A gesture of dignity for 193 homeless people who died
Dec 25, 2016 00:10:23 #
A gesture of dignity for 193 homeless people who died
An O.C. service pays tribute to those who may not have been recognized in life.
BY NURAN ALTEIR
One by one, 193 names were read as volunteers carried candles to the front of the chapel at Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove.
The interreligious memorial service Wednesday evening was intended to bring dignity to the people who had lived on the streets of Orange County — and perhaps died there too.
Ultimately, the names that were called out outnumbered the candles.
“These people who were homeless may have never had a service, may have never had their name recognized,” said Scott Larson, an event organizer and chairman of the county’s Commission to End Homelessness.
Data from the Orange County coroner’s office show that homeless deaths have been rising. In 2013, 118 homeless people died. In 2015, that number was 181. This year’s tally so far is 193.
“We wanted to make sure that their lives were honored even in their death — that they matter,” said Gina Seriel, an event organizer and executive director of Our Father’s Table, a street outreach nonprofit. “There were several people, friends of ours, that were on that list that did pass away.”
The name reading was followed by prayers from religious leaders, including Muzammil Siddiqi, religious director of the Islamic Society of Orange County; Rabbi Frank Stern, president of the Orange County Interfaith Network; Jasjit Singh, of the California Sikh Council; and the Rev. Nichelle Madrigal of international Buddhist community Shinnyo-en in Yorba Linda.
The service, held on National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day, was the first of its kind in Orange County, organizers said.
Some of the 200 who attended the memorial were people who had worked with the homeless. Others were part of the homeless community themselves — like Eileen Pheland, 51.
She has spent the last six winters at the Fullerton Armory and said she felt compelled to go to the event because she’d had friends who died while living on the streets.
“It’s a shame,” Pheland said.
Prayers concluded with a poem by Cecile Mermelstein, 52, who for years didn’t have a particular place to call home. Now she’s living at Founder’s House of Hope in Artesia.
“Everyone deserves a home,” she said.
Mermelstein said she was impressed by the turnout.
“I think it’s good that they’re doing this because there are still people here on the streets, and they need help — especially at Christmas time when everybody thinks they have everything they need,” she said. “There are people who don’t have anything.”
Alteir is a contributor to
Times Community News.
NURAN ALTEIR
CANDLES ARE lit during a memorial at Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove to mark the growing number of homeless people who are dying in Orange County.
An O.C. service pays tribute to those who may not have been recognized in life.
BY NURAN ALTEIR
One by one, 193 names were read as volunteers carried candles to the front of the chapel at Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove.
The interreligious memorial service Wednesday evening was intended to bring dignity to the people who had lived on the streets of Orange County — and perhaps died there too.
Ultimately, the names that were called out outnumbered the candles.
“These people who were homeless may have never had a service, may have never had their name recognized,” said Scott Larson, an event organizer and chairman of the county’s Commission to End Homelessness.
Data from the Orange County coroner’s office show that homeless deaths have been rising. In 2013, 118 homeless people died. In 2015, that number was 181. This year’s tally so far is 193.
“We wanted to make sure that their lives were honored even in their death — that they matter,” said Gina Seriel, an event organizer and executive director of Our Father’s Table, a street outreach nonprofit. “There were several people, friends of ours, that were on that list that did pass away.”
The name reading was followed by prayers from religious leaders, including Muzammil Siddiqi, religious director of the Islamic Society of Orange County; Rabbi Frank Stern, president of the Orange County Interfaith Network; Jasjit Singh, of the California Sikh Council; and the Rev. Nichelle Madrigal of international Buddhist community Shinnyo-en in Yorba Linda.
The service, held on National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day, was the first of its kind in Orange County, organizers said.
Some of the 200 who attended the memorial were people who had worked with the homeless. Others were part of the homeless community themselves — like Eileen Pheland, 51.
She has spent the last six winters at the Fullerton Armory and said she felt compelled to go to the event because she’d had friends who died while living on the streets.
“It’s a shame,” Pheland said.
Prayers concluded with a poem by Cecile Mermelstein, 52, who for years didn’t have a particular place to call home. Now she’s living at Founder’s House of Hope in Artesia.
“Everyone deserves a home,” she said.
Mermelstein said she was impressed by the turnout.
“I think it’s good that they’re doing this because there are still people here on the streets, and they need help — especially at Christmas time when everybody thinks they have everything they need,” she said. “There are people who don’t have anything.”
Alteir is a contributor to
Times Community News.
NURAN ALTEIR
CANDLES ARE lit during a memorial at Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove to mark the growing number of homeless people who are dying in Orange County.
Dec 25, 2016 14:21:04 #
Progressive One wrote:
A gesture of dignity for 193 homeless people who d... (show quote)
Hey PO what are YOU doing to help the plight of the growing number of homeless people who are dying in Orange County other than posting an article about it?[/quote]
Dec 26, 2016 21:30:01 #
I lived in LA County for decades ...I've had payroll deduction to the Los Angeles Mission, Special Olympics and others since about 91. I give randomly in OC like to Feeding America chapters......just make sure you do your part. I've always contributed-from paying taxes to designing defense system to educating 1000's over the years....I got a lot so I give a lot. It is the right thing to do..........
Dec 26, 2016 21:32:13 #
Dec 27, 2016 07:26:51 #
Progressive One wrote:
what are you doing besides commenting on me posting an article?
“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” Matthew 6:1-5 (ESV)
Dec 27, 2016 17:57:51 #
mwdegutis wrote:
i “Beware of practicing your righteousness before... (show quote)
so what do you do since you asked me? I am asking you the very same question..........to hell with the fables.....what do you do as your contribution to help the needy?
Dec 27, 2016 19:06:35 #
Progressive One wrote:
so what do you do since you asked me? I am asking you the very same question..........to hell with the fables.....what do you do as your contribution to help the needy?
Since you asked it's only fair...
My wife and I support a family at a homeless shelter, support two children at a mission in Cambodia, contribute to a bible study group's support of a missionary in Kyrgzstan, donate to a VERY special church in Hawaii, donate to a food bank and soup kitchen, and I witness to hard-hearted people such as yourself who are EXTREMELY difficult, if not impossible, to reach.
All in all, my wife and I contribute over 25 percent more than what we pay in federal income taxes and if you were to include federal taxes as you have so deviously done, we contribute over 30 percent of our net income to charity.
And how much is your contribution Mr. Philanthropist?
Dec 27, 2016 19:14:51 #
mwdegutis wrote:
Since you asked it's only fair... br br My wife a... (show quote)
It varies.....i've had 8 charities on payroll deduction since 91......then there are events with my frat, church and just general giving on the fly during my travels...........
Dec 27, 2016 19:16:02 #
mwdegutis wrote:
Since you asked it's only fair... br br My wife a... (show quote)
I'm not hard-hearted at all....just not conditioned to take racist, hateful bullshit..........
Dec 27, 2016 19:37:24 #
Progressive One wrote:
It varies.....i've had 8 charities on payroll deduction since 91......then there are events with my frat, church and just general giving on the fly during my travels...........
You didn't give me an indication of how much. For all I know you're giving $1 to each of them.
Dec 27, 2016 20:02:21 #
mwdegutis wrote:
You didn't give me an indication of how much. For all I know you're giving $1 to each of them.
Even if I did......26 times a year X 25 years would add up.......especially for 8 charities....plus that does not include the other activities I named. I give because I can....not to look better than someone...been a Special Olympics Partner outside of that for 25 years.....I've been fortunate and that is meant to be shared.
Dec 27, 2016 21:42:55 #
Progressive One wrote:
Even if I did......26 times a year X 25 years would add up.......especially for 8 charities....plus that does not include the other activities I named. I give because I can....not to look better than someone...been a Special Olympics Partner outside of that for 25 years.....I've been fortunate and that is meant to be shared.
You demanded I answer..now I'm demanding you do. You apparently won't answer because like always, your answer will be diddley squat and you know it. Which leads me to what I already believe...you're a fraud.
Dec 27, 2016 21:46:59 #
mwdegutis wrote:
You demanded I answer..now I'm demanding you do. You apparently won't answer because like always, your answer will be diddley squat and you know it. Which leads me to what I already believe...you're a fraud.
I requested an answer since i provided one first............
Dec 27, 2016 21:48:14 #
mwdegutis wrote:
You demanded I answer..now I'm demanding you do. You apparently won't answer because like always, your answer will be diddley squat and you know it. Which leads me to what I already believe...you're a fraud.
These are not amounts:
My wife and I support a family at a homeless shelter, support two children at a mission in Cambodia, contribute to a bible study group's support of a missionary in Kyrgzstan, donate to a VERY special church in Hawaii, donate to a food bank and soup kitchen, and I witness to hard-hearted people such as yourself who are EXTREMELY difficult, if not impossible, to reach.
All in all, my wife and I contribute over 25 percent more than what we pay in federal income taxes and if you were to include federal taxes as you have so deviously done, we contribute over 30 percent of our net income to charity.
And how much is your contribution Mr. Philanthropist?
Dec 28, 2016 07:03:06 #
Progressive One wrote:
These are not amounts: br br My wife and I suppor... (show quote)
25 percent more than what we pay in federal income taxes and if you were to include federal taxes as you have so deviously done, we contribute over 30 percent of our net income to charity ARE amounts. I just didn't give you the figure that they're based on which is none of your business.
So I'll ask in simple words you can understand...What percentage of your net pay do you give to charity Mr. Philanthropist, I've given mine? You have a Masters and PhD...you should be able to figure it out in less than a minute, that's all it took me. I can't wait to see how you deflect your way out of this one you fraud.
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