Advocates for the homeless community are planning events on Friday and Saturday to mark the longest night of the year.
A vigil titled “In Their Light,” will take place from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 20, in Penn Square. Participants will read the names of individuals who died while homeless, share memories “and light candles as we remember, reflect and show our support” organizers said.
The Penn Square event is sponsored by the Lancaster Youth Action Board and the Lancaster Homeless Advocacy Board, two groups set up to give individuals with experience of homelessness a voice in setting policy and strategies.
Separately, a coalition of antipoverty activist organizations is holding a “Longest Night Memorial” event from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday at Community Mennonite Church, 328 W. Orange St., Lancaster.
It is hosted by local representatives of the National Union of the Homeless, Put People First PA, and the Nonviolent Medicaid Army.
Anti-poverty and anti-homelessness organizations around the country hold events on or around Dec. 21, the winter equinox, which is designated Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day.
