Forty-three lives extinguished. That's the heartbreaking reality in Sonoma County this year, a stark reminder of the human cost of homelessness. HomeFirst and the Sonoma County Department of Health Services are hosting a memorial on December 19th, just before National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day, to honor these individuals. The event, open to the public, will take place from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Arlene Francis Center in Santa Rosa. Funding for this important event comes from the Community Foundation Sonoma County, and the space is provided by FS Global.
This memorial isn't just a somber gathering; it's a testament to the lives lived and lost within our community. The age range of the deceased highlights the broad impact of homelessness: the oldest was 80, the youngest a mere 22, with an average age of 58. The memorial will bring together the unhoused community, service providers, local officials, and the public to share stories, remember those who have passed, and reaffirm their commitment to tackling homelessness. Candles will be lit to honor each life.
"With this heartfelt commemoration, we recognize the harsh realities that our unsheltered community members face every day and remember and honor those who have lost their lives this past year," said Nolan Sullivan, director of Sonoma County’s Department of Health Services. "Homelessness is a challenging public health issue and, while the number of unhoused in Sonoma County has dropped considerably, far too many people here and elsewhere continue to suffer from the lack of stable housing.”
But here's where it gets controversial... The memorial was planned with the crucial input of the Lived Experience Advisory and Planning Board (LEAP), comprised of individuals who have experienced homelessness firsthand. Speakers at the event include LEAP member Chessy Etheridge, Thai Hilton (Coordinated Entry coordinator for the Department of Health Services), Hunter Scott (VP for HomeFirst in Sonoma County), and homeless advocate Annie Falandas.
"As we honor the unhoused community members who have lost their lives, we’re reminded that there’s still work to be done," said Hunter Scott, VP for HomeFirst in Sonoma County. "Seeing our community come together in this way is powerful and, today, local engagement like this is needed more than ever.”
And this is the part most people miss... Despite a 23% decrease from 2024, the Sonoma County 2025 Homelessness Point-in-Time Count reveals that 1,952 people are still unhoused in the county. This underscores the need for continued support and commitment.
If you'd like to attend the memorial, reservations are requested. You can RSVP online at the provided link.
Sonoma County's Homelessness Services Division, housed within the Department of Health Services, provides compassionate care and support. The HEART Team works to connect individuals with housing, while the SOUL Team focuses on keeping people sheltered. The Ending Homelessness Team serves as the lead agency for the Sonoma County Homeless Coalition.
HomeFirst, a nonprofit organization, is dedicated to ending homelessness in the Bay Area. They offer various programs, including prevention, outreach, shelters, and housing initiatives, to meet individuals' immediate and long-term needs.
What do you think? Are these memorials enough, or do we need to do more to address the root causes of homelessness? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
