Homeless who died honored in service
Eric Thomas eased his nerves with the Isley Brothers’ “Insatiable Woman” before walking to the front of the church.
This was the first time in years he’d allowed himself to be this vulnerable in front of anyone, let alone the crowd sitting in the pews of Trinity Episcopal Church, Downtown.
Sharing his poetry, he said, was something he did only intimately with others. It’s something that exposes his pain and joy, memories of his time living in a homeless shelter. Poetry is something to
bring people on a journey through his words.
This journey was one that Thomas, 53, of Franklinton, shared in reading “The Voices That Are No Longer Here,” his personal tribute to the 54 homeless or formerly homeless people who have died in central Ohio this year.
He was one of a handful who spoke Thursday evening at In Loving Memory, an annual memorial service organized by the Columbus Coalition for the Homeless.
Similar events happen across the country on or around the winter solstice — the longest night of the year, especially for those experiencing homelessness, said Lori Corey, a board member with the coalition who organizes the event. Winter solstice this year arrives at 5:23 p.m. EST Friday.
“We do it to make sure that people can pass away with some kind of dignity,” Corey said. “We want these people to be remembered not just for being homeless, but remembered for who they are.”
Corey said In Loving Memory also is a way to raise awareness about the homeless issue that has worsened in Columbus despite a growing economy.
The number of homeless in Franklin County rose 6.4 percent this year to an estimated 1,807 people, the second-highest amount in more than a decade, according to national statistics released this week.
“These were our neighbors, our fellow citizens,” said T.A. Burns, a local pastor who spoke at the event. “We have an obligation to do all we can for those our society forgets. We have to remember those who have gone before us.”
Guests lit candles in silence. Names of the 54 Commons in Harmony, a choir made up of disabled and formerly homeless members, performed at Thursday’s service to remember homeless people who died this year. individuals were read one by one. With each name, a church bell rang out.
Some names were those of beloved former “Street Speech” vendors, including Joseph Ramirez and Robin Hinch. The list, however, is always incomplete, Corey said. There were likely more who died this year alone and unknown.
Commons in Harmony, an outreach choir of the Harmony Project made up of disabled and formerly homeless members, performed at the event for the first time.
Peggy Meckling-baker, the choir’s director, said that singing for the community is a way to serve. It’s a particularly meaningful service for those who were once homeless themselves, she said.
Thomas agreed. For him, poetry is his way to pay it forward. He hopes it helps people understand what it’s like to be homeless, and that people won’t be so quick to pass them off.
“As long as my brothers and sisters are still out here homeless,” Thomas said, leaning into the microphone to make sure he was heard, “I will continue to raise my voice.”