Feb 3 :
In a remarkable interfaith gesture, Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, and Jewish religious leaders of the area are joining together with other concerned citizens at Reno City Plaza on February 10, starting at 05:30 pm, to remember homeless Nevadans who died in Washoe County in 2024.

Besides lighting candles in memory of Nevadans who lost their lives in Washoe County while homeless, some from exposure to the elements, religious leaders plan to offer prayers in their respective traditions in English, Spanish, Arabic and Sanskrit languages by the BELIEVE sign.

It is a solemn service of remembrance where the names of houseless people who died in 2024 in Washoe County will be read. This is the fifth such service, and this multi-faith group of area religious leaders plans to continue this candlelight vigil as an annual feature if these preventable homeless deaths continue to happen.

One of the coordinators of this vigil; Father Chuck Durante, Rector at Saint Thomas Aquinas Catholic Cathedral; points out: “In Washoe County alone, 77 homeless people died in 2024. While that is, thankfully, a sharp decline from last year, it remains intolerable for caring citizens of our county. This is the first decline in many years and we want to see more progress. There are too many people who fall through the cracks in the system. It is our moral responsibility to care for people in need. Each person is sacred and all faith traditions agree on the dignity of human beings.”

Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, who is also one of the coordinators of this event, says: “Every life holds value. Human beings dying in our midst because of the lack of basic necessities should not be acceptable to us as a community. Coordinated efforts are needed to protect lives; and saving lives should be the highest priority of various agendas.”

This is a vigil of remembrance. Area religious leaders feel that if we did not remember them, who else would? All are welcome to attend, as an expression for love of our neighbors, and remembering those in our community who were neglected and silently left this world while having no safe and warm housing.

The Life, Peace and Justice Commission of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Reno, the Nevada Interfaith Association and Good Neighbors Warming Center are sponsoring this event.

Candlelight vigil & multi-faith prayers to honor those who died homeless in Washoe County in 2024