Importance of memorial

Every year Rev. Chuck Harper holds a memorial to honour people who’ve lost their lives to homelessness in the City of Vernon.

On Oct. 17, Harper held the 11th memorial, and he says support for the event continues to grow, but so does the need.

“I think the importance of the homeless memorial continues to increase, especially with the high rate of deaths amongst our marginalized people with the opioid crisis,” said Harper.

The most recent B.C. Coroner’s Report on unregulated drug deaths show 27 people have lost their lives so far this year in Vernon. In 2023, a total of 59 people died.

Harper says people who work with the marginalized community are continuously feeling the grief and trauma related to losing loved ones.

“People are quitting their jobs, people are burning out. I used the term maxed out at the memorial because how many people are trained and equipped to deal with death at the level that we are now dealing with it?” questioned Harper.

“There's a death a week here in Vernon, over the opioid crisis or compromised health or acts of violence. So it’s getting worse.”

Harper says he’d like to see more lifestyle recovery options for marginalized people. He also thanked the community for continuing to show up for the memorial.