Megan Fernandes|Fosters Daily Democrat
DOVER —Ariel Hayes is director of the Youth Success Project andleading organizer of a vigil to honor houseless people on the Seacoast. She hopes the community comes to see"homelessness is a very preventable cause of death and more needs to be done to prevent it."
The vigil, held Tuesday in front of Dover City Hall, was one of 12 held throughout the state.Gov. Chris Sununu recently signed aproclamation stating Dec. 21 was Unsheltered Persons’ Memorial Day, honoring the 74 known unhoused people in the state who died this year.
"There is not astrong or easy pathway out of homeless," Hayes said. "Homelessness is a downward spiral and if we don't have the systems in place to interrupt that downward spiral early on, we're setting people up for failure. There's alag withinthe homeless systems, where there's a lot of people actively experiencing homelessness and accessing services, but there's not many of them that can find affordable apartments that will accept vouchers."
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As each name was read, there was a pause and a candle lit, to "hold these individuals in our hearts and minds," Hayes said. An open mic was held, allowing anyone who has experienced being unshelteredor is grieving the loss of someone they knew, to speak.
Seacoast lives remembered
The following names and information were provided by the American Friends Service Committee. These are the known Seacoast residents among the 74 unshelteredpeople in New Hampshire who died this year.
Bobby Hensley Jr, 55, died in an encampment in Dover, just three days before his 56th birthday, alone near his tent and wheelchair.Hensley struggled with addition and disability after part of his leg was amputated, but friends that knew him say he was determined to learn to walk again with the dreams of being able to participate in a 5K race.
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Cody Clark, 27,died unexpectedly in August. Clark grew up in Somersworth and attended Somersworth High School. He was a father and lovedplaying the drums so much that healways carried his drumsticks around with him.
David Garfield Burke, 56, died unexpectedly on May 3 inPortsmouth. He was born in North Hampton, and attended Newmarket High School in 1982. After working in various construction jobs, heended his career with working 15 years at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard as a blaster/painter with submarines.
Katie Merrihew, 37, diedat Wentworth-Douglass Hospital in Dover after being hit by a car while crossing the street in Rochester. She was a lifelong resident of the Seacoast area.As a single mother of four, Merrihew was known for being a compassionate and giving person.
Tammy Jean Wylie, 40, formerly of North Hampton, died unexpectedly March 25 in New York, after struggling with addictionfor many years. Jean Wylie was raised inNorth Hampton, and was formerlyan employee of Market Basketas a meat clerk. Friends say shewas a mother of three sons she loved deeply.
The meaning ofUnsheltered Persons’ Memorial Day
The governor'sproclamation states that "the first day of winter and the longest day of the year is an appropriate time to reflect upon the strugglesfaced by our homeless citizens."
Local advocate and Program Director ofAmerican Friends Service Committee Maggie Fogarty, said that while the vigils across the state shared a collective grief for lives lost, it was also a celebration of the lives they lived.
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"We also celebrate the human spirit and the lives of these particular individuals who loved, and were loved, and who are all missed by someone," Fogarty said."One of the most important aspects of this day of remembrance is when people recommit to making change in our society so that everyone has a safe place to call home. There is so much work to be done — locally, in the state legislature and in Congress — and these vigils remind us of how much is at stake."
Waypoint program manager Mandy Lancaster said that the community collectively "has a responsibility" in addressing houselessness and housing instability.
"Each life lost is the result of policy failures,"Lancaster said."The lack of affordable housing, low barrier shelters, wholistic treatment options, transitional housing, accessible safe sheltering spaces for people active in their substance use, and adequate developmental servicesare contributing factors."
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"They have impact, each life lost is precious and has value,"Lancaster said."Waypoint staff will continue to participate in these vigils and honor the lives of our neighbors, community members, and friends while we continue to organize and put intention towards ending youth and young adult homelessness."
Hayes said that the community "needs to show up and support our unhoused neighbors" and while the mobilization effort to push the Tri-Cities to support a full-time Willand Warming Center was great to see, there's more to be done.
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"The warming center isnot a long term solution, and we have to continue looking for long-term permanent housing needs andlow-barrier services that meet the needs of the most vulnerable people experiencing homelessness," Hayes said.
