Duke City Fix

Life, food, events, and community in Albuquerque, NM

Johnny_Mango

Dying From Homelessness: The Vigil

NOB HILL--"I don't believe it," I said. Lisa LaBrecque didn't flinch. She said it again. "For the last couple of years, 50 to 60 people have died of homelessness each year. This includes those whose health problems were exacerbated by living on the streets as well as those who died while actually being homeless." I knew homelessness was a problem, but never dreamed that people were dying from it at the rate of one per week.

Lisa LaBrecque runs the Albuquerque office of the New Mexico Coalition to End Homelessness. We were discussing the upcoming Memorial Vigil honoring those who have died of homelessness during the past year. The vigil takes place Tuesday, December 9th.

"I thought it was supposed to be on the winter solstice, the 21st."

The U.N. Declaration
"Actually it coincides with the United Nations' passage of The Universal Declaration of Human Rights." On December 10, 1948 the United Nations adopted the Declaration. It is a beautiful document, certainly worth reading in its entirety...but let me be brief here. Article 25 begins, "Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control."

The Memorial Vigil
The Memorial Vigil is an annual event. It has taken place every year in Albuquerque for at least the last eight years. It starts at the Healthcare for the Homeless facility at 1st St. and Mountain Road NW at 1:00. Participants march through downtown to the First United Methodist Church at 314 Lead SW. The memorial itself starts at 2:00 and should end around 3:30. Last year 100 to 150 people participated.

The memorial gives friends, family and even service providers a chance to grieve. It also helps the rest of the community focus on the homeless problem. Lisa said, "I think people are thinking about homelessness more this year than in the past. It's more relevant to people's lives." Everyone is welcome.

I cannot name one person who died of homelessness this year. Nevertheless, I know these deaths are a real part of my personal part of the world...my neighborhood, in fact.

"And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee." --John Donne

What To Do
• Volunteer. Check on these websites for opportunities: NM Coalition to End Homelessness, Albuquerque Healthcare for the Homeless, and ABQ's Office of Volunteerism and Engagement. I am sure there are other groups who also need help.
• Donate. Whatever you can.
• Support long term solutions to homelessness and affordable housing.
• Attend Saturday's Memorial Vigil.

Tuesday, December 9th
Meet @ Healthcare for the Homeless
1st St. & Mountain Rd. NW
1:00 - 3:30

16 Comments

cc Comment by cc on December 2, 2008 at 10:10am
Johnny Mango, Thank you for this post.
That is a lot of people dying in one year.
We need folks like you to get the word out.
cc Comment by cc on December 2, 2008 at 10:11am
But I think December 9th is a Tue. The 6th is Sat.
once banned twice shy Comment by once banned twice shy on December 2, 2008 at 10:21am
Oh, we all probably know someone who died from homelessness. Well, we maybe didn't *know* the person, but saw him or her in our daily travels.
Johnny_Mango Comment by Johnny_Mango on December 2, 2008 at 11:15am
Thanks cc.
I fixed it. The vigil is one week from today.
Don Pizzolato Comment by Don Pizzolato on December 2, 2008 at 11:36am
A difficult problem. In regards to a long-term solutions, what should be tried?

Say you had unlimited funds. One option that is bandied about is high quality group housing with support system to address mental health, substance abuse etc. But can you compel folks to stay in such an environment? Especially if the root of their problem is drug or alcohol related.

I believe that Seattle is trying out a sort of "upscale flop house" model where drinking and drug use in city sponsored apartment housing is tolerated, but with strict limitations (stay in your room, etc.). Does anyone else have an update on how this is working?
once banned twice shy Comment by once banned twice shy on December 2, 2008 at 12:03pm
Part of NYC's homeless problem was created when people were released from mental health facilities on the conceit that you could not force them to live in such places. Now you have a lot of homeless people who desperately need mental health care, but they don't get it because the drugs make them feel "funny." I do believe NYC is trying a group home situation for these types of folks and it is working for some, but not working for others. I think, though, that they very strictly insist the people in the group home stay off of drugs and alcohol. They don't want to be enablers...

Heh. Seattle. I once lectured a couple of young panhandlers in Seattle. I told them they were young and healthy and didn't appear to be insane, so why weren't they working, like me?
Martini Mike Comment by Martini Mike on December 2, 2008 at 12:11pm
Way to go Mango! Informative and helpful post. Hope to see all the same people at my critical needs drive for AHCH.
Hairy McLairy Comment by Hairy McLairy on December 2, 2008 at 12:14pm
Thanks Johnny
Homelessness is a terrible thing, particularly when children are also growing up homeless.
I read once that 30% of all homeless in the US are returned veterans, poor buggars.
We really love animals, but every month we tithe to a homeless shelter in our South Valley community.
Raine K. Comment by Raine K. on December 2, 2008 at 1:31pm
Seattle does have a really good safety net for mentally ill and addicted homeless people. Not perfect - but I think there is no prefect solution. Here's a link to the group housing that Don mentioned - looks like they just won an award last year. A lot of the locations they manage are right downtown. Another organization in Seattle is Real Change - which is really awesome in my opinion - it's a newspaper that focuses a lot on homeless issues, is partly written by, and sold on the street, by homeless individuals.
Johnny_Mango Comment by Johnny_Mango on December 2, 2008 at 6:09pm
Well RD666, that can't be dismissed. But letting them die? Please. Mental health issues are also a problem. The housing development okayed by the City Council last night had a 24/7 staff person as well as small apartments for single homeless people. That kind of support just might make a difference...if not for all, at least for some.

Cynicism comes easy when talking about people with so many problems. I admire those who work with them on a daily basis. They certainly deserve our thanks.

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