CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Corpus Christi joined several cities across the country in recognizing homeless people who died in 2023.
Friday, December 22 was the 23rd annual National Homeless Persons' Memorial Sunrise Service at Sherrill Veterans Memorial Park.
During the event, roses for each individual were laid out and the names of people who lost their lives in the streets of Corpus Christi were read out loud.
Kyle Knutson, works has been working with the Salvation Army for 10 years. For nine years he has also been a member of the Homeless Issues Partnership.
He's been the group's president for about four years. He attended every memorial service for the homeless community since he started at the Salvation Army.
Knutson said some homeless people don't get a funeral. The event is the community's way of giving homeless individuals a proper send-off. According to Knutson, they've honored dozens of individuals each year at the event. This year 32 people were remembered.
"Unfortunately the longer you do this the more names you recognize. And that's probably the hardest part is I know a majority of individuals and it's unfortunate that we couldn't get them in a home before they passed away," he said. "Coming out and showing respect is the right thing to do. Even though I know it's a busy time. Everyone's getting ready for Christmas. But just think of those individuals who don't have anywhere to go this Christmas."
Knutson hopes the event shows the reality of homeless issues local communities face.
627 homeless individuals were identified in Corpus Christi during the most recent homeless count, also known as the Point in Time Count. Knutson said the number does not completely represent the entire local homeless population. It's an ongoing issue he hopes to see resolved.
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