Photos and Story by Jose Olivares
A recent vigil was organized by local activist and University of Nevada, Reno student Alese McMurtry (in foreground), activists from Acting in Community Together in Organizing Northern Nevada (ACTIONN), the Reno Initiative of Shelter and Equality (RISE) and the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada (PLAN).
A Poem for the Homeless
One of the participants, Shayden Ward, recited a poem titled “Meet Mr. Everyman”. The poem was recently recited at a Reno City Council meeting and it captures the struggles of various characters inspired by interactions Ward has had.
The climax of Ward's poem is when the homeless character in the poem dies “under the Keystone Bridge.”
Artificial Candles and a New Petition
Numerous people at the vigil spoke up and shared their stories, proposed solutions and offered insight to the homeless situation. At the end, faith leaders led a prayer and attendees held artificial candles during a moment of silence.
A new initiative now being put forward by activists in Reno is a petition to create a so-called SafeGround in Washoe County. Read about it and sign it if you agree here.
According to the petition .... "A SafeGround provides an alternate and temporary location to increase our service capacity for houseless community residents to live in a safe area where they have access to services and training that will provide them entry into community-building, outreach, employment, and permanent housing."
The community's willingness to help the homeless community seems to be growing, as evidenced by the well attended vigil at the Potentialist Workshop.
Photos and Story by Jose Olivares for Our Town Reno