Sherri & Carissa
Dear Friends,
I have very sad news. Sherri Williams, a friend I met recently on the streets in Fresno has passed away. You can read blogs related to Sherri on Nov 29 and Dec1 posts.
I was trying to get medical help for Sherri, it turned out that by the time she was in the hospital it was just too late…wish I could have done more.
Please send any donation amount you can spare to Mike Rhodes whose information is below, everything will help, but for details on what is needed please contact Mike via email and he will respond to you. This will cover services and housing for Sherri’s family.
Here’s a message from Mike below regarding Al, Sherri’s husband who was also homeless and took care of Sherri tirelessly.
He also mentions the memorial service on Sunday, where I plan to say a few words, as death on the streets is the harshest reality we are fighting against.
The services are at Roeding Park, the center of the neighborhood where I was prostituted as a 12 year old throw away. Sherri and I shared a similar past, and I know for certain that she and I are the same. I know for certain that if I hadn’t taken tests so well, or if a little worse had happened, or if Ron simply wasn’t there, I would be Sherri.
I pray that we can all let Sherri’s life and death remind us of where we would be, if we did not have those special people who loved and cared for us when we were children.
With love and with deep regret,
Carissa
To contribute to Sherri’s services & her family:
Mike Rhodes
P.O . Box 5077
Fresno Ca 93755
(559) 978-4502 (cell)
mikerhodes@comcast.net
(from Mike Rhodes)
Several people have asked me what they can do for Al, following Sherri’s death. I was with Al last night and passed along condolences and prayers from the homeless advocates in Fresno and beyond. Al did not have any specific requests, at this time, but I know he sure appreciates the hotel room he stayed in last night. When I picked him and his friend Terry up on Olive and 99 last night they were freezing. As you probably know, it is really cold in Fresno right now. So, A BIG THANK YOU, to those who helped pay for the hotel.
I want to remind everyone that there will be a memorial service for all of the homeless people who have died on the mean streets of Fresno. That event will be this Sunday. It would honor the memory of Sherri if you came. I think Al would appreciate it too. Here are the details:
Sunday, December 23
1 - 2 PM
Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day. The event in Fresno will take place at Roeding Park at the picnic area by northern end entrance on Olive Street.
The Program
A Standing Circle
Prayer
Blessings-Sage Burning
The Six Directions
Naming the Departed
Testimonies
(Open to everyone)
Procession (Tentatively)
Sweet Bread & Hot chocolate will be served. For more information see: http://www.nhchc.org/memorialday.html