Vigil honors lives lost on ABQ streets

Dec. 18—Just feet away from oncoming traffic making its way down Zuni, Rachel Malcolm and her dog Toaster — affectionately named for the slightly yellow edges of his ears that she thinks look lightly toasted in contrast to his clean white coat — marched in solidarity with over 100 people reflecting on the lives of homeless people who have died this year.

The Homeless Persons' Memorial Vigil, intentionally slated for the approaching first day of winter, took place Wednesday afternoon.

Malcolm, a San Diego native who "got stuck" in Albuquerque, has been without shelter for six years but is optimistic she'll get housing soon and is nine months sober from methamphetamine. She lost two friends, John Jones and Lorenzo, who she used to do meth with, and took part in the ceremony in their honor.

She said it was important for her to be at the ceremony to "remember how much staying clean will save your life."

Malcolm was joined by others holding painted signs with the names of those who have passed while marching in the International District from the Compassion Services Center to the Albuquerque Indian Center.

Spending his one-year anniversary as a New Mexico resident and a month to the day with HopeWorks, a nonprofit that operates a day shelter, offers permanent supportive housing and provides behavioral health services, Alton Groff marched just ahead of Malcolm.

"We want to try to get our fellow humans in these situations the health they need, the medical, the housing they need, the psychological medical assistance that they need," Groff said.

Groff, also a San Diego native who lived on the street and struggled with substance use, said that he has also lost friends he made during that time.

The event was attended by three elected city officials: Councilors Nichole Rogers and Tammy Fiebelkorn, and Mayor Tim Keller. After the march reached the Albuquerque Indian Center, candles were passed out for a vigil and lit as 127 names of people who have died on the streets were read aloud.

"I think it was very important," Keller told the Journal following the event. "We just have to remember there's a person and a life and a family behind everyone, including people on the street."

Before the names were read, attendees were told they could come up and speak.

Fighting back tears, Malcolm volunteered to.

"My best friends passed away ... they're my friends who were using but I love them very much and now that I'm sober, I actually get to do something like this and tell people that being clean saves your life, and there are people that care about you, even if you're still using," Malcolm said.

Noah Alcala Bach covers Albuquerque city government. You can reach him at [email protected] or (505) 823-3864.