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Event honors homeless victims
At least 48 people have died on street
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What: A vigil for Albuquerque's homeless who died in the past year.
Where: First United Methodist Church, 314 Lead Ave. S.W.
When: The event starts at 1:30 p.m. Thursday at Civic Plaza, with a walk to the church. The ceremony is from 2-3 p.m.
To donate or for more information, call the New Mexico Coalition to End Homelessness at 982-9000.
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In the hour between two phone calls, Lisa LeBrecque's tally of deaths among Albuquerque's homeless rose from 39 to 48 people so far this year.
The number - collected from local agencies and hospitals - will probably grow higher as groups continue calling in, said LeBrecque, policy and advocacy director at the New Mexico Coalition to End Homelessness.
The coalition wants to make people aware of the problem, and how they can help, by holding a special memorial vigil Thursday at First United Methodist Church.
Officials will read the names of the dead, light candles, read poetry and let people who knew those who died say a few words.
"Living on the streets is so hard on peoples' health," LeBrecque said. "People with homes, we can go to the doctor and have a warm, safe place to sleep at night. It's not that easy for the homeless, especially when it's cold or raining."
The names will be recorded on permanent display on a tile memorial wall at Albuquerque Health Care for the Homeless, she said.
The homeless are three to four times more likely to die prematurely than those with homes, according to a study by the National Health Care for the Homeless Coalition.
The New Mexico Coalition estimates about 3,000 people are homeless each night in Albuquerque, although the number is probably much higher, LeBrecque said.
"We always feel that number is underreported and that there are a lot of people we aren't reaching," she said.
The event, held annually for the past 10 years, is open to the public. Visitors who want to donate should bring warm winter clothing or blankets, LeBrecque said.
"It's important for people to remember that folks are homeless all year round, not just at Christmas," she said. "People have needs throughout the year that often go unmet."
