December 20, 2019

Media Contact:
Scott L. Peterson, Director of Communications, Office of Public Information, 202-277-9412

ELLICOTT CITY – Howard County Executive Calvin Ball will join members of the community and the Coalition to End Homelessness at a service for Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day.

Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day is a time to honor those who have died in Howard County while homeless, or who had a history of homelessness which contributed to their death. There will be a brief program, reading of the names and candle lighting ceremony.

"For the past three years, more than 2,000 residents have been homeless, or at imminent risk of homelessness, in Howard County,” said Ball. “To ensure all residents are healthy and thriving - we must, and we will, do more to quickly and efficiently connect our neighbors with housing and other support services so that homelessness within the community will be rare, brief, and non-recurring."

Since 1990, the National Coalition for the Homeless (NCH) has sponsored National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day every year on December 21 – the first day of winter and the longest night of the year – to bring attention to the growing issue of homelessness and to remember those who have died while living without a permanent home or who had experienced homelessness in the past. Across the country, more than 179 homeless memorial events are held on this day with support from the National Health Care for the Homeless Council and the National Consumer Advisory Board, to heighten awareness and to honor the lives that have been lost.

In Howard County, the Day Resource Center has held remembrances for individuals in the past. In 2018, the County began convening the entire community to hold a remembrance event.

Howard County contributes approximately $1.4 million annually to provide services and housing to homeless individuals. Notable recipients of County grants to address homelessness include, Bridges to Housing, Grassroots, Humanim, Department of Family and Children’s Services, and more.

WHO:
Calvin Ball, Howard County Executive
Kelly Cimino, Coalition to End Homelessness

WHAT:          
Homeless Memorial Day Service

WHEN:          
Friday, December 20, 2018 at 4:00 p.m.

WHERE:       
Owen Brown Interfaith Center, Sanctuary C
7246 Cradlerock Way, Columbia, MD

 

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