Matthew Wallenquest's passing, like many others experiencing homelessness, occurred without public notice. He was discovered deceased behind a dumpster in Port St. John a few weeks prior.
On Thursday, December 18, a memorial service at Coastline Community Church on Eau Gallie Boulevard honored Matthew and 79 other homeless individuals who died in Brevard County this year. This event coincided with National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day, observed nationwide through church services, prayer vigils, and candlelight memorials.
The names of all 80 were recited during the ceremony, marking an increase of 14 from the previous year. Jeffrey Njus, executive director of Providence Connects, expressed particular distress over Matthew's death.
"Every one of their deaths was tragic but that one shocked me," Njus said. "There was something about his death that shook me up. Maybe it's the fact that we were the same age (early 50s). Or how we hadn't seen him for a while and we heard they found him dead behind a dumpster in Port St. John."
Njus noted that while Matthew faced mental health challenges, no life-threatening physical health issues were known. "I admit that Matthew was hard to be around sometimes. I'm sure he felt unwanted and that's why Jesus was so close to him. Right there with him," Njus said, pausing during the memorial as emotions overcame him. "So close that if you did something to Matthew or gave something to him you were doing it to Jesus or giving it to Jesus. Even just a cup of coffee."
Amber Carroll, executive director of the Brevard Homeless Coalition, emphasized the significance of these memorials for those "struggling to survive without a safe place to call home."
"The homeless memorial services are oftentimes the only recognition a person will have of their life. No one in Brevard should die because they have nowhere safe to sleep," she said.
"While we are making progress in reducing the people who are living unsheltered, it will take all of us working together to solve homelessness, and these services are a reminder that they are not just numbers but real people whose lives mattered."
The memorial invites reflection during the Christmas season, a time associated with hope and compassion. Mother Teresa's words resonate: "Being unwanted, unloved, uncared for, forgotten by everybody, I think that is a much greater hunger, a much greater poverty than the person who has nothing to eat."
Community involvement remains crucial. An annual point-in-time count in January helps assess the homeless population's size and distribution, guiding organizations like the Brevard Homeless Coalition and Providence Connects. Residents can support by sharing information about the count or donating items such as bus passes, gift cards, or warm clothing through the coalition's Amazon Wishlist or direct contributions.
