20th Annual Homeless Memorial Service

There were many memorable moments at the annual homeless memorial service on Dec. 16th. A record 400 people made their way from the Hennepin County Government Center and 20 blocks south to Simpson Church and shelter on 28th and Nicollet. Over 700 people attended the memorial service to remember the 117 people who lost their lives while homeless this past year.

Marchers carried signs with the names and ages of each person who died and a candle was lit during the service while each name was read.

The growing brightness warmed those who had come in from the raw wind and plummeting temperatures. For many in attendance the homeless memorial service punctuates the year of work they’ve done to help those experiencing homelessness. For others it’s an annual event to remind themselves of the injustices of homelessness. For some, it was their first contact and experience.

Sheila Webb, Shelter Director for Simpson Housing Services, urged us all to do more. “The 364 other days of the year we ignore and ostracize the homeless. Please try to live the cause daily.”

Mayor R.T. Rybak urged us to tap our power as a group to ensure there are fewer names to be read next year.

And Laura Kadwell, Minnesota’s Director for Ending Long-Term Homelessness,
answered her own question. “What can we do for those who have passed on? We can acknowledge their humanity, then we can dedicate ourselves to ending homelessness.”

Laura added, “Our humanity is diminished by each of their deaths and the way the were cast aside in life.”

One woman rose to remember her brother who died while homeless several years ago. She gave a heartfelt tribute to her brother who had served in Vietnam. She said that experience changed him from the happy brother she grew up with.

She left us with the important reminder: “They are not less valuable because they are homeless.”

One man, who said he is currently homeless, wanted to share his gift with all of us. He played “Mary had a little lamb” on his flute in strong, clear tones.

Another community member rose to urge us all to contact federal legislators and ask them to fight cuts to Public Housing and Section 8.

One woman who had not intended to share her story of homelessness felt compelled as more people told their stories. She successfully escaped a life on the street and wanted all of us to see that “homelessness
comes in all shapes, sizes, and genders.”

Editor’s note: A complete list of individuals who died while homeless in 2004 can be found on the 2004 Memorial Service page.