Provo lost one of our own at 11:15 a.m. on Thursday, July 28, 2022.

Natively born and raised in Utah, Wesley began experiencing homelessness as a teenager. A gentle and kind soul, he had endured the early loss of his mother due to a degenerative genetic condition, which he himself inherited. This loss contributed to his decades-long struggle with homelessness.

Over the last 20 years, Wesley was befriended by homeless service providers in our community. Wesley was a joy to serve, even when he was experiencing his darkest times and lowest points. His lifelong struggles with severe alcoholism made him a vulnerable target on the street, and someone for whom his service providers worried over, cared for and lost sleep over. Even throughout his struggles, Wesley had a kind word for everyone, was unfailingly grateful for services rendered on his behalf, and continued to survive even through the coldest winters and the hottest summers. His will to live was indomitable even when he suffered greatly living on the streets.

In late 2021, Wesley endured a severe physical assault. He was beaten for no other reason than that he was homeless and his assailant thought it would be funny to beat a vulnerable man. This beating nearly cost him his life, but with the help of medical and service providers, he pulled through and began the hard work to better his life and strive towards housing. For the first time in his adult life, Wesley was able to achieve sobriety and engage in services that would help address the barriers that had led to homelessness.

While in recovery, he was diagnosed with the same genetic condition that took his mother’s life and which would have shortened his own had he lived longer. The visible effects of the genetic condition became apparent as the length of his sobriety increased, but he persisted cheerfully, determinedly and gratefully. The sweet and kind nature that case workers had noticed over two decades of working with him became apparent to everyone who met him. His persistence and strength in the face of disabling conditions and hardships humbled and inspired everyone who knew him.

On July 14, 2022, Wesley achieved a lifelong dream. He was stably housed for the first time since he was 14 years old. He moved into his own apartment with the support of his treatment team, case workers, peer support advocates and the service providers who considered him a friend. He was excited and proud to show off his new apartment and stated, “I am not a homeless dude anymore.”

The unthinkable happened on July 17, 2022, when Wesley was hit by an automobile and suffered fatal injuries. Although the doctors at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center heroically tried to save his life, he succumbed to his injuries on July 28, 2022. For many years, those of us who knew Wesley and cared for him had feared the call that he had died from the freezing winter temperatures, the scorching summer heat, or the inherent life-threatening risks of homelessness. Instead, he died sober, happy and housed which is a comfort, albeit a small one, to those of us who cared for him.

Wesley is survived by the thousands of men and women experiencing chronic homelessness in our nation, whose humanity we do not always see or acknowledge. He is survived by the numerous case workers, service providers, and friends who are grief-stricken by his passing but better for having known him and shared in his grace and courage in facing his demons. To us, Wesley was never a homeless dude. He was a human of infinite worth who endured his overwhelming struggles with a childlike wonder at the goodness in this world. He will be missed.

If you or someone you know needs help, reach out to the following agencies:

• United Way — Call 211 for information on general community services.
• Food and Care Coalition — (801) 373-1825 for hot meals, showers, hygiene, and other services.
• Wasatch Behavioral Health — (801) 852-3779 for mental health and substance use treatment.
• Community Action Services and Food Bank — (801) 373-8200 for food help, rent help, emergency shelter and other services.

Heather Hogue is the Mountainland Continuum of Care Project Coordinator.

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