Memorial to recognize 60 lives lost in Sonoma County’s unhoused community

On Dec. 20, one day before National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day, HomeFirst and Sonoma County Department of Health Services will host a memorial to honor individuals who lost their lives over the last year while living without housing in Sonoma County. The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Arlene Francis Center, 99 6th St., Santa Rosa. The space is being provided by FS Global, and Community Foundation Sonoma County granted the needed funding to host the memorial.

This year, 60 lives were lost among Sonoma County’s unhoused community. The average age of those who passed away was 57, with the youngest being 34 and the oldest 89. The majority of this year’s group were men.

The upcoming memorial is intended to give members of the unhoused community, service providers, local officials and the public a moment to recognize the individuals who passed away this year while experiencing homelessness.

“This memorial is a tribute to those who have passed, and a call for us to come together in compassion and understanding,” said James Alexander, director of Sonoma County’s Homelessness Services Division. “Let us reflect on the names of those who have died, cherish their memories, and renew our commitment to ensuring that everyone in Sonoma County has access to safe, stable housing, and the necessary resources to achieve lasting well-being.”

HomeFirst and Sonoma County Department of Health Services planned the event with input from the Lived Experience Advisory and Planning Board (LEAP), a board comprised of individuals who have experienced homelessness themselves. At the memorial, members of LEAP will join HomeFirst staff and other community members to read the names of each person who passed away over the last year, recognizing their individuality. Rebekah Sammet and Mary Ruffatto will represent this group. Julian Elliott, HomeFirst’s Director of Emergency Housing, will also speak.

“The service reminds us that the unhoused people we see throughout the county every day have their own stories and experiences, of which we only see a small piece,” said Elliott. “They are friends, family members, coworkers, neighbors, and a piece of our community, and we have a responsibility to ensure that those who have passed are not forgotten.”

Homelessness remains a critical issue in Sonoma County. According to the Sonoma County 2024 Homelessness Point-in-Time Count, an annual count of people experiencing homelessness in the region, 2,522 people are unhoused in the county, with 32% of those surveyed facing chronic health conditions. These statistics represent lives affected by homelessness. They underscore the importance of coming together to remember those who have passed and renewing our commitment to supporting those in need.

Anyone, unhoused or housed, who is interested in attending, can RSVP online here.

County of Sonoma - Homelessness Services Division:

The Homelessness Services Division is a division of the Department of Health Services. It provides compassionate care and support to individuals experiencing homelessness. Its HEART Team identifies people and works to get them into housing, while its SOUL Team works to keep people sheltered. Furthermore, its Ending Homelessness Team serves as the “lead agency” to the federally designated Continuum of Care, now known as the Sonoma County Homeless Coalition.

For further information, visit sonomacounty.ca.gov/health-and-human-services/health-services/divisions/homelessness-services.

About HomeFirst:

HomeFirst is a nonprofit organization working passionately to end homelessness. We serve the Bay Area community through low-barrier programming (prevention, outreach, shelters, and interim and permanent housing programs) and systems leadership — meeting each person where they are by offering support and resources that address immediate and long-term housing needs.

For more information on HomeFirst, visit homefirstscc.org.

For more information on the County’s Coordinated Entry System visit sonomacounty.ca.gov.

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Media Contacts:

County of Sonoma – Department of Health Services
Sheri Cardo, DHS Communications Specialist
Sheri.Cardo@sonoma-county.org
(707) 565-8619

HomeFirst
Fiona Brodie, Communications and Media Manager
fbrodie@homefirstscc.org
(510) 383-6170