By Mike Hazlip—
Held each year in the middle of the holiday season on the longest night of the year, Dec. 21, a well-known local advocate for people experiencing homelessness in Citrus Heights organized a march on Thursday to remember those who have died this year.
Homeless advocate Alfred Sanchez held a fifth annual march down a section of Greenback Lane to mark the date of Homeless Persons Memorial Day. He and about 15 others gathered at Adalberto’s Mexican restaurant at 6171 Greenback Ln. for a walk to Sacramento Metro Fire Station 23 and back.
“We’re going to remember those people that passed away homeless,” said Sanchez before the march began. “I don’t do statistics on purpose because I don’t want people to be thought of as statistics, but there are a lot more homeless these days out there, and we got to be there for them year-round, not just on the holidays.”
The Sentinel has reported two deaths of individuals in 2023 who were confirmed to be homeless. Mystique Stephens was struck and killed by a vehicle as she crossed Auburn Boulevard near Cobalt Way in January. Another area homeless man was struck and killed as he crossed San Juan Avenue near Sylvan Road in September. The man was later identified as 46-year-old Rocky Dwayne Phillips.
Those attending the event named several others, but The Sentinel was not able to immediately verify the information for those individuals.
Pastor Thomas Woods and his wife, Juila, of Living Water Assembly of God joined Sanchez for the walk. Woods offers a respite service every Monday at 7605 Lauppe Ln. where residents experiencing homelessness in Citrus Heights can receive a shower, meal, clothing, and toiletries.
“It’s on our hearts that there’s no holiday, you can’t take a holiday from homelessness,” Thomas Woods said, adding that he and his wife have experienced homelessness themselves and understand the loneliness many feel. “We just want to be there as a source of love to tell them that we see them, we care about them, we love them, and do what we can for them.”
As part of the event, Sanchez bought each participant a burrito from Adalberto’s restaurant. The restaurant kept a running tab for him throughout the event. Sanchez is also known for his work as “Snack Man,” delivering bags of snacks and building relationships with area residents who live on the streets of Citrus Heights.
Related: Meet the Citrus Heights ‘Snack Man’ who’s doing his part to help homeless
