A press release from Associated Ministries.
During the months of June and July of this year, 27 people passed away who were identified as homeless, according to records at the Health Department and Medical Examiner. Despite their status as having been unhoused, these 27 neighbors should not go unnoticed by our community. In that spirit, a Memorial Gathering has been planned to remember and honor them.
Pierce County’s first Homeless Persons Memorial Gathering will take place on Sunday, Sept. 26 at 4:00 pm at People’s Park, 9th and MLK Jr Way in Tacoma. The plan is to convene these gatherings on a regular basis in the coming months.
Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend regardless of faith tradition or lack thereof. Attendees are encouraged to refrain from wearing uniforms or badges. The memorial will last approximately one hour with the goal of honoring and remembering those who died without a home in a humane way, without invoking politics or judgment.
This Homeless Memorial is being organized by Ed Jacobs, Tacoma Fire Department Chaplain, in cooperation with the Pierce County Department of Health, Pierce County Medical Examiner’s Office, Tacoma Rescue Mission, and Nativity House. Organizational support is being provided by the Pierce County Coalition to End Homelessness, Fire Fighter’s Union 31, and Associated Ministries.
For more information, contact Ed Jacobs at 206-369-0297.
It’s about time most homeless people are decent citizens that have fallen due to many different circumstances and it’s financially hard to get back up on ones feet especially when you don’t have much support