the impact of the day, the NCH and the NHCHC have encouraged local and statewide organizations to hold memorials of their own. Last year, over 150 cities across the nation, from Detroit to Seattle to Washington DC, sponsored events to honor those who had died as well as to recommit to the task of ending homelessness.
Memorials
As we have done in past years, we will be gathering for a candlelight vigil in December to honor our homeless brothers and sisters that passed away. We are also remembering those who passed on this memorial page. Please join us in remembering, reflecting, and increasing awareness of people dying while experiencing homelessness. Through solidarity and prayer, we stand together in support of shared conversation regarding the lack of safe and affordable housing, mental health care, addiction treatment and trauma-informed services for those in need throughout our country and in our own community here in Northeast Wisconsin. Due to confidentiality, only first names are shared. Please join us in remembering those that have passed.
See Me Prayer
Lord,
You see me through my struggles;
You see my worth, my dignity and my hopes.
You see my homeless brothers and sisters and their struggles;
You see their worth, their dignity and their hopes.
Help me to see me homeless brothers and sisters, through your eyes,
Move me to act, Lord, to serve them as You would have me.
Give me courage to share their story and ask others to serve them, as well.
We are grateful for all blessings, that only You can bring.
In your name we pray,
Amen.
