Candlelight Vigil 2008

Thank you to everyone who attended this year’s Candlelight Vigil! More than 400 people attended, over $1,000 was raised, and several thousand dollars worth of toiletries and cold weather items were collected to help homeless and at-risk youth.

The vigil was held November 20, 2008 at 6 p.m. Kyra from Mojo in the Morning (Channel 955) hosted the vigil, and shared how over the years the battle against homelessness has become her personal mission. Amy Lange from Fox2 News was the keynote speaker, and challenged our residents to share their stories, and the attendees to advocate for those who haven’t found their voice.

Evangelist Vanessa Ellison, who works with our kids on a weekly basis offered a blessing on the evening, and The Hope Community Praise Band performed and led worship. Several of our residents shared their stories and thanked donors and advocates for working to end youth homelessness. A group of at-risk high school students from our Southwest Community Service Center performed an interpretive dance that they personally choreographed.

Thank you to all the wonderful volunteers and donors who made this event possible – your hard work in the past weeks, as well as the night of, made it a success!

Thanks for your time:
Phi Kappa Theta from the University of Detroit Mercy, Erika Lewis, Angelina Vest, Jerald and Rodney Golpe, Jeremy Ohara, Kenya Grayson, Monika Poole, Bill Millard, Sandra Vazquez, Scott Box, April Rue, Terietta Ingram, Mr. & Mrs. Lasky, Roderick McClary, Robyn and Jerry Villagrana, Our Lady of Grace Youth Group and Zion Chapter Church of Christ Holiness.

Thanks for the generous donations:
Refreshments and baked goods graciously donated by a number of bakeries including Avalon, Awreys, Bruegger’s Bagels, Sweet Dreams Pastries, Starbucks, West Warren Bakery and Victory Outreach who brought Krispy Crème donuts.

Alpha Kappa Alpha Teens of Detroit, De La Salle Collegiate High School, Henry Ford Community College’s Community Service Club and Cheerleading Team, Cass Technological High School’s Pep Club, Mumford High School’s Young Men in Transition, Morning View Missionary Baptist Church, St. Gregory Church Youth Group, Roseville High School Benevolent Society, Trinity Lutheran School, Zion Chapter Church of Christ Holiness, Central Michigan University’s Volunteer Center, Hunger and Homeless Committee and Journalism 556 classes, Victory Outreach Detroit, Citadel Community, U of D Dental School, Delta Dental, Warren Career Preparation Center, Lizzie’s Story created by Emma DiCello, Vigil Quilt donated by DiCello Family

Luminary Bags lit the entire CHM campus and were decorated by:
Southwest Community Service Center Youth, Baldwin Elementary Students, Burton International 4th & 6th Grade Art Classes

Check out the Detroit News coverage of the event.