2022 Annual Homeless Memorial Candlelight Vigil

Wednesday, December 21st is the first day of winter and the longest night of the year. On this day, we invite community activists, homeless service providers, people currently experiencing homelessness, and residents of the City of Cleveland to gather in mourning and remembrance of those who died in the homeless community in 2022. This year, the Candlelight Memorial will be held at St. Paul’s Community Church UCC at 4427 Franklin Blvd, Cleveland, Ohio 44113 at 3:00 PM.

“Every name we read represents someone that experienced the trauma of homelessness in their lives. They slept in shelters, on the streets, and other places unsuitable for human habitation,” says Chris Knestrick, Executive Director of the Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless. "Each name represents failure, not of the individual, but of our society to provide the most basic of rights.”

“Below-freezing temperatures and unsafe living conditions will continue to put the lives of those experiencing unsheltered homelessness at risk,” says Dennis Ashton, a street outreach worker for the Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless. "We as a community must continue to come together to provide access to seasonal shelter and more long-term housing resources.”

In 2009, Ohio legislators designated December 21st as Ohio Homeless Memorial Day. For 36 years, the Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless has led the gathering of the Cleveland community to remember those who have spent time homeless and have passed away in the last year. We will honor the lives of our late family and friends with a reading of their names, candles, music, and prayers. All are welcome and NEOCH encourages all attendees to be vaccinated and wear a mask. Refreshments will be provided after the service.

To add a name to the memorial list, please contact ange@neoch.org.