Each year, the Coalition for Homeless Intervention & Prevention (CHIP Indy) leads a candlelight ceremony, commemorating the lives of individuals who have experienced homelessness and passed away in the previous year. On Thursday, December 21st, Partners in Housing team members gathered at Roberts Park United Methodist Church to honor the lives of our unhoused neighbors who are no longer with us.
"Today as I held the candle for Vera Henry who we lost to death by being homeless. I reflected on how important it is to remember those on the streets everyday and how fortunate I am to go home everyday to my home," said Partners in Housing Executive Director Jennifer Green. "But how grateful I am to work everyday to house our homeless neighbors. I do feel like USICH Director who echoed these words today at the Homeless Persons' Memorial Service in Washington, DC " When will enough be enough?"
The service featured a string quarter performance by members of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, remarks from Mayor Joe Hogsett, and prayers by members of the Roberts Park United Methodist Church. 124 volunteers held candles and read the 123 names of known individuals who have experienced homelessness and passed away in 2023. The final candle was lit in remembrance of all those whose names we don't know.
The memorial service is held on the winter solstice each year. It is the shortest day of the year, the longest and darkest night of the year. However, it is also symbolic for the changing seasons: every night after the winter solstice grows shorter, the days growing longer and brighter. It is a symbol of hope for change.
May the work we do - Partners in Housing and all our community partners who share the vision of ending homelessness in Indianapolis - continue to provide light to our neighbors in their darkest hours. May lasting, meaningful change be on the horizon for our city. May we continue to fight for our unhoused brothers and sisters.
May we carry their light with us. May we always remember those we have lost and work hard to create a brighter future for others in their honor.