Tears shed at memorial service for homeless

Before a packed room, Maria L. Nardulli sobbed as she described how she became homeless, and the difficulties she has had to endure.

Other homeless people in the audience listened, knowing her pain.

"I pray and I pray and I pray every day," said the Des Plaines resident while she wept."This is how we can get ahead. We have to work together.

"We have to work as a team. We have to go out there and fight. This is our life."

A group of 50 people attended the annual Homeless Client Memorial Service held Monday morning at Journeys/The Road Home in Palatine. Five candles burned for the five clients who died in 2014.

"This is a somber event," Clinical Director Todd Stull said.

"This is our annual memorial service. We hold it the day after the longest night of the year. The symbolism there is that it is the longest night for people who are homeless and we want to honor what they are going through."

As the ceremony ended, the audience joined Palatine Police Deputy Chief Brad Grossman as he sang "Amazing Grace."