The National Consumer Advisory Board, the National Coalition for the Homeless, and the National Health Care for the Homeless Council encourage the community to organize or take part in Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day events on December 21st, the first day of winter and the longest night of the year. Tri-County Community Action Programs, with the Prevention Services Division, Tyler Blain Homeless Shelter and Homeless Prevention and Intervention Programs have two events.
On Friday, December 21, the Upper Valley service providers and the public will meet for a candlelight vigil to honor the homeless who have passed away this year in both New Hampshire and Vermont. Meeting at 4:30 pm at LISTEN in White River Jct. The names of Vermont residents who have passed away will be read aloud on the VT side of the river. Participants will then walk across the Lyman Bridge into West Lebanon where the names of New Hampshire residents who have passed away will be read aloud. Participants are invited to have hot cocoa and cookies at LISTEN after the vigil.
On Friday, December 21, in Lancaster with the Tyler Blain Homeless Shelter and Tri-County Community Actions Homeless Intervention and Prevention Programs will also gather as a community and light up the night to commemorate the lives lost this past year in New Hampshire to homelessness. In Lancaster, the gathering is from 5 pm until 7 pm at the Centennial Park, and the Shelter will be accepting non-perishable goods for the pantry.
Candles will be provided, to those who want them. At these events each year, we remember those who have died, and we strengthen our resolve to work for a world where no life is lived or lost in homelessness. We state clearly, together with others in scores of communities across our nation, that no person should die for lack of housing.
