CCB MEDIA PHOTO Richard LaJava attends Homeless Memorial Service at the Federated Church in Hyannis Monday night
HYANNIS – The names of 33 individuals who passed away in 2015 were read Monday night – one of the longest nights of the year.
That theme of the evening was “going forward while looking back,” in reference to the Cape’s ongoing homeless problem which has spurred the Homeless Persons Memorial Service to be held on the past 25 winter solstices.
Dan McCullough of Homeless Outreach Team M25 opened the service at 5, telling the story of one homeless woman he’s been working with and how her situation has prohibited her from benefitting from health insurance.
He said she would only be covered for a 4-day stay in the hospital and feared she would relapse into substance abuse once released.
“If you don’t fully understand what some of the soul of this homeless business is, I wish you could see her tonight, you’d know that she wants [to be on her feet] more than anything else and that really ought to be enough.”
A crowd member then interrupted his speech. It was a member of Homeless Not Hopeless who said he had a bed for her. The crowd applauded and McCullough said a few more words.
From there, the crowd was led down Main Street by bagpipe to the Federated Church, where the Poem “Alone” by Maya Angelou was delivered by Rev. Chuck Wildman.
It was there that the names of the 33 deceased members of the Cape community were read aloud, with a brief biography attached to each one.
Donations of socks, hats and gloves were also collected for those who, service leaders hope, will know they are remembered.
By ADAM FORZIATI, CapeCod.com NewsCenter
About CapeCod.com NewsCenter
Speak Your Mind