Thursday, December 21, 2023 at 5:00 pm, Drake Park, Downtown Bend, Oregon

This year marks the 33nd  anniversary of the National Coalition for the Homeless “Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day” which began in partnership of the National Health Care for the Homeless Council with three objectives: 1) to shine a bright light on the dark truth that homelessness kills; 2) to ensure that those who died are not forgotten; and 3) to mobilize action to end what is often a death sentence — homelessness. It is the fourth annual local remembrance event.

Each year celebrations take place in the form of outdoor vigils to honor our community members who have died while experiencing homelessness in Central Oregon. At the Vigil we will remember those individuals who are known to us and hold space for those we couldn’t reach. While the true count locally is unknown, as housing status is not included in data gathered when a person passes on; the HLC continues to collect the names of the individuals who died this year while living houseless.

Visit cohomeless.org for additional details and livestream link.

Thank you to members of the Homeless Leadership Coalition for planning this year’s Bend area event.