Today, CHAS Health and communities across the nation honor those who have died during the year while experiencing homelessness by hosting a Homeless Memorial. This annual tradition brings together local community partners and those committed to ending homelessness to raise awareness of the struggles and humanity of those in our community without a home. Please take a moment to view this video to understand more about homelessness and honor those we have lost.
The Homeless Memorial included a visual representation of the 144 of our homeless community who have died this year. Individual names were placed on the fence outside the downtown CHAS Health Denny Murphy Clinic. The CHAS Health homeless outreach team provided winter survival items to those without a home, and the CHAS Health street medicine team was onsite to provide services. CHAS Health employees donated more than $11,000 in monetary and item donations of warm winter gear, including gloves, socks, and sleeping bags, to support members of our homeless community.
Communities across the nation hold similar memorial events on or near the Winter Solstice, the first day of winter and the longest night of the year, to bring attention to the tragedy of homelessness and to remember those who have died while living without a permanent home. Studies from countries worldwide have confirmed a relationship between a lack of housing and increased mortality rates.
Please help us spread the word by sharing the Homeless Memorial 2022 video.