As we head toward the new year, let us not forget to continue working toward real solutions to Wheeling’s homeless crisis. A Homeless Persons Memorial Day service last week was a stark reminder that there is a toll to living on the streets, as 15 homeless Wheeling residents died in 2022.

“Obviously, everyone on this list was somebody who was important to me and to members of our team. They were individuals that at one time in their life were what we consider to be productive members of society. But somewhere along the way a circumstance or a set of circumstances derailed them, which led them into homelessness,” said Crystal Bauer, director of Project HOPE.

Here’s a resolution for 2023 — let’s solve the homeless crisis in our community.