Homeless Service Providers, Advocates, Faith Communities to Commemorate Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day – December 21, 2010

December 21, 2010                                          

Contact:  Adam Schneider – 410/215-8319

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BALTIMORE - On Tuesday, December 21, local homeless service providers, faith communities, and people experiencing homelessness will remember those 87 men and women who are known to have died in 2010 and who, in life, had lacked a regular place to stay.  The public is invited to a 5:30PM memorial service at the Baltimore Inner Harbor Amphitheater (between the two pavilions near the corner of Pratt and Calvert Streets).

The local commemoration is organized by SHARP, a coalition of City homeless service providers working to “Stop Homelessness And Reduce Poverty”, in partnership with Baltimore Congregations United.  WYPR’s Dan Rodericks will lead the service, which will feature Hip Hop for the Homeless as well as speakers and musicians who have experienced homelessness. 

“The holiday season provides a unique opportunity for affirmation and renewal regarding the commitment to end homelessness.  It is important that we keep the cause of making homelessness in Maryland a rare and brief occurrence a priority.” said Governor O’Malley in a proclamation commemorating December 21 Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day in Maryland.

“Many of these deaths are entirely preventable,” said Jeff Singer, President & CEO of Health Care for the Homeless, Inc., who will join others to discuss the significance of the day from 5:00PM to 6:00PM on WEAA’s Marc Steiner Show.  “The best way to honor those who died is to make comprehensive health care, affordable housing, and living wages our top priorities. Let us work together to build a future where there is no need to hold memorial services for people who die without housing – a future without homelessness.”  

For over two decades, communities have observed National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day on or about December 21 – the first day of winter and the longest night of the year.  In 2010, more than 100 communities held events to draw attention to the tragedy of homelessness, to remember those who paid the ultimate price for our nation’s failure to address the problem, and to recommit to the important task of ending homelessness.  At its last meeting of the year, the Baltimore City Council joined Mayor Rawlings-Blake in dedicating December 21 as Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day in Baltimore. 

For additional information, contact Adam Schneider at 410-215-8319 or aschneider@hchmd.org.

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Homeless Persons' Memorial Day Schedule

5:00pm - Music will be played by Dean Jestes as people arrive to the Inner Harbor

5:30pm – Opening: audience members will be asked to light candles representing each person who died

                 Prayer by Rev Jennifer Knighton of Grace United Church of Christ

                 Welcome message from Dan Rodericks
                 Proclamation: to be read by a member of the mayor’s office

                 Musical interlude – Earl’s Place A Cappella group

                 Message: Rita Williams

                 Memorial Litany:  Each person who died this year while experiencing homelessness or whose life  was significantly impacted by chronic homelessness  will have their name read by members of the advocacy group, Paul’s place volunteers and members of the planning committee or community whom wish to participate.  The response from the audience will be “We Will Remember”.  Available short stories will be read at this time as well.
                 Commendation: Rev. Mayo-Brooks

                 Sending Forth : James Crawford , Jr. 

                 A call to action and performance celebrating the lives of those memorialized by
Hip Hop for the Homeless

Homeless Person's Memorial Day

Mayor, City Council Dedicate December 21 Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day

December 10, 2010                                        

Contact:  Adam Schneider – 410/215-8319 or 443/703-1398

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Mayor, City Council Dedicate December 21 Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day

BALTIMORE - In its last full meeting of 2010, the Baltimore City Council voted unanimously to dedicate December 21 as Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day in Baltimore City.  The resolution, which was introduced by Councilwoman Mary Pat Clarke, notes that Baltimore City will join with other communities across the country on “the first day of winter and the longest night of the year to remember those who have died without a secure place to live and to recommit to the urgent task of ending the conditions that create homelessness.”

Baltimore Mayor Rawlings-Blake also proclaimed the 21^st of December as a “day of remembrance for those who have lived and died in our shelters, on our streets, and other places not fit for human dwelling.”  Her statement recognizes that people experiencing homelessness have higher rates of chronic disease, are more susceptible to illness and injury, and are more likely to die prematurely than their housed counterparts.

“Life on the streets quickly can turn to death on the streets, said Jeff Singer, President and CEO of Health Care for the Homeless, Inc., one of the agencies organizing the local commemoration.  “Only by putting an end to homelessness itself can we stop the untimely deaths of our homeless neighbors.  We welcome the resolution of our elected officials to work for a future without homelessness.”

A public memorial service is planned for 5:30pm on December 21 at Baltimore’s Inner Harbor’s Amphitheater (at the corner of Pratt and Light Streets).  The service is organized by members of SHARP, a coalition of homeless service providers and advocates working to Stop Homelessness And Reduce Poverty.  According to the Mayoral and City Council resolutions, “at least 35,000 people in Baltimore City – a small fraction of the estimated 3.5 million across the country – find themselves without a secure place to stay.”

For additional information, contact Adam Schneider at 410/215-8319 or aschneider@hchmd.org.