FULLERTON, Calif. — Thirteen homeless people died on Orange County’s streets in June. That number, or any number at all, motivates Barbara Johnson to pray that they’ll be received by amazing grace. 

“I always think for myself to keep it in my mind that the need is still there,” said Johnson. The 89-year-old was a founding executive director of Pathways of Hope, which was created by the Fullerton Interfaith Ministerial Association. Its mission is to help homeless people through programs and supportive housing. 

“I retired in 2005, but I can’t seem to let it go because it’s kind of my passion,” said Johnson.

She still speaks up for the county’s vulnerable population at city council meetings and attends a monthly memorial service for homeless people at St. Philip Benezi Church in Fullerton. 

“This is above all, a monthly remembrance that these people were among us and these people are no longer among us, but we do not want to forget them,” said Father Dennis Kriz, a pastor at St. Philip Benezi Church.

Father Kriz has been keeping a running log of homeless deaths in Orange County. He says 244 people died last year and 98 have died so far this year. 

“There were a few months there that were about on the same pace as last year, which would’ve been very depressing. However, with the last several months with about 12 to 14 people dying a month, those numbers may be an indication of an improvement,” said Father Kriz. 

He says the names he receives are of people who were identified by the Orange County Coroner Division, but it doesn’t include Jane Doe’s and John Doe’s. 

Father Kriz says the number of people dying on the streets could be less than last year because of United States District Court Judge David O. Carter declaring the homelessness crisis in Orange County a public health issue and CalOptima ramping up its health care on the streets. 

After the ceremony Barbara walks up to the Lady of Sorrow’s statue to read the list of names. She looked for anyone she might recognize. Although she says these services are sad, it motivates her to help find a way to prevent more people from dying on the streets. 

The memorial service remembering homeless deaths in Orange County is held at St. Philip Benezi Church in Fullerton every second Tuesday of the month at 12:00 p.m. The public is welcome.

For more information about Pathways of Hope, visit: pohoc.org