Annual Homeless Persons’ Memorial Vigil

Every year on the Winter Solstice — the longest night of homelessness — the Portland community hosts a candlelight procession and ceremony dedicated to youth and adults in our community who have experienced homelessness and who have died. For almost 30 years, Portlanders have gathered to mourn the many lives that were cut short, and to commit to changing the broken systems that allow so many of our neighbors to fall through the cracks.  

In 2023, Portland lost 45 people. Of the 45 individuals that lost, the average age was 47 years old. Causes of death include cancer, overdose, meningitis, exposure, and chronic medical conditions. On average, the life expectancy of people who are homeless is about 28 years shorter than that of people who are housed. “The unsheltered homelessness crisis facing Maine has never been more visible. This vigil provides us an opportunity to come together as a community and remember the people that we have lost this year,” says Donna Yellen, Preble Street Vice President of Strategic Initiatives. “These deaths are tragic, but if we work together we can prevent them. We know the solutions to homelessness – shelter and housing options in partnership with healthcare. It’s complex, but together, we can have a community where everyone can have a safe and warm place to sleep.”