The Mark De Souza Memorial Street Festival is an event to remember an advocate for the unhoused and to connect people with resources.
Mark De Souza was a manager at Advocating for Women and Community (AWAC) and was known for spending many nights handing out food, hot chocolate, blankets, and encouraging words to the unhoused of his community.
The festival intends to bring together unhoused individuals with outreach and support organizations as well as members of the faith community.
It's being organized by a planning committee that is a partnership between AWAC, Olive's Branch, Timbers Community Church and a representative of the recovery community.
The planning committee says the purpose of the festival is to highlight and celebrate the pathway to life change while creating hope for transformed living.
The day will start with a church service, followed by music, and people sharing their stories of recovery.
Alongside the stage area, there will be a free BBQ, sports/lawn games with prizes, tables with information from involved service providers, and other guests’ entertainment like wood carver Hugh McNair.
This years festival will take place on Sept. 17, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Connaught Hill City Park.
There will be a shuttle to help people up and down the hill.
