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 A Candlelight Memorial Service to remember homeless people who died over the past years was held on the steps of Montgomery County Courthouse in Norristown, PA. Solemn faces listen to speakers who committed to the task of ending homelessness. Speakers making this commitment included Montgomery County Commissioner, Ruth Damsker; Pennsylvania State Representative, Jay Moyer; Montgomery County Human Services, Joe Roynan; and Norristown Borough Councilman, Bill Procyson. Followed by this commitment was a solemn Candlelight Vigil and prayer led by President of the Greater Norristown Area Ministerium, Rev. Byron Craig.
The event itself, as recalled by co-organizer Genny O’Donnell, Hospitality Center Board Member and Director of Montgomery County's Coordinated Homeless Outreach Center (CHOC)
"On December 20th 200 or so people gathered in front of the courthouse for the first ever Montgomery County Homeless Memorial. The event was impressive and impressively attended for a first time local event held just a few days before Christmas when the 200 plus attendees could have easily been shopping, rather than standing in the cold.
On a national level, homeless memorials have been taking place for the past 17 years with new cities and their outlying counties participating each year. In addition to giving dignity to those who have died, often without dignity, it was an opportunity to see and hear from those adversely affected and burdened through homelessness. Some of the stories told at the event were of those currently homeless and living each day with loneliness, cold, and hunger while lacking the dignity we all desire; others were stories of hope told by those that have survived and who are now thriving in the community. Homelessness is a devastating but solvable problem that can be eliminated with all of us working together.
Those in attendance stood in silence, with candles lit, as the names of 33 people who had died in Montgomery County as a result of their homelessness, were either scrolled on a projection screen or read aloud. The sight of that was absolutely beautiful as young, old, black, white, man, woman, homeless and housed, turned to each other and lit each other’s candles. Though the event ran a little over an hour no one left early. The event ended with a pledge (see pledge below) , read by all, to do what ever they were able in order to alleviate and eliminate the causes of homelessness and poverty so no one would have to stand again next year as another list of names were given dignity and honor by being mentioned.
This event shed some light on a growing problem that if really took to heart with action could effect those who attended, you as an interested reader of this topic, and our neighbors. Homelessness and poverty are growing problems nationally, in Montgomery County, and in Norristown. If we all work together on this issue, each one of us can begin "one person at a time." Next time we see someone who may be homeless, we can assist them and possibly even save their life. You never know, you may find yourself, or someone you know, on the verge of becoming homeless and in need of that assistance."
For families in need of shelter or assistance please contact The Salvation Army in Norristown by calling (610) 275-4183. For single adults or couple without children contact the Coordinated Homeless Outreach Center (CHOC) by calling (610)292-9244 or visit www.rhd-choc.org. Or contact the Hospitality Center.
 To learn more about the topic of homelessness and the National Homeless Persons' Memorial visit www.nationalhomeless.org and www.nhchc.org
The Pledge to End Homelessness
We, the residents and employees of Montgomery County, commit from this point forward to do what we can to end homelessness in our community.
We will do this by:
- Educating ourselves on the causes of poverty and homelessness and then by advocating for policies and laws that will alleviate and eliminate those causes.
- We will also hold accountable our leaders, whether they be elected, appointed, or hired, religious, governmental, public, private or non profit, and ourselves to do whatever we can, great or small, to ease the burden of those currently homeless, and to prevent the burden for those becoming homeless.
- We vow from this point forward to stand with and for all of our neighbors, family members, church members, and co-workers who are currently struggling to face another day without a roof over their head or under threat of losing that rood.
- We vow to support in whatever way we are able the organizations currently involved with supporting our homeless friends and neighbors by committing our time, talent, encouragement, resources, and skills in partnership with theirs to bring hope and healing to our community.
If you would like to consider helping the homeless please consider giving finances, talent, time, or simply yourself to any of the following organizations.
Shelter and Housing:
Support Services:
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