On December 18, 2024, Care For the Homeless (CFH) and Urban Pathways will host their annual Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day to honor the lives of New Yorkers who passed away while experiencing homelessness. This powerful and solemn gathering reflects the profound loss felt by our community, and for HELP USA, it serves as a reminder of our continued commitment to ending homelessness and supporting those most in need.
HELP USA is proud to stand alongside CFH and Urban Pathways in this effort to honor our neighbors who lost their lives to homelessness. The ceremony will include a reading of names of those lost, along with heartfelt eulogies, and a meal shared by all attendees.
“HELP USA stands in solidarity with Care For the Homeless and Urban Pathways to honor and remember those who passed away in 2024 while experiencing homelessness or who had been previously homeless. These individuals were our neighbors and members of our communities. They shared the same basic human desire we all have—to live with dignity in a place they called home. Their lives should never be forgotten,” said HELP USA President & CEO Dan Lehman. “We are committed to helping people live safer, healthier, empowered lives – no matter what challenges have come before, or what challenges may lie ahead.”
At HELP USA, we recognize that homelessness is not just a housing issue—it is a public health crisis that demands urgent action. As we reflect on the lives lost, we are reminded that every individual deserves the opportunity to live with dignity, in safe, stable housing. These are the values that drive HELP USA’s mission every day.
Our commitment goes beyond simply remembering those who have passed—we are dedicated to supporting individuals through each phase of their journey out of homelessness. From emergency shelter to permanent housing, we work tirelessly to ensure that people have the resources and opportunities they need to rebuild their lives.
This memorial is a call to action—a reminder that we cannot rest until everyone in our communities is able to live with dignity.
Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day is an opportunity for reflection, but it is also a time for renewal. We honor those we’ve lost and commit to working together—through collaboration, compassion, and dedication—to prevent more tragedies in the future.
