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County Honors Homeless Who Died During Past Year

The 62 people memorialized Thursday were veterans, handymen, parents, sons and daughters. They died during the past year.

They also, at some point in their lives, were homeless. Fifty-one of the 62 people memorialized were housed at the time. Another 10 were in homeless facilities and two were unsheltered.

Montgomery County held its annual Community Homeless Memorial in Rockville. The event ensured that each person received the dignity they deserved.

“The solemn obligation we share as a community is to make sure everyone in Montgomery County has dignity,” said County Council President Andrew Friedson. They deserve the dignity of housing and “the dignity to be remembered.”

Derek Simpkins understands. He spent a long time sleeping on the street or a sofa someone offered. He was once attacked while sleeping.

But his life changed when someone from the county came to the hospital to help. “That person saw me as a human being,” he said, noting that many others thought of him only as garbage.

He’s been housed and doing well for the past four years.

“Our journey through life is messy. We have ups and downs,” said Rev. Kenneith Nelson, senior pastor at Seneca Community Church in Germantown. He praised all the county and non-profit employees who help and care about the homeless.

“You never gave up on them, and you honor them in what you do,” agreed Christine Hong, chief of Services to End and Prevent Homelessness in Montgomery County.

“Too many of those we remember today died far too young,” she said. “Too many of them were Black and Brown members of our community.”

Added Executive Marc Elrich, “Each of these people were human beings with people who loved them.” He explained that the county’s goal is not to warehouse the homeless, but rather to give them opportunities.

Homelessness decreases someone’s life span by 25 to 30 years, he noted.

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