FRESNO, Calif. ( KSEE/KGPE ) – Homeless advocates gathered to commemorate National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day.
Dec. 21 marks National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day.
The Poverello House held a candlelight vigil to pay homage to those who have lost their lives, keeping their memory alive.
“We read 70 names tonight, remembering the names, remembering their lives. That’s what keeps them alive in our hearts and in our community and brings dignity to the life that they lived,” Zach Darrah, CEO of Poverello House said.
Darrah said more than 1,400 people are living on the streets in Fresno.
“We will work to end homelessness one person at a time so that one day we won’t have to have this event because there’ll be no names to read,” Darrah said.
The Fresno Homeless Advocates also showed support by giving warm chili and coffee to community members.
Samantha Ortiz with Fresno Homeless Advocates lost her father, who was homeless and felt a responsibility to help others.
“I think that my father thought that he could just survive the streets himself and figure out how to get back on his feet, he ended up dying of a massive heart attack in someone’s front yard,” Ortiz said.