CLEVELAND — The Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless hosted a vigil on Thursday afternoon for people who passed away while experiencing homelessness. The executive director of the NEOCH nonprofit, Chris Knestrick, explained how big of an issue that homelessness is.

What You Need To Know

  • Northeast Ohio nonprofit hosted a vigil on Thursday afternoon for people who were homeless and passed away

  • This is the 37th year that the Northeast Ohio Coalition for Homeless hosted the vigil 

  • The goal is to remember those who have passed away 

  • It's always held December 21st since that day is the first day of winter 

“We know homelessness is rising throughout the United States this year. You know it’s around a 12% rise throughout the country and it’s rising here in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County,” he said.

Knestrick said homelessness is invisible in the Northeast Ohio community, which is why they have been hosting the vigil for the last 37 years.

“Every year, on the longest night of the year, homeless coalitions from around the world come out and they remember individuals that have passed away experiencing homeless throughout the year,” he said.

It’s hosted on Dec. 21 because it’s the longest night of the year and the official start of winter.

“The winter season is also some of the hardest time to be homeless, you know when the weather gets cold it’s dangerous and so coming together as a community to hold one another knowing that it’s going to be a long winter is really important, especially for people that are sleeping outside,” he said.

Knestrick said the goal of the vigil was to honor those who passed away.

“People don’t die alone and will never die alone in our community and even though they don’t have a home or they might be no longer connected to their family, they have a family here that remembers them and that loves them,” he said.

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