Modesto holds candlelight vigil to remember 38 homeless people who died this year

Andy Alfaro
·1 min read
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About three dozen people gathered Thursday night in the parking lot of The Salvation Army’s Berberian Center to remember the homeless people who died this year in Modesto.

The event was one of many held in communities nationwide as part of the annual the National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day, which takes place on the winter solstice.

The Berberian Center memorial remembered 38 unhoused men and women.

Salvation Army shelter director Jim Stokes said this is not a definitive number and is based on information compiled by the army and other homeless service providers. And he said the list does not include unhoused people who died elsewhere in Stanislaus County.

The names of the deceased were projected on a side wall of the Berberian Center and were read aloud. Candles were lighted in their honor.

About a dozen family members and friends of the dead spoke on their behalf.

Mike Bassett speaks about his friend Harlan Dean Norton during the “The Longest Night” memorial at The Salvation Army’s Berberian shelter in Modesto, Calif., Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023.
Mike Bassett speaks about his friend Harlan Dean Norton during the “The Longest Night” memorial at The Salvation Army’s Berberian shelter in Modesto, Calif., Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023.

The people honored Thursday are Linda Yazzie, Melissa Whetstone, Nancy Wright, Jackie Richardson, Gary Carter, Frankie Ayers, Sandra VanNostrand, Ronald Swindle, Shawn Hipol, Leo Caldwell, Robert Craft, Brandi Kane, Steven Howard, Barbara Bishop, Donald Clayton, Reno Hatton;

Jason Hoxie, Devin Birdsong, Alejandro Galvan, James Brown, Quinton Serbousek, Noah Matthews, Robert Myers, Ida Flores, Nancy Rodriguez, Brent Nettles, Charles Bryant, Rodney Ferguson, Lloyd French, Edwuin Martinez, Jacob Atwood, Catherine Woodman, Carlos Cruz, Cordella Moore, Randy Markle Jr., Carolyn Krauss, Harlan Norton and Tomas Velazquez.

The Rainbow Resource Center also participated in the memorial. Its staff set up an information table and handed out homemade cookies.

Alisha Walker holds a candle in memory of her son Jacob Atwood during the “The Longest Night” vigil at The Salvation Army’s Berberian shelter in Modesto, Calif., Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023. The event was one of many held in communities nationwide as part of the annual the National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day, which takes place on the winter solstice. Walker said her son was struck and killed by a train in Modesto.
Jennifer Williams talks about her daughter Madeline Delaney during the “The Longest Night” vigil at The Salvation Army’s Berberian shelter in Modesto, Calif., Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023. The National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day remembers homeless residents who died in 2023.
Jennifer Williams talks about her daughter Madeline Delaney during the “The Longest Night” vigil at The Salvation Army’s Berberian shelter in Modesto, Calif., Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023. The National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day remembers homeless residents who died in 2023.