Contra Costans Invited To Homeless Persons' Memorial Day Service

WALNUT CREEK, CA — Contra Costa Crisis Center is holding a special observance Friday in honor of Homeless Persons' Memorial Day.

The event is from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will take place online and at the Walnut Creek Library, 1644 North Broadway, in the Oakview Room—creating a shared space for the community to honor the lives of those who have passed away while facing homelessness.

The memorial is held annually around Dec. 21 in alignment with the winter solstice, the year's longest night. It is observed as a "deeply meaningful day to remember the humanity in every life lost and to rise awareness about the lives lived with resilience amid difficult circumstances," Contra Costa Crisis Center said.

From 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., attendees will gather for a reading of names. Lunch donated by Loaves and Fishes will be served from 12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m.

Friday's event is open to all, and everyone in Contra Costa County is invited to attend, whether in person or online. See here to RSVP or access the event on Zoom.

Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day is sponsored by the National Consumer Advisory Board, the National Coalition for the Homeless and the National Health Care for the Homeless Council as a reminder of the need for compassion, care and solutions to end homelessness.

Event partners for the Contra Costa County memorial include Contra Costa Health, NAMI Contra Costa, Safe Organized Spaces, Loaves and Fishes of Contra Costa, and Contra Costa Continuum of Care.

"Homeless Persons' Memorial Day is a time for us to gather as a compassionate community, to remember every life is invaluable, and this observance reminds us of the importance of empathy, support, and meaningful action to prevent further loss," Contra Costa Crisis Center said.