> Features > Pg 2 Feature Stories > Homeless of the city remembered at vigil
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Homeless of the city remembered at vigil
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Jessica Dyson of Springfield lights one of the 38 candles representing the lives lost to homelessness in the Springfield area this past year. Reminder Publications photo by Lori Szepelak
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By Lori Szepelak
Correspondent
SPRINGFIELD Thirty-eight candles burned brightly but struggled to stay lit in the mild wind that swept across the participants in a candlelight vigil remembering local homeless people who died during the past year.
As the cool night air was slowing descending on the crowd of more than 50 gathered at Court Square on Dec. 21, a cup of hot cider helped to take the chill out of those who came to pay their respects for the 38 lives lost since the last memorial service.
The Homeless Persons' Memorial Service is an opportunity for health and service providers, people experiencing homelessness, volunteers, advocates, members of the faith community and government officials to honor the people who lived on the streets and in the shelters of the Pioneer Valley and who died in 2007 from various diseases, injuries and suicide, according to Geraldine McCafferty, Deputy Director, Homeless and Special Needs Housing, Office of Housing and Neighborhood Services, City of Springfield.
The local memorial service was part of the National Homeless Persons' Memorial Day and was organized by Doreen Fadus, executive director of Health Care for the Homeless at Mercy Medical Center, the Very Rev. James G. Munroe of Christ Church Cathedral and the Rev. Greg Dyson, on behalf of the Homes Within Reach Committee. The event is conducted each year on Dec. 21 -- the first day of winter and the longest night of the year -- to bring attention to the tragedy of homelessness and highlight the importance of strategies to end homelessness.
"At this time of year, it is easy to focus only on the needs of ourselves and not on others," said Rev. Dyson. "This event gives us an opportunity to express love and concern for some of the less fortunate in our community."
Springfield's Homes Within Reach plan embraces the Housing First concept that is an alternative to the current system of emergency shelter/transitional housing. The methodology is premised on the belief that vulnerable and at-risk homeless families are more responsive to interventions and social services support after they are in their own housing, rather than while living in temporary/transitional facilities or housing programs. The hope is that with permanent housing, these families can begin to regain the self-confidence and control over their lives they lost when they became homeless. Homes Within Reach Committee members point to the need to broaden support for this approach, and the need for increased federal and state funding to carry it out.
Homelessness dramatically elevates one's risk of illness, injury and death. For every age group, homeless persons are three times more likely to die than the general population. Among local homeless people who died this past year, the average age of death was 48.
"Most of these people are dying of treatable diseases these diseases are preventable," said Fadus. "As a nation, we must commit to accessible health care and we must recognize the importance of housing as part of the treatment for many chronic health problems."
The 40-minute service included Fadus' reading of a list of those who had died, as well as prayer, poetry and music, and a plea for those still living in homelessness to be able to access health care, housing and services to assist them in regaining stability. The most spellbinding moments came with a poetry reading by Veronica, a homeless woman in the city, who penned "I Am Homeless But I Am Human," and Jessica Dyson, daughter of Rev. Greg Dyson, signing for the crowd as the song "I Can Only Imagine" played from a CD player.
As the service came to a close, Rev. Dyson encouraged area residents to take this opportunity to get involved and help make a difference for those struggling to survive since homelessness is unacceptable in today's society.
The service ended with a backpack distributed to all those in attendance not only to help the homeless persons survive on the streets but as a reminder that more work needs to be done to end homelessness in the region. Backpacks were stuffed with towels, scarves, hats, gloves, McDonald's gift certificates, water bottles, bus tokens, lip balm and hygiene kits. Local organizations and individuals donating items for the backpacks included Carolyn Brown, M.D., the Minnechaug National Honor Society, Milestone Ministries, Northwestern Mutual Financial Services, Springfield College, Health New England, Pioneer Valley Transit Authority and Advantage Advertising. Employees of Mercy Medical Center also donated more than 150 hats and gloves to the cause.
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> Features > Pg 2 Feature Stories > Homeless of the city remembered at vigil
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