Vigil honors those who died while homeless

EVERETT — The tone of a bell. The call and response of two sorrowful bugles. Candles lit in remembrance.

A vigil took place Friday, on the county campus in Everett, to honor those who died homeless. The event, now in its 15th year, took place two days before winter solstice, the longest night of the year.

An announcer read 63 names that were provided by county officials and community members. Four were known to be veterans. Another person rang a bell after each name was read.

There were almost certainly more individuals who died without having their names read off on Friday, event organizer Adam Fortney said after the event.

“We cannot allow their passing to be in vain,” he said during the vigil. “Hopefully, these lives lost will enable us to envision a solution that will end homelessness once and for all. Perhaps these lives will initiate a fresh call to action that will allow everyone the opportunity to thrive.”

Each year, the county conducts an unscientific survey of homeless individuals called the point-in-time count, which targets known areas and uses general canvassing, although counting every homeless person is considered impossible.

The survey counted 1,140 homeless individuals in January. This includes over 600 living in shelters and over 500 unsheltered. The count also included 88 families with children and 68 unaccompanied or parenting youth or young adults.

“I once heard that you could tell a lot about the health of a society by the treatment and living conditions of its most vulnerable populations. I’ve always found that to be really true,” said Travis Gannon, keynote speaker and founder of One Day at a Time Services. “That’s why I feel torn here tonight — torn between the deep sadness of this reality and a renewed sense of purpose, gratitude and most importantly, community. In many ways, that is what this work is. Constantly being stuck between heartbreaking outcomes and incredible successes.”

Gannon felt sadness and gratitude, he said in an interview after the event, as he looked out at the vigil attendees sitting in the dark and the cold that so many unhoused people deal with every night — all holding lit candles in acknowledgment.

“Keeping a light burning in remembrance signifies that the memory still lives on and burns bright,” counselor Mandy Jeffcott said during the event. “It is a ritual that promotes reflection.”

The Snohomish County’s Veterans Homelessness Committee, in partnership with Snohomish County Human Services, sponsored the vigil.

Taylor Scott Richmond: 425-339-3046; taylor.richmond@heraldnet.com; X: @BTayOkay