Yesterday, 125 cities across the nation held candlelight vigils to honor those who have died while homeless. In Utah there were 42 homeless people who died in 2005. Most suffered from chronic illnesses, according to the artilce, such as AIDS, diabetes, alcholosim, etc. Most causes of death were from complications of those illnesses and not exposure.
According to Jennifer Hyvonen, an advocate at a free medical clinic for the homeless in Salt Lake City,
Homelessness can strike anyone without the financial resources to withstand a debilitating injury or illness or job loss.
The reasons cited for most people becoming homeless are a rise in housing costs and lack of affordable health care.
This is yet another example of how Utah’s budget surplus should be used – towards programs that help citizens have basic necesseties and not be forced into dire situations such as homelessness.
-
I pledge allegiance to all life
in its interdependent diversity;
and to the Planet upon which it exists;
one World, under the sky, undividable
with harmony and balance for all. ~ Tom King, 2001, for Blue Sky Institute -
-
Me This is my personal website which contains links and information to all aspects about me.
Deanna Dee-Dee Taylor 