National Homeless Person's Memorial Day
December 21, 2006
St. Thomas, USVI
EVENT SUMMARY
Historically, December 21, 2006 is the Winter Solstice. For many, the longest night of the year, will be
another night without a home. Many will pass away unnoticed. Others will sustain serious life threatening
injuries due to frostbite or infection. Many others will be assaulted, severely injured or killed due to hate
crimes against the homeless.
Last evening, here in St. Thomas, God’s House International Inc. memorialized the souls of five people who
died homeless here in the United States Virgin Islands. Before beginning the service, the members of God’s
House International Inc. were presented with a check for $150.00 by Mrs. Donovan a school teacher at
Lockhart Elementary and a student of her sixth grade class, Aleja Sekou-Tapia. The class collected the
money and canned goods as part of a fundraiser at the school. The money was slated for one of two causes,
the homeless or a parking lot. The homeless won out. Mrs. Donovan was reading through the paper and
noted that God’s House International was doing two holiday fundraisers for the homeless and the class
decided to donate the money to support the holiday functions.
The service began with an opening prayer by Yvonne Washington-Turay, Founder and President of God’s
House International Inc. Ms Lauris Harley, Event Coordinator/Secretary spoke on the reason for the event.
Ms. Genevieve Baird sang the special music and then two scriptures were read. The highlight of the evening
was the reading of the names of the deceased followed by a candle lighting ceremony and a moment of
silence. The ceremony ended with Mrs. Turay singing “My Grace is Sufficient for you”. The finale was a
prayer and all in attendance shared light refreshments.
National Homeless Person’s Memorial Day; a day for the community to remember and put to rest the souls of
those who have died homeless. It is also an opportunity to heighten community awareness to this issue.
Homelessness leaves those affected at a loss emotionally, psychologically, mentally and physically. It is
dehumanizing. We must continue to support those agencies that provide services to homeless individuals as
well as continue to knock on the doors of our legislators to obtain increased funding for transitional housing,
shelters and medical care.
As this holiday season is upon us, and you are sharing your gifts and treasures with your family members,
take a moment to remember those members of our community who are living on the streets, under buildings
and in the parks. Visit them; give a kind word or even a snack. They will appreciate it. Homeless individuals
are people too.
December 21, 2006
St. Thomas, USVI
EVENT SUMMARY
Historically, December 21, 2006 is the Winter Solstice. For many, the longest night of the year, will be
another night without a home. Many will pass away unnoticed. Others will sustain serious life threatening
injuries due to frostbite or infection. Many others will be assaulted, severely injured or killed due to hate
crimes against the homeless.
Last evening, here in St. Thomas, God’s House International Inc. memorialized the souls of five people who
died homeless here in the United States Virgin Islands. Before beginning the service, the members of God’s
House International Inc. were presented with a check for $150.00 by Mrs. Donovan a school teacher at
Lockhart Elementary and a student of her sixth grade class, Aleja Sekou-Tapia. The class collected the
money and canned goods as part of a fundraiser at the school. The money was slated for one of two causes,
the homeless or a parking lot. The homeless won out. Mrs. Donovan was reading through the paper and
noted that God’s House International was doing two holiday fundraisers for the homeless and the class
decided to donate the money to support the holiday functions.
The service began with an opening prayer by Yvonne Washington-Turay, Founder and President of God’s
House International Inc. Ms Lauris Harley, Event Coordinator/Secretary spoke on the reason for the event.
Ms. Genevieve Baird sang the special music and then two scriptures were read. The highlight of the evening
was the reading of the names of the deceased followed by a candle lighting ceremony and a moment of
silence. The ceremony ended with Mrs. Turay singing “My Grace is Sufficient for you”. The finale was a
prayer and all in attendance shared light refreshments.
National Homeless Person’s Memorial Day; a day for the community to remember and put to rest the souls of
those who have died homeless. It is also an opportunity to heighten community awareness to this issue.
Homelessness leaves those affected at a loss emotionally, psychologically, mentally and physically. It is
dehumanizing. We must continue to support those agencies that provide services to homeless individuals as
well as continue to knock on the doors of our legislators to obtain increased funding for transitional housing,
shelters and medical care.
As this holiday season is upon us, and you are sharing your gifts and treasures with your family members,
take a moment to remember those members of our community who are living on the streets, under buildings
and in the parks. Visit them; give a kind word or even a snack. They will appreciate it. Homeless individuals
are people too.
THANK YOU TO ALL OUR CONTRIBUTORS:
Major Fredreco Craig and Staff of the Salvation
Army, St. Thomas, USVI
Ms. Sylvia Diaz
Ms. Genevieve Baird
The Virgin Islands Daily News
| God's House International |
| God's House International |
"Bridging medical, cultural, social and economical gaps at home and abroad."