"Homeless Memorial Day" Observance Set For Love Park
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Tuesday is "Homeless Memorial Day," and hundreds are expected to gather in Love Park (JFK Plaza) on Tuesday at dusk to honor those who have died on the streets of Philadelphia this year.
For the past two decades, Homeless Memorial Day has been observed nationally on the first day of winter, to honor those who, according to Project HOME, have paid the ultimate price for the nation's failure to address the issue of homelessness.
Mark Tripp, who was once homeless for more than two years, is now a volunteer for Project HOME. He says many of the homeless on the streets of Philadelphia are so ill that sometimes even after they have a home, they are still not out of danger.
Tripp mentioned one example: "He just passed away in February. He went through two years of the shelter, got his apartment, and a week later he was deceased because of his health. So it's not easy getting your health back in order with the limited resources out there."
Tripp says he hopes people use the Homeless Memorial Day to examine themselves and find a way that they can help. The gathering is scheduled for 4:30-5:30 PM at the "Love" statue, 15th and JFK Boulevard.
Reported by Karin Phillips, KYW Newsradio 1060.
