HEALTHCARE FOR THE HOMELESS PROGRAM TO HOLD MEMORIAL SERVICE AND CANDLELIGHT VIGIL FOR NATIONAL HOMELESS PERSONS’ MEMORIAL DAY

Event in Middletown to honor the homeless who passed away in 2015; Service to feature speeches from community leaders and homeless individuals

In recognition of National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day on December 17, CHC’s Wherever You Are Healthcare for the Homeless program and St. Vincent de Paul Middletown will host a memorial service and candlelight vigil at Church of the Holy Trinity in Middletown, in memory of the areas’ homeless residents who passed away in 2015 and to bring awareness to the plight of the homeless in the city.

The event is held for the city’s homeless citizens and affords them the chance to pay their respects to those who have lost their life and to be recognized on the longest night of the year. The program will include remarks from Pastor Dana of Church of the Holy Trinity, Mayor Dan Drew of Middletown, State Representatives Matthew Lesser and Joe Serra, Terri Dipietro Director of Middlesex Hospital from the MCCH, Wayne Munson from LEAD Connecticut, and representatives from St. Vincent de Paul, CHC, and Middlesex Coalition to End Homelessness; followed by a candle light vigil with a performance of Amazing Grace, sung by Middletown community members. Supply bags that include small winter accessories, hygiene products, wellness bags with tea and cough drops, and brochures on local service agencies will be given out to the homeless and near homeless folks that attend the event. There will also be a community dinner at St. Vincent de Paul Middletown soup kitchen following the service.

Each year since 1990 homeless service providers, in more than 150 communities across the country, conduct similar services to recognize the need for political advocacy and efforts to end homelessness. National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day is co-sponsored by the National Coalition for the Homeless, National Health Care for the Homeless Council and National Consumer Advisory Board.

“Each year, homeless residents in our communities suffer and many pass away,” said Martha Trevey, APRN, Family Nurse Practitioner for Wherever You Are Healthcare for the Homeless. “Many of these losses could have been prevented, had these individuals had shelter, food and access to health care. Communities must continue working together and sharing the responsibility to end the preventable tragedy of homelessness.”