The event offers dignity and compassion to neighbors who lost their lives without a place to call home. Street outreach workers read the names of each person.
SAN ANTONIO — The 18th annual homeless persons’ memorial service was held Saturday night downtown in Milam Park to remember 364 homeless individuals who died this year.
Event organizers say it’s the highest number of homeless people who have died in a year since they have been holding the event.
“Part of the reason that we believe that the numbers are so high, is because we are seeing a tremendous amount of investment in homeless services here in San Antonio and Bear County, so we have a better opportunity to get to know our neighbors who are experiencing homelessness,” said Nikisha Baker, President & CEO, SAMMinistries.
The event offers dignity and compassion to neighbors who lost their lives without a place to call home. Street outreach workers read the names of each person. A candle was lit and a bell rung to acknowledge and signal passage into a new realm of peace.
“Now is the time to act. We must act with urgency. We must act with compassion. We must call upon the principles of hope to serve this population and to see our unhoused neighbors as people, as our neighbors. They were once mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, and we should treat them as such,” said Baker.
Several nonprofits who assist the homeless population attended Saturday’s service, including SAMMinistries, Christian Assistance Ministries, Church Under the Bridge, Close to Home, Corazon Ministries, Endeavors, Goodwill, Have for Hope and the Salvation Army. Mayor Ron Nirenberg was also in attendance.
The remembrance event happens every Winter Solstice, the longest night of the year to demonstrate respect for individuals, who organizers say are often overlooked in life.
“It’s to serve as a reminder of the conditions that are unhoused neighbors experienced throughout the year,” said Baker.
Just two weeks ago, a man and a woman were found dead along with two dogs in a tent at a homeless camp on the east side, neighbors say they were newly homeless and just trying to keep warm.
Advocates say there is more work that we can do as a community to increase resources both in terms of homeless service providers, investments from the city and the philanthropic community as well as businesses and individuals.
“Health care and mental health care are critical issues facing this population. And so the closer we get to addressing those needs, we will better serve our homeless population. And so there is we’ve made great strides in the last five years, in the last ten years, but there is still so much work to do,” said Baker.