Ocean County Homeless Prevention and Assistance Coalition to Host Annual Homeless Persons Memorial

TOMS RIVER, N.J. - Dec. 16, 2024 - PRLog -- Toms River, NJ– Ocean County Homeless Prevention and Assistance Coalition will hold its Annual Homeless Persons Memorial on Thursday, December 19, 2024 at 7pm at the First United Methodist Church 129 Chestnut St. Toms River, NJ 08753 to honor and remember individuals who have experienced homelessness and passed away during the year. This solemn event aims to raise awareness about homelessness and advocate for supportive measures to help those in need.

"Every year, we gather to remember those who have lost their lives on the streets. This memorial is a time to reflect on the tragedy of homelessness and the importance of coming together to find solutions for our most vulnerable neighbors," said Katie Colhoun, Executive Board of Trustee member of The Ocean County Homelessness Prevention and Assistance Coalition. "We are committed to working alongside community partners to provide shelter, support, and ultimately, a path to stability for those who need it most."

The memorial will feature a reading of names, a candlelight vigil, speeches from advocates, and moments of reflection. In addition to honoring the lives lost, the event will highlight Ocean County Homeless Prevention and Assistance Coalition's continued efforts to address the root causes of homelessness and improve the lives of those affected by housing insecurity.

Homelessness remains a critical issue in our community and across the nation, with many individuals lacking access to safe and affordable housing, mental health services, and addiction recovery support. This memorial serves as a reminder of the human impact of this crisis and the importance of collective action to address it.

The public is invited to attend the event, which is free and open to all. For more information about the memorial and the services provided by the Ocean County Homeless Prevention and Assistance Coalition/Ending Homelessness Group, please contact Katie Colhoun at kcolhoun@oceanpartnership.org or 732-597-4394.

About The Ocean County Homelessness Prevention and Assistance Coalition

The Ocean County Homelessness Prevention and Assistance Coalition works to ensure that people who experience homelessness or are at imminent risk of homelessness will have access to community resources to resolve their immediate housing crisis and facilitate transition from homelessness to stability in permanent housing as rapidly as possible. For more information, visit https://oceanhpac.org/