2020 Iowa Homeless Memorial

On Dec. 21, the first day of winter and longest night of the year, people of all ages gathered at the Iowa State Capitol for a candlelight vigil to remember those who died homeless in 2020.

Joppa organizes the event each year to honor the deceased and recognize them as human beings and fellow citizens.

The event is also a chance for community members to recommit themselves to helping prevent future deaths by ending homelessness.

At the event, Joppa CEO & cofounder Joe Stevens gave opening remarks. Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg read a proclamation that declared Dec. 21, 2020, as Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day in the state of Iowa.

Stacie O’Connor, care coordinator at Joppa, read a poem titled “God’s Garden,” before Matt McCody, Polk County Supervisor, and Emily Osweiler, executive director of the YMCA Supportive Housing Campus, read the names of the deceased. Volunteers tied ribbons around the Joppa Peace Pole in honor of each person who died.

Rev. Shawna Beeman sang “Amazing Grace” and “Go Light Your World” while participants held up their candles, and Pastors Kenney and Neja Linhart of The Kathedral offered a prayer and moment of silence. Kayla Choate, Joppa director of communications & events, provided the closing remarks.

Due to COVID, participants were required to wear masks and remain socially distanced during the event.

We Will Remember…

• Raymon Berner, 25
• Steven Paul Boeckholt, 52
• Mark Booth
• Mark de Young, 58
• Jesse “JAG” Galvan, 53
• Robin Hammel
• Paul Leon Harris III, 32
• Steven D. Jons, 65
• Mark Lienemann, 60
• Alan Mann, 55
• Steven Michael Miller, 59
• Jeff Nelson
• Derrell Posey
• Daniel Sandoval Flores, 52
• James Schenck
• Dan Waters
• Justin Andrew Wicker, 33
• Matthew Wolf, 58
• Cornelius A. Zolicoffer, 35

The following individuals were part of our homeless community, although they acquired housing before death:

• Patrick Corey, 58
• Rick Essig
• Bill Hanson, 53
• Crystal White, 44