Brooke Ashley Treanor was 26 in February when she left a rehabilitation center. Two days later, she was homeless again and overdosed on pure fentanyl, her mother, Ginger Treanor, told a crowd at Milam Park in downtown San Antonio on Tuesday evening.
“As a mom, I understand; the grief seems endless, ”said Treanor, 60, who began volunteering to serve the homeless population after her daughter’s death. “They are someone’s mother, father, daughter, son, brother, sister. Trauma is the one thing they all have in common. He sent them to the streets for various reasons.
“Love is an eternal bond between a mother and a child. No matter how many bridges [Brooke] burned, I never stopped loving her and she knew it, “she said.” Drugs didn’t define who she was, nor did she define her. [other] people who lost their lives on the streets last year while homeless.
Brooke’s name was one of 71 who were called out at SAMMinistries’ 15th Annual Homeless Memorial Service to honor those who have passed away this year. After each call, a candle was lit and a golden bell rang.
The ceremony was part of a national recognition day.
“Tonight, the winter solstice, was chosen for this recognition because it is the shortest day and the longest night of the year, ”said Nikisha Baker, president and CEO of SAMMinistries, an interfaith ministry that provides housing and homeless services. “The coldest and darkest times for homeless people without shelter, a time when their living conditions and exposure to the elements make them particularly susceptible to premature death. “
Throughout the ceremony, participants picked up markers to write the names of those who died on smooth rocks.
“Let the weight of the rock remind you of the heavy burden. those who experience homelessness are paying off, ”said Baker. “May the light of the candles that we have lit tonight ignite the passion to host people in the year to come. “
Organizers also took a moment to recognize Faithbound Street Ministries founder Debra Gonzales-Stepherson. Known as “Miss Debra” to the homeless people she helped, Gonzales-Stepherson died in October after a battle with cancer.
“Throughout his battle with the monster [what she called her cancer], his faith never seemed to waver, ”said Rex Brien, director of early relocation and prevention services at SAMMinistries. “Her faith enabled her to take an extremely difficult walk with grace. During this time, in the midst of it all, she would always go out into the community and serve. ”
Participants on Tuesday evening received free food and drink and listened to the Corazón Ministry’s Homeless Choir, who sang “People Get Ready” from The Impressions.
Mark Carmona, the City of San Antonio’s first housing officer who was hired in September, noted that part of the future housing obligation is for the mitigation and prevention of homelessness. A civic bonds committee recommended that $ 25 million of the $ 150 million in housing bonds be spent ons permanent supportive housing for chronically homeless – other funds will be used to repair and build homes for vulnerable populations.
“We will continue to seek new partnerships and resources to help us advance our collective work in this space,” Carmona said.
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