Tulsa Day Center Holding Candlelight Service To Honor Lives Lost To Homelessness

Each night thousands of people across the country sleep on the streets due to homelessness and some lose their lives because of it.

December 21 is Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day and Tulsa’s Day Center will hold a special ceremony to raise awareness on the fight to end homelessness.

Executive Director Mack Haltom said it is a chance to honor and give support to the people who tragically lost their lives.

"Just to come and remember those that have passed away that have struggled with experiencing homelessness and their other issues as well. I think that just lets people know these are our neighbors. Most are fellow Tulsans," said Haltom.

Tulsa’s Day Center will be holding its annual Candlelight Service of Remembrance. It happens each year on December 21, which is considered the longest night of the year.

Haltom said 71 people lost their lives in Tulsa because they were on the streets. That is about 20 more people than last year.

In the special ceremony, the name of each person who died will be read and a candle will be lit in their honor.

The event will also feature musical performances, and community activists will discuss the importance of ending homelessness in Tulsa.

Haltom said more needs to be done to end homelessness. He said people on the streets often have a 15 to 20 years shorter lifespan.

Some of the biggest issues he said leading to it is lack of affordable housing and strategic mental health care.

Respite care is another big need with people getting discharged from hospitals with nowhere to go.

"Often times they get discharged back to the shelter but needing still more respite care to heal up. But also if that were to take place, we could certainly have case management on site to help navigate getting them in a safer place," Haltom said.

The Candlelight Service of Remembrance is at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 21. The center is also in need of clothing donations and blankets to help keep people warm.