Candlelight Vigil for West Warwick Man Who Died Homeless to be Held on Thurs.

Candlelight Vigil for West Warwick Man Who Died Homeless to be Held on Thurs.

A candlelight vigil is being held for Michael Lewis who died, homeless, earlier this month. The vigil will be held on Thursday, July 30 at 7:30 p.m. at the Arctic Gazebo located on 1256 Main Street in West Warwick, Rhode Island.

Scheduled speakers include Barbara Smith of Help the Homeless  of Kent County, Jim Ryczek the executive director of the RI Coalition of the Homeless as well as friends and family of Michael Lewis.

Michael Lewis died on the streets of West Warwick on July 2nd at the age of 51.  

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RI Homeless Rates are Down

The last report released by the Rhode Island Coalition for the Homeless showed that the state's homeless population decreased for a second year.

The overall number of homeless decreased 8.5% from 4,447 in 2013 to 4,067 in 2014. The number of homeless families decreased 15.2% from 631 in 2013 to 535 in 2014.

Lastly, the number of homeless children decreased from 11.7% from 1,117 in 2013 to 986 in 2014.

“The numbers are down but we are far from done,” said Jim Ryczek, the Executive Director of RICH to GoLocalProv in February.