YOU ARE invited to attend a vigil tomorrow, Friday, December 19, at 4:30 pm., to remember the friends from the Greater Portland homeless community who have died this year.  The gathering will meet in front of the MaineHealth-Preble Street Learning Collaborative at 20 Portland Street and proceed to Monument Square for a commemoration and candle-lighting ceremony.

This year, 51 members of the Greater Portland homeless community died.  The average age was only 57 years old.  Causes of death include chronic medical conditions, overdose, old age, possible exposure, suicide and vehicle accidents. The life expectdanc of people who have experienced chronic homelessnessis roughly 50 years of age, a startling 28 years shoter than that of people who are housed.

Mary Beth Sullivan, a social worker and community activist, will share remarks followed by the lighting of candles to honor each person from the homeless community who died this year.  To close the program, local performers, Sea hange Chorale and The Vigilantes will lead the crowd in singing a few songs to mark the occasion.  LumenARRT will be doing a large-scale projection in Monument Square to memorialize the 51  people who died this year.