For National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day, a coalition of Chicago-based homeless service providers and advocates will host an hour-long candlelight vigil and memorial service to remember Chicagoans who died this year without a home.
We gather in the shadow of the Magnificent Mile to remember that homelessness is a human struggle. Hundreds will join us for this moving service, a solemn reminder of those who have little to call their own.
WHEN & WHERE:
Monday, December 19, 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., at Old St. Pat’s Church, 700 W. Adams Street, Chicago
WHY:
An analysis by the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless showed that 125,848 Chicagoans are homeless. The Illinois Department of Human Services reports more than 38,000 people lived in state-funded shelters in 2014. Nationally, over the course of a year, 2.5 million to 3.5 million people experience homelessness.
ORGANIZED BY:
This event is affiliated with National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day, one of more than 150 events across the U.S. organized by the National Coalition for the Homeless.
This Chicago service was first organized in 2010 by CCH, Ignation Spirituality Project, and Old St. Pat’s Church. Homeless attendees are offered a dinner prior to the service. The Homeless Memorial is now coordinated by these eight Chicago organizations:
- Chicago Coalition for the Homeless advocates for and with homeless youth, families and adults, including a legal aid program serving the needs of students, youth and adults experiencing homelessness.
- Cornerstone Community Outreach is committed to addressing homelessness, providing shelter, accepting people, finding home; they serve around 500 men, women, and children daily.
- Harmony, Hope & Healing provides creative, therapeutic and educational music programs, offering emotional and spiritual support to homeless and underserved women, men and children in the Chicago area.
- Heartland Health Outreach is the leading healthcare provider for the homeless, poorest, and sickest people in Chicago.
- Ignatian Spirituality Project works to end homelessness by providing Ignatian retreats to men and women who are homeless and in recovery.
- Old St. Patrick’s Church extends hospitality to all that find the church on their path and to serve the life and work of the laity in the world.
- New Moms enables, empowers and equips at-risk adolescent parents and their children through services and mentoring based on Christian values.
- The Night Ministry works to provide housing, health care and human connection to members of our community struggling with poverty or homelessness.