Homeless Persons’ Memorial 2007

December 30, 2007

By admin

Season’s Greetings and have a Happy and Safe New Year!

View More Pictures from the event (click here)

Many individuals and organizations worked hard to make the Homeless Memorial the powerful and impressive event that it was. After hearing about the harsh realities of homelessness in our community everyone in attendance was treated to the life story of an individual that was homeless and now works to encourage and support families that are currently homeless. Her story was one of incredible hope, combined with availability of services, encouragement, friendship and a lot of hard work and determination. After hearing this powerful story, well over 100 candles were lit as those in attendance stood in silence as 33 names were scrolled on a projection screen or read over a microphone. Those 33 names were the people from our community that died over the past few years as a direct result of being homeless. With candles still lit, everyone then vowed to do whatever they were able to end homelessness in Montgomery County.

Now that the memorial is over it is time to get back to the work of ending homelessness. Before doing so, however, we would like to thank and acknowledge all of the individuals and groups that have partnered and assisted us in numerous ways.

For making the memorial a powerful and impressive event we want to thank and acknowledge:

The Hospitality Center	Fairview Valley Christian Church
St. Sophia’s Greek Orthodox Church	Salvation Army
Montgomery County	Commissioner Ruth Damsker
State Representative Jay Moyer	Joe Roynan (Montco Social ServiceDirector)
Bill Procyson (Norristown Council)	Rev. Byron L. Craig
Bonnie Cantello
For Donating time, talent, resources, and friendship to the staff and residents of the CHOC.
Valley View Community Church	Valerie Hines and the Umbrella Program
St. Sophia’s Church	Victory Christian Fellowship
Consultants in Context	Bethel Baptist Church
Theresa Whinery	Applespice Catering

The poem below was written and read by Angela Sherwood. Angela is employed by Community Housing in Lansdale. Thank you, Angela, for giving us permission to post your poem here.

Home is where the heart is….
But what happens when there is no home?
Where is it that the heart does go….
When you’re outside all alone?
Who are these people without a home?
How did this come to be?
Who are these people without a home?
Why can’t they live like me?
When we catch a glimpse inside this world we never want to know…
We find that their reality shows, not to be so far from our own.
Paycheck to paycheck leaves no room for the unseen,
Job security, is no guarantee… with so many going overseas.
Mother’s trying to protect their kids from an unsafe house and home,
Find themselves struggling to fill two positions to make it on their own.

Some people feel they need to turn to substances
as a means to try and cope,
Crying out that in their world today….
there is little room for hope.
Natural disasters, illness, and layoffs
have become common place in our world today,
Tears in the eyes of families that find themselves
tragically displaced by fate,
Holding on tight to one another…
And even tighter to their hope and faith…in the human race
So many other stories could attempt to answer
the heart break of who and why…
So many But remember if viewed
as the undeserving poor in your mind…
But for the grace of God go I….