What: Primavera Foundation hosts National Homeless Persons’ Memorial
When: 4-5 p.m. Mon., Dec. 22
Where: Paupers’ Field at Evergreen Cemetery, 3015 N. Oracle Road, Tucson
For questions or interviews, contact Margarita Bauza at (520) 308-3055, ext. 1126 or mbauza@primavera.org.
TUCSON – City leaders, clergy, and Tucson community members will join Primavera Foundation and hundreds of communities across the U.S. to commemorate the lives of those who died without a safe place to call home.
As part of National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day, community members are invited to attend the annual ceremony from 4-5 p.m., Mon., Dec. 22, at Paupers’ Field at Evergreen Cemetery, 3015 N. Oracle Road, Tucson. The memorial will feature music selections, reflections, prayers, and a reading of names.
“The annual homeless memorial is a time to honor and remember individuals who perished on the streets this past year — a time of reverence, dignity, and reflection,” said Primavera Foundation CEO Tisha Tallman. “It is our hope at Primavera that those in attendance reflect on the trauma that unstable housing inflicts on the most vulnerable in our community. We also hope it motivates our community to advocate for policies that increase access to housing and quality of care for those who are unhoused.”
National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day takes place each year on or around the longest night of the year, the winter solstice (usually Dec. 21). The first Annual Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day was commemorated in 1990, an initiative of the National Council for the Homeless.
“Paupers’ Field helps provide dignity to those who pass away in our community without a place to call home,” said Primavera Board President Andy Rouse. “This yearly gathering further honors those individuals and encourages us to reflect on how our community might better support our homeless and underserved populations. Please join The Primavera Foundation on Paupers’ Field and help us make a positive change in the lives of those in need.”
Since 1983, Primavera Foundation has focused on addressing the root causes of homelessness, including services such as shelters and intervention and prevention programs.
Primavera is accepting donations, including blankets, jackets, gloves, hats, grocery gift cards, food donations, and hygiene items at the memorial service. Items may also be dropped off at the Primavera Foundation Training Center, 151 W. 40th St., Tucson, AZ 85713, on Mondays. Please call (520) 882-3707, ext. 1509, or email Sophia Smith-Gatto at ssmith.gatto@primavera.org to make arrangements.