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Annual Homeless Memorial in Muskoseepi Park set for May 31

May 20, 2018 | 6:00 AM

The third annual Healing Hearts Homeless Memorial is taking place at the end of May in Grande Prairie.

Homeless Initiatives Supervisor with the City of Grande Prairie Katherine Schmidt says the event is meant to help bring awareness to people that are experiencing homelessness.

“The community perception at times is that it’s a choice. We want to make the education piece pretty strong on the fact there is a high percent of people actually dying from it,” said Schmidt.

She adds it started as a grassroots movement and this is a topic that’s often overlooked.

“Someone experiencing homelessness may die and no one in the community would even be aware of it. Often individuals who are experiencing homelessness may not have the opportunity to attend a memorial event of someone who has passed.” 

In addition to paying respects, the free event will feature a range of entertainment, barbeque, and indigenous speakers for attendees. 

“If someone out there wants to come down and be able to recognize that they know someone that has experienced homelessness in the past and has passed away, it’s an opportunity to come together.”

 The ceremony will begin at 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. near the train trestle in Muskoseepi Park on May 31.