Songs were sung, candles were lit and memories were shared December 21 in observance of National Homeless Person’s Memorial Day. At this year’s vigil, held at New York Avenue Presbyterian Church, participants remembered 45 homeless and formerly homeless men and women who died in the District during 2012.
Among them were three Street Sense vendors: Tommy Bennett, Tyrone Murray and Leroy Studevant. Also mourned were former Street Sense vendor manager and poet Jesse Smith Jr. and Brian Anders, a formerly homeless activist with the Community for Creative Nonviolence.
In addition, two local women who spent their careers helping the homeless and who died during 2012 were remembered. They were Patricia “Pat” Handy, homeless coordinator for the District of Columbia Department of Human Services and Imogene Stewart, a religious leader, shelter founder and advocate for the poor.
The annual Memorial Day, observed here in Washington, D.C. and in over 150 other cities and towns across the country, was organized by groups including the National Coalition for the Homeless.
The vigils, held every year since 1990, provide a time and place for friends and advocates to mark the passing of homeless lives. The events are also intended to call attention to the continuing toll homelessness takes on individuals and communities nationwide.
