A memorial wall with the names of 23 people who died while homeless in 2020 went up Friday at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Vancouver.
The church is at 1309 Franklin St., and the wall is on the back side of the church on West 14th Street. The wall will stay up through Christmas, and community members are invited to visit and write messages remembering those who have died.
“It gives people a physical space to remember folks on or off this list,” said Laura Ellsworth of the Council for the Homeless.
Visitors should wear masks and socially distance. Outsiders Inn and St. Paul Lutheran Church will manage the memorial wall and encourage COVID-19 precautions.
“We invite people to come by even if they don’t know anyone,” said Charlene Welch, who is the development and communications director for Council for the Homeless. “It might be the only time their names are recognized.”
The memorial wall is part of the Homeless Persons Memorial Day. In past years, the longest night of the year memorial celebration was an outdoor vigil. Due to the pandemic, this year’s vigil will take place virtually from 7 to 8 p.m. Monday.
The free virtual event is open to anyone and sign-up is available until the start of the memorial at https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4831991176813995276. A link to the online event will be emailed.
Members of the faith community, homeless service providers, advocates, people experiencing homelessness and community members will show support and honor each of those who have died this year. The memorial will include fellowship and speakers.
The event will be streamed for guests at a few of the local shelters. A video will be shared Tuesday on the Council for the Homeless website at www.councilforthehomeless.org.
