Blog: City Blog

Homeless Memorial Candlelight Walk To Be Held Thursday

The public is invited to gather in honor of homeless and formerly homeless Knoxvillians who have died in 2015.

Knoxville's Homeless Persons' Memorial Day is an annual event commemorated across the United States that builds on the theme of remembrance, hope and healing. It was officially recognized by a proclamation signed by now Governor Bill Haslam in 2009. This year marks the seventh observance of the Homeless Memorial Day.

The candelight walk will begin at the Volunteer Ministry Center parking lot next to Old Gray Cemetery at 511 North Broadway, Thursday, Dec. 17 from 6 - 7 p.m.

Following the walk will be a brief memorial service at St. John's Lutheran Church, in which the names of those who died homeless will be read, followed by a tolling of the bell and the lighting of a candle for each person.

Studies across the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia and Australia have confirmed a relationship between a lack of housing and increased mortality rates. Homeless persons are three to four times more likely to die at an early age than the general population. on average, people with housing in the United States can expect to live to age 78. In comparison, long term homeless individuals can expect to live to about the age of 50.

The Memorial Day focuses attention to collectively recommit efforts to help prevent unnecessary deaths among the homeless.

Posted by On 16 December, 2015 at 3:09 PM