On Wednesday, June 29, WHEEL and the Church of Mary Magdalene stood in silent vigil on Bergen Place in recognition of the three homeless men that died in Ballard this spring and the additional 22 similar deaths that have occurred in Ballard in the last ten years.

Every time a homeless person dies outside or by violence in King County, WHEEL (a grassroots organizing effort of homeless women) and the Church of Mary Magdalene stand silent witnessing vigils called Women in Black.

While the Women in Black held a vigil from noon until 1 p.m., men were handing out flyers listing the names of the 25 people who died outside in Ballard in the last decade, and a call for action.

"Without shelter, people die" was the message the Women in Black were sending out into the community on Wednesday.

The Women in Black are working with Ballard Homes for All Coalition to seek ways to support people who cannot find shelter and are forced to sleep in their vehicles.

Taking inspiration from the city of Eugene, Oregon's Safe Parking Program, the Ballard Homes for All Coalition is trying to start a Car Camp Pilot Project and is currently looking for host sites.

Both Women in Black and the Ballard Homes for All Coalition are fighting for amnesty from the city's scofflaw ordinance for homeless people.

For more information about the WHEEL and the Women in Black, email wheelorg@yahoo.org. To learn more about Ballard Homes for All Coalition, email nwcitizen@comcast.net or visit www.sustainableballard.org.