Memorial Walk, Vigil Sheds Light on Growing Problem
Fort Wayne, Ind. -- The Fort Wayne Area Planning Council on Homelessness will hold a candlelight memorial walk on the longest night of the year, December 21, 2012 beginning at 6 p.m. at the Rescue Mission, 301 W. Superior St. Fort Wayne Deputy Mayor Mark Becker and the group will walk to the Headwaters Park West Pavilion for a short memorial service and will then walk back to the Rescue Mission for refreshments. Members of the public are invited to join the walk.
Each year since 1990, on or near the first day of winter and the longest night of the year, the National Coalition for the Homeless has sponsored National Homeless Persons' Memorial Day to bring attention to the tragedy of homelessness. Hundreds of communities across the nation recognize the event each year.
In Allen County, the Memorial Walk will pay tribute to the lives of at least eight homeless people who died in the community in the last year. In many cases, this service will be the only commemoration of the life and passing of these persons.
The Fort Wayne Area Planning Council on Homelessness works to find innovative ways to address the issue of homelessness so local individuals can find permanent shelter and work to become self-sufficient. The Planning Council is comprised of dozens of agencies, as well as local government, and is working toward three main goals: reducing the number of homeless persons, shortening the time that people are homeless and making sure enough resources exist to prevent these people from becoming homeless again.