On December 21, Sanctuary of Hope gathered with 50 other members of the community for a Youth Remembrance Ceremony held at Leimert Park. The ceremony started with a prayer by Rev. Oliver Buie, Community Engagement Director, for the Holman United Methodist Church. Dignitaries and speakers were: Armen Ross, President of the Crenshaw Chamber of Commerce: Brenda Shockley, Deputy Director for Mayor Eric Garcetti, Derrick Mimms, District Director for Assemblyman Reginald Jones-Sawyer: Peter Lynn, Executive Director of the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, and Kathleen Austria, Homeless and Constituent Deputy for Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas.
Former foster and homeless youth shared the importance of doing something on this day to remember youth who are no longer with us and have experienced loss. Ernesto Yanes provided a personal experience about violence on the streets while homeless that could have to led to loss of his brother due to gun violence.
The ceremony concluded with attendees gathered in a circle to read a litany focused on a commitment to engage throughout the year to end youth homelessness.
