Translate
Clackamas County’s Longest Night vigil is set from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 21. Members of the media and community are invited to attend.
The vigil will take place outdoors at Liberty Plaza, 815 Main Street, Oregon City.
Those who attend are invited to bring new warm socks or a winter coat to donate to our homeless neighbors, to help them through the winter.
Program participants include Clackamas County Chair Tootie Smith, Oregon State Senator Mark Meek, live musicians, and people who have experienced homelessness, among others.
The vigil will honor and remember Clackamas County homeless residents who have died in 2023. 393 homeless people have died in the state of Oregon from January through October 2023, and 15 homeless people have died in Clackamas County this year.
The Longest Night national memorial vigil has been held for 33 years.
The Clackamas County vigil is co-hosted by the Homeless Solutions Coalition of Clackamas County.
“This event is a reminder of the serious human toll of homelessness on our communities,” said Vahid Brown. “We want to remember the dignity and value of our friends’ and neighbors’ lives that have been lost, and recommit to the urgency of our work to house everyone,” he said.
The vigil will include the reading of names, a candle ceremony, musical performances, and community words of remembrance and stories.
Street parking is free in downtown Oregon City after 5 p.m. Additional parking is located at the top of the elevator on High Street – a quick elevator ride will take attendees down to Main Street.