Homeless Persons' Memorial Day — Dec. 21 At St. Paul Lutheran Church (Photo) - 12/03/25

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Community Invited to Clark County’s Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day Vigil

Sunday, Dec. 21 • 5:30 p.m. • St. Paul Lutheran Church, Vancouver, Wash.

VANCOUVER, Wash. (Dec., 4, 2025) — Council for the Homeless invites the community to gather in remembrance at Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day on Sunday, Dec. 21 at 5:30 p.m. on the front steps of St. Paul Lutheran Church at 1309 Franklin St., Vancouver, WA 98660.

This annual vigil is a solemn and compassionate space where community members come together to honor neighbors who died this past year while experiencing homelessness in Clark County. It is a time to say their names, share memories and collectively mourn the loss of loved ones, while also igniting hope and solidarity.

“Every life lost is a reminder of the work we must continue,” said Sesany Fennie-Jones, CEO of Council for the Homeless. “This gathering ensures that no one’s life goes unrecognized, and it strengthens our commitment to creating a community where everyone has a safe and stable place to call home.”

Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day is observed nationally on the longest night of the year, as communities across the country unite to remember those who lived — and died — without housing. Clark County’s candlelight vigil joins this nationwide call to reflect, acknowledge and advocate for change.

“As we gather on the longest night of the year, we are reminded that every life holds immeasurable value,” said Pastor Linda Marousek of St. Paul Lutheran Church. “This ceremony is a moment for us to bear witness, to grieve together and to recommit ourselves to building a community where no one is forgotten or left without care.”

Along with Council for the Homeless and St. Paul Lutheran Church, this year’s remembrance is hosted in partnership with Church in the Streets, Friends of the Carpenter, Immanuel Lutheran Church, Live Love Outreach, Outsiders Inn, St. Andrew Lutheran Church and the City of Vancouver’s HART Team.

During the event, 13th street will be blocked off between Franklin and Esther. Please visit the Facebook Event Page for more information leading up to the event. To make sure your loved one’s name is included in the ceremony, please fill out this form: 2025 Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day Names.

For media inquiries, please email Nneka Coxeff at ncoxeff@councilforthehomeless.org. For general event questions, please email Maggie Bernetich at mbernetich@councilforthehomeless.org.

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About Council for the Homeless: Council for the Homeless (CFTH) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing and ending homelessness in Clark County, Wash., by providing community leadership, compelling advocacy, and practical solutions to solve homelessness on an individual and community level. Founded in 1989, CFTH serves as the lead agency and coordinated entry for delivery of homeless services through the Continuum of Care for Homeless Services in Clark County, Wash.

Emergency Rental Assistance For Families Impacted By ICE (Photo) - 11/24/25

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Council for the Homeless, LULAC, and Latino Leadership NW Partner to Provide Rental Assistance for Families Impacted by ICE

VANCOUVER, Wash. (November 24, 2025) — Council for the Homeless (CFTH) has partnered with the Southwest Washington League of United Latin American Citizens Council 47013 (SWWA LULAC Council 47013) and the Latina Leadership NW (LLNW) to offer rental assistance to households experiencing financial hardship after detention or deportation of a family member by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Through this partnership, CFTH has allocated $50,000 from its budget to support families who have lost income due to the detainment or deportation of a primary wage earner. SWWA LULAC Council 47013 will lead the eligibility process, verifying ICE-related interruptions and connecting families to the rental assistance program, where CFTH will distribute rental payments to help stabilize families at risk of eviction.

“We recognize the sudden loss of a family member due to ICE abductions can be devastating,” said Sunny Wonder, chief operating officer for CFTH. “Our partnership with LULAC and Latino Leadership NW ensures families experiencing this crisis can receive culturally responsive, rapid support to help maintain their housing.”

This limited CFTH funding represents an urgent, short-term response. Additional community support is needed. As ICE raids continue to impact families in Clark County, the need for rental assistance and community-based stabilization far exceeds currently available resources.

“We are grateful to partner with Council for the Homeless and Latino Leadership NW to support families facing these traumatic disruptions,” said Andy Lara, President of SWWA LULAC Council 47013. “Our priority is to protect our community and keep people in their homes, while ensuring that our community members feel seen, supported, and safe.”

“Our families are carrying unimaginable fear and grief in the wake of these ICE kidnappings,” said Diana Avalos-Leos, director of LLNW. “This partnership makes it so no one has to navigate this trauma alone. Together, we are providing stability, dignity, and a lifeline for families who deserve to remain housed and hopeful.”

If the detention or deportation of a family member by ICE has made it difficult for you or someone you know to maintain rent payments, please call or text SWWA LULAC Council 47013 at (503) 388-5356 for assistance, or email LLNW Outreach and Engagement Manager, Yesenia Martines, at yesenia@latinoleadershipnw.org.

Organizations and donors interested in supporting families affected by ICE are encourage to contribute to these efforts, reach out to Council for the Homeless, LULAC or Latino Leadership NW by emailing Sunny at swonder@councilforthehomeless.org, Andy at president@lulacvancouver.org, and Diana at director@latinoleadershipnw.org.

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About Council for the Homeless: Council for the Homeless (CFTH) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing and ending homelessness in Clark County, WA, by providing community leadership, compelling advocacy, and practical solutions to solve homelessness on an individual and community level. Founded in 1989, CFTH serves as the lead agency and coordinated entry for delivery of homeless services through the Continuum of Care for Homeless Services in Clark County, WA.