Remembering those who died homeless

In this season of Advent, many churches across the country are offering services where those who died homeless are remembered and honored.


Service remembers homeless who died during year

Columbus Dispatch

William Robinson Jr. came to say one final goodbye to his father.

While others in the dark pews at Trinity Episcopal Church clutched purses, candles and a list of 34 names, Robinson carried a red duffel bag containing all his belongings.

His father, William Robinson Sr., 58, died in July while living in a transitional housing complex for the homeless on Parsons Avenue. He had been trying to put his life back together, his son said.

The younger Robinson, 31, refers to himself as a “homeless awareness advocate” and struggles as well to find a couch to sleep on.

Hudson County ‘s homeless who died this year are remembered as their names are …

The Jersey Journal – NJ.com

Friends and family members of homeless individuals who died this year burned candles in memory of their loved ones yesterday at the Second Annual Homeless Memorial Day Mass at the Church of the Incarnation in Jersey City.

“This is one of the most moving services we have,” said the church’s pastor, the Rev. Joseph A. Harmon. “It always catches me by surprise how deeply the act of lighting a candle for the dead impacts people.”

Several organizations, including the Jersey City Episcopal Community Development Corporation, sponsored the event, during which the names of Hudson County homeless individuals who died this year were read. The roughly 50 attendees, many of whom were homeless, submitted names to the list.

Robert Julian, a homeless man from Jersey City, lit a candle for his friend Laura Cieckiewcz, who froze to death in Leonard Gordon Park one night last month.

Keeping the homeless in memory

Wilkes Barre Times-Leader , PA

Losing his birth certificate in a house fire early in life and a paperwork mix-up when he was getting ready to retire led to Bob “Pinky” Shovlin becoming homeless at age 62.

Recalling the four years of his life that he had no home, while eating a cup full of chili in the hall of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church on Tuesday night, was easier for Shovlin than thinking about the other local homeless people who have died recently, people who were his friends and family.

Just last week, his friend Peter passed away. His friend, Christian, died recently of sclerosis of the liver. And about a year ago, his son, Wayne, was killed when he was run over by a train in Huntington, W. Va.

Shovlin, 69 and a Wilkes-Barre native, was among a few dozen people who either are or were homeless or who work to help the homeless who gathered for a memorial service in the church and, afterward, a candlelight vigil outside

Homeless peoples deaths in 2010 remembered

Richmond Times Dispatch (VA)

They may have died on the streets, in shelters or in prison. They all died without a permanent roof over their heads.

But in death, they are not forgotten.

One by one, their names were called Tuesday afternoon, the first day of winter and the longest night of the year.

A memorial service St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in downtown Richmond honored the 17 known homeless people who died in the area this year.

The candlelight vigil was organized by Homeward, a nonprofit coordinating and planning agency for homeless services in the area, as part of National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day. More than 100 similar services were held across the country.

Vigil held to remember the homeless

WWBT NBC 12 Richmond (VA)

On this first day of winter, the longest night of the year, bells tolled in downtown Richmond and candles were lit to remember the many people in our community with no refuge from the cold, no permanent shelter, no place to call home.

At Tuesday night’s 20th annual homeless memorial service the names of 17 people were called out who died homeless this year in Richmond.

“We want to honor those individuals, honor their worth and dignity as our neighbors and children of God. It’s also an opportunity for us to raise awareness to raise consciousness in our city,” said Rev. Wallace Adams-Riley.

“As we are in our homes warm and during this season to remember there are those who’re not as fortunate as us, do the best that we can to try to give back and care for others,” said Rev. Tyrone Nelson.

Vigil honors the homeless who have died in past year

Tallahassee Democrat. FL

Remembering the homeless

WUPW (FOX) – Toledo , OH

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