City leaders, clergy and Tucson community members will join the Primavera Foundation and hundreds of communities across the U.S. to commemorate the lives of those who died without a safe place to call home. Community members are invited to attend the annual memorial as part of the National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day on Thurs., Dec. 21 from 4:00 – 5:30 p.m. at Paupers’ Field at Evergreen Cemetery, 3015 N. Oracle Road, Tucson. The memorial will feature musical selections, reflections, prayers, and a reading of names.

“This memorial honors the lives of people who died while experiencing homelessness and brings attention to the preventable tragedy of their deaths,” said Tisha Tallman, Chief Executive Officer of the Primavera Foundation, which provides pathways out of poverty through safe and affordable housing, workforce development and neighborhood revitalization.

“Primavera Foundation believes housing is a basic human right and that no person should die as a result of lack of housing,” Tallman added. “Together with our partners and volunteers, we work diligently across our community to ensure the most vulnerable populations have access to resources, including a safe place to live.”

The number of unsheltered residents of Tucson decreased by 9% from 2022-2023, despite the overall trend of a 300% increase between 2018 and 2023, according to the Point in Time (PIT) count, which is facilitated by the Tucson Pima Collaboration to End Homelessness. Since 1983, the Primavera Foundation has focused on addressing the root causes of homelessness, including services such as shelters and intervention and prevention programs.

Those who wish to make donations such as blankets, jackets, gloves, hats, grocery gift cards, books and hygiene items may do so at the memorial service or drop them off at The Primavera Foundation Training Center, 151 W. 40th St., Tucson, AZ 85713. Please call (520) 882-5383 to arrange dropping off items.