Hotel Inc. hosts memorial service to remember unhoused members of community

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Hotel Inc. held its annual community homeless memorial service to honor our neighbors who have died while experiencing homelessness in Warren County.

Rebecca Troxell, director of operations at Hotel Inc., says, “It’s so important to acknowledge those who are currently experiencing homelessness and those who have passed away from homelessness, because it affects all of us. Like it could be any of us. Something could happen today that could put us in that same exact situation. And it’s very important for people to not only have dignity in life but also in death.”

Harold Bucy, housing navigator, says, “It’s to remember people that, their story ended tragically. They weren’t able to become housed. We want to make sure that we send their names to other stories that they remembered. It’s important to do because you can remember them that way. And when we say their name, it puts a face to to a person that passed away. Not just a homeless person passed away. This person passed away. You know, you’re not a homeless person. You’re a person that’s experiencing homelessness.”

During the service, people placed bells on the tree to represent those who have been helped, to acknowledge the people who survived depite the dangerous conditions.

Troxell says, “I can’t imagine trying to stay outside in that type of weather. But people do it every day, whether it’s in a tent or if it’s, you know, on the side of the road, if it’s in their car. It’s a daily occurrence. And last year, when we did point an account, we know there was 181 people we counted. But we know that’s an undercount. It’s more like closer to 400 people.”