Homeless Persons' Memorial Day Observance Dec. 21, 2006

12/18/2006

Often, we see them only in passing. A new observance is dedicated to ensuring their lives will be remembered. A National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day service will be held Thursday, December 21, at 7 p.m., at Bethel House of God, 3500 Woodmeadow Parkway, Raleigh. The public is invited.

The memorial service, and the day, remembers all homeless persons who have passed away in the last 12 months. Held on the first day of winter – the longest night of the year – the observance is a first for Raleigh. Similar memorials are held each year in other cities across the country.

Keynote speaker for Thursday’s service is the Rev. Phillip Brickle, who sponsors a weekly Bible study and offers spiritual counseling to guests of the County’s South Wilmington Street Center (SWSC) for homeless men. Rev. Brickle heads a group called "The Lost Sheep Ministries," a coalition of churches, community groups and individuals who provide outreach and support to the homeless community.

The service will also include testimonials from current and former homeless individuals, songs by guests of the SWSC and the Helen Wright Center for Women, a roll call of the deceased and lighting of candles, and a reception.

In the past year, 23 individuals served by the SWSC have died. There are about 1,200 homeless individuals in Wake County on a given night. The SWSC has 234 beds, which are full every night, and the SWSC and Helen Wright Center, as well as The Healing Place of Wake County and the Raleigh Rescue Mission, provide shelter beyond their normal capacity during extremely cold conditions.

"As a homeless service provider, especially during this season, it’s important to remember and celebrate the lives of those in our community who died homeless in 2006," said Keith Randleman, Intake Services supervisor for the SWSC. "They did not depart this life unknown. We remember you."

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