40th Annual Mama Doe Memorial Honors Lives Lost to Homelessness

The Doe Fund’s Mama Doe Memorial, a candlelight vigil held each holiday season, was attended by homelessness advocates, formerly homeless individuals living in Doe Fund housing, and participants of The Doe Fund’s Ready, Willing & Able program.

New York, NY— New Yorkers gathered to remember those with histories of homelessness who have passed away this year, celebrate those who have overcome homelessness, and recognize those still on the journeys to stability at the Mama Doe Memorial. The Doe Fund has held this candlelight vigil every year since 1985.

The tradition began when a homeless woman known only as “Mama” died of pneumonia after police evicted her from Grand Central Terminal into the freezing cold on Christmas Eve. Outrage over her death led to the creation of The Doe Fund, named in honor of those who have died anonymously while homeless.

Since then, Ready, Willing & Able has connected more than 15,000 people experiencing homelessness to jobs, housing, or both. The program provides paid work training, transitional housing, and support services like addiction recovery, case management, career training, legal referrals, and assistance obtaining permanent housing.

The Mama Doe Memorial was hosted at Webster Green, one of 12 affordable and supportive housing residences developed by The Doe Fund. The organization’s portfolio spans 1,237 units across New York City, with over 800 more in development. Residents are placed in these buildings’ supportive housing units directly from homelessness, and have access to on-site social services The Doe Fund provides to help ensure they continue to thrive.

The organization’s latest initiative, RWA@Home, brings Ready, Willing & Able work training directly to residents of The Doe Fund’s housing — providing them the chance to further build stability directly where they live.

“When I finally opened the door to my own apartment, it was the first time in a long time that I felt like I could breathe — that I felt like something in my life was finally steady,” said Dalvin Robinson, a speaker at the Memorial who moved into Doe Fund supportive housing four years ago after experiencing homelessness. “Recently, my case worker told me about a new program bringing Ready, Willing & Able right into the building. I wasn’t sure I was ready, but I stuck it out. The work came naturally, the money became steady, and I started to see a future again.”

Jennifer Mitchell, President & CEO of The Doe Fund, said, “I attended my first Mama Doe Memorial 25 years ago and have attended almost every year since. What always strikes me is the sense of solidarity I feel as we honor those who have passed away, the sense of joy as we celebrate those who are working to build brighter futures, and the sense of commitment as we affirm the dignity of our neighbors — who deserve to be seen, heard, and valued no matter where they are in their journeys… We gather today to ensure these lives aren’t forgotten, and that every person who walks through our doors is honored and held with care.”

“Every holiday season is a time for both joy and reflection, and the Mama Doe Memorial candle lighting reminds us of those who lost their lives while experiencing homelessness,” said New York State Assembly Member John Zaccaro, Jr. “The Doe Fund has long been at the forefront of lifting people out of the shadows by providing job training, as well as supportive and affordable housing, guided by the belief that no one should be left out in the cold. While this holiday season gives us much to celebrate, our work—and the work of the Doe Fund—is never over.”

New York State Assembly Member Amanda Septimo said, “Each year at the Mama Doe Memorial, we are reminded that homelessness is a human crisis with real consequences for our communities. Mama Doe’s story is a call to action, and The Doe Fund’s work shows what is possible when we invest in dignity, opportunity, and permanent housing with supportive services. In the South Bronx and across New York, we must continue to honor this legacy by expanding access to real pathways forward so individuals and families can rebuild their lives.”

“We honor the lives lost not just as numbers, but as neighbors, friends, and community members,” stated Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson. “I want to thank The Doe Fund for organizing this yearly event, allowing us to commemorate those we’ve lost and to celebrate those working towards stability and hope.”

New York City Council Member Eric Dinowitz, said, “For nearly four decades, the Mama Doe Memorial has honored those we’ve lost while recommitting us to a simple but powerful truth: every New Yorker experiencing homelessness deserves not just a roof over their head, but a real pathway to stability. Having visited The Doe Fund’s developments here in the Bronx, I’ve seen firsthand the meaningful impact their work has on people’s lives. I’m deeply grateful to The Doe Fund for continuing to turn compassion into lasting solutions.”