Monna Lytle: “Even if we just have two houses, it’s still a neighborhood…”
Monna Lytle has spent decades of her life in the Hillcrest neighborhood of Corpus Christi. Now a community advocate with the Hillcrest Residents Association and Chispa Texas, she has witnessed firsthand the changes that have reshaped her neighborhood. From preserving local history to pushing for accountability from city leaders, Monna is determined to stand up for her neighbors and for the community she’s long called home. The Current recently said down with Monna and asked her to answer five questions. This is what she had to say:
How did you first become involved in community advocacy?
My path started through family and neighborhood ties. My mother cared deeply about people, and she’d step up to fight for others without hesitation. I wasn’t looking to be at the front of things – I’ve always liked working behind the scenes – but people began coming to me with concerns. One day, a woman approached me about issues at the Jefferine Lytle housing complex, which was named for my mother. When I saw residents weren’t getting the attention or help they needed, I got involved. From there, I joined the Hillcrest Residents Association. At first, I thought it would just be lending a hand, but it quickly became about making sure people’s voices were heard, especially when the city or others weren’t following through.
What was living in Hillcrest like when you were growing up?
It was a real neighborhood – families everywhere, houses full, people looking out for each other. My father used to walk the whole area twice a day. You could feel a sense of community. Over the years, that changed. Industrial expansion, demolitions, and displacement have left entire streets empty. When I came back to live here, I realized just how much had changed. But I still tell people, “Even if we just have two houses, it’s still a neighborhood.” The reality is we’ve gone from dozens of homes to just a handful. The land is still ours, but the environment around us has been made so much harder to live in – dust from demolitions, construction noise, pollution, the streets and sidewalks have been neglected, and a lack of services all really take their toll.
What have been some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in advocating for Hillcrest?
One big challenge is dealing with officials and organizations that avoid giving direct answers. I’ve asked over and over, “What’s the plan for the neighborhood?” and rarely get a straight response. There’s a lot of talk about it, a lot of study, a lot of process, but not enough action. Sometimes it feels like they want to keep us waiting until we give up. Another challenge is environmental. There have been times when demolition dust blew straight into my home. I’ve had health problems from it – trouble breathing, even pneumonia. When you see neighbors getting sick and homes sitting in dangerous conditions, you can’t just let it go. But getting agencies to act takes persistence, and you often have to push harder than you should just to get basic safety measures enforced.
How exactly did your work with Chispa Texas and the Hillcrest Residents Association come about?
A lot of it comes from being willing to show up. I started attending meetings just to keep track of what was going on, and before I knew it, I was being asked to serve as treasurer. My attitude is, if something needs to be done – passing out flyers, helping at events, organizing a prayer gathering for unity – I’ll do it. With Chispa Texas, it’s about connecting our local fight to larger environmental justice efforts. Whether it’s opposing projects that harm our air and water, or making sure residents know their rights, it’s all tied together. We need both neighborhood-level organizing and bigger coalitions to make an impact.
What keeps you motivated to continue this work?
I keep going because this is home. I grew up here, my family is here, and I don’t want to see what’s left of our community disappear. Every time neighbors band together – whether it’s showing up at a city meeting, confronting unsafe conditions, or just checking on each other – it reminds me why it’s worth it. It’s not easy. There’s stress, disagreements, and days when you feel like nothing’s changing. But then you see progress, or someone thanks you for helping, and you remember why you’re in it. As I’ve been told more than once, “God has you doing what you’re doing.” That faith, along with the love I have for Hillcrest, is what keeps me in the fight.