Key West Mayor Teri Johnston and the City Commission proclaimed Dec. 21st National Homeless Persons Memorial Day during the December City Commission meeting.
For the past 21 years, the community has gathered to remember those men, women and children who have died homeless in Monroe County with this proclamation, setting aside this longest night of the year in their honor.
On Monday, December 20th the Florida Keys Outreach Coalition will coordinate a virtual memorial service to remember the homeless individuals who have died in Key West and Monroe County over the past year. Their remains will be interred in the FKOC vault in the Key West Cemetery.
Stephanie Kaple, Executive Director of the Florida Keys Outreach Coalition, accepted the proclamation. She encouraged the community to tune in to the FKOC Facebook page to remember those who have died.
“Hopefully,” said Kaple, “someday soon we won’t have to have these memorials anymore.”
The day is set aside to remember those who have died homeless because it is the longest night of the year. While many of us pass that long night in a bed with a roof over our head, says Kaple, others suffer it sleeping on the streets.
In the attached photo: Mayor Teri Johnston, FKOC Executive Director Stephanie Kaple, and Vice Mayor Sam Kaufman.
