COEUR d'ALENE - It can be anybody, a friend, a neighbor, loved one, even you.

John Almekinder learned that the hard way.

The Navy veteran and former truck driver never thought he would find himself without a home, in need of help, not knowing where to turn. As a younger man, he even scoffed at the homeless. It never crossed his mind to show them compassion.

"I never in my life did I imagine I'd be in the situation I am now," Almekinder said Monday evening, addressing a crowd who showed up during St. Vincent de Paul's candlelight vigil for the homeless. "But at the same time I've had a lot of people extend their hand to me."

After work dried up and Almekinder didn't know where else to turn, he found St. Vincent de Paul, the area's largest provider for those without a place to live, and the experience has turned every preconceived notion he had about the homeless on its head.

It can happen to anyone, and Almekinder is a living testimonial to that.

"It's a humbling experience," he said. "I just hope you keep your mind and prayers on those without."

The vigil at Independence Point has become an annual, blustery tradition, as those who gather reflect on the struggles of the less fortunate as part of Homeless Awareness Month.

Monday, just as in years past, the cold temperatures and drizzling rain put that plight into perspective.

Kerry Robinson has been taking her daughters, Desirae Schwalls, 9, and Makayla Wickert, 12, to the vigil for around three years to drive home the point that some things shouldn't be taken for granted.

"The people who have homes and clothes are lucky. Some people have to sleep like this," Schwalls said, waving her arm out to the rain, on the lesson.

"In the freezing," Wickert added.

Around 70 people stood out in the dark during the brief memorial, which began around a decade ago after a homeless man lost his life to freezing temperatures. St. Vincent de Paul has been raising money all month, and has more activities planned this week.

"This community is pretty giving and this is pretty reflective of who's here tonight," said Matt Hutchinson, SVDP social service director. "They want to see people become successful."

Or hear stories like that of Wanda Golding.

Golding, addressing the crowd holding plastic candles, found herself without a home or job in 2010 after she left Yakima, Wash. Through SVDP, she found a place to live, into college, and a job as a receptionist through the nonprofit.

"I was a woman who never knew help was out there," she said, calling Monday's turnout "wonderful" and "supportive."

"I grew, I learned, I appreciate everything," she said. "I really feel like I was directed here. I'm so proud to be a part of the St. Vincent de Paul family."

Next up is the nonprofit's "Souport the End of Homelessness" event Thursday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds.