Photos: Homeless Memorial at Paderewski and Memorial Drives

In 2011, a memorial was dedicated to those who have died on the streets of Buffalo homeless. The outdoor memorial rests at the corner Memorial and Paderewski drives, next to the Matt Urban Hope Center. The memorial always catches my attention when I am driving around traffic circle. I don’t stop each time, but I do periodically to say a prayer for and reflect on the homeless.

The memorial also serves as the local location for a national event which happens once a year. “The homeless memorial is a national advocacy event, held on the winter solstice at sunset, where we recognize everyone who died while homeless. We read their names (which are collected through the year) and let people speak about the person who passed, invite their family. Everyone gathers in the Hope Center afterwards for coffee and cookies and to reflect on the people and the work,” according to Christine Slocum, secretary of the board for the WNY Coalition for the Homeless.

It’s great to have this moving tribute to the homeless in the neighborhood. It’s also great that people remember those who have died homeless.

Here are photos of the memorial: (click on images for full view)


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2 thoughts on “Photos: Homeless Memorial at Paderewski and Memorial Drives

  1. Christopher,

    I know that it was a generous thought and idea to place a Memorial @ the corner of Memorial & Paderewski, representing the death for the homeless ones.
    I am glad they are remembered. Yet, how sad that they were homeless in the first place! This is a serious problem all over this country. In every corner I go, homeless people are struggling. It is from Seattle to California, all the way to Florida. Who are these homeless people? They have family, friends, and once had lives. Yet, the fact is many have lost their jobs, then their homes, next was their family, and then themselves. Now, we have a new kind of homelessness, it’s those returning from wars.
    This is one of society’s sadness. I have worked on the Refugee Resettlement Program, finding home and services for people from war torn countries. In NYC, Queens, the homeless population has been high, as so many other cities in this country. There is not enough done to safe guard people’s life. With homelessness come health hazards and mental problems.
    Homeless is sadness in our society, and anyone could become homeless. The only ‘thing’ is that separates us is that pay check.

  2. This is like the dumbest thing I have seen on the Eastside in a decade. A memorial to houseless dead people. …. Are we to feel saddened by the plight of those so incapacitated by illness or addiction that charity is compelled to overlooked them….? I think not. Gravestones belong in cemeteries. Take the effort or resources and go find a ‘houseless’ dysfunctional and take them home. That will only last until their ‘agenda’ becomes known to you. The ‘homeless’ remain with us in Buffalo, not for want of resources, but rather from lack of legal capacity to force them into care. We have a permanent INDUSTRY devoted to ‘helping and subsidizing’ ….degenerates. If they get hit by snowplows…so be it. Do not harm your children by glorification of this progressive phenomenon……or think yourselves wise because of some undeserved or misplaced pity.

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