A coalition led by Garden State Episcopal Community Development Corporation and the Church of the Incarnation will host Hudson County’s first Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day on Monday, Dec. 21 [2009] — a date chosen because it is the first day of winter and the longest night of the year.
The service is designed to remember those who passed away from causes related to homelessness and raise awareness that people are still living and dying on the street, and it will include a tribute to Joseph Del Monte, an advocate who fed countless homeless people — mostly in Jersey City’s Lafayette neighborhood — until his death earlier this year.
The public is invited to participate in the service, by submitting the names of deceased homeless persons; inviting homeless friends, neighbors and clients to attend; or contribute or solicit contributions of socks, hats, gloves and scarves to be distributed to homeless guests at the service.