Readers, please take the time to read the eulogy written by Nikki Gonzalez, executive director of Code Purple Sussex County. It is heart-rending, totally true and representative of so many people not only in our county, but across the country.
Just as background, I did not know Charlie well but saw him at Community Resource Center and soup kitchen at a local church where I volunteer. The last time I saw him was when he left the soup kitchen in the pouring rain. He wouldn’t stay or let us give him some extra food. So incredibly sad that he didn’t feel safe enough to stay.
Nikki’s Eulogy:
You may have been invisible to others but not to us. It took time to build trust and a relationship. It took multiple small bits of conversation from that first day you brought in your various suitcases all neatly packed with your belongings. “Hi Charlie. How are you today?” “Are you hungry?” “Do you need any socks today?” “Glad to see you today Charlie.” We all felt so inadequate to help you. Each morning when you walked away with those suitcases in tow felt like a defeat. You were as timid as a mouse in those days. However, small talk turned into talk about needing a lawyer. Helping you find one took out one small brick in the wall that you had up to keep the world out. It was the beginning of a door that I could walk through. It took years to get your trust and a hug. Admittedly, there was a change in your demeanor in the last couple of years. People may have seen a different Charlie than the one that I had grown to know. I
believe your mental health wore your mind down after years of homelessness and you built up another wall. One made of steel bricks this time. Thankfully, I was on the other side of the wall. Still able to connect and have meaningful conversations. Calling around to search for you when they announced that you were missing. Thankful when I received your message, “Miss Nikki, this is Charlie. They said you were worried about me. I just want to let you know that I’m OK.” So thankful that you trusted my advice and listened even when you didn’t agree. Sorry that you weren’t able to remedy the wrong you felt occurred. Interestingly enough, I still have the pictures of your diabetes worn and torn feet on my phone. I know in the last few days of your life, those feet were finally devoid of all your toes. I saw how difficult it had been to climb the stairs at the shelter after they released you from surgery the other day. I wish we could’ve provided more. I wish the community could’ve gotten to know the same Charlie that I knew. Thankful that when mourning with the guys at the shelter, I was assured that you knew how much we cared. The only peace in this horrid ending is that you are finally at peace. The world might not have seen you, Charlie, but we did.
-Nikki
The Code Purple Sussex County shelter is located in the old Troop 7 barracks on Coastal Hwy. Charlie was trying to cross the street to get shelter.
Later that same week a woman living in a tent in Georgetown died.
A couple of months ago I was called by Paulette Rappa, executive director of on The Way Home. She had six men who had been released from incarceration with no identification, money or warm clothes. They also needed to be fed. CRC stepped in and provided food, and my husband and I provided the clothes. Three of those six men slept outside in the cold because there were not enough beds in the state of Delaware.
Here’s where the misinformation and callousness came into play. I saw the eulogy on Facebook. One man wrote that the reporting of the deaths of two homeless people was “yellow journalism.” I guess that means “fake news” or “hoax.” Where does this reaction come from - from the same people who do not want a shelter in their back yard even though it isn’t?
I have some experience with people experiencing homelessness; as a volunteer and a board member for one Code Purple Shelter and this year as a volunteer with Code Purple Sussex County. I also volunteer with CRC and soup kitchen at a local church.
I was appalled at the lack of foresight and planning by the existing nonprofit shelter that created no place for the homeless which should have been open the prior November or December. And while I am grateful for Troop 7 shelter and Code Purple Sussex, the state contract only allows the shelter to open sporadically based on the weather.
We need a permanent solution to the crisis of homelessness. A building that will provide shelter, meals, education, medical and a safe place to be. A building that will be open year-round with a separate substance abuse facility that could help so many of our homeless population.
Kathy Hughes
Lewes
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