Homeless Memorial Service Planned In Santa Cruz

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CA — The 21st annual Homeless Memorial Ceremony next week will honor homeless and formerly homeless Santa Cruz County residents who have died over the past year. Last year, 58 homeless people — more than one per week, on average — died on county streets, according to the Homeless Action Partnership.

Those who have passed will be honored Dec. 19, at 10 a.m. at the Harvey West Park Clubhouse (326 Evergreen St., Santa Cruz) and led on a walk to the Evergreen Ceremony, where a permanent homeless memorial sits, according to a press release from the Partnership — a collaboration between Santa Cruz County, all Santa Cruz County cities and homelessness service providers. The names of all honorees will be read and loved ones are invited to speak.

People who are homeless are more likely to suffer violence, chronic disease and behavioral health issues, according to the press release. Their life expectancies are much shorter.

The event will be hosted by Housing Matters, the Santa Cruz County Homeless Persons Health Project and Encompass Community Services' River Street Shelter.