Health News For South West
Friday, October 11, 2013
City of London
London Homeless Memorial Unveiled
Today, the City of London and the London Homeless Coalition recognized World Homeless Action Day by unveiling a public monument commemorating lives lost as a result of homelessness in London. The public monument - located downtown at Campbell Memorial Park, is engraved with the words “Honouring and Remembering Lives Lost Through Homelessness in London.”
Mayor Fontana attended the ceremony and spoke to the need for our community to do more to help provide homes and care for those who are in need. He said,” It is imperative that we take from here today the knowledge that we can, as a city and as individuals do more to help those who struggle. People need a safe place to live – a warm bed. We will continue to work together to end homelessness and poverty. We must always care for each other and find the ways and means to provide everyone with a place to call home.”
The public monument serves as a commemorative gathering place where individuals can come together to remember lives lost through homelessness in London. The design of the monument embraces both the loss and celebration of life.
“It’s fitting that we have chosen this day – World Homeless Action Day – to unveil this memorial,” said Abe Oudshoorn, Chair of the London Homeless Coalition. “We’ve come together today as a community to acknowledge and remember the individuals this memorial honours – those who have died as a result of homelessness in our city. They are gone, but they are not forgotten.”
“This monument is a wonderful testament to those we have lost through homelessness,” said Nancy Powers, Executive Director of the Salvation Army Centre of Hope and Chair of the London Homeless Coalition’s Memorial committee. “We are working together as agencies to improve how we learn about the death of an individual experiencing homelessness and how we work with families and friends to remember them.”
Donors to the memorial included the London and St Thomas Association of REALTORS®, CAW TCA Canada, students from the School of Social Work at King’s University College, Mission Services of London, Salvation Army Centre of Hope, Regional HIV/AIDS Connection, London InterCommunity Health Centre, and many generous individuals.
Media Contacts:
Jan Richardson
Manager Homelessness, Hostels and
Special Populations, Community Services
City of London
519-661-2500 ext 5228
jrichardson@london.ca
Abe Oudshoorn
Chair, London Homless Coalition
Cell: 519-854-2085
Work: 519-661-2111 ext 86042
aoudsho@uwo.ca
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