Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
- Amber Bailey attended her first Homeless Persons' Memorial Day Candlelight Vigil in Salt Lake City.
- The vigil honored 112 people who died while experiencing homelessness during the last year in Salt Lake County.
- Speakers, including Pastor Shawn Clay, urged change for those living in homelessness.
SALT LAKE CITY — Attending the annual Homeless Persons' Memorial Day Candlelight Vigil at Pioneer Park for the first time was personal for Amber Bailey.
In 2023, she was homeless, living on the street with a bike and cart. She is now ending 2024 not only with hope for the future but also with a reminder her life could have taken a different turn.
"I'm learning how to be a different person," she said as she and her fellow students from the Other Side Academy prepared to sing at the vigil. "Before, I went and decided to make bad decisions and throw my life away. Tonight, whatever I feel, I feel. I just hope that the next person chooses to make a right choice and just continue to do it."
The annual vigil, held in communities across the United States, has understandably had an undertone of sadness, as many events do that remember those who have died.
On Thursday evening, however, the event was not necessarily sad but held more of a space of gratitude for the lessons shared by the 112 people experiencing homelessness who died during the last year in Salt Lake County.
Between 200 and 250 people came to Pioneer Park to honor siblings, parents, children and friends who all died while living in homelessness in Salt Lake County. They shared stories with each other about their loved ones, often causing loud laughs from everyone listening,
"At the end of the day, we are all human beings. We all bleed red," said Melissa Hunt, who read some of the names of those who died, a job given to her at the last minute. "I knew people on this list, and when I read the names, I'm not afraid to show my emotions, whatever they are. It's a sign of caring ... it gives that little bit of closure that somebody cared."
Although some may have been tempted to cry, speakers throughout the one-hour vigil spoke with passion and purpose about changing the realities for those living in homelessness, causing the crowd to respond with fervor.
Pastor Shawn Clay from the Salt Lake City Mission gave an impassioned, four-minute sermon calling on the crowd — including the social service and political leaders in attendance — to believe that change is not only possible but will happen.
The evening ended with songs performed by the Other Side Academy clients, solos sung by Barbara Tobin, as well as a prayer by Pastor Steve Spiess from the Rescue Mission of Salt Lake.
The evening will not really end for many who attended, however. Stories, songs, names and memories will stay with attendees for much longer, as well as the reality that some have not been far from being in the same place as those with names read.
"This is impactful, definitely," said Jewel Shane, who attended the vigil for the first time. "I mean, I could have ended up here. I'm not sad about that. Tomorrow I'll be happy I was here and will give back to other people."
