DES MOINES, Iowa — On the longest night of the year, Iowans joined to remember and honor homeless individuals who passed away in the last year.
Joppa hosted the 15th annual Iowa Homeless Memorial on the steps of the Iowa State Capitol.
Des Moines Mayor Frank Cownie proclaimed Dec. 21, 2023, as Iowa's National Homeless Persons' Memorial Day earlier this week.
He read his proclamation to the crowd Thursday, saying in part, "...In this season of generosity and sharing, citizens of Des Moines are encouraged to commit themselves to promoting compassion and concern for all brothers and sisters, and especially those who are pore and homeless. And whereas in remembering those who have died in the streets, the cause of ending homelessness is kept urgent, is the city's collective commitment to preventing such deaths in the future."
Many community members attended the memorial, including some volunteers for Joppa.
LaRisa Riley started helping and donating food on her own before she began volunteering with Joppa. Nowadays, she cooks at least once a week to help her community members.
"It brings me joy," Riley said. "It really does. It brings me joy to know that I can help. I can do it."
In addition to prayers, a moment of silence and songs, Amber Lewis, Des Moines' homeless policy administrator, and Des Moines city councilmember Chris Coleman read the names of homeless individuals who had passed in the last year. They are as follows:
- Owen L. Beem, Jr.
- Scott Allyn Bohnenkamp
- Thomas Matthew Carlson
- Michael James Clayton
- Edward Cook
- Timothy "Tim" Courtney
- Cody Michael Ely
- Teresa Flanders
- Matthew Charles Gassmann
- William Gaynor
- Shakuir Gipson
- Craig Owen Hall
- Deb Jones
- Donald Lindsey
- Billie Mathes
- William McGregor
- Steven Miller
- Belinda Morris
- Monique Faith Niehoff
- Eugene William Olson
- Pamela Ory
- Phana John Parsypo
- Lishala Patterson
- Joseph Anthony Riccio, Sr.
- Derrius Robinson
- William Martin Rogers
- Steve Schaper
- Mary Sheeley
- Ashley Signs
- Steve Stanley
- Theodore Thrasher
- David Austin Torrey
- Larry Tull
- Chad Tysdal
- Anastasio Vaerela, Jr.
Unfortunately, for many of the individuals, all that was known was their name. Others had their age, who they were and what they loved read aloud.
Read the full proclamation below:
"Whereas the winter poses extreme hardship for unsheltered and inadequately housed low income men, women and children in Des Moines. and whereas the spirit of the holiday season of giving provides and opportunity for affirmation and renewal regarding the commitment to end homelessness. And whereas December 21 has been designated National Homeless Persons' Memorial Day by the National Coalition for the Homeless, and the National Health Care and the Homeless Council, which is recognized by cities nationwide. And whereas in this season of generosity and sharing, citizens of Des Moines are encouraged to commit themselves to promoting compassion and concern for all brothers and sisters, and especially those who are pore and homeless. And whereas in remembering those who have died in the streets, the cause of ending homelessness is kept urgent, is the city's collective commitment to preventing such deaths in the future."