Vancouver, WA -- Friends of the Carpenter and Outsiders Inn will host a Memorial for the Homeless on Thurs. Dec. 21, 5:45 to 7 p.m., at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 1309 Franklin St. At least 12 people with local connections who died while homeless this year will be remembered.

"This a solemn event, a remembrance of those who had little in material terms to call their own. This is our chance to honor them and give thanks for their time on earth," said Tom Iberle, executive director. "We must continue to speak out about the struggles of those who experience homelessness and poverty. As a community, we must all work together to expand effective solutions and build a truly just society for all persons."

The program will include representatives from the faith community and remarks by Ty Stober, Vancouver City Councilmember and others.

Memorials for the homeless are held in cities throughout the country on Dec. 21, the first day of winter and the longest night of the year. The collective goal is to commemorate the lives of the mothers or fathers, sons or daughters who died on the streets or in emergency shelters from illness or conditions directly related to their homelessness. In many cases, these services will be the only commemoration of their lives.

About Friends of the Carpenter
Friends of the Carpenter was incorporated in Vancouver, WA in Oct. 1998 and began as a vision of a practical outreach of simple welcome and personal interaction between volunteers from the church and people living in poverty. Since the beginning, regular contact has been made with vulnerable members of our community through woodworking events scheduled around the area and which, today, are mostly held at FOC's Friendship Center. Our mission: Friends of the Carpenter is a non-profit, faith-based day facility that provides safety, structure and purpose for vulnerable members of our community. Learn more at friendsofthecarpenter.org.

About Outsiders Inn
OutsidersInn uses a multi-pronged approach to tackling the problem of homelessness, separation and discrimination through advocacy, awareness and support. Learn more at outsidersinn.org

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