I love the Winter Solstice. It means the nights are getting shorter, and the days are getting longer from here on in until Summer Solstice. It has also been called “The Longest Night of the Year.” From this context arose National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day. It is a night to remember those who have died on the streets.
There are dozens of activities from Thanksgiving Day to New Year’s that help homeless persons, and raise awareness during this period. I think this one needs more attention. It is not a happy message, but it is a reality check. As we rush from store to store, spending dollar after dollar on menial things that we think will make our loved ones happy, people are dying in our “back yard.”
So I am attending our candlelight vigil for National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day here in Salt Lake City (see ad at top of article). As a person who was homeless here for quite a long time, I knew people who died because they had lost everything and everyone, and could find no place to sleep one night when it just happened to get a little too cold. I was lucky not to be one of them.
Attend your local event for NHPMD, if there is one. If not, click the link below to see how you can start one. Please comment to let me know other ways you are all helping to combat homelessness year-round...
from the National Alliance to End Homelessness
National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day 21st December 2010 written by Catherine An
Photo courtesy of smif.
...If you’re interested in holding your own service, you can visit the National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day page on the website of the National Coalition for the Homeless and download a how-to manual. But as you’re doing that – and definitely do – remember that it’s up to us to remember people experiencing homelessness more than once a year....
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from Homeless Nation “its cold here” 
by Shul
A woman died in Winnipeg this week, when she was taking refuge in a dumpster.
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from US Conference of Mayors Hunger, Homeless-ness Still Major Challenges in U.S. Cities Press Release | Report (12/20)
Here are some ways we are helping homeless and low income people around our city. If you know of any others, please leave the info as a comment, or email: streetnewspaper@gmail.com
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THE ROAD HOME: JOIN US!
Tuesday & Wednesday, December 21 & 22, 2010
6:00am - 6:00pm
The Road Home Salt Lake Shelter
210 S. Rio Grande St. (455 W.)
Join us for our 16th Annual Holiday Broadcast. DJ's from FM 100, 103.5 The Arrow, X96, 1280 The Zone, Movin 100.7 and 101.5 The Eagle, U92, The Mix 107.9 and Jack 103.1...
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Eagle Ranch Chuck Wagon [I’m certain that Jennie Dudley’s group, plans to serve the Sunday (their usual serving day) after Christmas around 9:00 AM. I was unable to reach them about any special meal for Christmas Day.] Eagle Ministries P.O. Box 26144
Salt Lake City, UT 84126
Telephone : 1 (801) 254-4945
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Christmas Basket Giveaway Wednesday 
December 22nd
Salt Lake Dream Center
1624 S. 1000 W.
1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
© Copyright 2000 Salt Lake City Mission
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© Copyright 2009 RescueSaltLake.com All rights reserved.
Christmas Dinner at Rescue Mission of Salt Lake Thursday December 23 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM 463 S. 400 West - Salt Lake City, UT 84101 Phone: 801.355.1302
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Christmas Celebration (brought to you by Salt Lake City Mission) Saturday, December 25 Call for bus pick up locations or other info: (801) 355-6310 © Copyright 2000 Salt Lake City Mission
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New Year's Day at The Christian Life Center
1055 N. Redwood Road 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Volunteers need from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Our shifts will be in two hour increments. Volunteer Online Request Form
Have the best of holidays, and look to the New Year to be the time when we all do what we can to make the world a better place ̶ your editor
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