Kensington, Philadelphia, is at the epicenter of America’s addiction and homelessness crises, and Melanie Beddis’s story reveals the harsh realities behind the headlines. A former Program Manager for Savage Sisters Recovery, Melanie opens up about how addiction took over her life, leading to 17 attempts at rehab, homelessness, and struggles with xylazine (tranq). Her journey is a powerful testament to the gaps in traditional recovery and the critical role harm reduction plays in saving lives. This episode dives deep into the human toll of addiction and makes a compelling case for why we need both treatment and harm reduction to address the addiction crisis in this country. With raw honesty and hope, Melanie’s story challenges stigma and highlights real solutions to help those still suffering. Watch our documentary on Savage Sisters Recovery https://youtu.be/3WhK8sTT43s?si=IYuAO7RCCLxn87H1 and to learn more and support their important work, click here: https://savagesisters.org More stories: America Can End Homelessness: Hennepin County Shows How https://youtu.be/yq1C8l4uSZc?si=VSmf-i3bUw_4tCey Can Supervised Drug Use Save Lives? Inside OnPoint NYC’s Radical Approach https://youtu.be/Qhvw1Imatr4?si=7RBXp7K6aOFr-ybm Finland Solved Homelessness: Here's How (Spoiler: It's More Than Housing First) https://youtu.be/0jt_6PBnCJE?si=bHHv4wyJzdCPOUIU Executive producer: Mark Horvath Producer/editor/cinematographer: Alex Gasaway https://www.youtube.com/alexgasaway Associate producer: Erin McGinnis Created by: Alex Gasaway and Erin McGinnis YouTube Podcast https://bit.ly/4bHgCEu Apple Podcast https://apple.co/4cckQ86 Spotify https://spoti.fi/3XyM98c ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate Sign up for our newsletter: https://invisiblepeople.tv/email Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv https://www.tiktok.com/@invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Our groundbreaking educational content reaches millions of people every month. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Kensington, Philadelphia, has become infamous as an open-air drug market, often exploited by content creators who profit from showing people at their lowest. But behind the stigma and sensationalism lies a deeper truth—this is a public health crisis, and the people here are human beings who deserve dignity, compassion, and real solutions. This documentary takes you beyond the exploitative lens to show the vital, lifesaving work of Savage Sisters Recovery, an extraordinary women-led organization dedicated to harm reduction and recovery. From providing clean syringes, wound care, and survival kits to offering trauma therapy, yoga, and community housing, Savage Sisters is giving people a chance to reclaim their lives. While their work is making a profound difference, harm reduction efforts are under attack. Politicians pushing punitive measures like eviction notices and arrests are forcing organizations like Savage Sisters out of their spaces, leaving people without critical resources. These policies don’t solve addiction or homelessness—they only shuffle people from one street corner to another, making the crisis worse. Harm reduction saves lives. It reduces overdoses, lowers healthcare costs, and helps people take the first steps toward recovery. For every person connected to treatment through harm reduction services, countless taxpayer dollars are saved. Yet these proven, evidence-based strategies are being vilified, putting countless lives at risk. This is the real story of Kensington—a story of humanity, resilience, and hope. It’s time to break the stigma, support harm reduction, and demand real solutions that heal rather than punish. Wherever you live, please support harm reduction organizations—they’re saving lives and communities. Please help support Savage Sisters https://savagesisters.org Executive producer: Mark Horvath Producer/editor/cinematographer: Alex Gasaway / https://www.youtube.com/alexgasaway More stories: America Can End Homelessness: Hennepin County Shows How https://youtu.be/yq1C8l4uSZc?si=m3cCfBE8soqUy-CL From a Tent to a Home: No Longer Homeless https://youtu.be/0hkkGH_QADA?si=bEU1o5T77sZgBbpN ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate Sign up for our newsletter: https://invisiblepeople.tv/email Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv https://www.tiktok.com/@invisiblepeopletv Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

The homelessness crisis in America is growing at an alarming rate, but instead of investing in solutions that work, leaders across the country are doubling down on harmful policies like criminalization. In this urgent episode, we sit down with Eric Tars, Senior Policy Director of the National Homelessness Law Center, to uncover the truth about why America is failing on homelessness and housing—and what we can do about it. Politicians are pushing for criminalization as a scapegoat to distract from their own failures to address the root causes of homelessness, like the lack of affordable housing and inadequate support services. These harmful policies misdirect public frustration onto the most vulnerable, rather than fixing the broken systems that created this crisis. Criminalization doesn’t solve homelessness—it makes it worse, while draining resources that could go toward housing solutions. We also discuss the devastating impact of the Supreme Court’s Grants Pass decision, how this legal setback is fueling anti-homeless policies nationwide, and why bipartisan attacks on evidence-based solutions like Housing First are setting us back decades. Eric shares the proven solutions—like housing as a human right and housing-focused shelters—that can truly address this crisis if we muster the political and public will to act. This is a conversation we cannot afford to ignore. Watch, listen, and share widely to help spark the movement we desperately need. Together, we can shift the narrative, push for evidence-based solutions, and ensure everyone has a safe place to call home. Videos Mentioned in This Episode: Illegal to Sleep: Grants Pass’ Cruel War on Homelessness https://youtu.be/qYzx4ZGQnc8?si=aIV_H_AxZSqVxDS9 America Can End Homelessness: Hennepin County Shows How https://youtu.be/yq1C8l4uSZc?si=VSmf-i3bUw_4tCey Finland Solved Homelessness: Here's How (Spoiler: It's More Than Housing First) https://youtu.be/0jt_6PBnCJE?si=bHHv4wyJzdCPOUIU Executive producer: Mark Horvath Producer/editor/cinematographer: Alex Gasaway https://www.youtube.com/alexgasaway Associate producer: Erin McGinnis Created by: Alex Gasaway and Erin McGinnis YouTube Podcast https://bit.ly/4bHgCEu Apple Podcast https://apple.co/4cckQ86 Spotify https://spoti.fi/3XyM98c ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate Sign up for our newsletter: https://invisiblepeople.tv/email Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv https://www.tiktok.com/@invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Our groundbreaking educational content reaches millions of people every month. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

🎉 16 Years of Changing the Story of Homelessness 🎉 Since November 26, 2008, Invisible People has been empowering those experiencing homelessness to share their stories, transforming billions of perspectives worldwide. Together, we've worked tirelessly to influence policy and push for real, lasting solutions. But now, we face a crisis. Donations are down 46%, and the need for our work has never been more urgent. Homelessness is rising, support for evidence-based housing solutions is waning, and harmful policies like forced encampments are becoming a reality. With a new administration on the horizon, the push for criminalization is only growing stronger. We’re 100% committed to fighting back, but we need your help. In 2025, we aim to launch advocacy campaigns alongside our videos—tangible calls to action that will mobilize the public and drive systemic change. For 16 years, we’ve lacked the funding to do this critical work, but the time is now. Please consider giving a gift of $16 to mark 16 years of impact—or, even better, commit to $16 a month to help us build these campaigns and keep fighting for real solutions. 🔗 Donate today: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate 📤 Can't donate? Sharing this video helps us reach more people. Together, we can keep changing the story of homelessness and stop harmful policies before they take hold. 💙 ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate Sign up for our newsletter: https://invisiblepeople.tv/email Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv https://www.tiktok.com/@invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Our groundbreaking educational content reaches millions of people every month. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

This is the third and final episode of Invisible People’s series on how journalists can cover homelessness better. Lisa Halverstadt, senior investigative reporter from Voice of San Diego, shares her insider tips for telling real, impactful stories about homelessness. From connecting with people living on the streets to navigating tough reporting challenges, Lisa breaks it all down. If you're a journalist (or just curious), don’t miss the rest of this series—we’ve packed it with practical advice to help you report with care and get the story right. Here are the other two episodes of the series: Authentic Reporting: Journalism, Homelessness, and Trauma https://youtu.be/4fj--NbNXjg?si=_72_Znk-BfsuKyKW A Formerly Homeless Person’s Guide for Journalists Covering Homelessness https://youtu.be/mSwDQdYXd0s?si=2qWqp1g-lhQdDUtR Executive producer: Mark Horvath Producer/editor/cinematographer: Alex Gasaway https://www.youtube.com/alexgasaway Associate producer: Erin McGinnis Created by: Alex Gasaway and Erin McGinnis YouTube Podcast https://bit.ly/4bHgCEu Apple Podcast https://apple.co/4cckQ86 Spotify https://spoti.fi/3XyM98c Amazon Music https://amzn.to/3zbPu39 iHeartRadio https://bit.ly/4cciTZy More: America Can End Homelessness: Hennepin County Proves It's Possible https://youtu.be/yq1C8l4uSZc?si=CMxwC1r38Ymxq1EB ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate Sign up for our newsletter: https://invisiblepeople.tv/email Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv https://www.tiktok.com/@invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Our groundbreaking educational content reaches millions of people every month. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

In this video, we meet Lydia, a 78-year-old woman who has been homeless for over 40 years, surviving on the streets of New York City. We found Lydia on the side of the road, crafting a makeshift bed from construction materials, her only option after decades without stable housing. Lydia's story sheds light on the harsh realities faced by older individuals who have been without a home for far too long. She shares her experiences, her struggle with losing social security benefits, and her frustration with a system that has failed her time and again. As Lydia says, “No matter where I live, I’m a square peg in a round hole… I don’t fit.” She reflects on her pragmatic approach to life, adding, “You eat what you’ve got in front of you. You dress what you’ve got in the closet. You spend what you have in your pocket. Wish makes no point.” As the affordable housing crisis deepens, stories like Lydia's become more common, yet they are often overlooked. No one should have to endure these conditions—especially in a country with the resources to ensure safe housing for all. Watch and listen to Lydia’s journey, and join us in raising awareness to advocate for real solutions to end homelessness. Everyone deserves a place to call home. More stories: Proof America Can End Homelessness: Hennepin County Shows How https://youtu.be/yq1C8l4uSZc?si=otrQnBvhoKlBT2Ih From a Tent to a Home: No Longer Homeless https://youtu.be/0hkkGH_QADA?si=7xEtXEknMdwE3oFq ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate Sign up for our newsletter: https://invisiblepeople.tv/email Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv https://www.tiktok.com/@invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Our groundbreaking educational content reaches millions of people every month. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

This isn’t just another podcast; it’s a call to reimagine how we value human life. In this powerful episode, Dr. Andrew Boozary, primary care physician and Executive Director of the Gattuso Centre for Social Medicine, shares a raw and profound perspective on life, death, empathy, and the urgent need for social housing. Hear how he transformed a hospital parking lot into homes for people who have nowhere else to go and why he believes housing must be part of healthcare. From the economic realities to the human cost of homelessness, this conversation will challenge your views on health, dignity, and what it takes to truly support our most vulnerable. Executive producer: Mark Horvath Producer/editor/cinematographer: Alex Gasaway https://www.youtube.com/alexgasaway Associate producer: Erin McGinnis Created by: Alex Gasaway and Erin McGinnis YouTube Podcast https://bit.ly/4bHgCEu Apple Podcast https://apple.co/4cckQ86 Spotify https://spoti.fi/3XyM98c Amazon Music https://amzn.to/3zbPu39 iHeartRadio https://bit.ly/4cciTZy More: America Can End Homelessness: Hennepin County Proves It's Possible https://youtu.be/yq1C8l4uSZc?si=CMxwC1r38Ymxq1EB From a Tent to a Home: No Longer Homeless https://youtu.be/0hkkGH_QADA?si=ThZBEsiDX_3i3Fmj Finland Solved Homelessness: Here's How (Spoiler: It's More Than Housing First) https://youtu.be/0jt_6PBnCJE?si=cQzTMxlwA-7KVR75 ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate Sign up for our newsletter: https://invisiblepeople.tv/email Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv https://www.tiktok.com/@invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Our groundbreaking educational content reaches millions of people every month. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

In this episode, we sit down with Juha Kahila, Head of International Affairs at the Y-Foundation, to explore Finland's effective approach to ending homelessness. Through their Housing First model, Finland has transformed shelters into permanent homes, reduced homelessness for twelve consecutive years, and created supportive systems that prioritize both housing and people. We discuss Finland's commitment to providing affordable housing, their innovative support services, and how a culture of accountability and action fuels real, lasting change. Join us as we learn from Finland’s success and ask the crucial question: Can the United States replicate this model? Finland Solved Homelessness: Here's How (Spoiler: It's More Than Housing First) https://youtu.be/0jt_6PBnCJE?si=cQzTMxlwA-7KVR75 More: America Can End Homelessness: Hennepin County Proves It's Possible https://youtu.be/yq1C8l4uSZc?si=CMxwC1r38Ymxq1EB From a Tent to a Home: No Longer Homeless https://youtu.be/0hkkGH_QADA?si=ThZBEsiDX_3i3Fmj ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate Sign up for our newsletter: https://invisiblepeople.tv/email Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv https://www.tiktok.com/@invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Our groundbreaking educational content reaches millions of people every month. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

In this powerful interview, Tracy shares her heartbreaking journey of becoming homeless in Ottawa after escaping an abusive relationship. "I became homeless after he went to jail for assaulting me," she recalls, explaining how she ended up sleeping on park benches before finally getting a tent. Even then, her struggles didn’t end. "The police came and took my tent down and told me I had to leave. They destroyed my tent." Tracy opens up about the daily challenges of surviving on the streets, relying on the kindness of strangers to panhandle enough money to get by. "Some people treat you like a piece of scum. They don’t treat you like a human being," she says. With winter fast approaching, Tracy faces even greater hardship as shelters are full and the cold becomes unbearable. "It's freezing outside... There’s only two shelters for women in Ottawa, and they’re both full," she explains. Despite everything, Tracy’s hope for a better future shines through. "If I had three wishes, one would be to have a happy life. Two, to have an apartment of my own. And three, to give back to the homeless once I have stability again." This is a story you won’t want to miss. Watch as Tracy reveals the harsh reality of homelessness and the resilience it takes to survive. More stories: Proof America Can End Homelessness: Hennepin County Shows How https://youtu.be/yq1C8l4uSZc?si=otrQnBvhoKlBT2Ih From a Tent to a Home: No Longer Homeless https://youtu.be/0hkkGH_QADA?si=7xEtXEknMdwE3oFq ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate Sign up for our newsletter: https://invisiblepeople.tv/email Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv https://www.tiktok.com/@invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Our groundbreaking educational content reaches millions of people every month. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Julian is larger than life, despite the harsh reality of living in a tent in rural Canada. "We make our little tents our own home," Julian says with a smile, but the growing crisis of rural homelessness is no joke. In places like Pembroke, there isn't a single homeless shelter. Julian and many others are left to fend for themselves as affordable housing becomes impossible to find. "There's nothing," she explains. "People can't afford $2,100 a month for rent." Julian also faces additional challenges living with Asperger's syndrome, autism, and bipolar disorder, which makes finding stable housing even harder. "A lot of places really screen people with disabilities," she shares, highlighting how discrimination and limited support for people with mental health challenges make it even more difficult to escape homelessness. Rural homelessness in Canada and the United States often goes unnoticed, but it's growing rapidly due to the lack of affordable housing. While cities may have some services, rural areas offer almost no support, leaving people like Julian and her community on their own. As Julian puts it, "They're not solving the problem of homelessness, they're just shipping people to other places." In this video, we highlight the growing crisis and the real struggles faced by those in rural areas who are often overlooked. Watch to hear more of Julian's story, her fight to stay positive, and her hopes for a better future. More stories: Proof America Can End Homelessness: Hennepin County Shows How https://youtu.be/yq1C8l4uSZc?si=otrQnBvhoKlBT2Ih From a Tent to a Home: No Longer Homeless https://youtu.be/0hkkGH_QADA?si=7xEtXEknMdwE3oFq ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate Sign up for our newsletter: https://invisiblepeople.tv/email Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv https://www.tiktok.com/@invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Our groundbreaking educational content reaches millions of people every month. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Lived Experience programs are all the rage in the homelessness sector, but are they really making a difference, or just ticking boxes? In this episode, we sit down with Iain De Jong to have the most honest, unfiltered conversation about the good, the bad, and the ugly of lived experience. We dive deep into the truth behind the tokenism that often plagues these programs, the real challenges of involving people with lived and living experience, and what it takes to truly move beyond superficial efforts. This isn’t just another feel-good chat—this is about fixing what’s broken. We explore best practices for creating programs that actually empower people instead of exploiting their stories. If you’re ready for a conversation that goes beyond tokenism and into real, actionable solutions, stick with us till the end. This is the raw, authentic dialogue that the homelessness sector needs. Iain's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@orgcodeconsulting Executive producer: Mark Horvath Producer/editor/cinematographer: Alex Gasaway https://www.youtube.com/alexgasaway Associate producer: Erin McGinnis Created by: Alex Gasaway and Erin McGinnis YouTube Podcast https://bit.ly/4bHgCEu Apple Podcast https://apple.co/4cckQ86 Spotify https://spoti.fi/3XyM98c Amazon Music https://amzn.to/3zbPu39 iHeartRadio https://bit.ly/4cciTZy More: Radical Acceptance: How Misfits Can Solve the Homeless Crisis https://youtu.be/iY8aL1tV5xw?si=qWQi3z6xrO0QCUeB America Can End Homelessness: Hennepin County Proves It's Possible https://youtu.be/yq1C8l4uSZc?si=CMxwC1r38Ymxq1EB ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate Sign up for our newsletter: https://invisiblepeople.tv/email Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv https://www.tiktok.com/@invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Our groundbreaking educational content reaches millions of people every month. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

In the second episode of this three-part series, we explore how journalists can improve their reporting on homelessness with special guest Kate Cagle, anchor and reporter for Spectrum News 1 SoCal. Kate is a standout in the field, known for covering news authentically and bringing an honest lens to her reporting on homelessness in Los Angeles. She shares her insights on trauma-informed reporting, building trust with vulnerable communities, and the critical role journalists play in accurately telling the stories of those experiencing homelessness. As homelessness rises and legacy media continues to face challenges, the importance of ethical and empathetic reporting is more crucial than ever. This episode offers valuable lessons for journalists and anyone interested in learning how authentic reporting can drive change and shape public perception. Links to the reporting Kate talks about in this podcast: Venice Artist Struggles to Get Back on Feet, Find Housing https://spectrumnews1.com/ca/southern-california/top-stories/2019/03/01/venice-artist-struggles-to-get-back-on-his-feet--find-housing Diversion program offers solution to mental health crisis in LA County jails https://spectrumnews1.com/ca/southern-california/news/2023/07/24/diversion-program-solution-mental-health-crisis-los-angeles-county-jails Project Roomkey clients find themselves back on street as pandemic program ends https://spectrumnews1.com/ca/southern-california/homelessness/2022/07/17/project-roomkey-clients-pandemic-program Episode one of our journalism and homelessness series: A Formerly Homeless Person’s Guide for Journalists Covering Homelessness https://youtu.be/mSwDQdYXd0s?si=XKixAM7yUW6bI4Er Executive producer: Mark Horvath Producer/editor/cinematographer: Alex Gasaway https://www.youtube.com/alexgasaway Associate producer: Erin McGinnis Created by: Alex Gasaway and Erin McGinnis YouTube Podcast https://bit.ly/4bHgCEu Apple Podcast https://apple.co/4cckQ86 Spotify https://spoti.fi/3XyM98c Amazon Music https://amzn.to/3zbPu39 iHeartRadio https://bit.ly/4cciTZy More: America Can End Homelessness: Hennepin County Proves It's Possible https://youtu.be/yq1C8l4uSZc?si=CMxwC1r38Ymxq1EB ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate Sign up for our newsletter: https://invisiblepeople.tv/email Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv https://www.tiktok.com/@invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Our groundbreaking educational content reaches millions of people every month. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Join us for an unfiltered conversation with Paul Boden, the Executive Director of the Western Regional Advocacy Project (WRAP), as he breaks down 41 years of worsening homelessness in America. In this powerful episode, Paul pulls no punches as he dissects the systemic failures and misguided policies that have only made the crisis worse. From criminalization to misguided shelter solutions, Paul gives a raw, real look at why the current system is broken—and what must be done to truly solve homelessness. This is not just another podcast; it's a call to action, highlighting voices that mainstream conversations often ignore. Executive producer: Mark Horvath Producer/editor/cinematographer: Alex Gasaway https://www.youtube.com/alexgasaway Associate producer: Erin McGinnis Created by: Alex Gasaway and Erin McGinnis YouTube Podcast https://bit.ly/4bHgCEu Apple Podcast https://apple.co/4cckQ86 Spotify https://spoti.fi/3XyM98c Amazon Music https://amzn.to/3zbPu39 iHeartRadio https://bit.ly/4cciTZy More: Illegal to Sleep: Grants Pass’ Cruel War on Homelessness https://youtu.be/qYzx4ZGQnc8?si=Z-VdAlLHMgEk9Bki America Can End Homelessness: Hennepin County Proves It's Possible https://youtu.be/yq1C8l4uSZc?si=CMxwC1r38Ymxq1EB ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate Sign up for our newsletter: https://invisiblepeople.tv/email Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv https://www.tiktok.com/@invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Our groundbreaking educational content reaches millions of people every month. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

In this special episode, we bring you a compelling interview with Commissioner Irene Fernando, a trailblazing leader from Hennepin County, Minnesota. While filming our documentary on how Hennepin County is reducing homelessness, we had an eye-opening conversation with Irene about the county's innovative and compassionate approach to solving homelessness. From eviction prevention to affordable housing and supportive services, Irene discusses the importance of building a community-wide system that addresses homelessness at every level. This episode dives deep into why criminalizing homelessness doesn’t work and why long-term investments in housing and support systems are not only more humane but also more economically viable. Commissioner Fernando shares the county’s success in reducing homelessness and offers insight into how other communities can follow their lead. Whether you're a policymaker, advocate, or just someone interested in real-world solutions to homelessness, this episode is a must-listen. America Can End Homelessness: Hennepin County Proves It's Possible https://youtu.be/yq1C8l4uSZc?si=CMxwC1r38Ymxq1EB Executive producer: Mark Horvath Producer/editor/cinematographer: Alex Gasaway https://www.youtube.com/alexgasaway Associate producer: Erin McGinnis Created by: Alex Gasaway and Erin McGinnis YouTube Podcast https://bit.ly/4bHgCEu Apple Podcast https://apple.co/4cckQ86 Spotify https://spoti.fi/3XyM98c Amazon Music https://amzn.to/3zbPu39 iHeartRadio https://bit.ly/4cciTZy More: Illegal to Sleep: Grants Pass’ Cruel War on Homelessness https://youtu.be/qYzx4ZGQnc8?si=Z-VdAlLHMgEk9Bki Finland Solved Homelessness: Here's How (Spoiler: It's More Than Housing First) https://youtu.be/0jt_6PBnCJE?si=w28th8FpNW9Rrsrk ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate Sign up for our newsletter: https://invisiblepeople.tv/email Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv https://www.tiktok.com/@invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Our groundbreaking educational content reaches millions of people every month. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

America can end homelessness, and Hennepin County is proving it’s possible. While cities across the nation face rising homelessness, Hennepin County, Minnesota, offers a powerful example by building a community-wide system that prioritizes people, not punishment. From preventing evictions to providing supportive housing, Hennepin leads the way, showing that coordinated, compassionate efforts can solve homelessness. This video dives deep into Hennepin County’s approach to tackling homelessness at every level. You’ll hear stories like Daryl’s, who avoided homelessness through eviction prevention, and others who’ve found stability after years on the streets. Hennepin’s strategy integrates housing with a full system of services, proving that with the right resources, homelessness can be prevented and ended. As a follow-up to our popular video Finland Solved Homelessness: Here’s How (Spoiler: It’s More Than Housing First) https://youtu.be/0jt_6PBnCJE , this video shifts focus to U.S. communities like Hennepin that are preventing and solving homelessness. Hennepin County shows that by addressing eviction prevention, affordable housing, mental health services, and job support together, we can reduce homelessness on a large scale. The video also addresses the often-overlooked issue of Indigenous homelessness. In Minnesota, where Native communities are disproportionately affected, American Indian Community Development Corporation (AICDC) offers culturally sensitive services tailored to their unique needs. Hennepin’s model is not about just one solution—it’s about everything working together. Their system includes legal representation, outreach in homeless encampments, housing case management, and shelters that offer dignity and pathways to permanent housing. Hennepin County isn't just warehousing people—they’re investing in long-term, sustainable solutions like transitional housing, rapid rehousing, and permanent supportive housing. In a country where criminalizing homelessness is becoming the norm, Hennepin offers a more humane and effective alternative. They’ve seen a 57% increase in people exiting homelessness into permanent housing over two years, proving that this comprehensive, people-first approach works. The cost? Far less than the burden of criminalization. Hennepin County shows that investing in housing and support saves both money and lives. By the end of this video, you’ll see how their model of prevention and support is not only working but thriving. The solution doesn’t lie in more shelters or punitive laws—it’s about building systems that prevent homelessness and help people rebuild their lives. Hennepin County offers a blueprint for other communities to follow. Will yours be next? A heartfelt thank you to Hennepin County, the nonprofits, and everyone who graciously shared their stories, allowing us to help amplify their voices in the effort to prevent and solve homelessness. Executive producer: Mark Horvath Producer/editor/cinematographer: Alex Gasaway / https://www.youtube.com/alexgasaway More stories: Finland Solved Homelessness: Here's How (Spoiler: It's More Than Housing First) Finland Solved Homelessness: Here's How (Spoiler: It's More Than Housing First) From a Tent to a Home: No Longer Homeless https://youtu.be/0hkkGH_QADA?si=bEU1o5T77sZgBbpN ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate Sign up for our newsletter: https://invisiblepeople.tv/email Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv https://www.tiktok.com/@invisiblepeopletv Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Robert is a 67-year-old man who spent 22 years in prison and now faces a new kind of punishment: homelessness. After being released from prison with no support or resources, Robert has been living on the streets of Atlanta for over five years. "I did the time society asked me to do, but now I’m homeless at 67,” Robert explains, highlighting the harsh reality that many formerly incarcerated individuals face. Despite his efforts to rebuild his life, finding work has been nearly impossible. Ageism and his criminal record keep employers from giving him a chance. "Nobody’s going to hire me at 67," he says. Even when he got hired at a Waffle House, a background check revealed his past, and the job was taken away before he even started. Robert does what he can to survive, including cutting grass and flying a sign—panhandling—a task he describes as "degrading, but I have to survive." Robert’s story isn’t unique. Thousands of people like him are released from prison only to end up homeless. With no safety net or housing options, many return to crime, feeding a vicious cycle of recidivism that’s costly for everyone. As Robert says, "So many people get out of prison and have nowhere to go." By failing to support people after incarceration, the system sets them up for failure, perpetuating homelessness and crime. This story sheds light on a broken criminal justice system that doesn’t end when time is served. Reforming this system to ensure that individuals like Robert don’t end up on the streets is not just a moral imperative, but a practical one. Studies show that providing housing and support services is far more cost-effective than allowing people to fall into homelessness and possibly return to prison. Solving homelessness benefits everyone—by creating safer, more stable communities and reducing the burden on public services. As Robert reflects on his life, he wishes for things many of us take for granted: "I wish I’d never sold drugs. I wish I had a place to live. I wish I could get a job." His experience is a powerful reminder that homelessness is not a choice—it’s a systemic failure. To prevent and solve homelessness, we must ensure that no one is left to fend for themselves after incarceration. Let’s work together to reform the criminal justice system and create a future where everyone has a safe place to call home. More: From a Tent to a Home: No Longer Homeless https://youtu.be/0hkkGH_QADA?si=ko0eCYxw8aQqzuIR Finland Solved Homelessness: Here's How https://youtu.be/0jt_6PBnCJE?si=nNFhfIe5fqlwbPNx ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate Sign up for our newsletter: https://invisiblepeople.tv/email Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv https://www.tiktok.com/@invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness.

In this powerful first episode of a three-part series on journalism and homelessness, we sit down with Shawn Pleasants, a Yale graduate and former business owner who experienced homelessness while living in a tent in Koreatown, Los Angeles. Shawn's life was dramatically impacted when a CNN story brought attention to his situation. This podcast goes beyond Shawn's personal journey—it's a vital training tool for journalists on how to cover homelessness with respect, empathy, and dignity. Shawn shares his firsthand experiences with journalists and explains the importance of treating homeless people not as statistics or subjects, but as human beings. "If you're willing to tell our story, you need to meet us where we are. Sit with us, understand us, and be patient. That’s how you tell an authentic story,” he says. This episode highlights why it’s essential for journalists to approach people with lived experiences of homelessness with compassion and understanding. Shawn reflects on how harmful narratives and disrespectful treatment can reinforce stigma, while respectful reporting can build trust and change lives. "The words you choose shape how people see us—and how we see ourselves." By listening to the voice of lived experience, this episode provides invaluable lessons for journalists on how to report on homelessness in a way that honors the dignity and humanity of those affected. It’s not just a podcast for journalists, but for anyone looking to understand the deeper truths of homelessness and the power of storytelling to create change. Video referenced in the podcast: Ktown for All Helping Homeless People in Los Angeles’s Koreatown https://youtu.be/_Gvp3NUBB_A?si=Nha_lAqYvPGA7QCz Executive producer: Mark Horvath Producer/editor/cinematographer: Alex Gasaway https://www.youtube.com/alexgasaway Associate producer: Erin McGinnis Created by: Alex Gasaway and Erin McGinnis YouTube Podcast https://bit.ly/4bHgCEu Apple Podcast https://apple.co/4cckQ86 Spotify https://spoti.fi/3XyM98c Amazon Music https://amzn.to/3zbPu39 iHeartRadio https://bit.ly/4cciTZy More: Illegal to Sleep: Grants Pass’ Cruel War on Homelessness https://youtu.be/qYzx4ZGQnc8?si=Z-VdAlLHMgEk9Bki Finland Solved Homelessness: Here's How (Spoiler: It's More Than Housing First) https://youtu.be/0jt_6PBnCJE?si=w28th8FpNW9Rrsrk ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate Sign up for our newsletter: https://invisiblepeople.tv/email Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv https://www.tiktok.com/@invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Our groundbreaking educational content reaches millions of people every month. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Wendy shared with me how overwhelming the constant threat of losing her RV was: “They’re about to come and take everything. We have nowhere to go. The safe parking lots are full, and there’s no place to park an RV.” Like so many others, Wendy was left without options, navigating a system that seems to offer more red tape than real solutions. This is an old video I found on a hard drive featuring Wendy, who was on the verge of losing her RV in the midst of a city sweep. Sadly, I haven’t had any contact with her since this interview, which makes her story even more heartbreaking. Wendy’s situation is a prime example of how devastating displacement can be for people experiencing homelessness. When authorities push people from one area to another or seize their vehicles, they often lose contact with service providers, their community, and any support system they had. Here's a more produced video we did of Wendy's story: The Real People Inside LA's Homeless RV Encampments: Meet Wendy https://youtu.be/u9Vay6uof0I?si=tOKM82Pn1ultRVHX Wendy’s frustration with service providers reflects a sentiment shared by many experiencing homelessness: “These organizations—they’re making money off the backs of the homeless. They bring us three-day-old lunches every other week, but they don’t care where we go or what happens to us.” While it’s true that nonprofits need to fix many of the internal systems, reduce bureaucracy, and streamline services to help more people effectively, the reality is that the biggest issue is beyond their control. The overwhelming crisis is that more people are entering homelessness than the system can help exit homelessness. The resources simply don’t match the scale of the problem, leaving many, like Wendy, without the support they desperately need. It’s also important to note that Wendy was once housed. However, she didn’t receive the case management she was promised, which led to her return to homelessness. For her mental health, Wendy used painting as therapy, but when she painted a wall in the place she was staying, she was kicked out: “I don’t do drugs or drink. I paint. That’s my therapy. And for that, I was kicked out, without them even caring where I was going to go.” This video underscores the urgent need for more resources, supportive services, and long-term solutions. Wendy’s story could have had a different ending, but without the right support in place, she, like many others, was left behind. If you want to understand the human toll of displacement and the true face of homelessness, watch Wendy’s powerful story. We must do better. We must provide more housing and support services to prevent stories like Wendy’s from becoming the norm. Here's a video we did the day before about the homeless sweeps: Women Scramble to Save Belongings from RV Homeless Sweep https://youtu.be/jZpi1hSdD3k?si=yIYnMub2tOGlThjw ================================= Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate Sign up for our newsletter: https://invisiblepeople.tv/email Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv https://www.tiktok.com/@invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

In this video, we introduce you to John, a man who has found himself on the streets of St. Louis, forced to "fly a sign"—a term used by those who stand at intersections with a cardboard sign, pleading for help from passing drivers. John's story is a poignant reminder of the vulnerability and desperation faced by countless individuals experiencing homelessness in our cities. Once living a stable life, John’s world turned upside down when he lost his job and his health deteriorated. "I was doing pretty good in life, but after my mom passed, everything went downhill from there," John explains, reflecting on the personal tragedies that led him to this point. Now, he spends his days at a busy intersection, trying to scrape together enough money to survive. "I got to do any and everything I can to survive," he says, capturing the dire circumstances that so many face. Despite the common misconception that people in his situation make a lot of money, John reveals the harsh reality: "People think you make all kinds of money out here, but you don't. You get spit on, you get hot water poured on you, belittled... but you gotta do what you gotta do." John's resilience shines through, even as he endures the daily humiliation and dangers that come with flying a sign. His message to those driving by is a sobering one: "They ain't nothing but a paycheck away from being out here themselves." This video not only shares John’s personal story but also challenges viewers to reconsider their perceptions of the people they see on street corners every day. Watch John's story, share it with others, and help us bring attention to the often-overlooked realities of homelessness in America. Together, we can make a difference. More: From a Tent to a Home: No Longer Homeless https://youtu.be/0hkkGH_QADA?si=ko0eCYxw8aQqzuIR Finland Solved Homelessness: Here's How https://youtu.be/0jt_6PBnCJE?si=nNFhfIe5fqlwbPNx ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate Sign up for our newsletter: https://invisiblepeople.tv/email Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv https://www.tiktok.com/@invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness.

California’s homeless crisis is reaching unprecedented levels, but what’s really driving it? In this episode, Dr. Margot Kushel, Professor of Medicine at UCSF, Division Chief of the Division of Health Equity and Society, and Director of the UCSF Center for Vulnerable Populations and the UCSF Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative, breaks down the findings of the California Statewide Study of People Experiencing Homelessness (CASPEH). With powerful data and firsthand accounts, Dr. Kushel reveals that “75% of people in our study lost their housing within the same county where they were previously living,” debunking the myth that most people experiencing homelessness in California are from out of state. She also highlights the alarming reality that “46% of participants had their belongings thrown out during an organized sweep, including essential items like IDs and medications.” Dr. Kushel emphasizes the urgency of addressing these issues, stating, "We need to have a maniacal focus on creating more housing." This episode offers a deep dive into the data behind the homelessness crisis and provides actionable steps toward creating lasting solutions. Invisible People Podcast: California Statewide Study of People Experiencing Homelessness https://homelessness.ucsf.edu/our-impact/studies/california-statewide-study-people-experiencing-homelessness YouTube Podcast https://bit.ly/4bHgCEu Apple Podcast https://apple.co/4cckQ86 Spotify https://spoti.fi/3XyM98c Amazon Music https://amzn.to/3zbPu39 iHeartRadio https://bit.ly/4cciTZy Executive producer: Mark Horvath Producer/editor/cinematographer: Alex Gasaway https://www.youtube.com/alexgasaway Associate producer: Erin McGinnis Created by: Alex Gasaway and Erin McGinnis More: Illegal to Sleep: Grants Pass’ Cruel War on Homelessness https://youtu.be/qYzx4ZGQnc8?si=Z-VdAlLHMgEk9Bki Finland Solved Homelessness: Here's How (Spoiler: It's More Than Housing First) https://youtu.be/0jt_6PBnCJE?si=w28th8FpNW9Rrsrk ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate Sign up for our newsletter: https://invisiblepeople.tv/email Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv https://www.tiktok.com/@invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Our groundbreaking educational content reaches millions of people every month. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

GoFundMe https://gofund.me/2b73ac40 This August 24th is a big milestone for me—29 years sober and 29 years since my last day being homeless. I’m living proof that with the right support, we can prevent and solve homelessness. The lack of affordable housing and the push to criminalize homelessness are making things worse. That’s why I’m asking for your help. By supporting Invisible People, your donation directly impacts our efforts to create powerful content that educates and inspires the public to influence policy change. In honor of these 29 years, I’m asking you to go consider giving $29 or any amount to help support Invisible People’s important work. Your support has the power to change the narrative and make a real difference.

In this heartwarming video, we shine a light on the incredible work being done by a mutual aid group, Mind The Gap St. Louis [https://mindthegapstl.org], founded by my friend Ed Kallery. Ed’s journey into volunteerism began after being inspired by the work of Invisible People, and today, he and his team of dedicated volunteers are changing lives one person at a time. This all-volunteer group, which has been active for over 12 years, meets every Thursday night to connect with homeless individuals, offering them hot meals, essential supplies, and, most importantly, compassion. Ed's approach to helping others is rooted in humility and kindness. As he puts it, “We’re all in this together. When someone’s going through hard times, you look out for them.” His words encapsulate the deep sense of community and responsibility that drives this group to keep showing up week after week, no matter the weather or circumstances. The video captures the unique model of this outreach, where volunteers arrive in their own cars, each bringing different supplies. It's like a mobile community where the homeless can “shop” from car to car, receiving not just physical necessities but also the warmth of human connection. One volunteer, Donny, expresses the profound impact this work has had on him, saying, “I get gratitude. It makes the problems in my life seem small, and it’s good to help.” Perhaps one of the most touching moments in the video is when Ed reveals the humble origins of his mission. When asked why he started this outreach, he replies, “You inspired me.” This statement is a testament to the power of leading by example and the profound ripple effect that one person's actions can have on others. As I reflect on this, it’s humbling to know that Invisible People played a part in inspiring Ed, but the real heroes are the volunteers who continue to give their time and energy to help those in need. Another volunteer shares how their perception of homelessness changed after joining Ed’s group: “I found out that all the stereotypes that people have about homeless people are wrong. They’re wonderful, kind, intelligent, hardworking, good people that just had life not go their way.” This transformation of understanding is one of the greatest gifts that mutual aid work can offer – not just to the recipients, but to the volunteers themselves. Ed’s dedication and the volunteers' commitment prove that doing good truly inspires others to do good. If you’re moved by this story, consider supporting Ed’s efforts by visiting his website to make a donation. If you live near the St. Louis area, you’re invited to join this compassionate community of volunteers. And if you’re inspired to start something similar in your own area, don’t hesitate. As Ed’s journey shows, one small act of kindness can ignite a movement that touches countless lives. This video is more than just a glimpse into a mutual aid group – it’s a powerful reminder that we are all capable of making a difference. So, watch, be inspired, and then go out and do good. Together, we can create a world where compassion and kindness prevail. More: Ktown for All Helping Homeless People in Los Angeles’s Koreatown https://youtu.be/_Gvp3NUBB_A?si=bwhvVD8tbNjsvFw8 Adam Conover with SELAH Homeless Coalition in Los Angeles https://youtu.be/8pWTs9hxKls?si=5nZN7fiA8uMzBFXF ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate Sign up for our newsletter: https://invisiblepeople.tv/email Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv https://www.tiktok.com/@invisiblepeopletv About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness.

In this eye-opening episode, we sit down with Mark Donovan, Founder & Executive Director of The Denver Basic Income Project, to discuss a revolutionary approach to addressing homelessness: giving money directly to those in need. Mark shares how the project began in response to the economic fallout of COVID-19 and how it has since become the largest guaranteed income experiment in the U.S. focused on the homeless population. “Cash is really powerful, it’s immediate, it’s empowering,” says Mark. He explains the transformative impact of providing direct cash assistance, debunking common myths, and highlighting the positive outcomes they’ve seen. “In the group that received $1,000 a month, homelessness dropped to zero at six months.” Listen in as Mark talks about the data supporting this approach, the challenges faced, and the hope it brings to communities. He also discusses the need for scalable solutions and how individuals and cities can get involved in this groundbreaking initiative. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in innovative solutions to homelessness and economic justice. Animation referenced: The Truth About Giving Money to Homeless People https://youtu.be/BuRPdmVzMAM?si=tOhJgMHpaOlVuRzT Invisible People Podcast: YouTube Podcast https://bit.ly/4bHgCEu Apple Podcast https://apple.co/4cckQ86 Spotify https://spoti.fi/3XyM98c Amazon Music https://amzn.to/3zbPu39 iHeartRadio https://bit.ly/4cciTZy Executive producer: Mark Horvath Producer/editor/cinematographer: Alex Gasaway https://www.youtube.com/alexgasaway Associate producer: Erin McGinnis Created by: Alex Gasaway and Erin McGinnis More: Illegal to Sleep: Grants Pass’ Cruel War on Homelessness https://youtu.be/qYzx4ZGQnc8?si=Z-VdAlLHMgEk9Bki Finland Solved Homelessness: Here's How (Spoiler: It's More Than Housing First) https://youtu.be/0jt_6PBnCJE?si=w28th8FpNW9Rrsrk ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate Sign up for our newsletter: https://invisiblepeople.tv/email Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv https://www.tiktok.com/@invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Our groundbreaking educational content reaches millions of people every month. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Meet Demetrius, affectionately known as 'Old Timer' on the streets of St. Louis. For 12 grueling years, Demetrius has faced the unforgiving reality of homelessness, navigating a world that seems to have forgotten him. Yet, despite the immense challenges, his spirit remains unbroken. In this deeply moving interview, Demetrius opens up about the tragic chain of events that led him to the streets, from the devastating loss of his mother and grandmother to the injury that left him unable to work and the systemic failures that have kept him trapped in this harsh cycle.* "I got injured in 2012... I became homeless and going through a lot of turbulent extremes, with no help," Demetrius recalls, his voice filled with a quiet resignation. At 63 years old, he has spent over a decade trying to survive on the streets, learning to adapt to a life that no one should have to endure. *"I learned how to stay homeless, where I stay on the streets, sleeping in the port, on white benches, at bus stops... But this is no way to live,"* he adds, capturing the stark reality of his situation. As Demetrius speaks, it's clear that his experiences have deeply impacted him. He talks about the daily struggles of being homeless, from the mental toll to the physical dangers: "I've been robbed a few times... in your sleep, things happen to you. You had to learn how to really say like a man of your caliber. If you come into this vicious circle, it’d be very difficult for you to deal with the homeless street 24 hours." Despite everything, Demetrius' character shines through, especially when he reads a heartfelt prayer during the interview. "This is very profound... not just for me, but for our society, the homeless people, our family, and friends," he says, offering a prayer not just for himself, but for all those struggling alongside him. He prays for strength, for the ability to stand up for what is right, and for the courage to resist the temptations that come with a life of constant hardship. But Demetrius shouldn't have to fight this battle alone. He shouldn't have to endure another night on the streets. This video is not just his story; it's a call to action. It's time for us to come together as a community and advocate for real change. We need to contact our legislators, demand better support systems, and push for solutions that will help Demetrius and countless others find the stability and dignity they deserve. "I used to be a professional... I was able to help people. But now, I need help," Demetrius admits with a humbling honesty. He doesn't ask for much—just the basics, a chance to get off the streets, to be clean, to have a place to call home. It's time we listened to his plea. Please share this video and spread the word. But don't stop there—reach out to your legislators and demand action. Demetrius' story shouldn't end here; it should mark the beginning of real change. Together, we can push for the policies and support systems needed to prevent and solve homelessness. Let's ensure that Demetrius and others like him find a path to hope and transformation. More: From a Tent to a Home: No Longer Homeless https://youtu.be/0hkkGH_QADA?si=ko0eCYxw8aQqzuIR Finland Solved Homelessness: Here's How https://youtu.be/0jt_6PBnCJE?si=nNFhfIe5fqlwbPNx ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate Sign up for our newsletter: https://invisiblepeople.tv/email Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv https://www.tiktok.com/@invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness.

In this compelling episode, we explore the transformative power of love and disruption in advancing housing justice and racial equity with Amanda Andere, CEO of Funders Together to End Homelessness. The conversation delves into the importance of integrating these critical issues into philanthropic efforts to drive meaningful change. "The truth is with the people who've been most impacted... I think the truth is in community, the truth is in understanding people's humanity." Throughout the discussion, Amanda highlights the significance of engaging in uncomfortable dialogues and listening deeply to those with lived experiences. The episode examines how embracing discomfort can lead to personal and societal growth, ultimately fostering a more just and equitable society. "We have to lean into the messy, uncomfortable stuff... The kindest thing, the most just thing that we can do is to challenge why we think that way, why we do things that way." We also touch on the necessity of challenging existing power dynamics and processes within philanthropy. Amanda shares valuable insights and strategies for fostering open, honest dialogues that pave the way for meaningful change. "Love and disruption: It's about lovingly meeting people where they are but not leaving them there, and disrupting the way things have always been done." Join us for a thought-provoking conversation that encourages embracing the discomfort that comes with hard truths and using love and disruption as powerful tools for advancing housing justice and racial equity in the philanthropic sector. Executive producer: Mark Horvath Producer/editor/cinematographer: Alex Gasaway https://www.youtube.com/alexgasaway Associate producer: Erin McGinnis Created by: Alex Gasaway and Erin McGinnis More: Illegal to Sleep: Grants Pass’ Cruel War on Homelessness https://youtu.be/qYzx4ZGQnc8?si=Z-VdAlLHMgEk9Bki Finland Solved Homelessness: Here's How (Spoiler: It's More Than Housing First) https://youtu.be/0jt_6PBnCJE?si=w28th8FpNW9Rrsrk ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate Sign up for our newsletter: https://invisiblepeople.tv/email Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv https://www.tiktok.com/@invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Our groundbreaking educational content reaches millions of people every month. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

If you'd like to help Kathleen and her family, Paul Kruse assists them all he can: https://firststepbackhome.net. Paul has helped 1,800 homeless families and individuals this year. He and his wife, Lana, work tirelessly to help homeless people in the Wentzville area. In rural Missouri, Kathleen, her son, and her grandson live in a broken-down RV without water or electricity for two years since their house burned down. Just a week ago, they finally had electricity installed. This is what rural homelessness looks like—a growing crisis in America. As you go down country roads, you’ll see RV after RV, many occupied by people just like Kathleen and her family. Kathleen shares, “It was pretty rough. Living in an RV, as anyone can imagine, it's not meant to live. So you've got small, contained areas. With three people, we get on each other's nerves. The water's been the hardest to live without.” Her grandson, Josiah, who goes to school daily, helps his Bama and tries to find joy despite the harsh conditions. He says, “I play baseball and cut the grass. I have a dirt bike.” Rural homelessness continues to grow at an alarming rate. Unlike urban areas, rural communities often lack the essential support services needed to help people in such dire situations. The scarcity of resources exacerbates the struggles of families like Kathleen's, leaving them without access to basic necessities or proper assistance. Kathleen reflects on the difficulty of living without basic needs, “The next time you go to your faucet or flush the toilet, just think if you didn't have that because I didn't understand it.” Their living conditions highlight the severe impact of poverty, demonstrating that no one should have to endure such hardships in today's world. Join us as we delve into Kathleen's story and shine a light on the unseen crisis of rural homelessness in America. --- If this story moved you, please contact your legislators to advocate for solutions to the affordable housing crisis and provide support for those in poverty and experiencing homelessness. Together, we can make a difference. ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate Sign up for our newsletter: https://invisiblepeople.tv/email Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv https://www.tiktok.com/@invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Our groundbreaking educational content reaches millions of people every month. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

In this heartfelt update video, we want to express our immense gratitude to everyone who donated to help Wendell, an 80-year-old homeless man. Thanks to your incredible generosity, Wendell not only has a new RV to call home, but he also bought an RV for his 65-year-old friend Caroline, who was living in a tent. Wendell shares his profound appreciation: "I couldn't have a better home. It's a lot more than what I expected. It's just unbelievable. And I'm so happy with it. I love this thing." He also expresses his gratitude towards the donors: "I just have no way of expressing my gratitude for what people have done. I had no idea there were still that many really nice people out there. And now I understand. I'm paying attention to the news and I'm forgetting about it. In America, there are still millions of wonderful people out there, and you people that helped me are part of that group." This video is not just about Wendell's new home; it's about the growing elderly homelessness crisis in the United States. While it’s amazing that we were able to help Wendell, we must work together to prevent and solve this issue. The reality is that providing RVs is not a sustainable solution. We need to advocate for our lawmakers to prevent homelessness with eviction prevention measures and get elderly homeless people off the streets into real housing with the support services they need. The elderly homeless population is growing rapidly and threatens to overwhelm our social services. Without proper intervention, many seniors will continue to suffer on the streets. We must push for policies that offer long-term solutions, such as affordable housing and comprehensive support services. Wendell's story also showcases his generosity. He shared his blessings by helping Caroline, who supported him when he was sick. "Caroline is 65 years old, and she has serious arthritis. She had helped me so much when I was sick, doing laundry and cooking and getting food, taking care of my cat. So I simply could not comprehend living love, saying this and believing her here in the tent. So we found her this nice motorhome with 23,000 miles and everything works." Thank you for being part of this miracle. Let’s continue to spread kindness and support those in need. Join us in advocating for long-term solutions to the elderly homelessness crisis. Please like, comment, and share this video to raise awareness and call for action from our lawmakers. Together, we can create more stories like Wendell's and ensure that our elderly population receives the care and support they deserve. Wendall's first video: 80 years old and homeless veteran in Los Angeles needs help https://youtu.be/HpnycehXFP4?si=85guLRmXbIu1noNK More Stories: Finland Solved Homelessness: Here's How https://youtu.be/0jt_6PBnCJE?si=hStbtaNQuTmoeMX5 From a Tent to a Home: No Longer Homeless https://youtu.be/0hkkGH_QADA?si=zjHQi3Q4jwlF5Kd_ ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate Sign up for our newsletter: https://invisiblepeople.tv/email Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv https://www.tiktok.com/@invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

In this week’s podcast, we have the privilege of sitting down with Ann Oliva, the CEO of the National Alliance to End Homelessness (NAEH). Ann Oliva is a distinguished leader with a remarkable career in homelessness and housing policy. She shares her journey from her early days at HUD to leading NAEH, highlighting her evolution in perspective and approach towards ending homelessness. Ann discusses the significant challenges she faces in her role, including shifting from hard power to soft power, navigating complex relationships, and driving systemic change. Listeners will gain insights into the critical need for affordable housing, the impact of systemic issues such as racial injustice, and the marginalization of vulnerable communities. Ann also reflects on her early experiences working at the community level, her transformative work post-Hurricane Katrina, and the profound lessons she learned along the way. Key highlights of the episode include: *Ann's transition to NAEH and the major shifts in her leadership approach *The challenges of navigating federal policies and relationships *The evolution of homelessness from her time at HUD to now *The significant increase in homelessness and its underlying causes *The role of soft power in transforming the response to the homelessness crisis Ann's candid discussion about the complexities of the homelessness crisis, her strategic vision for NAEH, and her unwavering commitment to advocacy and action provide a comprehensive look at the multifaceted nature of homelessness. Whether you are an advocate, a service provider, or simply interested in the issue of homelessness, this conversation with Ann Oliva is sure to inspire and inform. Tune in to learn how one of the nation’s foremost experts is leading the fight to end homelessness and what we can all do to support this vital cause. More: Illegal to Sleep: Grants Pass’ Cruel War on Homelessness https://youtu.be/qYzx4ZGQnc8?si=Z-VdAlLHMgEk9Bki Finland Solved Homelessness: Here's How (Spoiler: It's More Than Housing First) https://youtu.be/0jt_6PBnCJE?si=w28th8FpNW9Rrsrk ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate Sign up for our newsletter: https://invisiblepeople.tv/email Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv https://www.tiktok.com/@invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Our groundbreaking educational content reaches millions of people every month. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Join us in this riveting episode as we dive deep into the complexities of homelessness with Jeff Olivet, the Executive Director of the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH). USICH is a federal agency that coordinates the national response to homelessness, working across 19 federal member agencies and partnerships at the state and local levels to prevent and end homelessness in America. In a candid conversation, Jeff shares his perspectives on the increasing challenges in addressing homelessness and the discouraging climate surrounding the work. Drawing inspiration from historical social justice movements like the Civil Rights Movement and the HIV/AIDS advocacy of the 80s, Jeff offers a hopeful narrative on overcoming adversity. Discover the multifaceted federal response to homelessness, tracing its history and understanding its current strategies and shortcomings. Jeff discusses the systemic failures that perpetuate homelessness, from the housing market crisis to inadequate support for mental health and veterans. Learn about the crucial need for prevention, emergency response, and scaling up housing solutions. This episode isn't just about highlighting the problems but also about celebrating the victories and progress made daily. Hear inspiring stories of individuals moving from homelessness to housing and understand the importance of resilience and hope in advocacy work. Whether you're a seasoned advocate or new to the cause, this episode will leave you with a deeper understanding of homelessness and a renewed sense of hope and purpose. Tune in to be part of a conversation that matters. Executive producer: Mark Horvath Producer/editor/cinematographer: Alex Gasaway https://www.youtube.com/alexgasaway Associate producer: Erin McGinnis Created by: Alex Gasaway and Erin McGinnis More: From a Tent to a Home: No Longer Homeless https://youtu.be/0hkkGH_QADA?si=iBmjeg6tecoZHeII Finland Solved Homelessness: Here's How (Spoiler: It's More Than Housing First) https://youtu.be/0jt_6PBnCJE?si=w28th8FpNW9Rrsrk ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate Sign up for our newsletter: https://invisiblepeople.tv/email Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv https://www.tiktok.com/@invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Our groundbreaking educational content reaches millions of people every month. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Kathy shares her story of living homeless in Grants Pass, Oregon in this powerful and emotional interview. Having lived in her car for six years, Kathy's journey highlights the severe lack of affordable housing and support services in the area. Her story is a poignant reminder of the struggles faced by many and the harsh realities of homelessness. Kathy's journey into homelessness began when she gave up her home to care for her father, only to lose him a month later. Despite receiving a Section 8 voucher, Kathy was unable to find housing before the voucher expired. "I've been homeless ever since. Trying to find a place is just about impossible, to the point where you kind of give up," Kathy says. Living in a car at 67, Kathy describes the fear and challenges she faces daily. "It's kind of scary. I'm almost 67 years old. Almost deaf. I have a dog with me now because I don't hear to let me know if somebody is approaching the car. Because I've had one of my daughters hurt out here already," she reveals. Kathy’s daughter, also homeless, was attacked while living in a tent, a harrowing experience shared in our previous documentary. Kathy speaks out against the judgment and misconceptions about homelessness. "It's really not fair. All of us aren't like that. Some of us work, some of us have jobs, you know, just trying to stay afloat and to save money to get a place." She emphasizes the need for empathy and understanding, urging people to stop and listen to the stories of those experiencing homelessness. Grants Pass has implemented a camping ordinance that criminalizes sleeping outside, further complicating the lives of those without homes. "Now they've even taken most of the potties away that people were able to use. So, you know, it really makes it really rough," Kathy explains. With no available portable housing or homeless services, the situation is dire. Kathy dreams of a secure home for herself and her daughters. "I'm hoping to be in a home before winter. If I can make it another winter," she says, recalling a life-threatening blood infection she contracted from living outside. Her resilience and hope for a better future are truly inspiring. Through this interview, we hope to shed light on the urgent need for affordable housing and compassionate support for the homeless community in Grants Pass. Join us in understanding Kathy’s story and advocating for change. More: Illegal to Sleep: Grants Pass’ Cruel War on Homelessness https://youtu.be/qYzx4ZGQnc8?si=o9Dsvem1ilwDUhlE From a Tent to a Home: No Longer Homeless https://youtu.be/0hkkGH_QADA?si=ko0eCYxw8aQqzuIR Finland Solved Homelessness: Here's How https://youtu.be/0jt_6PBnCJE?si=nNFhfIe5fqlwbPNx ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate Sign up for our newsletter: https://invisiblepeople.tv/email Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv https://www.tiktok.com/@invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People Invisible People works to change public perceptions of homelessness and influence policy change. Many people mistakenly blame homelessness on individuals rather than systemic issues like affordable housing shortages, unemployment, childhood trauma, and insufficient wages. This misunderstanding hampers efforts to address homelessness effectively. Our vision is a world where everyone has a home. We aim to fight homelessness by humanizing it and educating people about the systemic issues behind it. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are shifting the narrative on homelessness. Our impactful educational content reaches millions monthly, breaking stereotypes and prompting action from governments, brands, nonprofits, and individuals. Yet, the fight continues as homelessness remains a major societal issue that requires immediate action. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since 2008, we’ve been a pioneering and trusted resource in North America and the UK, inspiring action and dialogue around poverty.

Discover the harsh realities of homelessness across America in this compelling episode. We explore the criminalization of homelessness, from Miami's Overtown to policies sweeping across states, both red and blue. Listen as policy experts and legal advocates discuss systemic failures and bipartisan consensus that continue to push vulnerable individuals further into the margins. We address the urgent need for housing solutions, the dangerous myths surrounding homelessness, and the pivotal Supreme Court case that could change everything. This conversation is crucial for turning the tide and restoring dignity to those living on the streets. Our guests include: David Peery, Lawyer, Activist, and Founder of Miami Coalition to Advance Racial Equity Mari Castaldi, Director of State Housing Policy with Center on Budget and Policy Priorities Jesse Rabinowitz, MSW, LGSW, Communications and Campaign Director at National Homelessness Law Center Executive producer: Mark Horvath Producer/editor/cinematographer: Alex Gasaway https://www.youtube.com/alexgasaway Associate producer: Erin McGinnis Created by: Alex Gasaway and Erin McGinnis More: Illegal to Sleep: Grants Pass’ Cruel War on Homelessness https://youtu.be/qYzx4ZGQnc8?si=Z-VdAlLHMgEk9Bki Finland Solved Homelessness: Here's How (Spoiler: It's More Than Housing First) https://youtu.be/0jt_6PBnCJE?si=w28th8FpNW9Rrsrk ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate Sign up for our newsletter: https://invisiblepeople.tv/email Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv https://www.tiktok.com/@invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Our groundbreaking educational content reaches millions of people every month. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Meet Darren, a homeless individual in Grants Pass, whose story highlights the brutal reality of criminalizing homelessness. For the past year and a half, Darren has lived in a tent, constantly on the move to avoid citations and court appearances. With limited resources and no permanent shelter, Darren's life is a testament to the challenges faced by many homeless individuals. In this video, Darren shares his experiences of being ticketed for minor infractions, like staying too long in one place or smoking in his tent. The constant displacement and lack of support create a cycle of instability, making it nearly impossible for him to secure a job or find a path out of homelessness. As the Supreme Court prepares to make a critical decision, Grants Pass is at the center of the debate on the criminalization of homelessness. This video reveals the human side of this issue, showing how these harsh policies only lead to larger homeless encampments and greater suffering. Darren's story underscores the urgent need for shelters that provide dignity and housing solutions that respect human rights. Join us in uncovering the injustices faced by Darren and others like him in Grants Pass. This is more than a local issue; it's a call to action for systemic change. https://housingnothandcuffs.org More: Illegal to Sleep: Grants Pass’ Cruel War on Homelessness https://youtu.be/qYzx4ZGQnc8?si=o9Dsvem1ilwDUhlE From a Tent to a Home: No Longer Homeless https://youtu.be/0hkkGH_QADA?si=ko0eCYxw8aQqzuIR Finland Solved Homelessness: Here's How https://youtu.be/0jt_6PBnCJE?si=nNFhfIe5fqlwbPNx ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate Sign up for our newsletter: https://invisiblepeople.tv/email Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv https://www.tiktok.com/@invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People Invisible People works to change public perceptions of homelessness and influence policy change. Many people mistakenly blame homelessness on individuals rather than systemic issues like affordable housing shortages, unemployment, childhood trauma, and insufficient wages. This misunderstanding hampers efforts to address homelessness effectively. Our vision is a world where everyone has a home. We aim to fight homelessness by humanizing it and educating people about the systemic issues behind it. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are shifting the narrative on homelessness. Our impactful educational content reaches millions monthly, breaking stereotypes and prompting action from governments, brands, nonprofits, and individuals. Yet, the fight continues as homelessness remains a major societal issue that requires immediate action. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since 2008, we’ve been a pioneering and trusted resource in North America and the UK, inspiring action and dialogue around poverty.

In this powerful and eye-opening podcast episode, we sit down with Iain De Jong, a renowned expert in homelessness and social issues. Iain shares his firsthand experiences from the streets to the executive level, shedding light on the deepening crisis of homelessness. He discusses the loss of hope among those experiencing homelessness, the burnout of frontline workers, and the societal apathy that exacerbates the problem. We delve into the challenges of current service delivery models, the impact of political partisanship, and the urgent need for a cohesive strategy to address homelessness. Iain passionately advocates for radical acceptance and compassionate service, emphasizing the importance of housing first and the dire consequences of failing to act. This conversation is a call to action for anyone concerned about the future of our communities and the well-being of our most vulnerable members. Join us for this must-watch discussion that challenges perceptions, highlights systemic issues, and offers a glimmer of hope through collective action and radical compassion. Follow Iain on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@UCHRjX_mYGDF7D-58XSNgWrA Executive producer: Mark Horvath Producer/editor/cinematographer: Alex Gasaway https://www.youtube.com/alexgasaway Associate producer: Erin McGinnis Created by: Alex Gasaway and Erin McGinnis More: Illegal to Sleep: Grants Pass’ Cruel War on Homelessness https://youtu.be/qYzx4ZGQnc8?si=Z-VdAlLHMgEk9Bki Finland Solved Homelessness: Here's How (Spoiler: It's More Than Housing First) https://youtu.be/0jt_6PBnCJE?si=w28th8FpNW9Rrsrk ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate Sign up for our newsletter: https://invisiblepeople.tv/email Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv https://www.tiktok.com/@invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Our groundbreaking educational content reaches millions of people every month. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Discover the shocking reality of how Grants Pass is handling homelessness in one of the most inhumane ways imaginable. Homeless individuals are forced to move from park to park every few days, facing constant disruption and instability. This insane policy not only fails to address the root causes of homelessness but also exacerbates the problem, making it harder for people to get back on their feet. Now, Grants Pass' approach to criminalizing homelessness is under scrutiny by the Supreme Court. This landmark case could set a precedent for how cities across the nation treat their homeless populations. Instead of providing the necessary housing and support services, Grants Pass is choosing a path that only increases the number of homeless encampments. The only effective way to reduce and ultimately eliminate homeless encampments is through housing and comprehensive support services. Criminalizing homelessness does nothing but make the situation worse. Learn more about this pressing issue and how you can support real solutions that work. Grants Pass is currently at the center of a Supreme Court case that could determine the legality of criminalizing homelessness. This case is crucial as it highlights the need for systemic changes in how cities address homelessness. The evidence is clear: the only way to permanently remove homeless encampments is through housing and supportive services. Criminalizing homelessness will only lead to larger encampments and greater suffering. It's time to adopt evidence-based solutions and address the affordable housing crisis to ensure a more humane and effective response to homelessness. If you don't want to see tents by your park or house, support real solutions. Evidence-based solutions like housing with support services will permanently remove encampments. For more information about how to fight the criminalization of homelessness, go to housingnothandcuffs.org. We know how to solve homelessness, but we need the political and public will to make it happen. Your support is crucial. More: Illegal to Sleep: Grants Pass’ Cruel War on Homelessness https://youtu.be/qYzx4ZGQnc8?si=o9Dsvem1ilwDUhlE From a Tent to a Home: No Longer Homeless https://youtu.be/0hkkGH_QADA?si=ko0eCYxw8aQqzuIR Finland Solved Homelessness: Here's How https://youtu.be/0jt_6PBnCJE?si=nNFhfIe5fqlwbPNx ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate Sign up for our newsletter: https://invisiblepeople.tv/email Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv https://www.tiktok.com/@invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People Invisible People works to change public perceptions of homelessness and influence policy change. Many people mistakenly blame homelessness on individuals rather than systemic issues like affordable housing shortages, unemployment, childhood trauma, and insufficient wages. This misunderstanding hampers efforts to address homelessness effectively. Our vision is a world where everyone has a home. We aim to fight homelessness by humanizing it and educating people about the systemic issues behind it. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are shifting the narrative on homelessness. Our impactful educational content reaches millions monthly, breaking stereotypes and prompting action from governments, brands, nonprofits, and individuals. Yet, the fight continues as homelessness remains a major societal issue that requires immediate action. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since 2008, we’ve been a pioneering and trusted resource in North America and the UK, inspiring action and dialogue around poverty.

In this powerful and eye-opening video, we meet Chad, a disabled individual living in a tent in Grants Pass. Chad's story highlights the harsh realities of being homeless in a community that forces people to relocate their tents every 3 to 5 days, imposing fines and tickets if they don't comply. Despite his severe disabilities and limited income, Chad must constantly move, a task made even more challenging without adequate support. Chad's journey into homelessness began after a severe accident left him with debilitating injuries and chronic pain. Once a truck driver, Chad's life took a drastic turn when he was rear-ended by a fully loaded tractor-trailer, leading to a series of health complications including lymphedema, severe nerve pain, and multiple other ailments. After fighting for disability benefits for over a decade, Chad now receives disability payments, which are not enough to afford an apartment, a situation faced by many Americans as the cost of rent continues to skyrocket. Grants Pass is at the forefront of the criminalization of homelessness, as evidenced by the landmark case Johnson vs. Grants Pass, which has reached the Supreme Court. This case underscores the urgent need for housing and support services to address homelessness effectively. Criminalizing homelessness only leads to the growth of homeless camps, not their resolution. Forcing individuals like Chad to move constantly is a form of cruel and unusual punishment and does not offer a real solution to the problem. Without the intervention of a dedicated medical team and local volunteers, who knows what would happen to Chad and others in similar situations? Chad poignantly states, "We've got bare minimum as it is. Like, we have less than our ability to survive." He describes the reality of living in constant fear of eviction, saying, "We almost feel like a band of roaming gypsies with how law enforcement comes out here...and gives us eviction notices." The financial strain of homelessness is also starkly highlighted: "It's extremely expensive to be homeless. You don't have refrigerators...a hot meal out here is a luxury." Join us as we delve into Chad's story, exploring the systemic issues that perpetuate homelessness and the urgent need for compassionate solutions. Discover how Chad, despite his struggles, remains resilient and hopeful for a better future. Now is the time to take action. Contact your legislators and urge them to fight against the criminalization of homelessness. Advocate for more affordable housing and support services that can provide real solutions for people like Chad. Together, we can make a difference and ensure that everyone has the opportunity for a stable and dignified life. For more information and how you can get involved, visit https://johnsonvgrantspass.com More: Illegal to Sleep: Grants Pass’ Cruel War on Homelessness https://youtu.be/qYzx4ZGQnc8?si=o9Dsvem1ilwDUhlE Finland Solved Homelessness: Here's How https://youtu.be/0jt_6PBnCJE?si=nNFhfIe5fqlwbPNx ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate Sign up for our newsletter: https://invisiblepeople.tv/email Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv https://www.tiktok.com/@invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People Invisible People works to change public perceptions of homelessness and influence policy change. Many people mistakenly blame homelessness on individuals rather than systemic issues like affordable housing shortages, unemployment, childhood trauma, and insufficient wages. This misunderstanding hampers efforts to address homelessness effectively. Our vision is a world where everyone has a home. We aim to fight homelessness by humanizing it and educating people about the systemic issues behind it. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are shifting the narrative on homelessness. Our impactful educational content reaches millions monthly, breaking stereotypes and prompting action from governments, brands, nonprofits, and individuals. Yet, the fight continues as homelessness remains a major societal issue that requires immediate action. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since 2008, we’ve been a pioneering and trusted resource in North America and the UK, inspiring action and dialogue around poverty.

Welcome to the inaugural episode of Changing the Narrative: The Invisible People Podcast! Join us as we kick off our series with an in-depth and heartfelt interview with Mark Horvath, the founder of Invisible People. In this premiere episode, Mark sits down with Alex Gasaway, the senior producer who has been creating compelling documentaries for Invisible People over the last five years. Alex and Mark delve into Mark's personal journey from experiencing homelessness to becoming a leading advocate for the homeless community. Mark shares his incredible story, filled with highs and lows, from his early days in broadcast and music to losing everything in the 2008 crash. He opens up about his struggles with addiction, his time living on the streets, and the pivotal moments that inspired him to create Invisible People. This episode is more than just an interview; it's a raw and unfiltered look at the realities of homelessness through the eyes of someone who has lived it. Mark's candid reflections and passionate storytelling offer viewers a unique perspective on the issues facing homeless individuals and the urgent need for empathy and action. Invisible People is dedicated to interviewing homeless people, stakeholders, champions, and those directly affected by homelessness. Future episodes will feature inspiring conversations with activists, policymakers, and everyday heroes working to make a difference. Don't miss this powerful debut episode that sets the stage for many more compelling stories to come. Tune in to understand, empathize, and be inspired to influence positive change. Executive producer: Mark Horvath Producer/editor/cinematographer: Alex Gasaway https://www.youtube.com/alexgasaway Associate producer: Erin McGinnis Created by: Alex Gasaway and Erin McGinnis More: From a Tent to a Home: No Longer Homeless https://youtu.be/0hkkGH_QADA?si=cdsJtwvE69s7OjEl Finland Solved Homelessness: Here's How (Spoiler: It's More Than Housing First) https://youtu.be/0jt_6PBnCJE?si=w28th8FpNW9Rrsrk ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate Sign up for our newsletter: https://invisiblepeople.tv/email Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv https://www.tiktok.com/@invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Our groundbreaking educational content reaches millions of people every month. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

In this emotional interview, we meet Brenda, a 62-year-old woman forced to live in a tent in Grants Pass. For over three years, Brenda has been moving her tent every 3 to 5 days due to the city's harsh policies against homelessness. This video sheds light on how Grants Pass is at the forefront of criminalizing homelessness, forcing individuals like Brenda to live in constant uncertainty and fear. Brenda shares her heartbreaking story of being evicted by a slumlord and the struggles she faces daily as a senior trying to survive without stable housing. Despite having good references, the stigma of being homeless prevents her from finding a rental. The constant moving takes a toll on her health, both physically and mentally, as she battles injuries and the stress of potential fines and losing her belongings. This interview highlights the growing crisis of elderly homelessness, showing how the lack of support and cruel policies only exacerbate the problem. Brenda’s story is a powerful call to action to address the systemic issues contributing to homelessness and to provide real solutions for our most vulnerable populations. Join us in raising awareness and advocating for change. No one, especially our seniors, should have to endure such inhumanity. For more information and how you can get involved, visit https://johnsonvgrantspass.com More: Illegal to Sleep: Grants Pass’ Cruel War on Homelessness https://youtu.be/qYzx4ZGQnc8?si=o9Dsvem1ilwDUhlE Finland Solved Homelessness: Here's How https://youtu.be/0jt_6PBnCJE?si=nNFhfIe5fqlwbPNx ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate Sign up for our newsletter: https://invisiblepeople.tv/email Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv https://www.tiktok.com/@invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Our groundbreaking educational content reaches millions of people every month. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Meet Eric, a hardworking individual stuck in an unforgiving cycle of homelessness in Grants Pass, Oregon. Despite holding a part-time job at a pizza place, Eric is unable to escape the relentless criminalization of homelessness that plagues the city. Grants Pass has made it illegal to be homeless, forcing individuals like Eric to move their encampments every three days. This harsh reality, combined with the challenges of paying child support and trying to save money, makes it nearly impossible for Eric to get back on his feet. Eric's story highlights the absurdity of criminalizing homelessness. As the homelessness crisis grows, so do the encampments, exacerbated by policies that push people from one park to another. This constant upheaval not only destabilizes lives but also strains community resources. Grants Pass, Oregon, has come under intense scrutiny for its harsh criminalization of homelessness, particularly highlighted in the Johnson v. Grants Pass Supreme Court case. This landmark case challenges the city's policies that effectively make it illegal to be homeless, such as ordinances prohibiting camping in public spaces and the issuance of fines and citations to those without stable housing. The case has ascended to the Supreme Court, symbolizing a critical moment in the national debate over how cities handle homelessness. Advocates argue that criminalizing homelessness only exacerbates the problem, leading to larger encampments and further marginalizing an already vulnerable population. The case underscores the urgent need for compassionate, evidence-based solutions like affordable housing and support services instead of punitive measures. The only way to truly eliminate homeless camps is to support evidence-based solutions like housing and comprehensive support services. Eric's resilience and determination amidst these challenges are a testament to the need for compassion and real solutions, rather than punitive measures. Watch Eric's emotional journey and understand why the criminalization of homelessness is not just ineffective but inhumane. Join us in advocating for policies that provide real support and housing, not just tickets and harassment. For more information and how you can get involved, visit https://johnsonvgrantspass.com More: Illegal to Sleep: Grants Pass’ Cruel War on Homelessness https://youtu.be/qYzx4ZGQnc8?si=o9Dsvem1ilwDUhlE Finland Solved Homelessness: Here's How https://youtu.be/0jt_6PBnCJE?si=nNFhfIe5fqlwbPNx ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate Sign up for our newsletter: https://invisiblepeople.tv/email Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv https://www.tiktok.com/@invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Our groundbreaking educational content reaches millions of people every month. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

In this deeply moving interview, Gabby, a homeless woman in Miami, opens up about the harsh realities of living on the streets. Gabby's story is not the typical narrative many assume about homelessness, but it reveals a truth that many overlook: homelessness can happen to anyone. Originally from Atlanta, Gabby sought a fresh start in Miami after the devastating loss of both her parents. Despite her best efforts to rebuild her life, she found herself homeless, sleeping on the sidewalk in the only place she feels safe – near the Miami Police Department. Gabby recounts the daily struggles she endures, from avoiding the prevalent drug use around her to the constant threat of violence. As a woman, she faces unique challenges, making her choice of a well-lit and busy area crucial for her safety. Her story is a stark reminder of the vulnerability and danger that homeless individuals face, especially women. Her journey is not just about survival but also about maintaining dignity and hope. Gabby shares how she lost her job and subsequently her home, which spiraled her into homelessness. She found temporary employment at a fast-food restaurant, where her hard work was recognized, but the pay was not enough to secure stable housing. The difficulty of finding affordable housing in Miami, despite working long hours, highlights the broader issue of the affordable housing crisis. Gabby's story is filled with poignant moments, such as the loss of all her belongings, including her work uniform, and the kindness of her HR manager who helped her replace it. She talks about the disappointment and frustration of trying to find shelter in places like Camillus House, only to be turned away due to limited space for women. The shelter's rules and procedures, while well-intentioned, often made it impossible for her to continue working and maintain her spot. Throughout the interview, Gabby remains incredibly resilient and hopeful. She speaks about the importance of staying in good spirits and how her faith helps her cope with the daily hardships. Her three wishes reflect her deep desire for systemic change: for shelters to have enough space for everyone, for housing programs to prioritize individuals with clean records and genuine needs, and for people to support each other rather than turn to destructive behaviors. Gabby's story is a powerful call to action. It underscores the urgent need for affordable housing and better support systems for those experiencing homelessness. Her experience shows that homelessness can happen to anyone and emphasizes the importance of stopping to ask and listen to the stories of those we pass by every day. By sharing her journey, Gabby hopes to shed light on the struggles faced by many and inspire others to advocate for meaningful change. Watch this interview to gain a deeper understanding of the human side of homelessness and why we must act now to ensure that everyone has a safe and secure place to call home. More stories: Arrested For Being Homeless While Trying to Rebuild His Life https://youtu.be/-vEsTRGXwwU?si=WWtSEn8Yd1bjbxXf Illegal to Sleep: Grants Pass’ Cruel War on Homelessness https://youtu.be/qYzx4ZGQnc8?si=32FVVHlxa9YW_eMt ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate Sign up for our newsletter: https://invisiblepeople.tv/email Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv https://www.tiktok.com/@invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Aleksey, who has a degree in electrical engineering, shares his heart-wrenching journey from stability to homelessness. For over ten months, Aleksey has battled the harsh realities of life on the streets of Miami after losing his job and home. Despite his relentless efforts to find work and rebuild his life, the challenges of homelessness have only multiplied. Aleksey's story highlights the systemic issues that make escaping homelessness nearly impossible. He recounts the closure of the business he worked for, the tragic loss of his roommate, and the subsequent loss of his home. With nowhere to turn, he reached out for help but found only minimal support. Despite having a degree and a diverse skill set, finding employment has been a daily struggle. The interview delves into the brutal impact of criminalizing homelessness. Aleksey was arrested simply for being homeless, resulting in the loss of his belongings and job. His story illustrates how such policies exacerbate the cycle of poverty and despair, making it even harder for people to get back on their feet. Aleksey’s resilience shines through as he talks about his efforts to survive each day, from trying to find work to dealing with the extreme heat and lack of basic necessities. He shares the misconceptions people have about the homeless and the reality that many, like him, are skilled and willing to work but are denied opportunities. This interview is a powerful reminder of the humanity of those experiencing homelessness. Aleksey’s hope for a better future, his wish for a decent job, and his plea for kindness and understanding are calls to action for us all. Watch and share this video to help spread awareness and change the narrative around homelessness. More stories: Where Do They Go? The Painful Reality of Seattle's RV Homeless Sweeps https://youtu.be/1-mins3KNFk?si=eR3PJM9WONT7PPnC Finland Solved Homelessness: Here's How (Spoiler: It's More Than Housing First) https://youtu.be/0jt_6PBnCJE?si=CJi-ZzjemcMVwGkn ================================= Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate Sign up for our newsletter: https://invisiblepeople.tv/email Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv https://www.tiktok.com/@invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Our groundbreaking educational content reaches millions of people every month. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Join Dr. Kwane Stewart, a compassionate veterinarian dedicated to serving the pets and people on the streets of Skid Row, Los Angeles. In this heartfelt video, witness the profound bond between homeless individuals and their pets, who provide them with companionship, love, and a sense of purpose amidst their struggles. Dr. Stewart, also known as "The Street Vet," roams the streets, offering free medical care to pets in need. Watch as he interacts with the homeless community, addressing their pets' health concerns with empathy and expertise. From treating infections to providing vaccinations and preventative care, Dr. Stewart's mission is to ensure these pets remain healthy, allowing their owners to maintain the vital connection that keeps them going. The video highlights the importance of pets for homeless individuals, showcasing touching testimonies from those who rely on their pets for emotional support and stability. These pets often become their sole source of unconditional love and companionship, helping them navigate the harsh realities of life on the streets. Through Dr. Stewart's selfless work, the video underscores the significant role pets play in the lives of the homeless, offering hope and a reminder of the resilience and humanity that persists even in the toughest circumstances. Witness the impact of one man's dedication to making a difference in the lives of both pets and people in this inspiring and moving documentary. More stories: Finland Solved Homelessness: Here's How (Spoiler: It's More Than Housing First) https://youtu.be/0jt_6PBnCJE?si=ZGXup5ICjaw1KxaI Illegal to Sleep: Grants Pass’ Cruel War on Homelessness https://youtu.be/qYzx4ZGQnc8?si=v5Mk1kvlyXzoapXR ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate Sign up for our newsletter: https://invisiblepeople.tv/email Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv https://www.tiktok.com/@invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Our groundbreaking educational content reaches millions of people every month. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Help Wendell get an RV to go back home https://gofund.me/e55367c9 Wendell is an 80-year-old retired veteran who finds himself facing the harsh realities of homelessness in Los Angeles. After a life marked by service and sacrifice, including the heartbreaking loss of one son in the Afghanistan war and another in a tragic car accident, Wendell's challenges escalated when his beloved wife was diagnosed with cancer. Despite spending every penny on her treatment, she passed away, leaving Wendell without his life partner and financially devastated. Today, Wendell lives in a broken-down RV, a stark reminder of the cascading tragedies that led him to this point. The crisis of elderly homelessness is escalating, with countless older adults like Wendell finding themselves without a safe place to call home. The vulnerability of this population is profound, as they face unique health and mobility challenges, exacerbated by the lack of stable housing. In urban areas like Los Angeles, where the cost of living is high and social services are stretched thin, the plight of elderly homeless individuals is particularly acute. A dedicated street medicine team brought Wendell's situation to our attention, emphasizing his reluctance to ask for financial help. Wendell's humble wish is for a functioning RV, allowing him the dignity of mobility and the ability to relocate to a place he can once again call home. Understanding the improbability of such a donation, we convinced Wendell to agree to a GoFundMe campaign. Rest assured, this campaign is transparent—every cent raised goes directly to Wendell’s bank account to fund his new RV. We have made sure that there are people involved to help Wendell drive to the location that he wants to go and that he will be taken care of. More Stories: Finland Solved Homelessness: Here's How https://youtu.be/0jt_6PBnCJE?si=hStbtaNQuTmoeMX5 From a Tent to a Home: No Longer Homeless https://youtu.be/0hkkGH_QADA?si=zjHQi3Q4jwlF5Kd_ ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate Sign up for our newsletter: https://invisiblepeople.tv/email Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv https://www.tiktok.com/@invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Our groundbreaking educational content reaches millions of people every month. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

More than 500 activists gathered outside the Supreme Court, denouncing the criminalization of homelessness as the court deliberated on the Johnson v. Grants Pass case. This pivotal case challenges a precedent set by Martin v. Boise, aiming to overturn restrictions on cities using fines and fees to penalize homelessness. As homelessness rates in the U.S. have climbed steadily, reaching over 650,000 on a single night in 2023—a 15% increase from five years earlier—the urgency for compassionate housing solutions grows. Amidst this backdrop, the rally brought together advocates, veterans, and concerned citizens, including Mitch Garver, a 66-year-old homeless veteran. Garver highlighted the personal stakes involved, noting, "This case could basically decide whether I have a right to survive or not." The scene was one of solidarity and urgency, with nearly 90 amicus briefs submitted in favor of the homeless plaintiffs, emphasizing the dire consequences of punitive measures. The debate has also attracted political figures, with California Governor Gavin Newsom and San Francisco Mayor London Breed advocating for the ability to clear homeless encampments, citing the negative impacts of the Boise decision. Meanwhile, critics like Aaron Cubic, City Manager of Grants Pass, argue that current legal frameworks hinder effective assistance to the homeless population. The rally wasn't just a protest; it was a call to action. Advocates from as far as Hawaii participated, with some even sleeping outside the court to secure seats for the hearing. Figures like India Pungarcher and Chaplain Lindsey Krinks from Open Table Nashville argued against the wasteful spending on criminalization, advocating for funds to be redirected towards housing and support services. Diane Yentel, president of the National Low Income Housing Coalition, criticized the punitive approach of imposing heavy fines on the homeless, pointing out the vicious cycle of penalties that exacerbate the issue rather than solving it. This moment underscores a national reflection on the values that underpin our approach to homelessness and housing. As legislative bodies continue to push anti-homeless laws, the need for informed advocacy and compassionate policy-making has never been more critical. Join us in rethinking housing solutions and advocating for policies that genuinely address the needs of all citizens, housed and unhoused. More stories: Illegal to Sleep: Grants Pass’ Cruel War on Homelessness https://youtu.be/qYzx4ZGQnc8?si=7slr6J_alwbIGnWZ From a Tent to a Home: No Longer Homeless https://youtu.be/0hkkGH_QADA?si=_UgJk6sfY_mHcMbk #homelessness #homeless #grantspass ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate Sign up for our newsletter: https://invisiblepeople.tv/email Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv https://www.tiktok.com/@invisiblepeopletv About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Our groundbreaking educational content reaches millions of people every month. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

"Displaced" takes viewers to Columbia, Missouri, where Ray, a homeless veteran, struggles under a new state law that criminalizes homelessness. The film starts with a poignant scene of Ray being displaced during a sweep, an action now legitimized by state legislation. As Ray scrambles to salvage his belongings, the documentary underscores the harsh measures of this law, showing sanitation workers and law enforcement in action. The narrative exposes the flawed approach of penalizing homelessness instead of addressing its root causes like poverty and inadequate housing. Ray's interactions with city officials, police, and other homeless people reveal a system more focused on criminalizing the vulnerable than helping them. Set against Columbia's urban backdrop, "Displaced" critiques the criminalization of homelessness and its impact, highlighting how such policies fail to tackle the underlying issues. It calls for a shift towards compassionate, supportive solutions that provide real help to those like Ray. The film is a powerful plea for rethinking how society deals with homelessness, emphasizing empathy over punishment. For more information about the growing criminalization and how you can get involved, visit https://housingnothandcuffs.org More stories: Where Do They Go? The Painful Reality of Seattle's RV Homeless Sweeps https://youtu.be/1-mins3KNFk?si=Mm3p1yBWxiLODLwR From a Tent to a Home: No Longer Homeless https://youtu.be/0hkkGH_QADA?si=JFyMH7JSQ7GdMVZu Criminalization of Homelessness: San Diego's Failed Response to a Homeless Crisis https://youtu.be/Uhb_cgwFrFQ?si=LfTg9222pexU5aWe Finland Solved Homelessness: Here's How (Spoiler: It's More Than Housing First) https://youtu.be/0jt_6PBnCJE?si=mlfT7IBjq5l8Ukl8 ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate Sign up for our newsletter: https://invisiblepeople.tv/email Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv https://www.tiktok.com/@invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Our groundbreaking educational content reaches millions of people every month. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

In this compelling episode, Invisible People traveled to Grants Pass, Oregon, a picturesque city of about 40,000 residents, which is now at the forefront of a significant legal battle with nationwide implications. Here, the U.S. Supreme Court is set to deliberate on the pressing issue of homelessness and the criminalization of public camping. At stake is whether local governments like Grants Pass can enforce bans on sleeping in public spaces at all times. This decision could potentially affect the lives of approximately 600 homeless individuals living in Grants Pass alone, including 55-year-old Laura, who was forced into homelessness following the death of her husband. Our investigation dives deep into the daily struggles of homeless people trying to survive in the rain and cold. The episode will cover the impending Supreme Court case, Grants Pass v. Johnson, which challenges the city’s public camping ban under the Eighth Amendment's clause against "cruel and unusual punishments." This historic case questions whether it's constitutional to penalize the homeless for sleeping outdoors when they have no other shelter options. Grants Pass officials argue for the need to reclaim public spaces, while advocates for the homeless warn of the dire consequences of criminalizing homelessness. This episode highlights the personal stories of affected individuals and explores the broader societal and legal implications. Join us as we shed light on this critical issue, examining the intersection of law, policy, and human rights in a community divided on how to treat its most vulnerable residents. Watch as we unfold the layers of this complex issue, leading up to a landmark decision that could reshape the landscape of homelessness across America. For more information and how you can get involved, visit https://johnsonvgrantspass.com This video is a partnership between Invisible People and the National Homelessness Law Center https://housingnothandcuffs.org Executive producer: Mark Horvath Producer/editor/cinematographer: Alex Gasaway / https://www.youtube.com/alexgasaway Additional footage: Cody Wanner https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtJm2QGyeAFH1jcmQY6o-ZQ More stories: Finland Solved Homelessness: Here's How https://youtu.be/0jt_6PBnCJE?si=iczMFxVsh82pSBne From a Tent to a Home: No Longer Homeless https://youtu.be/0hkkGH_QADA?si=ciV04x8OuLOdUm2a ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate Sign up for our newsletter: https://invisiblepeople.tv/email Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv https://www.tiktok.com/@invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Our groundbreaking educational content reaches millions of people every month. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

I met Prince a few blocks away from Los Angeles's Skid Row. He says he's been on his own since he was 15 years old. Prince said his younger years were filled with drugs and alcohol. At times, he was able to get up to 10 years sober. It's extremely hard to get sober regardless of where you live, and for people who do not have adequate housing living on the streets, it's impossible. Drugs and alcohol allow people to escape the trauma of homelessness. We are not condoning drinking and using. Just trying to help people put it in perspective. If you're going to the bathroom behind a dumpster every day, you need something to escape the pain. There's actually research that shows that a vast majority of people become homeless sober but then start using drugs to cope with life on the streets. Prince shares why he doesn't go into shelters unless it's extremely cold. Shelters are only available at night, and they kick everyone out early in the morning. Princess says you go in. Then, they lead people in groups up to take a shower. Then you come back down and smell stinky feet. I know exactly what homeless shelter he is talking about, and stinky feet bring back memories. I used to say sleeping in a homeless shelter smelled like butts and feet because that's the truth. Price's 2nd wish was that he would be able to stay clean and sober. I loved all his wishes, but that one resonated with me. Prince has been outside far too long. He's been in and out of rehab and treatment programs. We need to get people like Prince into housing with treatment. Drug treatment alone without housing fails more than it works, but with housing, not only does a person have a better chance to get sober, we've ended their homelessness. From a Tent to a Home: No Longer Homeless https://youtu.be/0hkkGH_QADA?si=tNZx01V6t4L1cm7A How To Prevent Overdose Deaths | Peer Supervised Drug Consumption Site https://youtu.be/Qhvw1Imatr4?si=p2XOMwhfn_9yV8y6 Finland Solved Homelessness: Here's How https://youtu.be/0jt_6PBnCJE?si=H9ODXRsMPo_55r5L ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate Sign up for our newsletter: https://invisiblepeople.tv/email Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv https://www.tiktok.com/@invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Our groundbreaking educational content reaches millions of people every month. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Amber's story unfolds in Grants Pass, Oregon, a narrative that demands our attention and speaks volumes about the harsh reality of homelessness. Living in a tent, Amber navigates life with resilience, confronting daily challenges that too often remain unseen by society at large. From the constant threat of losing her possessions to law enforcement to battling the elements in Oregon's unforgiving climate, Amber's experiences highlight the profound obstacles those in her situation face. "This tent is my home. It's all I've managed to keep after the police discarded my new tent. It's barely holding together now—the zipper hardly works, making it difficult to stay warm," she reveals, giving voice to her relentless fight for survival. Amber's tale is a sobering reflection on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which cost her her job and thrust her into homelessness. Her personal plight, however, is a window into broader societal issues, including the criminalization of homelessness. Over 18 months, Amber has been fined 30 times, each ticket costing $300, simply for existing without a home. She's compelled to move her belongings every five days, a rule enforced regardless of weather conditions. The dehumanization faced by Amber and others in her situation is stark. Prohibited from using basic amenities like propane for warmth or cooking, they are stripped of their dignity and survival means. "We might have phones, but we can't charge them. It feels like they're taking everything from us because they don't want to see us. To them, we're trash," Amber laments. Amber also touches on the systemic barriers that keep her and others from breaking the cycle of homelessness, such as the difficulty in securing employment and housing when basic human needs, like clean clothes and showers, are unmet. "Even if you land a job, how do you keep it when you're constantly on the move and risk losing everything if you're not there when they decide to clear your tent?" she questions. A particularly tragic moment in Amber's story is the loss of her son's urn during a police sweep, a personal tragedy that underscores the human cost of such policies. "They threw away his urn. They didn't know, but that doesn't change my loss. And they don't care," Amber says, her voice a mix of grief and outrage. Her narrative is set against the backdrop of legal battles over Grants Pass's controversial laws against public sleeping and camping, which are seen by many as criminalizing homelessness. The Supreme Court's upcoming deliberation on these laws signals a critical moment in the national discourse on homelessness and the rights of unhoused individuals. Amber's journey is a call to action, urging us to confront the realities of homelessness as a pressing humanitarian crisis. Her story, marked by vulnerability and an indomitable spirit, challenges us to stand in solidarity with those facing homelessness and work towards a more compassionate and equitable society. For more information on the Johnson V Grants Pass supreme court case, click here: https://johnsonvgrantspass.com Finland Solved Homelessness: Here's How (Spoiler: It's More Than Housing First) https://youtu.be/0jt_6PBnCJE?si=Rve-aXl9GhbHQrRh Where Do They Go? The Painful Reality of Seattle's RV Homeless Sweeps https://youtu.be/1-mins3KNFk?si=ZkItx1LdQCgM2d6x Criminalization of Homelessness: San Diego's Failed Response to a Homeleness https://youtu.be/Uhb_cgwFrFQ?si=bagkXTayGupNVvQY ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate Sign up for our newsletter: https://invisiblepeople.tv/email Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv https://www.tiktok.com/@invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Last summer, we took a trip to Helsinki to catch up with Juha Kahila, who heads up International Affairs at Y-Säätiö. Our mission? To find out how Finland has been successfully combating homelessness for 12 straight years. Check out our documentary for the full scoop: https://youtu.be/0jt_6PBnCJE?si=5NNg52-nRQQMEhX5 While wandering the streets of Helsinki, something peculiar caught our eye – or rather, didn't. There wasn't a single person sleeping rough. It was a surreal moment for us, considering we've visited over 300 cities and witnessed street homelessness everywhere except in Helsinki. It turns out that Finland's strategy revolves around investing in affordable housing and rolling out the Housing First model on a large scale. Juha and our CEO, Mark Horvath, were invited to share Finland's success and discuss our documentary at the San Francisco National Alliance to End Homelessness conference. But before that, we thought it'd be a good idea to reconnect with Juha and Ann Oliva, CEO of the National Alliance to End Homelessness (NAEH), by hitting the streets of the Tenderloin and handing out hand socks to homeless people. Walking through the Tenderloin was a stark reminder of the harsh reality of homelessness, addiction, and mental illness. San Francisco's efforts to address these issues have fallen short, partly due to a lack of scalable housing solutions and an ever-worsening affordable housing crisis. Some might attribute the homelessness crisis to addiction, but places like West Virginia, which has the highest per capita drug use of any state in the country, don't see the same level of homelessness because they have more affordable housing options. One of the most impactful moments in our video is when we highlight San Francisco's homelessness crisis and point to Juha, acknowledging that we understand the problem and have viable solutions. The catch? We've lack the political will to implement them. It's worth noting that Finland's approach to counting homelessness includes families staying doubled up or staying with relatives. In the U.S., there's a lack of consensus on what constitutes homelessness, which hampers our ability to address the issue effectively. Walking alongside Juha in the Tenderloin underscored the importance of investing in affordable housing and scaling up Housing First initiatives to combat homelessness, even in the most challenging urban environments. Hanes did not sponsor this video, but we want to extend a special thanks to Hanes for providing socks https://hanesforgood.com/homeless-support Finland Solved Homelessness: Here's How (Spoiler: It's More Than Housing First) https://youtu.be/0jt_6PBnCJE?si=CfnGqw4OWdBQu10m From a Tent to a Home: No Longer Homeless https://youtu.be/0hkkGH_QADA?si=smaGXc5NpFpWZzF3 via ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate Sign up for our newsletter: https://invisiblepeople.tv/email Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv https://www.tiktok.com/@invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

In July, when we asked Mississippi what kept him outside, he offered a poignant response: HOUSING! Mississippi remains homeless in San Diego to this day. https://youtu.be/BzuQQAXDpwc?si=9k6ZVM3hf30sN74P On the day of this interview, police forced Mississippi to move twice. If he didn't move his things, he was threatened with jail. Politicians across the country are pushing for more criminalization, however, at the same time homeless people are being displaced, homelessness is growing. Services and housing are not being offered. This growing displacement of homeless people, while homelessness is growing, is already making homelessness worse. I love running into people I know on the streets but hate that they're still outside. In our great country, there's absolutely no reason that everybody should not have adequate housing. Mississippi shares about sanction tent camps, and with the growing criminalization, this is all headed to forced internment camps. Mississippi prefers the term concentration camps. Smart, and most effective evidence based solution is to provide housing and get people off the streets. Forcing people into camps is not only wrong, cruel, and a waste of money, it's not going to reduce homelessness. It's imperative that we raise our voices to our legislators. The clamor for criminalization grows louder by the day, but our advocacy must match, if not surpass, that volume. We must urge our lawmakers to cease the criminalization of poverty and instead focus on preventing and resolving homelessness. Here's the monthly data on San Diego homelessness https://www.rtfhsd.org/reports-data/ From a Tent to a Home: No Longer Homeless https://youtu.be/0hkkGH_QADA?si=YgIehvHF5kv0NgiV Criminalization of Homelessness: San Diego's Failed Response to a Homeless Crisis https://youtu.be/Uhb_cgwFrFQ?si=9Y6WZPmeJ_p-brtk ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate Sign up for our newsletter: https://invisiblepeople.tv/email Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv https://www.tiktok.com/@invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Our groundbreaking educational content reaches millions of people every month. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Fuck ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate Sign up for our newsletter: https://invisiblepeople.tv/email Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv https://www.tiktok.com/@invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Our groundbreaking educational content reaches millions of people every month. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Giancarlo's got his makeshift bed rolled out on a Manchester, New Hampshire sidewalk, calling it a night. Four months without a roof over his head, and it's just... rough. Seeing folks tucking into their sidewalk beds hits you hard. We're in the richest country on Earth, yet here we are, millions without a proper place to sleep because housing's just too out of reach. So, Giancarlo's looking for some white socks. Funny thing, I used to carry both black and white, but it turns out that white is in higher demand. He says black socks make your feet sweat more. And get this – sweating in the cold can be super dangerous. People might doze off, especially if they've had a bit to drink, and next thing you know, they're losing toes or worse to frostbite because of the sweat. Just three days back, Giancarlo told me about this guy, another soul without a home, who froze to death. It's the same tragic news every winter – someone didn't make it through the cold. And in the summer? It's the heat claiming lives. And what changes? Seems like nothing much, except the numbers just keep getting worse. Giancarlo's also pointing out how insane rent's gotten, even in smaller towns like Manchester. The squeeze is real everywhere; even rooming houses and single-room occupancies are raising their prices. Here's where we step in. It's on us to get loud, reach out to our lawmakers, and demand some real action on affordable housing and homelessness. It's a big ask, but hey, if not us, then who? More stories: A 65-Year-Old's Story of Homelessness in Manchester, New Hampshire https://youtu.be/3cZdqrUJZe0?si=sIuCenKoTfRYabMj Finland Solved Homelessness: Here's How (Spoiler: It's More Than Housing First) https://youtu.be/0jt_6PBnCJE?si=OFMueP06PIZxmONi ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate Sign up for our newsletter: https://invisiblepeople.tv/email Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv https://www.tiktok.com/@invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Our groundbreaking educational content reaches millions of people every month. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Often, when talking to people on the streets who have suffered more trauma than anyone can imagine, you have to read between the lines. Homelessness is hard. The brain has to say the world hates me, or I actually like to be homeless. After years of living outside without adequate housing, people learn to adapt. Think of it like this: none of us goes to our high school class reunion, raises our hand, and talks about our challenges. We pretend that the world around us is all great when, in reality, we are suffering. In this interview, James says that homelessness isn't that bad and the weather isn't that cold, yet he has paper stuffed under his hat to help his head stay warm. A few times, James shares in this video how the homeless in San Diego isn't that bad, but if you look at reality. He's disabled and without income. No place to go. Life is horrible. It shouldn't be like this. James, like all the other people who are suffering homelessness in our great country, should be in housing. It's important to know that James is homeless in Las Vegas but because of constant harassment from police, he got on a Greyhound bus and went to San Diego. James says that the police in San Diego are not as bad as in Las Vegas, and maybe that's because he's disabled and new to the city, but the real truth is San Diego is one of the worst cities criminalizing homelessness. Criminalization of Homelessness: San Diego's Failed Response to Homelessness https://youtu.be/Uhb_cgwFrFQ?si=nP_0H_IbAeMiTpqk From a Tent to a Home: No Longer Homeless https://youtu.be/0hkkGH_QADA?si=e1kR93_LXStth5vV ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate Sign up for our newsletter: https://invisiblepeople.tv/email Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv https://www.tiktok.com/@invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Our groundbreaking educational content reaches millions of people every month. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

By helping us produce this film, you are part of the solution to educating the public on the growing criminalization of homelessness. https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-displaced-film "Displaced" is a social impact film that brings a critical issue to the forefront: the criminalization of homelessness in America. It tells the story of a homeless veteran, Ray, who struggles to find stability and support due to constant displacement by the police. This reflects a harsh reality where people are penalized simply for lacking a home. The film aims to shed light on this crisis, emphasizing how punitive measures against the homeless exacerbate their plight instead of addressing the root causes, like the lack of investment in housing solutions. It's a powerful call to action, highlighting the need for compassionate and effective approaches like housing and support services to permanently solve homelessness. We Must Fight Criminalization Fighting the growing criminalization of homelessness and poverty is crucial because these measures often exacerbate the challenges faced by the most vulnerable in society. Criminalizing homelessness not only fails to address the root causes of poverty but also creates additional barriers for individuals seeking to rebuild their lives. It perpetuates a cycle of poverty and legal entanglement, making it harder for people to access housing, employment, and supportive services. Advocating against these policies is essential to foster a more compassionate and effective approach to homelessness, focusing on long-term solutions like affordable housing and social support rather than punitive measures. BTS by: Alex Gasaway: producer/editor Kylie Shaw: videographer/editor More stories: Where Do They Go? The Painful Reality of Seattle's RV Homeless Sweeps https://youtu.be/1-mins3KNFk?si=CzjD5f1CnEWqsmGf Criminalization of Homelessness: San Diego's Failed Response to a Homeless Crisis https://youtu.be/Uhb_cgwFrFQ?si=_Q-MZYpgMAP8YMAo ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate Sign up for our newsletter: https://invisiblepeople.tv/email Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv https://www.tiktok.com/@invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Our groundbreaking educational content reaches millions of people every month. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Melissa lived in a beautiful apartment when her landlord became unstable and abusive. Now, she lives in an RV. Melissa parks next to her sister's RV so she can help take care of her. Melissa's sister is suffering from cancer. Both women are homeless in Seattle. We also interviewed Melissa in this documentary about homeless sweeps in Seattle: https://youtu.be/1-mins3KNFk?si=JBcAVQCVwsBkuE5s ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate Sign up for our newsletter: https://invisiblepeople.tv/email Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv https://www.tiktok.com/@invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Our groundbreaking educational content reaches millions of people every month. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

I am unsure how much of Jolene's story is true. What I am sure of is she has been living outside, homeless in San Diego far too long. Jolene was also the nicest and most interesting person I met that day. What first caught my attention was Jolene's shopping cart. You'll see it later on in the video. it's really ingenious how she made a shopping cart weather-protected to hold her belongings. We started to talk. Jolene shared that she is moving back to Texas because even as a homeless person, she cannot afford to live in San Diego. Jolene is transgender. She started off the interview by telling me about how she was attacked by someone trying to rob her. Jolene shows us the metal staples in her head. It's dangerous being homeless! Someone commented that their surgical staples, and that Jolene couldn't have them removed at any time. I wish I had known in the moment because I would've asked her about it. I normally don't post videos like this. Many channels do. Notice that we don't have ads on this video. I know when I was homeless and I told people that I was responsible for getting Wheel of Fortune in Jeopardy to TVs around the world, do you think anyone believed me? I decided to post this story because Jolene really impressed me with her ingenuity, it's important to show mental illness out on the streets in a way that educates the public instead of dehumanizing homeless people. Jolene says she survives by the goodness of a few Christian friends and some strangers. While Jolene was showing me her cart, she mentioned that she's an artist, and I asked her to show us some of her art. Jolene is talented. Art and music help people work through trauma and give people purpose. Some may watch this video or even may have met Jolene in San Diego and say she wants to be homeless, but the truth is, many homeless people adapt to life on the streets. It's called learned helplessness. The brain is extremely powerful. The brain has two choices. It's going to tell a homeless person that they are worthless and society hates them, or that they want to be homeless, and that it's their choice to live outside. Many homeless people tried to get out of homelessness, but after hitting the wall of bureaucracy over and over again, they just got used to life on the streets. They figure out how to survive. Jolene is very creative and very strong-willed. But her story is heartbreaking. I'm not talking about what she's telling us with her words. I'm talking about the story she's telling us with her face in her eyes. We need to prevent and solve homelessness for everyone. We need to make sure that people like Jolene don't end up out on the streets, and for those that do, there's a path to housing that's quick before they develop layers of trauma after being outside. Another San Diego story: From a Tent to a Home: No Longer Homeless https://youtu.be/0hkkGH_QADA?si=6mRgaRqn9hZpX_B3 Finland Solved Homelessness: Here's How (Spoiler: It's More Than Housing First) https://youtu.be/0jt_6PBnCJE?si=vLY7fxhqbAhz5u4J ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate Sign up for our newsletter: https://invisiblepeople.tv/email Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv https://www.tiktok.com/@invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

I met Pablo (street name) sleeping outside in Manchester, New Hampshire. He has been homeless for six years now. Pablo starts off by sharing how homeless people cannot stay in one place too long. Otherwise, they become a target. Instead of putting resources behind evidence-based solutions proven to work, politicians continue to push for the criminalization of homelessness. Pablo wanted to do this interview to be a voice for the homeless, he says, because the homeless have no voice. Homeless people get kicked around. Pablo added that the stereotype people latch onto that homeless people are drug addicts or alcoholics. He continued that some of that may be true, but his next statement is profound. Pablo said, "For whatever reason, we're here; we're not going away." Think about that for a moment. The leading cause of homelessness is a lack of affordable housing, followed by a lack of a living wage, racism, a broken criminal justice system, broken foster care, domestic violence, not enough, drug treatment or mental health facilities, and many other reasons the causes of homelessness, but the facts remain, no matter what the cause of a person's homelessness is, unless we do something to help people get off the streets in the housing, homelessness is not going away. A case in point is Pablo said Manchester police came and woke him up at 2 o'clock in the morning. They were NOT offering support and a place to go. The police just said if he came back, he'd be arrested. Pablo is 65 years old. He once had a house, but after some bad decisions and a divorce, he ended up sleeping outside. Sadly, the population of elderly homelessness continues to grow. The day after this interview, I was speaking at an event where I talked about homeless shelters, which are starting to look like nursing homes. A street nurse came up and thanked me for saying that. She said they have problems finding bottom bunkbeds that are near an outlet so that they can run oxygen for the seniors who need it. Think about that., homeless shelters are filled with people who need oxygen to survive, and there are not enough bottoms or bunkbeds with electrical outlets near them. Homelessness is continuing to get worse. That much we can guarantee. As it gets worse, so is the push for criminalization, which does nothing to solve homelessness. This is an urgent crisis. Every one of us must contact our legislators and put pressure until they prevent and solve homelessness. Finland Solved Homelessness: Here's How (Spoiler: It's More Than Housing First) https://youtu.be/0jt_6PBnCJE?si=thp0gt72I_X_oCPI ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate Sign up for our newsletter: https://invisiblepeople.tv/email Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv https://www.tiktok.com/@invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Our groundbreaking educational content reaches millions of people every month. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

On December 18th, 2023, a significant and powerful protest took place at Los Angeles City Hall. Organized by The Stop The Raids Coalition's Los Angeles branch and local sex worker groups, this event was a 'Die-In' demonstration to call attention to the policies of City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto. These policies, under the guise of combating sex trafficking, have been criminalizing and harassing sex workers and their clients, using the outdated Red Light Abatement Act of 1913. This has led to the shutdown of motels where sex workers had been able to work safely indoors. Soma Snakeoil, the Co-Founder and Executive Director of The Sidewalk Project of Los Angeles, emphasized the need for decriminalization of sex work and the protection of their living and workspaces. This protest also commemorated the International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers, created in 2003 as a memorial for the victims of the Green River Killer. It brought together sex worker groups from across America to demand the decriminalization of their occupation, highlighting endorsements from international organizations like Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the World Health Organization. Antonia Crane, a sex worker, union organizer, and PhD candidate at USC, pointed out the crucial need for decriminalization for the protection and dignity of sex workers. The misguided targeting of 'sex trafficking' along the Figueroa corridor by the City Attorney's office was criticized for being a thinly veiled attempt to stop consensual commercial sex. This enforcement is seen as pushing sex workers into more dangerous areas, increasing violence risks. The video also underscores the harsh reality that for many, sex work has become a necessary means of survival due to systemic failures in addressing poverty, homelessness, and domestic violence. It critiques the use of public resources for arrests that exacerbate the challenges faced by sex workers, instead of addressing broader societal issues. For more information and to take action, visit https://stoptheraids.org/LA Saving Lives of Sex Workers and Addicts on Skid Row: The Sidewalk Project https://youtu.be/vA_YZ_d45UE?si=fcurXu1WboMqGQtF Finland Solved Homelessness: Here's How (Spoiler: It's More Than Housing First) https://youtu.be/0jt_6PBnCJE?si=WReGVsQMeOiKO6Yv ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate Sign up for our newsletter: https://invisiblepeople.tv/email Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv https://www.tiktok.com/@invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Our groundbreaking educational content reaches millions of people every month. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Finland's remarkable success in reducing homelessness is often credited to the innovative Housing First approach. This model offers stable housing as the primary intervention, complemented by essential support services to address the root causes of homelessness and help individuals rebuild their lives. Amid the escalating homelessness crisis in the United States, evidence-backed solutions like Housing First often take a back seat to counterproductive measures like criminalizing poverty and conducting homeless sweeps. While skeptics argue that Finland's achievements cannot be replicated in America, Invisible People embarked on a transformative journey to Helsinki, Finland, to explore the potential of implementing the Housing First approach on a large scale in the United States. What's even more striking is that Housing First was born in America. Yet, Finland has embraced it and witnessed an incredible reduction in homelessness, plummeting from over 20,000 homeless people to less than 4,000 in just a decade. Countless media outlets have highlighted Finland's achievements in homelessness reduction, with the Housing First model at the forefront. However, our investigation uncovered that the Finnish approach goes beyond Housing First. Finland's strategy involves prioritizing the development of affordable housing and cultivating a culture genuinely dedicated to improving homeless services to house people quickly and permanently. While Housing First has played a significant role in their success, it's just one piece of the puzzle. Unlike the United States, where the emphasis often lies solely on housing placement, Finland recognizes that people need more than just a roof over their heads to thrive. In Finland, they prioritize placing the individual within the housing unit, ensuring that they have a sense of purpose rather than merely survival. Invisible People is known for its dedication to telling the authentic stories of homelessness, offering viewers a raw and unfiltered glimpse into the lives of those experiencing it firsthand. In this special episode, we take our commitment to authenticity to the next level by providing the most genuine and comprehensive look into Housing First that has ever been captured on video. Our mission is to shed light on the realities of homelessness, challenge preconceptions, and explore viable solutions. Join us as we dive deep into Finland's remarkable approach, presenting an authentic narrative that showcases the transformative power of compassionate policies and affordable housing. Special thanks for support in Finland: Y-Säätiö https://ysaatio.fi Sininauhasäätiö | Blue Ribbon Foundation https://sininauhasaatio.fi Salvation Army https://www.pelastusarmeija.fi No Fixed Abode https://vvary.fi/in-english City of Helsinki https://www.hel.fi/en Jan Vapaavuori https://vapaavuori.net/en Executive producer: Mark Horvath Producer/editor/cinematographer: Alex Gasaway / https://www.youtube.com/alexgasaway Special thanks: Diane Yentel and the National Low Income Housing Coalition Mark Donovan, Founder of the Denver Basic Income Project Donors who supported our GoFundMe More stories: From a Tent to a Home: No Longer Homeless https://youtu.be/0hkkGH_QADA?si=bEU1o5T77sZgBbpN Homeless Veteran Gets an Apartment: HOUSING FIRST WORKS https://youtu.be/SizHuR225Co?si=GsnuOqXMJSuEsrQm ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate Sign up for our newsletter: https://invisiblepeople.tv/email Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv https://www.tiktok.com/@invisiblepeopletv About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Kevin, a devoted single father, is diligently working to provide for his four children, all while navigating the challenging circumstances of their life in a weekly-rate hotel. Initially, the family found temporary respite in a program for homeless families, which covered their stay in a different hotel. However, as the program's six-month duration drew to a close, Kevin and his children faced an uncertain future, teetering on the brink of homelessness. In their dire situation, Kevin reached out to Paul Kruse, whose assistance proved indispensable in securing them another hotel room, preventing them from ending up on the unforgiving streets. Imagine the daunting task of raising four children as a single parent within the confines of a single, cramped hotel room. Sadly, this is the harsh reality experienced by countless homeless families. Weekly-rate hotels, though a meager refuge, often serve as the last line of defense for individuals and families trapped within the relentless cycle of poverty. These individuals grapple with the formidable financial hurdles that stand between them and a stable home, such as the daunting upfront costs of first and last month's rent and security deposits. While weekly-rate hotels provide a makeshift roof over their heads, they fall woefully short of offering the ideal living conditions, especially for children. These establishments frequently lack the essential amenities, safety features, and stability needed for a healthy upbringing. Although it represents a step up from the grim alternatives of sleeping on the streets or in a vehicle, this reliance on such accommodations perpetuates the grim cycle of homelessness. It underscores the pressing need for comprehensive and affordable housing solutions that can empower families and individuals to break free from this arduous predicament, fostering a brighter and more stable future for them all. This family's hotel stay is provided by Paul Kruse. Paul has helped 1,800 homeless families and individuals this year. Both Paul and his wife Lana work tirelessly to help homeless people in the Wentzville area https://firststepbackhome.net More stories: Homeless Woman Cycles Between Streets And Hotels After Husband Dies https://youtu.be/WTiStD42PXQ?si=gvwyzlsWO8mc-OyF Homeless Family with 5 Kids Living in a Hotel Room. https://youtu.be/zm_YS_ZIY3s?si=2uPedKCGyApc-z0o ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate Sign up for our newsletter: https://invisiblepeople.tv/email Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv https://www.tiktok.com/@invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Our groundbreaking educational content reaches millions of people every month. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

At 58, Ella's story is a stark reminder of how quickly life can change. Just last night, she braved the biting cold, sleeping outside in a chilling 30 degrees with the wind adding to the risk of death. Fortunately, she found a brief respite in a hotel, where we met her. Life took a turn for Ella after her husband passed away. With her disability preventing her from working, she's been struggling to make ends meet. Her disability income barely covers a few hotel nights, after which she's often left to rely on the kindness of others for shelter and food. The cycle of short-term hotel stays is a harsh reality for many with limited income, making the dream of renting an apartment seem unattainable. Weekly-rate hotels often become a trap. Ella's situation isn't unique. Senior homelessness is on the rise, just as housing costs continue to skyrocket. It's a looming crisis – a perfect storm of homelessness. We need to take action to reach out to our legislators and advocate for solutions to the affordable housing crisis for Ella and countless others in her situation. Ella's hotel stay is provided by Paul Kruse. Paul has helped 1,800 homeless families and individuals this year. Both Paul and his wife work tirelessly to help homeless people in the Wentzville area https://firststepbackhome.net ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate Sign up for our newsletter: https://invisiblepeople.tv/email Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv https://www.tiktok.com/@invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Our groundbreaking educational content reaches millions of people every month. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Anthony is homeless in Manchester, New Hampshire. He's disabled and an addict. Anthony was in prison for close to ten years, and when he got out, life had changed so much that he relapsed. Anthony has social anxiety, which may be a result of so many years of incarceration. Anthony can get a job, but with his disability, maintaining employment is a challenge. Anthony has dreams. He tells us how he wants to get a trucking license to drive long halls. He believes this type of work he can maintain with his didablity. You can see his passion as Anthony shares his desire for a better life., but it's heartbreaking to know that unless someone helps Anthony achieve his goals, they probably will never happen. This is the sad reality of homelessness. So many people just need a little help and support to get off the streets and sustain a normal life, but the resources for support are not there to help someone like Anthony. This is where you come in. We all must take tangible actions to prevent and solve homelessness in our communities. It has never been more important to get politically active, and local nonprofits are overwhelmed and desperately need support. I did follow up with Anthony about the GoFundMe he believes he set up. Anthony does not have a bank account to set up a GoFundMe, and while he did add some information on the internet, he did not create an account he can get money from. It's one of the many things about GoFundMe campaigns I hate. Desperate people like Anthony are given false hope. ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate Sign up for our newsletter: https://invisiblepeople.tv/email Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv https://www.tiktok.com/@invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Our groundbreaking educational content reaches millions of people every month. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

I am strange. Most people, when they travel, go and do touristy stuff. I always go and hang with homeless people. Visiting Prague was a bucket list experience I thought would never happen. My grandparents are from Czechoslovakia, so I have always wanted to visit. I have heard many good things about Pragulic's homeless tours of Prague. I did a similar tour in London that was wonderful. From their website, Pragulic is a social enterprise that challenges the stereotypes associated with homelessness by enabling people to experience the world from a homeless perspective. My tour guides for the day were Roman and Mira, along with Ela, who helped translate. Roman took us under the bridge, where he used to live in a tent, also showing us a charity helping homeless people along the way. We joined Mira at Žižkov freight railway station (Praha-Žižkov), which has been abandoned for many years. Homelessness in Prague, the Czech Republic's picturesque capital, starkly contrasts the city's historic charm and architectural grandeur. While tourists throng the winding cobblestone streets, marveling at the Gothic, Baroque, and Renaissance-era landmarks, a segment of the city's population struggles for daily survival, often unseen or overlooked. Much like in other global cities, homeless individuals in Prague grapple with a range of challenges, from mental and physical health issues to the stigmatization and isolation that accompanies living on the streets. Though the Czech government and various non-profit organizations offer support, there remains a pressing need for comprehensive solutions addressing the symptoms and the root causes of homelessness. This poignant situation serves as a reminder that behind the facade of every bustling metropolis lies a tapestry of human stories, some of which urgently need attention and compassion. My homeless tour of Prague is a memory I will always cherish. I hope to do it again someday. I often get asked about the differences when I visit other countries, but it's the similarities that stand out. Homelessness is horrible no matter where you live, and we all must take tangible actions to prevent and solve homelessness in our communities. Learn more about Pragulic here https://pragulic.cz Special thanks to Eduard Germis for helping me make this video https://www.eduardgermis.com ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate Sign up for our newsletter: https://invisiblepeople.tv/email Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv https://www.tiktok.com/@invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Our groundbreaking educational content reaches millions of people every month. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom. .

We all know that homelessness is growing. Instead of working on evidence-based solutions that actually reduce homelessness, politicians and special interests are criminalizing homeless people — which will only create more homelessness. Invisible People is the only newsroom that’s focused solely on homelessness and related topics. And today, we need your help. We’re kicking off our Fall Pledge Drive and we need you to make a donation to help us reach more people to make the truth louder. Will you make your gift right now and help to fight propaganda, criminalization, and high rents? https://secure.qgiv.com/for/octdrive/info/youtube We are facing a crisis level of homelessness, and politicians and special interests are ignoring the facts of what works in order to push an agenda of criminalization. Independent news is needed now more than ever. As a nonprofit newsroom, we rely on our donors to pay our reporters, reach more people, produce short videos and documentaries, and advocate for real solutions to the problems. You can help. Make your tax-deductible donation today and power the newsroom that is telling the truth about homelessness — and working hard to solve it. https://secure.qgiv.com/for/octdrive/info/youtube ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate Sign up for our newsletter: https://invisiblepeople.tv/email Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv https://www.tiktok.com/@invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Our groundbreaking educational content reaches millions of people every month. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Rachel could have never imagined she'd end up without a home. However, that's been her reality for more than a decade, living in a tent on the bustling streets of San Diego—until now! This video takes you on Rachel’s journey from her makeshift tent to her very own apartment. Finally, Rachel has a place to call home! It's heartbreaking to see that as the homelessness crisis is expanding, many politicians are focusing more on punishing homeless people out of sight instead of providing the essential support they desperately need. And sadly, San Diego is a prime example of a city that's pretty harsh on homeless folks. They seem more interested in penalizing them instead of giving them a helping hand, which hurts us all. Homelessness is getting worse, and instead of creating helpful solutions, some are pulling back support for housing—the very thing that can genuinely solve homelessness! Housing not only gives people like Rachel a new lease on life but it's also a much more humane and effective solution than just moving people around or throwing them in jail. And, believe it or not, it actually saves taxpayer money in the long run! San Diego's approach to dealing with homelessness is doing more harm than good, making the situation worse for those struggling to survive on the streets. It seems there’s a lack of understanding that secure housing is a game-changer—it can really turn someone’s life around, getting them off the streets permanently. Rachel’s story is living proof that giving people a stable place to live is the real solution to homelessness. In a nutshell, the rise in homelessness calls for compassion and real, lasting solutions, like more housing options, not just condemning those who are struggling. Let's look at Rachel's new beginning and see it as a beacon of hope and a testament to what's possible when we address homelessness with kindness, understanding, and actual help instead of punishment. Watch more Invisible Stories mini-documentaries on homelessness https://invisiblepeople.tv/invisiblestories Executive producer: Mark Horvath Producer/editor/cinematographer: Alex Gasaway https://www.youtube.com/alexgasaway Associate producer: Erin McGinnis More stories: Where Do They Go? The Painful Reality of Seattle's RV Homeless Sweeps https://youtu.be/1-mins3KNFk?si=yqwFnwSWweP8yPOE Criminalization of Homelessness: San Diego's Failed Response to a Homele... https://youtu.be/Uhb_cgwFrFQ?si=5g6prl9JpanQFP10 ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate Sign up for our newsletter: https://invisiblepeople.tv/email Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv https://www.tiktok.com/@invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Our groundbreaking educational content reaches millions of people every month. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Today wasn't Michael's first encounter with a homeless sweep in Los Angeles. But today was different. The RV that he calls home wouldn't start. With the LAPD and LA Sanitation closing in, the threat of losing everything he owned loomed large. Councilwoman Traci Park of Los Angeles has taken a hard stance, consistently pushing for the removal of homeless RVs in Council District 11. While she champions this cause, she simultaneously delays housing solutions for the homeless in Venice. We've previously covered homeless RV sweeps at Ballona Wetlands: https://youtu.be/jZpi1hSdD3k?si=cKNMsKNGpa8hWK7M No one wishes to see homeless encampments or RVs lining the streets. But displacing homeless people without offering substantial support isn't the answer. It merely shifts the problem and burdens taxpayers without providing real solutions. Politicians often claim that they offer the homeless shelter beds, hotels, or housing. However, the stark reality is that many are simply placed on waiting lists. When a bed does become available, it's often due to political pressure, not a system that works. Those who have waited for months, including the disabled, are left out in the cold so politicians can tout their "success" stories. Los Angeles is in dire need of shelters and housing solutions. Of the 50,000 homeless individuals in the city, Mayor Bass' "Inside Safe" program managed to house only 1,300 in half a year. Astonishingly, recent data reveals that the Inside Safe program's hotel accommodations cost an exorbitant $17K per person per month. To put it into perspective, the entire county only has about 16,000 shelter beds. Statistics paint a worrying picture: for every 100% rise in median rent, there's a 9% increase in homelessness. As these numbers swell, Los Angeles's strategy of out-of-sight, out-of-mind will only exacerbate the crisis. If you live in Los Angeles, here is a link for the City Council contact information broken down by district. Please reach out to your legislators to demand they stop the sweeps. https://lacity.gov/directory Nationally, please support Housing Not Handcuffs https://housingnothandcuffs.org More stories: Women Scramble to Save Belongings from RV Homeless Sweep https://youtu.be/jZpi1hSdD3k?si=KGNPEoHpy5VJ3Gu7 Los Angeles Homeless Sweeps https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL51CPD51hq2Q6xjIg9j99c0WrdMGrM4_v&si=z0-dExDpAVD1dS8z ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate Sign up for our newsletter: https://invisiblepeople.tv/email Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv https://www.tiktok.com/@invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Our groundbreaking educational content reaches millions of people every month. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Thomas is making the best out of living on the streets in San Diego, but at 72 years old, he shouldn't be homeless. We learned after this interview that Thomas is a veteran, which validates even more Thomas should not be spending his senior years homeless. No one, young or old, should be homeless. Thomas says you could not pay him to stay in a homeless shelter. He says shelters made him sick, and his health didn't get better until he went back outside in a tent. Thomas wants to go into an apartment, but he shares that the housing being offered to the elderly is rundown and not suitable to live in or they take most of his Social Security money, leaving him nothing to live on. Sadly, Thomas is just one of many seniors that cannot afford housing. The issue of elderly homelessness in America is a growing and disconcerting crisis that underscores systemic shortcomings in both healthcare and social support networks. Often falling through the cracks of an already burdened system, elderly individuals face unique challenges such as declining physical health, increased medical needs, and social isolation. Traditional support systems like pensions or family structures are increasingly insufficient while skyrocketing healthcare costs and a lack of affordable housing contribute to the complexity of the problem. The vulnerability of this demographic is further exacerbated by their susceptibility to physical and emotional abuse and even exploitation. This crisis is not only a tragic reflection of societal values but also a critical issue that demands immediate, comprehensive, and compassionate solutions. The current situation is a clear call to action for policy changes that address the root causes of homelessness, particularly among the elderly, who are one of the most vulnerable populations in society. More stories: Criminalization of Homelessness: San Diego's Failed Response to a Homeless Crisis https://youtu.be/Uhb_cgwFrFQ?si=6OW-9cgkSPFl4bqz Elderly Homeless Man Worked All of His Life Just to End up on the Streets of Los Angeles https://youtu.be/oM8u4ZK0qjw?si=DtQH1_U_NmS4Cw_O ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate Sign up for our newsletter: https://invisiblepeople.tv/email Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Sean seems like a kind man. He remembers the day he became homeless. For nineteen months, Sean has been sleeping rough homeless in Center London. Sean's first day homeless was shortly after his wife and child died. Trauma like Sean's experience can be devastating, resulting in a person losing everything and ending up homeless. Once on the streets, the trauma of homelessness and having to fight to survive creates a vicious cycle, making it even harder for a person to get out of homelessness. Added to that, available services, especially housing, are lacking. Sean shares that a day sleeping rough is mostly walking. He says the public often thinks all they do is beg for money, but it's not like that. Sean continues how people spit on him and kick him. London is now mostly cashless, which makes it harder for rough sleepers we are panhandling. We do not support begging for money, but as we share in this short animation about giving money to homeless people, often they don't have a choice but to beg for change https://youtu.be/BuRPdmVzMAM?si=iNORR6LI0f0lD6j- Sean ends this interview by saying: "I don't want the world. I just want to be happy." In the United Kingdom, as it is in America, it's up to all of us to change policies to solve homelessness. Please contact your legislators today. More UK stories: Homeless Youth Sleeping Rough in London after Mother Died https://youtu.be/24To8SF46jU? Natasha is 22 years-old and has been homeless, sleeping rough in London for 4 years https://youtu.be/6TLVgwoqhoc?si=RyVmhuaRvEoCB9re Truth About Giving Money to Homeless People https://youtu.be/BuRPdmVzMAM?si=uWor4uJI2GSN8zgC ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv https://www.tiktok.com/@invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Our groundbreaking educational content reaches millions of people every month. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Holly Porter, a quadriplegic homeless woman living in a tent in Sacramento, was the inspiration and co-founder of Camp Resolution, a self-government encampment run by the unhoused people who live there. A group of homeless women rallied behind Holly to push the city of Sacramento to get her into housing. Around 60 unhoused people call Camp Resultion home. The city supplied 34 trailers; however, the living conditions within these trailers are constrained, as inhabitants are prohibited from using essential appliances like microwaves, stoves, and air conditioning. This limitation forces residents to primarily utilize the trailers for shelter, although the Sacramento heat renders them excessively hot. At the forefront of the battle for unhoused individuals' rights stands Crystal Sanchez, president of the Sacramento Homeless Union—an advocacy organization committed to securing housing for those in need. Drawing from her own experience of homelessness, Crystal's dedication has positioned her as a driving force in aiding Sacramento's unhoused population. The City of Sacramento aggressively tried to intimidate Camp Resultion's residents to leave, but after a series of actions and passionate testimonies at the City Council, the city reversed its threats to raid the camp. Instead, it has agreed to lease the property to Camp Resolution for no money. In addition, the new lease binds city officials to an agreement: The people in Camp Resolution cannot be moved from the parking lot until every resident has been placed into permanent, stable housing. Camp Resolution stands as a testament to the proactive strides unhoused individuals are taking to improve their own lives amidst governmental shortcomings. In stark contrast to the sanctioned encampments emerging in cities throughout the United States—a direct consequence of these cities' ineffective homelessness policies—Camp Resolution distinguishes itself by its origin and administration. It is conceived and operated by the very unhoused individuals who call it home. Remarkably, this initiative manages to achieve its objectives at a mere fraction of the cost that cities expend on erecting tents on parking lots or tiny shack villages, politically referred to as tiny homes, which they are not! Since our visit to Camp Resolution, Holly Porter has been placed into housing. The City of Sacramento continues to criminalize homelessness, often up to four sweeps a day. Watch more Invisible Stories mini-documentaries on homelessness https://invisiblepeople.tv/invisiblestories . Executive producer: Mark Horvath Producer/editor/cinematographer: Alex Gasaway https://www.youtube.com/alexgasaway Photos of Holly Porter: Renée C. Byer More stories:: Where Do They Go? The Painful Reality of Seattle's RV Homeless Sweeps https://youtu.be/1-mins3KNFk?si=BaxG6sX0xzCnNQC- Ktown for All Helping Homeless People in Los Angeles’s Koreatown https://youtu.be/_Gvp3NUBB_A ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People's website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate About Invisible People Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

They call her "Queen of the Train Station." Sari has been homeless in Helsinki for ten years, but she prefers the term "vailla vakinaista asuntoa," which means without a permanent home. When watching this video, please understand that there is a huge culture and communication difference. Sari may not have understood our questions, and we could easily have misunderstood her responses. For example, when Sari talks about hotels, it's very similar to in America when homeless people receive their benefits and then pay for a stay in a hotel for a few days to rest and clean up. I would not have known this unless someone we were with informed me. The main reason we are posting Sari's video is that she is a wonderful person, and she has a YouTube channel, and we hope many of you will follow and encourage her https://www.youtube.com/@Saxpi7/videos Humans are complicated. Sari will go inside when she wants to. Right now, she has created a community at the train station. People know her. Sari feels comfortable. For her, that's all that matters. We spent some time with her, and she seemed happy. We often forget how much community and identity play a role. This train station has become Sari's home. For her, this train station provides a purpose, whereas in an apartment, she may not have that, or she is afraid of losing what she has. Finland is working on Housing First 2.0 to help people like Sari and get more people inside. Sari, when you see this, I wanted to use "vailla vakinaista asuntoa" in the title. It was an honor to meet you. You were the highlight of our visit to Finland. ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv https://www.tiktok.com/@invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Our groundbreaking educational content reaches millions of people every month. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Meet Kellie. She used to live in an RV parked in Playa Del Ray until she got offered a spot in a hotel program with a housing voucher promise. But things went downhill from there. No case manager ever showed up, and the service provider running the program wasn't much help either. Whenever Kellie called LAHSA, they just redirected her back to the hotel folks, giving her the runaround. After months in the hotel program, they told Kellie she had to move to Skid Row or have nothing at all. So, she ended up back in her RV, which she's grateful she didn't sell. Now, by tomorrow morning, all the RVs have to be gone, or they'll be towed, leaving Kellie with no place to go. She might park her RV in another neighborhood, but she knows she'll eventually be pushed out from there too. Councilwoman Traci Park and Playa Del Rey residents made the news, celebrating the towing of RVs near Ballona Wetlands. They conveniently forget to mention that these people have nowhere else to go. Today, we spent the day talking to the remaining vehicle dwellers. LAHSA and St. Joseph case workers were there too, but their "help" was just putting people on a waiting list for a possible hotel room or shelter bed. No specifics or guarantees, just a list to check a box for Traci Park's political game. When politicians target an encampment for removal, homeless services prioritize that area, leaving other homeless people waiting longer. It's not uncommon for some people to wait for a bed at the Venice Bridge Shelter only to see open beds offered to political agendas over them. Besides being wrong, this is NOT how we will solve homelessness. Kellie's story is heartbreaking yet crucial. There are tens of thousands of homeless people in LA County, and they're being shuffled around by these so-called "homeless sweeps." Politicians claim they offer housing and services, but being put on a waiting list hardly qualifies as support. And for the lucky few who make it into a hotel, the lack of services and broken promises often drive them right back to tents and RVs. More stories: Women Scramble to save Belongings from RV Homeless Sweep https://youtu.be/jZpi1hSdD3k Where Do They Go? The Painful Reality of Seattle's RV Homeless Sweeps https://youtu.be/1-mins3KNFk Los Angeles Homeless Sweeps https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL51CPD51hq2Q6xjIg9j99c0WrdMGrM4_v ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People's website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People's Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath's Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn't just talk. Our groundbreaking educational content reaches millions of people every month. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don't take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Ken is a homeless veteran in San Diego. He had bought a fishing boat and just started to make some money fishing. The boat also provided Ken with a place to live, so he ended up on the streets when he lost the boat. Ken thought that he would be able to survive homelessness, thinking to himself it can't be that hard to work your way up. Ken quickly learned that it's "not easy to overcome all the obstacles to get a home again." Ken says being a veteran, it's one more organization to turn to for help, but that doesn't mean people can get past the bureaucracy to get the support they need. At the time of this interview, Ken was approved for housing. Sometimes it can take months or more after getting approved to when you are in housing. I hope the rest of his path out of homelessness is easy. In San Diego, homeless people are given three hours to move their stuff. If, by chance, the person is at a doctor's appointment or a job interview or out trying to find food and water, the city takes all their belongings. Ken shares how, while he was filling out forms to get into a shelter, the city came and took all of his stuff, including his ID, DD214., social security card, and birth certificate, so without identification, Ken was not able to get into the shelter and remained on the street homeless. To make it worse, Ken's friends tried to save his tent from San Diego Sanitation throwing it away, but the police would not allow it. Cities across America continue to invest more in pushing homeless people out of sight than helping to solve homelessness through evidence-based programs like housing. San Diego is one of the worst. We made this short documentary about how they criminalize homelessness. Criminalization of Homelessness: San Diego's Failed Response to a Homeless Crisis https://youtu.be/Uhb_cgwFrFQ Here's our mini-doc about Seattle doing the same thing Where Do They Go? The Painful Reality of Seattle's RV Homeless Sweeps https://youtu.be/1-mins3KNFk ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv https://www.tiktok.com/@invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Our groundbreaking educational content reaches millions of people every month. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

We hate homelessness, but we love homeless people., and the most shocking location that's representative of poverty in America we find homeless people in is Lafayette Square, the park directly across the street from the White House. We visit Lafayette Square every time we are in Washington, DC. It doesn't matter who the president living at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue is; there are always homeless people near. Just walking to the White House, it's heartbreaking seeing the amount of street homeless people suffering just blocks away, knowing our national lawmakers can solve homelessness, but housing as a solution to solving homelessness has now become a political wedge issue., so humans are left to die outside. The White House represents the power and wealth of this great country of ours, yet there are millions of Americans who do not have adequate housing or access to healthcare. Many suffer from food insecurity, and as Milton shared in this video, just trying to find a bathroom is a huge challenge for homeless people. Milton is 58 years old. He's lived outside for a few years. Milton told us that his homelessness started after losing a job and challenges after a relationship. He shared he thinks shelters provide a purpose, but with all the different people, Milton is more comfortable sleeping outside. He does go into a shelter when the weather is cold, but only then. Milton says a local church is helping him find housing. This is where you can help. We all need to advocate to fix the affordable housing crisis. For every $100 increase in medium rent, homelessness increases by 9%. If we don't prevent and solve homelessness now, homeless numbers will continue to skyrocket out of control. ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv https://www.tiktok.com/@invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Our groundbreaking educational content reaches millions of people every month. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Mississippi moved to San Diego for a new job; after being laid off, he was evicted. Mississippi and his girlfriend lived in a car. She decided to go live with her daughter. which put Mississippi on the streets homeless in San Diego. When we asked Mississippi what was keeping him outside, he responded with one word - HOUSING, as in the lack of housing. He continues that nonprofits in San Diego promised him housing last year, and he's still sleeping outside. San Diego is one of the most expensive cities in the world, and it's no wonder that so many people are homeless. This video is a sobering reminder of the challenges that people facing chronic homelessness face every day. In the US, homeless people are increasingly criminalized, with politicians on both sides passing laws to push unhoused people out of sight over providing them with the support they need. This homeless man in San Diego is one of the countless victims of this trend. By sharing his story, we are hoping to raise awareness about the struggles faced by homeless people and the urgent need to fix the affroble housing crisis. More stories from San Diego Criminalization of Homelessness: San Diego's Failed Response to a Homelessness https://youtu.be/Uhb_cgwFrFQ San Diego Homeless Woman Arrested for Being Unhoused https://youtu.be/3kYldbvqHZk ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv https://www.tiktok.com/@invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Our groundbreaking educational content reaches millions of people every month. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

"More than anyone else in the country, Horvath's interviews give the homeless a face and a voice" ~ Dateline NBC Back in 2018, Dateline NBC featured Invisible People's important work. ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv https://www.tiktok.com/@invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Our groundbreaking educational content reaches millions of people every month. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

"More than anyone else in the country, Horvath's interviews give the homeless a face and a voice" ~ Dateline NBC Back in 2018, Dateline NBC featured Invisible People's important work in changing the narrative of homelessness. More: Documentary on Mark Horvath of Invisible People Using YouTube and Social Media to End Homelessness https://youtu.be/z0wDn9SAWZs ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv https://www.tiktok.com/@invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Our groundbreaking educational content reaches millions of people every month. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Serenity is 20 years old, pregnant, and living in a tent homeless in San Diego. She shares that one of the reasons she's turned away from shelters is that there are no bottom bunks available, and because she is pregnant, she cannot sleep on a top bunk. Often, shelters are for men or women, and those that are able to help pregnant women are full. We were able to connect Serenity to a street medicine team. While I was on the phone with the nurse practitioner, she told me they are seeing more pregnant women out on the streets. We featured four street medicine teams in California here https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL51CPD51hq2SUwXSPw3cHNE9jsxN_62t- They will be able to help Serenity with medical care and connect her to social services that will hopefully get her off the streets. In this interview, Serenity shared she has trouble getting to doctors, so medical care was the first crisis that needed to be solved, and street medicine teams are the very best. The day we were at this homeless camp, police and sanitation were doing a homeless sweep. Mayor Todd Gloria continues to pass laws that make homelessness a crime. Part of his containment strategy is aggressive sweeps. Homeless people are given three hours to move all of their belongings, or they lose everything. In the hot sun, Serenity was forced to move to the other side of the street only to have to move back again. We documented San Diego's cruel criminalization of homelessness here https://youtu.be/Uhb_cgwFrFQ This is no longer about housing and homelessness. Politicians have weaponized the criminalization of poverty for their political agendas. Support for housing as a solution to end homelessness decreases every day, while support for the criminalization of homelessness increases. This is all while homeless numbers are skyrocketing. It's horrible that a young pregnant woman is sleeping in a tent, but if we don't take action now to prevent and solve homelessness, we will see more women and the elderly outside. If you live in San Diego, please contact your lawmakers to get homeless people the help they need and to stop criminalizing homelessness. More: Criminalization of Homelessness: San Diego's Failed Response to a Homelessness: https://youtu.be/Uhb_cgwFrFQ YouTube Short with Serenity talking about how she is embarrassed to tell her friends that she's homeless and the challenges of getting help: https://youtube.com/shorts/XlECFWM81AA ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv https://www.tiktok.com/@invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Our groundbreaking educational content reaches millions of people every month. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Cornell was homeless on the streets of Skid Row for over a decade. Also known as Smiley, many of you fell in love with Cornell's positive attitude as he wished people "Happy Monday" https://youtu.be/ZTfIm4xjC6M And while it's always good to smile, Cornell showed us the harsh reality of life on Skid Row living in a tent during the rain https://youtu.be/YJgyIogC9IE After a decade of homelessness, Cornell is now living in a hotel room provided by Inside Safe, a pioneering program led by Los Angeles Mayor Bass, designed to alleviate the city's chronic homelessness crisis. Inside Safe provides temporary shelter to individuals experiencing homelessness, providing them with hotel rooms equipped with essential amenities. This initiative aims to provide immediate relief in the form of a safe space to live and restores a degree of dignity often lost in the struggle for survival on the streets. Despite facing significant challenges such as funding limitations and the need for scalable solutions, Inside Safe is a tangible lifeline for marginalized individuals, offering a stepping stone towards stability and a potential pathway out of homelessness. Its impact, as seen through a modest yet profound change of participants like Cornell, underscores its value in the broader context of homelessness relief strategies. Soma Snakeoil runs The Sidewalk Project, a nonprofit organization striving to provide harm reduction services. Despite the overwhelming need in the community, Soma's unwavering commitment led her to facilitate Cornell's involvement in the Inside Safe program, a pivotal turning point in his life. We featured their fantastic work here: Saving Lives of Sex Workers and Addicts on Skid Row: Sidewalk Project https://youtu.be/vA_YZ_d45UE Support The Sidewalk Project here: https://www.thesidewalkproject.org Produced by Adam Trunell https://www.idiotdreamerbeast.com More Skid Row stories: Happy Monday: Life on Skid Row https://youtu.be/ZTfIm4xjC6M Skid Row in a Rain Storm: When It Rains, It Pours Misery https://youtu.be/YJgyIogC9IE Skid Row Homeless Sweeps Make Homelessness Worse https://youtu.be/wMF4XHi5IEk ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv https://www.tiktok.com/@invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Our groundbreaking educational content reaches millions of people every month. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Paul Boden is the executive director of the Western Regional Advocacy Group. We first interviewed Paul back in 2019. You can watch that interview here https://youtu.be/6Y3M-GaR84s I consider Paul a leading expert on homelessness, and I highly respect him for always being brutally honest about homelessness, the homeless industry, and the criminalization of poverty in America. In 40 years of homelessness, the only noticeable change is the number of people unhoused keeps increasing while politicians continue to invest more in pushing homeless people out of sight over actually working to solve this crisis. In this interview, Paul talks about the government's approach to the issue, arguing that there is a focus on addressing the visible symptoms of poverty and homelessness rather than the root causes. They also highlight the power imbalance between those with more power and the neoliberal apparatus of the government and corporate structure. Paul talks touches on the issue of intentional urban design contributing to homelessness, the demonization of homeless people, and the rise of businesses profiting from the crisis. Paul urges people to demand real change rather than thanking politicians for meetings. We also discuss the need to build alliances and accountability within the community without relying on self-identified leaders or token representation. Paul emphasizes the importance of building power for the community rather than personal or agency power, and the need for a shift in priorities away from charity and towards addressing the root causes of poverty, racism, and classism. For more information on WRAP, visit https://wraphome.org Where Do They Go? The Painful Reality of Seattle's RV Homeless Sweeps https://youtu.be/1-mins3KNFk Criminalization of Homelessness: San Diego's Failed Response to a Homelessness https://youtu.be/Uhb_cgwFrFQ ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv https://www.tiktok.com/@invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Our groundbreaking educational content reaches millions of people every month. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

San Diego has been grappling with a significant homelessness crisis, a problem that has been exacerbated by the city's approach to criminalizing homelessness. This strategy involves arresting and penalizing individuals for engaging in life-sustaining activities in public spaces, such as sleeping, sitting, or eating, when they have no other place to do so. While the city's intent may be to deter individuals from living on the streets, criminalizing homelessness has not only failed to address the root causes of the issue, but it has also made the problem worse. This punitive approach has resulted in a vicious cycle of arrests, fines, and incarceration, pushing homeless individuals further into poverty and making it even more difficult for them to secure stable housing. San Diego's criminalization of homelessness has put a significant burden on already strained public resources, as law enforcement, courts, and jails become overburdened with the task of dealing with homeless-related infractions. The cost of incarcerating individuals for minor offenses often exceeds the cost of providing them with adequate social services, such as temporary housing, mental health care, and substance abuse treatment. By focusing on punishment rather than addressing the underlying issues that contribute to homelessness, San Diego's strategy has perpetuated a cycle of hardship and despair for its most vulnerable residents. It is evident that a more compassionate and effective approach is needed, one that prioritizes housing, mental health care, and social support services to help individuals escape the cycle of homelessness and reintegrate into society. Michael McConnell is a prominent advocate for the homeless community in San Diego. With unwavering dedication and passion, he has been at the forefront of efforts to bring attention to the challenges faced by those experiencing homelessness in the city. McConnell tirelessly works to shed light on the detrimental effects of San Diego's approach to criminalizing homelessness and has been a vocal critic of this strategy. Through his advocacy work, he strives to raise awareness about the root causes of homelessness, the need for compassionate solutions, and the importance of providing adequate social services to help individuals escape the cycle of poverty. More stories: Arrested Over 20 Times for Being Homeless in San Diego https://youtu.be/wApYPyH7shM San Diego Homeless Woman Arrested for Being Unhoused https://youtu.be/3kYldbvqHZk Where Do They Go? The Painful Reality of Seattle's RV Homeless Sweeps https://youtu.be/1-mins3KNFk ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv https://www.tiktok.com/@invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Our groundbreaking educational content reaches millions of people every month. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

This video is a handy guide for parents and teachers, jam-packed with good advice on how to chat with kids about a pretty tough topic - homelessness. It's inspired by a helpful article from our Invisible People website and is all about encouraging our youngsters to understand, empathize, and be aware of the world around them. First up, we dive into what homelessness really means, breaking it down into kid-friendly language. We cover the main reasons why people might find themselves without a home, like losing a job, the sky-high cost of housing, and health problems. We're also here to bust some myths - homelessness can happen to anyone, regardless of who they are or where they come from. Next, we tackle the big question - how do you even begin to discuss homelessness with children? Well, we've got you covered. We've got some great tips on keeping the conversation real without freaking them out or making things too complicated. We believe in honest and appropriate answers to those tricky questions kids always seem to have, helping them see homelessness from a realistic and kind-hearted point of view. We've also included some cool ideas on how you and your kids can help make a difference. This might be volunteering at a local shelter, or joining in with events to spread the word about homelessness. We want to show kids that every little bit counts, and that they can help make the world a little bit better. So, this video is all about opening up the conversation, understanding, and showing a little kindness towards the issue of homelessness - something that's often misunderstood and judged unfairly. We're going for a friendly but straightforward approach, making this video a top-notch tool for creating a caring, informed new generation. Mark Horvath: Executive Producer Marijane Miller: Producer & Writer Blap Studios: Animation Producer Alex Gasaway: Sound Design More animations on homelessness: Truth About Giving Money to Homeless People https://youtu.be/BuRPdmVzMAM Think they don’t notice? Why Eye Contact with Homeless People Matters https://youtu.be/NqLigPHEdvA ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv https://www.tiktok.com/@invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Our groundbreaking educational content reaches millions of people every month. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Since this interview, Reset (not her real name) has been removed from the faith-based shelter and is now back living in her car. If you'd like to help her, here is a link to her GoFundMe https://www.gofundme.com/f/want-my-life-back-homeless-sucks. Reset is a physically disabled homeless woman in Oceanside, California, who faced discrimination when staying in a 30-day faith-based shelter. After the 30-day period, she was removed from the shelter because she is not a Christian. This exclusion goes against the teachings of Jesus, who commanded his followers to show unconditional love to everyone, including the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and those in need. While some ministries genuinely help homeless people, many others use an outdated discipleship model that prioritizes religious programming over providing services and support. Withholding basic needs from hurting people is not what Jesus would do. It’s coercion, not Christianity. Reset became disabled after a freak accident. She was a nomad living in a skoolie bus, working remotely, when she flew out of the windshield, causing her disability. She lost 95% of everything she owned and now has to use a walker to get around. True homelessness is the absence of choice. Many people intentionally live in vehicles, but any time they want to go rent an apartment, they can. Homeless people that live in vehicles have no other choice. This is the big difference between a nomadic lifestyle and homelessness. Reset's story highlights the larger issue of discrimination, as people with physical disabilities face significant barriers to finding adequate shelter and services. Reset shared that she called over 70 service providers to find help and learned that many don't have a bed or don't support people with physical disabilities. Unfortunately, many service providers lack the resources and accommodations to support people with disabilities, leaving them without access to basic needs like shelter, food, and medical care. It's unacceptable that homeless individuals with physical disabilities are being left behind, and more needs to be done to ensure they receive the support they need. ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Our groundbreaking educational content reaches millions of people every month. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

For every $100 increase in median rent, Homelessness increases by 9%. As rents go up, so does the homeless population. Homelessness is a symptom, not a cause, so until we fix the affordable housing crisis, lack of a living wage, racism, a broken criminal justice system, foster care, and domestic violence, provide better support for addiction and mental health, we will never solve Homelessness. But there are things you can do right now to help. First, educate yourself and those around you about Homelessness and homeless people. Unfortunately, an alarming amount of negative propaganda on Homelessness is being shared daily. Education is vital to know the truth. One place to start is our website's Invisible People's Learn More section. We also publish daily news on Apple News and Google News. You can also go to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, National Coalition for the Homeless, National Homelessness Law Center, and National Low Income Housing Coalition Second, get politically active. Now more than ever, we need to fix the affroble housing crisis and stop the growing movement to make Homelessness illegal. Yes, you heard me - laws are being passed at the state and local levels to criminalize Homelessness. It's a growing crisis and political advocacy has never been more important than it is today. Third, find a local nonprofit in your community working to solve Homelessness and support them either by volunteering or providing financial support. Over the last few years, there has been a growing number of mutual aid groups. If there is a group helping your homeless neighbors in your community, connect with them. First - educate yourself Second - get politically active Third - find a local nonprofit or mutual aid group in your community to support Close to 28 years ago, I was sleeping outside, homeless. I am living proof that if we love on people until we can love on themselves, we can help people escape Homelessness. But the world has changed. Rents in Raleigh, North Carolina, are up 75%. Austin rents are up 40%, and In Orlando, 30%. We must also fight the growing push to criminalize Homelessness. We cannot arrest our way out of Homelessness. Besides being even more of a burden on taxpayers, a punitive response to Homelessness makes Homelessness worse. ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Our groundbreaking educational content reaches millions of people every month. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

In this video, we meet Rachel, a homeless woman living in a tent near Downtown San Diego. Rachel is among the many homeless individuals who are facing the harsh consequences of San Diego's approach to criminalizing homelessness. The city's strategy involves arresting and penalizing individuals for basic life-sustaining activities, such as sleeping, sitting, or eating in public spaces, when they have nowhere else to go. As a result, Rachel and many others are constantly pushed from one block to another, with their belongings confiscated and thrown away by San Diego Police and Environmental Services. Rachel shares that homelessness is the hardest job she has ever had, with only two 24/7 bathrooms downtown and no 24/7 showers. There are no days off. No sick days. A homeless person has to walk often miles for water and food every day. Although it is somewhat easy to find a job, maintaining one while living outside homeless is nearly impossible, as shared by Dullanni in his interview from San Diego https://youtu.be/wApYPyH7shM. Rachel herself was arrested and spent seven days in jail for being without adequate housing after a homeless shelter ran out of beds. This punitive approach to homelessness has not only failed to address the root causes of the issue but has also made it worse, resulting in a vicious cycle of arrests, fines, and incarceration. It has put a significant burden on already strained public resources and perpetuated a cycle of hardship and despair for San Diego's most vulnerable residents. It is evident that a more compassionate and effective approach is needed, one that prioritizes housing, mental health care, and social support services to help individuals escape the cycle of homelessness and reintegrate into society. You can follow Rachel on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/RachelHayes_33 More stories: Arrested Over 20 Times for Being Homeless in San Diego https://youtu.be/wApYPyH7shM Where Do They Go? The Painful Reality of Seattle's RV Homeless Sweeps https://youtu.be/1-mins3KNFk ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Our groundbreaking educational content reaches millions of people every month. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Dullanni is homeless in San Diego, California. He just got a job working part-time. Dullanni says it's easy for him to get a job. The problem is being able to maintain a job. Lack of showers and the ability to lock a tent are just a few of the roadblocks homeless people face when trying to keep a job but for homeless people in San Diego, the criminalization of homelessness is the biggest obstacle. Dullanni has been arrested over 20 times just for the crime of not having a home. Dullanni shares that his entire criminal record comes from his homelessness, and once - San Diego Police caused Dullanni to lose a job. While research shows that criminalization of homelessness only makes the homeless crisis worse, San Diego politicians have doubled down on pushing homelessness from one block to the next. In recent years, San Diego has been grappling with a significant homelessness crisis, a problem that has been exacerbated by the city's approach to criminalizing homelessness. This strategy involves arresting and penalizing individuals for engaging in life-sustaining activities in public spaces, such as sleeping, sitting, or eating, when they have no other place to do so. While the city's intent may be to deter individuals from living on the streets, criminalizing homelessness has not only failed to address the root causes of the issue, but it has also made the problem worse. This punitive approach has resulted in a vicious cycle of arrests, fines, and incarceration, pushing homeless individuals further into poverty and making it even more difficult for them to secure stable housing. San Diego's criminalization of homelessness has put a significant burden on already strained public resources, as law enforcement, courts, and jails become overburdened with the task of dealing with homeless-related infractions. The cost of incarcerating individuals for minor offenses often exceeds the cost of providing them with adequate social services, such as temporary housing, mental health care, and substance abuse treatment. By focusing on punishment rather than addressing the underlying issues that contribute to homelessness, San Diego's strategy has perpetuated a cycle of hardship and despair for its most vulnerable residents. It is evident that a more compassionate and effective approach is needed, one that prioritizes housing, mental health care, and social support services to help individuals escape the cycle of homelessness and reintegrate into society. More: Where Do They Go? The Painful Reality of Seattle's RV Homeless Sweeps https://youtu.be/1-mins3KNFk WATCH the Horrible Reality of LA's Homeless Sweeps https://youtu.be/4ysLhmL_UYk ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Our groundbreaking educational content reaches millions of people every month. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Lilian's story is heartbreaking. During Covid, there was a lot of funding to get homeless people into hotel rooms, but many of those programs have now closed. Lilian ended up back outside, sleeping at a bus stop. Lilian was accepted into a 6-month respite care program, which has her off the street at the time of this interview, but if she doesn't find stable housing soon, Lilian will be back outside. Elderly homelessness is a growing issue across the United States, including in Oakland. The city has faced a surge in homelessness in recent years, including among seniors. Contributing factors include high housing costs, a lack of affordable housing units, and insufficient resources to address the needs of the homeless population. ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Our groundbreaking educational content reaches millions of people every month. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Eye contact is something most people take for granted, but for homeless individuals, it's a rare occurrence. Often, passersby choose to ignore them, looking anywhere but at the person they've deemed invisible. In fact, it's common for people to look at their phones or billboards to avoid making eye contact with a homeless person. It's essential to remember that homeless people are just normal individuals without a home, trying to survive in difficult circumstances. Making eye contact with them is a safe, easy, and free way to acknowledge their presence and can go a long way in preventing dehumanization. Withholding eye contact might not seem like a big deal, but the cumulative effect of multiple people ignoring homeless individuals can be damaging. This treatment can lead homeless people to feel like ghosts, unable to fully participate in the world around them. By engaging in eye contact, we acknowledge our shared humanity and the broader societal issues that contribute to homelessness. This can be overwhelming, but it's an important step in recognizing the individuals affected by it. If making eye contact seems challenging, you can start by learning about the lives and experiences of homeless people through stories or videos. This can help break down stereotypes and build understanding. Seeing a homeless person as fully human and deserving of the same safety and security as anyone else is crucial for promoting change in the way society views and addresses homelessness. So, next time you encounter a homeless person, resist the urge to look away or check your phone, make eye contact, acknowledge their humanity, and remember that they are ordinary people facing extraordinary challenges in their quest for survival. Mark Horvath: Executive Producer Marijane Miller: Producer & Writer Ale Storyboards: Animation Producer Alex Gasaway: Sound Design More: The Truth About Giving Money to Homeless People https://youtu.be/BuRPdmVzMAM BEST Items to Give Homeless People https://youtu.be/vvGpcy4D09M ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Our groundbreaking educational content reaches millions of people every month. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

The day after we interviewed Wendy about living homeless in her RV https://youtu.be/u9Vay6uof0I, the RV encampment in Playa Del Ray was hit with a massive sweep. LAPD, along with LA Sanitation and Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA), blocked off Jefferson Blvd and started to throw people's belongings away without providing any tangible support. Homeless sweeps involve police officers forcing homeless individuals living in RVs and other vehicles to vacate their current location, often without providing them with an alternative place to stay. These sweeps are incredibly harmful and traumatic for those experiencing homelessness, as they are forced to leave their only shelter and possessions behind without knowing where they will sleep that night. Additionally, these sweeps make it even harder for service providers to reach and help these individuals, as they are constantly being displaced and forced to move. Homeless sweeps do nothing to solve the underlying issue of homelessness. Instead of investing in long-term solutions, such as affordable housing and mental health services, these sweeps waste taxpayer money and cause unnecessary harm to vulnerable individuals. Homelessness is a complex issue that requires a multifaceted approach and cannot be solved through punitive measures. Rather than displacing homeless individuals, the city should work towards creating sustainable solutions that will provide them with the support and resources needed to rebuild their lives. More stories: The Real People Inside LA's Homeless RV Encampments: Meet Wendy https://youtu.be/u9Vay6uof0I Where Do They Go? The Painful Reality of Seattle's RV Homeless Sweeps https://youtu.be/1-mins3KNFk Los Angeles Homeless Sweeps https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL51CPD51hq2Q6xjIg9j99c0WrdMGrM4_v #losangeles #homeless #servicesnotsweeps ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People's website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People's Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath's Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn't just talk. Our groundbreaking educational content reaches millions of people every month. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don't take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Woody and his girlfriend were sleeping in the RV. Their dog woke them up barking because of the fire. They all ran out, but Woody went back in to get the money they had saved to pay for his girlfriend's storage unit. Unfortunately, he never came back out. Woody's untimely death serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of those living in RV encampments and the pressing need for society to address the root causes of homelessness. Wendy has been on disability for ten years. She lost two grandchildren and her mom all around the same time. The emotional trauma created anger and pain. The income Wendy receives is not enough to pay rent, so she survives homelessness by living in an old RV on the side of the road in Playa Del Rey. The growing crisis of homelessness has led to a concerning trend in recent years, with a rising number of individuals and families finding themselves with no choice but to live in RVs. As traditional housing becomes increasingly unattainable due to skyrocketing rents, stagnant wages, and limited social support, many people have turned to these mobile homes as a last resort. RVs, while offering some degree of shelter and privacy, are far from a long-term solution to the homelessness epidemic. Instead, they serve as a distressing reminder of the urgency required to address the root causes of this crisis. As we witness more people seeking refuge in RVs, it is vital that we come together as a society to provide affordable housing, mental health services, and other essential resources to alleviate the suffering of those struggling to maintain a stable home. More stories: Where Do They Go? The Painful Reality of Seattle's RV Homeless Sweeps https://youtu.be/1-mins3KNFk #losangeles #homeless ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People's website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People's Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath's Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn't just talk. Our groundbreaking educational content reaches millions of people every month. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don't take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Lux has been homeless since she was 16. Growing up, her mother was critically ill, so Lux lived with her stepdad. He would kick her out randomly when he was drinking. "I wouldn't know where to go," she said. "Eventually, it got to the point where I didn't want to go back." Lux is now 19. She has lived in her RV for three years and has been forced to move about 20 times. Seattle's controversial RV homeless sweeps have been a source of contention among advocates, residents, and city officials alike. By forcibly removing vehicle residents from their makeshift mobile homes, these sweeps not only displace vulnerable individuals but also often leave them with no alternative shelter. This policy, aimed at addressing the visible impact of homelessness in the city, has been criticized for exacerbating the issue by further marginalizing those who already face significant challenges. The trauma and disruption experienced by people subjected to these sweeps cannot be overstated. For many, their RV or vehicle serves as a lifeline, offering a modicum of stability and protection from the elements. The sudden loss of their mobile home can have a devastating impact on their mental and emotional well-being, and without suitable alternatives, many are left to face the streets unprotected. This not only creates an unsafe environment for those individuals, but it also makes it increasingly difficult for them to access necessary resources and services that could aid them in their journey towards stable housing. Lux receives help from Vehicle Residency Outreach in Seattle. "Joe and Jonah have been visiting me quite often," she said, bringing her food and to Goodwill for clothes. They also let her know when sweeps will happen, so she doesn't lose her van. "I really appreciate them." Bill Kirlin, Director of Vehicle Residency Outreach, said his team works with parking enforcement, which will refer the team to homeless people living in their vehicles to prevent them from getting impounded. "Being homeless is traumatic in different and unique ways," Bill said. "Having an understanding of that helps. Three of our four people have experienced homelessness and lived in a vehicle. They better understand what comes with living in a vehicle." Joe Ingram is one of those people. "What we do is go out and meet people living in vehicles," Joe said, adding he and his partner Jonah will buy vehicle parts, provide gas money, bags of food, and get people like Lux things they need, including moving their vehicles. "If they get swept, they will lose their home, and they are walking the streets, and there are no shelter beds available. There's no shelter to refer people to now. It's just moving people over and over again." Joe has been doing outreach for over 20 years and has been homeless multiple times. "I'm good at responding to their needs," he said. "I build bridges, bridges of trust. "I can feel the trauma and the apprehension they have. The first time I met Lux, I went home and cried. I know the trauma and the fear of not knowing what will happen next." According to Dr. Graham Press, a Vehicle Residency Expert, 30-50% of people who are unsheltered in Seattle live in vehicles. That is anywhere between 3,000 to 5,000 people. Many cities like Seattle have regulations that push oversized vehicles like RVs into industrial zones, often very far from social services. The result is a systemic disconnection between people living in vehicles and the actual social services. Finding a solution is looking at the diversity of vehicle residents and how to connect them with the existing services – overnight temporary parking spaces, longer-term supportive parking spaces, and more permanent stable parking spaces like an RV Park or mobile home park. Watch more Invisible Stories mini-documentaries on homelessness https://invisiblepeople.tv/invisiblestories . Executive producer: Mark Horvath Producer/editor/cinematographer: Alex Gasaway https://www.youtube.com/alexgasaway More stories:: Stop Sweeps https://invisiblepeople.tv/stopsweeps Ktown for All Helping Homeless People in Los Angeles’s Koreatown https://youtu.be/_Gvp3NUBB_A Young Homeless Woman in Seattle Shares About Heroin Addiction https://youtu.be/9HwLo3e4EN0 #homeless #seattle #servicesnotsweeps ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People's website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate About Invisible People Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Rufus, a 70-year-old marine veteran, came to Skid Row with a singular mission: to avenge his brother's death. He set his tent up around the corner from where his brother was murdered, and has remained there for the past eight years with his brother’s memory in mind, every day. Over time, Rufus found work at the local flower shops that sit squarely in the middle of Skid Row. He spent his days taking out the trash, sweeping, parking cars, and running errands for the florists. Surrounded daily by the vibrant colors and fragrances, he discovered beauty and meaning in the cut flowers, solace in the simplicity of his work, and a sense of family in the community of Skid Row. Rufus takes pride in his job and the contribution he makes to the shops, as well as a sense of purpose and fulfillment in his work. He never found the man he had come to kill, but he came to discover something far more meaningful—a sense of peace that had been elusive for so long. More from our Life in Skid Row series: Life on Skid Row: When It Rains, It Pours Misery https://youtu.be/YJgyIogC9IE Life on Skid Row: Happy Monday https://youtu.be/ZTfIm4xjC6M Produced by Adam Trunell https://www.idiotdreamerbeast.com #homeless #losangeles #skidrow ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Our groundbreaking educational content reaches millions of people every month. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

To help support Invisible People's important work, please CLICK HERE https://gofund.me/75eae554. As the issue of homelessness continues to worsen in cities across the United States, more and more people are searching for answers about the causes, solutions, and the individuals affected by the problem. Last year, we rose to the challenge and educated more than 100 million people about homelessness through our original journalism, advocacy campaigns, scripted films, mini-documentaries, and video/ social media storytelling. 2022 was an incredible year for Invisible People, and we couldn't have done it without your support. As a result, we've expanded our small team, diversified our audience, and elevated the quality and depth of our content to reach even more people and make a greater impact. But Invisible People is powerless to influence change without your help. On March 13th, I will turn 62 years old. Please help celebrate my birthday by becoming part of the solution to solve homelessness. Our work has never been more important than it is today! WE NEED YOUR HELP! The negative propaganda and misinformation about homelessness are growing, and along with it, so is the criminalization of poverty. We must make the truth louder. No organization or campaign connects the public to homelessness in such a powerful way to build empathy for action as Invisible People. ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Our groundbreaking educational content reaches millions of people every month. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Laura has been homeless since the age of 23. I first interviewed her in 2018. She was 46 then; I even titled that interview almost the same. You can watch it here: Gainesville, Florida Homeless Woman Stays Positive Despite Her Hard Life https://youtu.be/9kJzkxeLuyI I noticed Laura a few blocks away. She looked different than when I had seen her before. Homelessness does that to a person. As I got closer, I kept thinking about how I hoped she is still smiling, and sure enough - Laura was smiling and still filled with positive energy. I always love reconnecting with homeless people I've met over the years, but I am sad that they are still sleeping outside. I honestly don't know how Laura does it. She's an amazing woman, and I hope all her wishes will come true someday soon. Here's her second interview: Update: Laura Is Still Homeless in Gainesville and Still Has a Smile! https://youtu.be/zm3LNlGa4uw Here's Ganny's interview: Heartbreaking Story of a 73-year-old Homeless Woman in Gainesville. https://youtu.be/DyCVG637Ftw ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Our groundbreaking educational content reaches millions of people every month. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Michelle had a job then COVID shut down the industry she worked in. She lost her job and her apartment. She now lives homeless in Los Angele's Skid Row. Homeless sweeps DO NOTHING TO SOLVE HOMELESSNESS! In many ways, homeless sweeps make homelessness worse. For example, Michelle says she loses all of her belongings 50% of the time. One time, Michelle was only allowed to take her backpack but wasn't given enough time to pack her medications. Jason has lost his housing paperwork and his ID. Jason has been homeless for eight years and on the housing list for three years. He's lost his phone in sweeps, which makes it hard to keep up with case managers. Homeless sweeps are psychological warfare displacing people who have nowhere else to go. We all want clean streets, but homeless sweeps waste taxpayer money. To reduce street homelessness, we need to prevent and solve homelessness. Pushing people to another block and taking all of their belongings only creates trauma and makes it harder for service providers to help them. If you live in Los Angeles, here is a link for the City Council contact information broken down by district. Please reach out to your legislators to demand they stop the sweeps. https://lacity.gov/directory Nationally, please support Housing Not Handcuffs https://housingnothandcuffs.org More anti-sweep videos: WATCH the Horrible Reality of LA's Homeless Sweeps https://youtu.be/4ysLhmL_UYk 10 Minute Warning LA Homeless' Belongings Taken During Sweeps https://youtu.be/4a-zS4jTEmU #losangeles #homeless #servicesnotsweeps ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Our groundbreaking educational content reaches millions of people every month. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

All it took was one bad day at work. Gregory was four years clean and sober. He had a good job, a car and a 3-bedroom apartment he shared with his fiancé and her 9-year-old daughter. What took him four years to obtain as he remained sober, he lost in a matter of six months. It was his “worse decision,” Gregory said. “Everything I killed myself to get, gone in a snap. It's so easy to fall, so hard to get up” Gregory is a participant at OnPoint NYC Washington Heights Overdose Prevention Center (OPC). He credits the program with saving his life. OnPoint NYC is a nonprofit offering an array of in-house clinical services, including mental health care services, harm reduction, support with housing, food services, and more. It operates the two overdose prevention centers, commonly known as supervised consumption sites. Sam Rivera, Executive Director of OnPoint NYC, said the consumption sites allow people to use drugs safely. If there is an overdose, staff and peers can respond quickly and keep them alive. “They get loved on and get treated like humans,” Sam said. Since opening 11 months ago, the two sites have had 570 overdose interventions and welcomed 2,000 individuals who are no longer using on the streets, which has resulted in 12,000 fewer syringes found per month in one park alone. Sam said the best stat is zero deaths. Overdose prevention centers offer a harm reduction model that recognizes that complete abstinence may not be achievable for everyone and focuses on reducing the negative consequences of substance use. By providing a safe and supportive environment, overdose prevention centers aim to reduce the number of overdose deaths and help individuals receive the care and support they need to overcome addiction. Peers provide support, guidance, and encouragement to individuals who use drugs and can also help identify and respond to overdoses. They also provide education on safe drug use practices and other harm reduction strategies, such as accessing treatment or engaging in safe sex practices. The peer support harm reduction model is based on the idea that everyone deserves respect, dignity, and access to care, regardless of their substance use habits. It provides a supportive and non-judgmental environment for individuals who use drugs and can help reduce the stigma and isolation that often accompany addiction. CJ said, “If I wasn't using here, I would be using somewhere else - the street, the train station. And it's not good, kids can see you.” Now that OPC is open, people can use safely, and the park is being utilized by other people. “If we could quit like that, we would,” CJ continued, adding he has been doing drugs since he was 14. He is now 54. “No one wants to be an addict. I want to stop. I don't know how to.” Raynette, a former user, now works at OnPoint. She said her peers can relate and they don't judge you. Point in fact, Raynette experienced a fatal overdose yet kept her job. “That’s harm reduction. I don’t think any other place would let me keep my job,” she said. America's First Supervised Drug Consumption Site: OnPoint NYC https://youtu.be/h4nMm8dJH8g Watch more Invisible Stories mini-documentaries on homelessness https://invisiblepeople.tv/invisiblestories . Executive producer: Mark Horvath Producer/editor/cinematographer: Alex Gasaway https://www.youtube.com/alexgasaway More stories on addiction: Homeless Man Shares REAL Truth on Opioid Addiction https://youtu.be/xj_by-u0N8o Young Homeless Woman in Seattle Shares About Heroin Addiction. Sabrina Died April 5th. https://youtu.be/9HwLo3e4EN0 Homeless Man Shares the Harsh Reality of Skid Row https://youtu.be/T_c5ff0EEcA #homeless #harmreduction #addiction ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People's website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Seco has a full-time job working with homeless people as a housing manager for a nonprofit organization, and Seco lives in a tent homeless in North Hollywood. Last week, Seco had to take unpaid time off from work to move all of his belongings, so they would not be thrown away in a homeless sweep. Seco (not his real name) asked that we keep his intensity hidden. His employer knows he is homeless. They even know the reason why Seco had to take the day off from work. But Seco wanted to get approval before speaking publicly, so we agreed to not show his face and mask his voice. One of the fastest-growing homeless populations is people who work full-time jobs but cannot afford rent. Seco is trying to save up money to get out of homelessness but having to take an unpaid day off from work to save his tent and what he owns makes everything harder. Homeless sweeps are a waste of money, costing Los Angeles taxpayers $70 million a year, that could be better spent on providing real solutions for homelessness, such as housing and support services. The growing number of homeless people in Los Angeles highlights the need for a more compassionate and effective approach. Pushing homeless individuals from one area to another does nothing to address the root causes of homelessness and makes it harder for outreach workers to connect them with the help they need. If you live in Los Angeles, here is a link for the City Council contact information broken down by district. Please reach out to your legislators to demand they stop the sweeps. https://lacity.gov/directory Nationally, please support Housing Not Handcuffs https://housingnothandcuffs.org We all must advocate for more housing and support services and stop homeless sweeps at the local level. At the same time, we must continue to pressure state and federal legislators. Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will worsen. Click here https://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. More anti-sweep videos: WATCH the Horrible Reality of LA's Homeless Sweeps https://youtu.be/4ysLhmL_UYk 10 Minute Warning LA Homeless' Belongings Taken During Sweeps https://youtu.be/4a-zS4jTEmU #losangeles #homeless #servicesnotsweeps ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Our groundbreaking educational content reaches millions of people every month. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

If you feel the urge to give money to a homeless person and you feel safe, then it’s perfectly fine, and your act of kindness can provide basic life-saving needs that only cash can buy. People experiencing homelessness are human beings. We should treat them with respect. But too often, we view the homeless person asking for money as a bum or con artist. We blame homelessness on the person when their situation could be caused by a variety of reasons: lack of affordable housing, lack of a living wage, or some kind of trauma. “Panhandlers use money to purchase drugs or alcohol.” This is also a common belief stopping people from giving money to panhandlers. Let’s think about that: if you’re going to the bathroom behind a dumpster in a McDonald’s parking lot, life sucks. You might as well have a beer! We are not advocating for alcohol abuse in any way. We are simply trying to provide a little perspective. It’s hard to be homeless. Alcohol and drugs offer an escape from the pain. We often look the other way when people we know abuse drugs: The soccer mom who hits the bottle to get through the day; your brother-in-law who drinks a case of beer on the weekend; the lawyer who smokes the pipe filled with crack; and the postal worker popping a few pills to help make their rounds. But when it’s a person experiencing homelessness, we look down upon them. Homeless People Need Money for Basic Needs There are things only money can buy. Most homeless people only receive food stamp benefits, which do not allow the purchase of tampons, medicine, toilet paper, vitamins, pet food, tents, tarps, hand warmers, socks, or hygiene items. Often your gift of a few dollars can mean the difference between life and death for an unhoused person trying to survive. The real truth is in this great country of ours, no one should have to beg for money. We must make preventing and solving homelessness a priority. Your voice can help end homelessness. Click here https://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. Mark Horvath: Executive Producer Marijane Miller: Producer & Writer Ale Storyboards: Animation Producer Alex Gasaway: Sound Design BEST Items to Give Homeless People https://youtu.be/vvGpcy4D09M ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Our groundbreaking educational content reaches millions of people every month. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

This video exposes the harsh reality of homeless sweeps in Los Angeles, specifically on Skid Row. The footage shows how homeless individuals are given just ten minutes to gather their belongings before they are thrown away by LA Sanitation. Sanitation workers and LAPD mostly just stood around, and no outreach or support services were available to help people. Homeless sweeps are a waste of money, costing Los Angeles taxpayers $70 million a year, that could be better spent on providing real solutions for homelessness, such as housing and support services. The growing number of homeless people in Los Angeles highlights the need for a more compassionate and effective approach. Pushing homeless individuals from one area to another does nothing to address the root causes of homelessness and makes it harder for outreach workers to connect them with the help they need. If you live in Los Angeles, here is a link for the City Council contact information broken down by district. Please reach out to your legislators to demand they stop the sweeps. https://lacity.gov/directory Nationally, please support Housing Not Handcuffs https://housingnothandcuffs.org We all must advocate for more housing and support services and stop homeless sweeps at the local level. At the same time, we must continue to pressure state and federal legislators. Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will worsen. Click here https://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. More anti-sweep videos: WATCH the Horrible Reality of LA's Homeless Sweeps https://youtu.be/4ysLhmL_UYk Skid Row Homeless Sweeps Make Homelessness Worse https://youtu.be/wMF4XHi5IEk #losangeles #homeless #servicesnotsweeps ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Our groundbreaking educational content reaches millions of people every month. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

In this episode of Life on Skid Row, we take a closer look at the life of Brenda, a disabled mother who has been through a rollercoaster of hardships. Originally from Texas, Brenda's journey has taken her from New Jersey to Sacramento, where her life and family fell apart due to her and her children's father's substance abuse disorders. Despite losing her three young children to child protective services, Brenda has been determined to regain her life. Still, sadly, it's nearly impossible while on the streets in Los Angeles's Skid Row. Real or imagined, Brenda holds onto the dream of reuniting with her children. Over the years, Brenda has struggled with drug addiction, going in and out of treatment facilities with varying levels of success. Without a stable place to call home, she's been living on the streets, couch surfing with friends, and relying on public transportation to survive. But even with all these challenges, Brenda remains determined to overcome her addiction and find both a drug treatment program and permanent housing. We'll hear Brenda's story as she shares her experiences of living on Skid Row, Los Angeles, and her ongoing search for her family. This is a heartbreaking story of one woman's resilience and determination to turn her life around despite overwhelming odds and how people need a purpose to hold onto. More from our Life in Skid Row series: Life on Skid Row: When It Rains, It Pours Misery https://youtu.be/YJgyIogC9IE Life on Skid Row: Happy Monday https://youtu.be/ZTfIm4xjC6M Produced by Adam Trunell https://www.idiotdreamerbeast.com #homeless #losangeles #skidrow ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Our groundbreaking educational content reaches millions of people every month. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Monica has been struggling with homelessness in Los Angeles for the past five years. In 2022, she was hospitalized with frostbite and was given anesthesia without being informed that her legs would be amputated. After being discharged, Monica was left to navigate the challenges of living on the streets as an amputee without proper medical care or access to bathroom facilities. Working with the USC Street Medicine team, Monica's goal is to one day receive prosthetics. Despite facing the largest homeless crisis in the United States, Brett Feldman and the Keck School of Medicine of USC’s Street Medicine program are committed to providing care and support to individuals like Monica who are living on the streets. Through their efforts, they work to achieve the best possible outcomes for their patients. Street medicine is the direct delivery of healthcare to people experiencing homelessness in their environment on the streets, in the riverbeds, under bridges, or wherever they reside. Animated by their values of love and solidarity, the street medicine movement has spread throughout California in response to a growing homeless crisis. This video series captures the common philosophy guiding the work and the diversity in practice throughout California. Accompany street medicine teams on their journey to care for the beautiful people they serve living on our streets, who inspire the movement forward. In this four-part series, Brett Feldman, Director of Keck Street Medicine at the University of Southern California (USC), introduces us to four Street Medicine programs that deliver healthcare in the woods, under the bridges, behind dumpsters, and wherever else people who are experiencing homelessness are living. In today's video, Brett goes out with his own team and special guest Dr. Jim Withers, a pioneer in the field of street medicine, having worked to bring medical care to homeless individuals around the world. He is the founder of the Street Medicine Institute, an organization dedicated to providing healthcare to those who are unable to access it through traditional means. This video series is brought to you by the Invisible People and the California Health Care Foundation to augment street medicine research in California. Please visit https://chcf.org/streetmedicine for more information. Episode One: Street Medicine Redding: Health Care to Rural Homeless Camps https://youtu.be/7K7v5btnwK8 Episode Two: Street Medicine Oakland: Team-based Homeless Health Care https://youtu.be/T_7NDlt7o5g Episode Three: Street Medicine Bakersfield: Reaching Homeless People through their Pets https://youtu.be/KqmKActn-e8 About the California Health Care Foundation: The California Health Care Foundation is dedicated to advancing meaningful, measurable improvements in the way the health care delivery system provides care to the people of California, particularly those with low incomes and those whose needs are not well served by the status quo. We work to ensure that people have access to the care they need, when they need it, at a price they can afford. #homeless #streetmedicine #losangeles ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

When it rains in Los Angeles, it pours misery on Skid Row. People with no choice but to sleep outside have few options when bad weather hits, forcing a type of survival that’s as unfortunately cruel as it is common for our homeless neighbors. There are few places to seek shelter during cold and wet weather, and everything that remains exposed gets wet. In winter in Los Angeles, the rain is typically accompanied by bone-chilling wind, creating a two-punch combination that could literally turn deadly for people living outside homeless in tents. During big storms, the rain will collect on the tops of tarps and tents, eventually breaking the nylon roofs under the stress of watery weight. The ground itself is soaked with gritty city runoff from sidewalks and streets as grime pools in vast puddles of iridescent oil and grease. Cardboard, which typically provides a source of insulation from the cold sidewalk, becomes a sponge for the toxic broth. We have to do better. We must do better! No one should have to live outside in cold weather. Homeless people are dying at record numbers while, at the same time, more people are entering into homelessness than ever before. We must fix the affordable housing crisis and get everyone inside with the support they need. More from our Life in Skid Row series: Life on Skid Row: When It Rains, It Pours Misery https://youtu.be/YJgyIogC9IE Life on Skid Row: Happy Monday https://youtu.be/ZTfIm4xjC6M Produced by Adam Trunell https://www.idiotdreamerbeast.com #homeless #losangeles #skidrow ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Our groundbreaking educational content reaches millions of people every month. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Jennifer suffers from grand mal seizures. She recently experienced one and was brought to the hospital. During a grand mal seizure, Jennifer forgets things and places. Despite her condition, the hospital discharged her and placed her in a taxi cab with no jacket, no shoes, and the wrong destination. The taxi cab left her on an unfamiliar place, disoriented and confused. While Jennifer slept on a sidewalk, her husband searched for her for two days. This story is not uncommon for homeless people. Yet if it happened to a housed person, there would be outrage. The Clinica Sierra Vista Street Medicine Team, led by Dr. Matt Beare, is dedicated to providing vital healthcare services to the homeless community in Bakersfield, California. With a focus on compassionate and respectful care, the team addresses the unique challenges faced by those living on the streets and in riverbeds and helps connect them with the resources they need to improve their health and well-being. Through their tireless efforts, the Street Medicine Team is making a real difference in the lives of some of the most vulnerable members of our community. The Clinica Sierra Vista Street Medicine Team has found that one effective way to reach and provide health care to homeless individuals is through their pets. On average, each homeless person in Bakersfield has three dogs, and the Street Medicine Team has recognized the important role that these animals play in the lives of their owners. By bringing dog food and other supplies to homeless individuals, the team is able to build trust and establish relationships with those who may be hesitant to seek medical care. Street medicine is the direct delivery of healthcare to people experiencing homelessness in their environment on the streets, in the riverbeds, under bridges, or wherever they reside. Animated by their values of love and solidarity, the street medicine movement has spread throughout California in response to a growing homeless crisis. This video series captures the common philosophy guiding the work and the diversity in practice throughout California. Accompany street medicine teams on their journey to care for the beautiful people they serve living on our streets, who inspire the movement forward. In this four-part series, Brett Feldman, Director of Keck Street Medicine at the University of Southern California (USC), introduces us to four Street Medicine programs that deliver healthcare in the woods, under the bridges, behind dumpsters, and wherever else people who are experiencing homelessness are living. Today, join us as we go out on the streets of Bakersfield with Dr. Matthew Beare and the Clinica Sierra Vista Street Medicine Team. This video series is brought to you by the Invisible People and the California Health Care Foundation to augment street medicine research in California. Please visit https://chcf.org/streetmedicine for more information. Episode One: Street Medicine Redding: Health Care to Rural Homeless Camps https://youtu.be/7K7v5btnwK8 Episode Two: Street Medicine Oakland: Team-based Homeless Health Care https://youtu.be/T_7NDlt7o5g Episode Four: Street Medicine LA: Health Care in an Urban Homeless Crisis https://youtu.be/dYFy_fPXqOo About the California Health Care Foundation: The California Health Care Foundation is dedicated to advancing meaningful, measurable improvements in the way the health care delivery system provides care to the people of California, particularly those with low incomes and those whose needs are not well served by the status quo. We work to ensure that people have access to the care they need, when they need it, at a price they can afford. #homeless #streetmedicine #bakersfield ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Anthony has been homeless in Oakland, California, for 20-plus years. LifeLong Medical Care's Street Medicine Team has helped him with both physical and mental health care, including case management. Anthony now gets care regularly and has his prescriptions filled on time. In fact, Anthony was recently approved for an apartment, which is incredibly rare because there's a lack of housing available. One of the unique aspects of Lifelong Medical Care's street medicine program is that it is designed to be a lifelong resource for its patients. This means that the teams provide immediate medical care and work with patients to connect them with more permanent healthcare solutions, such as enrolling in insurance programs or finding a primary care provider. West Oakland is facing a massive homeless crisis of predominantly Black Americans. Seventy percent of the people served by Lifelong Medical Care are black Americans, which is the result of systemic racism and growing gentrification. Between 2005 and 2015, 450,000 positions opened in the Bay area, mainly in the tech sector. However, only 50,000 housing units were added during this time. West Oakland and other neighborhoods saw rapid expansion and gentrification. In 2005, West Oakland’s demographic was 40%, Black people. In 2015, it was 25% Black people. Street medicine is the direct delivery of healthcare to people experiencing homelessness in their environment on the streets, in the river beds, under bridges, or wherever they reside. Animated by their values of love and solidarity, the street medicine movement has spread throughout California in response to a growing homeless crisis. This video series captures the common philosophy guiding the work and the diversity in practice throughout California. Accompany street medicine teams on their journey to care for the beautiful people they serve living on our streets, who inspire the movement forward. In this four-part series, Brett Feldman, Director of Keck Street Medicine at the University of Southern California, introduces us to four Street Medicine programs that deliver healthcare in the woods, under the bridges, behind dumpsters, and wherever else people who are experiencing homelessness are living. Today, join us as we go out on the streets of Oakland with Dr. Jason Reinking and the LifeLong Medical Care's Street Medicine Team. This video series is brought to you by the Invisible People and the California Health Care Foundation to augment street medicine research in California. Please visit https://chcf.org/streetmedicine for more information. Episode One: Street Medicine Redding: Health Care to Rural Homeless Camps https://youtu.be/7K7v5btnwK8 Episode Three: Street Medicine Bakersfield: Reaching Homeless People through their Pets https://youtu.be/KqmKActn-e8 Episode Four: Street Medicine LA: Health Care in an Urban Homeless Crisis https://youtu.be/dYFy_fPXqOo About the California Health Care Foundation: The California Health Care Foundation is dedicated to advancing meaningful, measurable improvements in the way the health care delivery system provides care to the people of California, particularly those with low incomes and those whose needs are not well served by the status quo. We work to ensure that people have access to the care they need, when they need it, at a price they can afford. #homeless #streetmedicine #oakland ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

In the backdrop of glitzy and glamorous Las Vegas, far removed from the images we see in the media, Martha and Jenny discover first-hand the grave eviction crisis sweeping America, forcing them into homelessness. Martha, a substitute teacher out of work, embarks on a powerful, tough, and emotional journey to keep her daughter and get back on her feet while navigating a broken system that continues to fail thousands of people unable to find stable housing. The process of overcoming homelessness is filled with ups and downs, twists and turns, but Martha will knock on every door and do all she can to break the prison-sentence-like cycle of homeless on families with underage children - to provide a better future for Jenny. The eviction crisis is an urgent problem that must be solved to prevent homelessness. With every $100 increase in median rent, there’s a 9% increase in the estimated homelessness rate, according to a report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office. The cost of housing continues to skyrocket in America with no end in sight. We must fix the adorable housing crisis. People of color, who have been systematically denied economic opportunities throughout history, are especially impacted by the eviction crisis. Across the U.S., eviction rates are highest in communities of color, often contributing to further economic inequity in those areas. The eviction crisis must be tackled head-on by creating and implementing policies that protect tenants from eviction, provide assistance to people facing eviction and help struggling renters stay in their homes. These solutions should focus on closing the racial wealth gap, increasing access to affordable housing and providing assistance for eviction-related costs. It is essential that we take action now to prevent homelessness caused by the eviction crisis. Ignoring this issue will lead to more people becoming homeless and more families being displaced from their homes. By addressing eviction directly, we can create a brighter future for everyone – regardless of race or socioeconomic status – while helping. Your voice can help fight evictions https://invisiblepeople.tv/fightevictions For more information, please visit Eviction Labs https://evictionlab.org and the National Low Income Housing Coalition https://nlihc.org Watch our other social impact films https://invisiblepeople.tv/films __________________ Directed by : Luciana Faulhaber Written by: Luciana Faulhaber & Javier E. Gomez Produced by : Amy Schumacher& Luciana Faulhaber Executive Producer: Mark Horvath Associate Producers: Jessie Listul & Maria Antonatos Cast: Martha – Tanda Kerin Jenny – Ebony Charity Ms. Garcia – Luciana Faulhaber Ms. J.- Amy Schumacher Job Interviewer – Whit Spurgeon Judge – Marlan Clark Carmen – Allyson Sereboff Carla – Faith Taylor Manny – Sarah Taylor Andy – AngeliqueRae Wiesner Pedro – Eric Michael Kochmer Animal Shelter Receptionist - Natalie Williams Craig – Antonio Charity Teacher – Craig Stubbing Hotel Receptionist – Aprel Victor Director of Photography: Christopher Sheffield Edited by: Stephanie Sheffield & Christopher Sheffield First Assistant Directors : Stephanie Bates Gaffer: Richard Trejo 1st AC: Samantha Goldman Sound Mixer : Andres Barrientos Studio Teacher : Thomas Wagner & Laura Erikson Key Production Assistant: Delaney Jordan Production Assistant : Shannon Quinn Kelly Interns : Kimberly Mendiola & Lenon Lilian Ramirez Mobile was produced by a partnership between Invisible People and High-Toned Entertainment. #evictions #homeless #lasvegas ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Audrey is an older woman living in a tent in rural Redding, California. She is hypoglycemic and hasn’t had a glucose test in years. Now she is suffering from a medical condition that is common among elderly women – incontinence. Unlike other women, Audrey doesn’t have the resources to prevent accidents and wakes up soaked in urine every morning. She doesn’t have the money to clean up her tent, her clothes, or her blankets. It’s already difficult living out your senior years as homeless; people shouldn't suffer like this, without access to medical attention. Homelessness in California has been on the rise for the last several years, leading to an increased need for medical attention for those experiencing homelessness. Thankfully, organizations like Shasta Community Health Center are meeting that need with their HOPE Program and its Medical Director, Dr. Kyle Patton. Through this program, street medicine is being used to bring medical attention directly to people where they are—on the streets. Homelessness can be a harrowing experience that leaves people vulnerable and without access to basic healthcare. Street Medicine is an innovative approach to providing medical care in unconventional places, like the woods and under bridges, where homeless individuals have no other options. In this four-part series, Brett Feldman, Director of Keck Street Medicine at the University of Southern California, introduces us to four Street Medicine programs that deliver healthcare in the woods, under the bridges, behind dumpsters, and wherever else people who are experiencing homelessness are living. Today, join us as we join Dr. Kyle Patton in Redding, California - the most rural area of the four communities we visited. Episode Two: Street Medicine Oakland: Team-based Homeless Health Care https://youtu.be/T_7NDlt7o5g Episode Three: Street Medicine Bakersfield: Reaching Homeless People through their Pets https://youtu.be/KqmKActn-e8 Episode Four: Street Medicine LA: Health Care in an Urban Homeless Crisis https://youtu.be/dYFy_fPXqOo This video series is brought to you by the Invisible People and the California Health Care Foundation to augment street medicine research in California. Please visit https://chcf.org/streetmedicine for more information and to sign up for CHCF's newsletter to be notified when the research is released. About the California Health Care Foundation The California Health Care Foundation is dedicated to advancing meaningful, measurable improvements in the way the health care delivery system provides care to the people of California, particularly those with low incomes and those whose needs are not well served by the status quo. We work to ensure that people have access to the care they need, when they need it, at a price they can afford. #homeless #streetmedicine #redding ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness.

"Cigarette Man" earned his nickname by selling single cigarettes on the streets of Skid Row over a span of four decades. He was born in the back of a station wagon to a single mother; he never met his father. When he was twelve years old, his mother died, leaving him to fend for himself. Aside from some short periods in foster care and prison, Cigarette Man's been homeless for most of his life. Cigarette Man is 66 years old. Cigarette Man gets by in Skid Row by selling cigarettes, second-hand goods, and groceries that have expired past their shelf life. He sleeps in his chair or on the ground, forgoing the trouble of setting up a tent every night, only to be forced to take it down the following morning as businesses reclaim the sidewalk. For those who have the chance to know him, he's a reliable source of street knowledge, a storyteller who makes any stretch of sidewalk his stage. Cigarette Man's experiences have been hard-won, yet he shares them as insight into human nature. No one should live without adequate housing. Although the streets and homelessness are all Cigarette Man has known, he needs to be inside. Otherwise, he will end up being another homeless death statistic. This is where you come in. Cigarette Man will not go into a homeless shelter. He's been outside too long to go sleep on a cot in a dormitory-type facility. We all need to advocate for more affordable housing and to get homeless people the support they need. Produced by Adam Trunell https://www.idiotdreamerbeast.com More from our Life in Skid Row series: Life on Skid Row: Happy Monday https://youtu.be/ZTfIm4xjC6M Life on Skid Row: Panhandlers Are People Fighting to Survive Homelessness https://youtu.be/Ne9J-4rwGsI #losangeles #skidrow #homeless ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Our groundbreaking educational content reaches millions of people every month. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

It's about to get cold in New York City. When I asked Richard what he was going to do, he responded, "the same thing I do every year. I bundle up." Sleeping outside in the winter is a sad reality for homeless people who cannot find or affroble stable housing. Richard has been sleeping in the same area for over a year and has been homeless for six years. Richard's tried the NYC homeless shelter system. After two years of working with case managers, Richard was placed into a shared shelter situation, but with the roommate, he was partnered with, Richard felt sleeping outside was better. I hear this a lot about New York City, and from my own experience living in shelters, many are horrible places. Richard was the caregiver to his wife. Unfortunately, when his wife died, he was evicted a few days after. It's a familiar story that when a person dies, often the caregiver is left without the ability to cover housing costs and basic needs. For Richard, it was even worse, as the insurance company came after him for unpaid medical bills. Richard says he gave up. He started doing drugs. Richard lost most of his teeth using methamphetamine. He no longer uses meth. Richard is trying to rebuild his life, but the homeless services system doesn't make it easy for people to get the help they need. Richard says he needs just two weeks of stability before returning to work, but the truth is that people who have been outside for long periods need time to heal. Besides that trauma that causes homelessness, being on the streets creates more trauma. The thinking someone can go from the sidewalk to employment is not realistic or practical. But people can heal. They can maintain employment. But they need time inside and support first. More NYC stories: Disabled Homeless Woman Sleeps on the Streets of New York City https://youtu.be/zs1MlOjUWWs Homeless Vietnam veteran in NYC uses his military training to survive https://youtu.be/smlxozQp888 #homeless #nyc #invisiblepeople ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Our groundbreaking educational content reaches millions of people every month. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Cornell changed his block on Skid Row when he moved onto it. Almost immediately, his sunny outlook warmed his neighbors both on the street and inside businesses, adding a measure of optimism to an otherwise rough neighborhood. A constant source of compliments and well-wishes, Cornell's positive attitude extends far beyond the dire conditions he faces living on the street homeless in Los Angeles. Outgoing and social, Cornell is a friend to the folks who run the nearby taco trucks and warehouses and makes himself available for work wherever and wherever needed. At night, he sleeps in a tent on Skid Row, where any number of threats live just outside his unlocked nylon zippered door. Waking up in the morning on a few hours rest, with all the embedded trauma that living on the street entails, Cornell manages a smile and sets out to find purpose. While he struggles to get housing, the routine of work and the power of community offers some comfort for Cornell. Unfortunately, the work is never full-time and often sporadic, and while the money helps, it’s not nearly enough to cover rent and basic living costs in one of America’s most expensive cities. Happy Monday! Produced by Adam Trunell https://www.idiotdreamerbeast.com Homeless Man Shares the Harsh Reality of Skid Row https://youtu.be/T_c5ff0EEcA Life on Skid Row: Panhandlers are Real People with Stories https://youtu.be/Ne9J-4rwGsI Skid Row Homeless Sweeps Make Homelessness Worse https://youtu.be/wMF4XHi5IEk #homeless #skidrow #losangeles ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Our groundbreaking educational content reaches millions of people every month. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Folks driving by Rodney don't know that he’s a hard worker, but at the very least, they should know that asking for help is hard. Begging for change is humiliating. People call you names, spit on you, or even pour hot coffee, but most ignore the panhandlers as if they do not exist. People in their cars could make eye contact and acknowledge that Rodney is a human being, and if they can spare a word of encouragement, they should know it goes a very long way. He was a hard worker in another life, a laborer on construction sites, doing drywall and putting hammers to nails to get by. But life happens to all of us, and Rodney’s intersected with dope and crime, and his path took him to Skid Row. Options for real work got slimmer the longer he’s been on the streets; there are no job fairs on Skid Row and no recruiting agencies. The result Rodney can get is meager and doesn’t get him very far ahead. His main job these days is cleaning trash that accumulates on the grounds of a nearby business. Rodney makes $14 a day and sleeps just outside its gate, so he’s never late for work. Because, like any of us, Rodney might not have it all figured out today, but he’s working hard at it, and it’s hard work indeed. Produced by Adam Trunell https://www.idiotdreamerbeast.com Homeless Man Shares the Harsh Reality of Skid Row https://youtu.be/T_c5ff0EEcA Skid Row Homeless Sweeps Make Homelessness Worse https://youtu.be/wMF4XHi5IEk #losangeles #homeless #skidrow ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Our groundbreaking educational content reaches millions of people every month. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

There's a big difference between living in an RV homeless and van life. Actual homelessness is the absence of choice. Lux is 19 years old. She has been homeless since the age of 16. Lux doesn't live in an RV because it's cool or to save money. She doesn't have money to rent an apartment, so for the millions of vehicle residents and mobile homeless, they don't have a choice. This is the difference between homelessness and a nomadic lifestyle. I cannot imagine the abuse and fear a young girl at 16 experiences from life on the streets. You must read between words when listening to a person's story. There are years of trauma buried deep down inside. A large majority of homeless youth are never even reported missing. They are throwaways, not runaways. Lux shares that her family situation was unhealthy. As a minor, Lux first lived homeless in a tent but eventually got an RV. I am not sure the RV runs, but it's much better than a tent. Sadly, the area where Lux and other vehicle residents live is scheduled for a homeless sweep. The criminalization of homelessness continues to grow in cities all over America. Lux shares that she was assigned a housing counselor, who told Lux she was on a housing waiting list, but the person left the service provider, and it turns out Lux was never placed on a housing waiting list. This kind of runaround happens often. Homeless services are filled with layers of bureaucracy that often hurt efforts to help people. The lack of affordable housing is the leading cause of homelessness. As rents skyrocket, remember: a $100 increase in median rent is associated with a 9% increase in homelessness. We must prevent homelessness, and in situations like Lux's, we must get people off the streets as quickly as possible. Sadly, there is insufficient support to fix the affordable housing crisis or get homeless people the help they need, but you can change that. Please educate yourself and those around you, and PLEASE get politically active. Special thanks to the Vehicle Resident Outreach http://www.itfhomeless.org WATCH the Horrible Reality of LA's Homeless Sweeps https://youtu.be/4ysLhmL_UYk Living under a Bridge Doesn't Stop This Seattle Homeless Woman from Staying Positive https://youtu.be/xYShiXMGULE #homeless #seattle #homelessyouth ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Our groundbreaking educational content reaches millions of people every month. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Here's the movie: Family Forced into Homelessness - ‘Eviction,’ a Social Impact Film https://youtu.be/_w3jmiMExDc The lack of affordable housing is the leading cause of homelessness. As rents skyrocket, remember: a $100 increase in median rent is associated with a 9% increase in homelessness. Research from the ACLU and Princeton's Eviction Lab shows Black women renters get evicted at twice the rate of white renters. This behind-the-scenes look into Invisible People's 3rd scripted film, Eviction, provides a preview of the story of Martha, a Black single mom raising her daughter faced with a housing crisis and homelessness in Las Vegas, Nevada. We produce social impact films to reach a wider audience and inform and inspire change through engaging people and reflecting on society. Social film drama unites people in a common sense of humanity and shared responsibility, which gives it added power to help foster positive change. Huge thanks to everyone who donated to help make this film a reality. None of this would be possible without your support! THANK YOU! Eviction will premiere before or near Thanksgiving 2022. You can watch our other films here: When LIVING IN A CAR is Your Last Choice - "Mobile" a Short Film https://youtu.be/dMBVtPx2B_M HOMELESS - a powerful short film inspired by real-life events https://youtu.be/o8chWrQ-rtI #homeless #eviction #lasvegas ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Our groundbreaking educational content reaches millions of people every month. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

💥 CLICK HERE ➡ https://curiositystream.com/invisiblepeople to subscribe to Curiosity Stream for $14.79/year + get complimentary access to Nebula and help support Invisible People's important work. One of the questions I get the most is what are the best items to give to homeless people, so I asked a bunch of my homeless friends, and I share from my own experience of homelessness and traveling around the country, connecting with homeless people. What homeless people need the most is housing and support services. We must advocate to fix the affroble housing crisis and get people off the streets and the help they need. This video is just a basic guide suggesting items to give to homeless people. Because homelessness differs in different parts of the country, we recommend building relationships and asking homeless people what they need. We also suggest connecting to local mutual aid groups and nonprofits to support their work. Please let us know in the comments what items you've found to be good to give to homeless people. Ktown for All Helping Homeless People in Los Angeles’s Koreatown https://youtu.be/_Gvp3NUBB_A Adam Conover with SELAH Homeless Coalition in Los Angeles https://youtu.be/8pWTs9hxKls ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Our groundbreaking educational content reaches millions of people every month. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Statewide Coalition of Syringe Exchange Programs Take Action on International Overdose Awareness Day to Demand an End to the Overdose Crisis 🤬Last year, California had nearly 10,000 overdose deaths, with death rates the highest among Black and Native Americans and with more and more young people dying. As the overdose crisis rages on in our state, now is not the time to cut the only state investment into harm reduction program staffing. Cutting harm reduction funding sends the message that the lives of people who use drugs are disposable. 🧐 The legislature cut funding used to staff low-barrier harm reduction programs. The decision to cut CHRI will affect over 75,000 Californians who receive services at 1,000 unique sites in 42 counties. 🗣California’s $308 billion 2022-23 state budget does not include the word overdose one time despite it continuing to be the leading cause of accidental death in California. 📢Governor Newsom vetoed SB 57, a bill that would have allowed three CA cities to pilot Overdose Prevention Programs (LA, Oakland, SF). Over 50 harm reduction programs that are part of the California Syringe Exchange Programs (CASEP) Coalition participated in collective action on August 31st on International Overdose Awareness Day to demand that the state legislature and administration take action to end the overdose crisis. Syringe exchange programs from across the state hosted rallies and dropped banners in high-traffic areas using the taglines: Every Overdose Is A Policy Failure and Overdose Death Is Preventable: Fund Harm Reduction. This action is in response to the state legislature's decision to cut funding for the California Harm Reduction Initiative, a pilot program that invested in staffing for harm reduction programs to increase navigation to treatment and other healthcare services. The August 31st action was also in response to Governor Newsom’s veto of the Overdose Prevention Programs (OPP) bill, SB 57, which would have permitted three California cities to open state-sanctioned OPPs. California Syringe Exchange Programs (CASEP) Coalition is a mutual-aid and advocacy network of syringe services providers and participants who work collectively to build strong harm reduction programs and who organize to reduce the harms of the racialized war on drugs and drug use at the individual and community level. Harm reduction programs are able to provide these services successfully because they offer high-quality, evidence-based health care services and acknowledge that doing so with extremely marginalized and stigmatized people requires building trust, encouraging autonomy, and centering health and wellbeing. Harm reduction honors bodily autonomy, and CASEP believes people’s right to health, safety, and well-being should not be dictated by their drug use. Harm reduction organizations provide various life-saving services, from overdose prevention education to providing sterile and safer drug use supplies. Most harm reduction programs operate on a shoestring budget but still provide access to wound care supplies, referrals, and connections to housing; substance use disorder treatment and other social services; help with system navigation; and support people’s basic needs with food, clothing, and hygiene supplies. Harm reduction organizations are dedicated to ending the overdose crisis by providing life-saving overdose reversal medication, naloxone, as well as education on how to prevent, spot, and reverse overdoses. To learn more, please visit https://harmreduction.org Saving Lives of Sex Workers and Addicts on Skid Row: Sidewalk Project https://youtu.be/vA_YZ_d45UE America's First Supervised Drug Consumption Site https://youtu.be/h4nMm8dJH8g ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv https://www.tiktok.com/@invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal. About Invisible People: We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness.

Have you ever worked up such a sweat that you just couldn’t wait to get an ice-cold drink of water? Your mouth starts to dry out, and a headache sets in. Those experiencing homelessness face this challenge on a daily basis in the summer months. They are walking the streets with few places to find relief from the scorching sun and no access to public drinking water. Passing along just one bottle of water could save someone from heat exhaustion or dehydration and even save a life. Our overall good health is dependent upon water. Not only does the human body depend on water to stay alive, but every organ in our bodies needs water to work properly. Our bodies use water to maintain its temperature, remove waste and lubricate our joints. The harsh reality of having no safe place to call a permanent home leaves its mark in various unexpected ways. One of them is an increased risk of death during excessive heat. As climate change causes heat waves to wash over the nation, housed residents seek refuge inside, often in air-conditioned places. However, our unhoused neighbors do not always have the same luxury. Residents in tent cities, for example, might feel gusts of hot, stifling air wafting through their makeshift shelters as the sun bakes their living spaces from the outside in. This near-claustrophobic feeling isn’t from the confined living space but rather from the increased temperature. Did you know that tents are always about five degrees hotter than the weather outside? We cannot stress how important it is to chill water before you hand it out. Put a few bottles in your freezer at night. In the morning, put the bottles in a cooler to hand to people you may see at an exit ramp. If you're not the type to hand out water directly, please search for a mutual aid group in your community to support you either by donating water or money. In Los Angeles, here are a few we recommend: Water Drop LA https://www.waterdropla.org The Sidewalk Project https://www.thesidewalkproject.org Ktown for All https://ktownforall.org #losangeles #homeless #water ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Please donate $27 to support Invisible People's important work https://gofund.me/ce9a6247 I AM LIVING PROOF WE CAN END HOMELESSNESS BY LOVING ON PEOPLE UNTIL THEY CAN LOVE ON THEMSELVES! No one gets out of homelessness on their own. They receive help along the way, so they can restabilize, but sadly, the lack of affordable housing and the criminalization of homelessness continues to grow across America. As homeless numbers grow, politicians keep investing in pushing people out of sight, which does nothing to solve the crisis and will literally result in more homelessness. There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. Invisible People humanizes homelessness by giving a voice to people living on the streets and making their stories impossible to ignore. At the same time, we strive to educate communities about the systemic issues that contribute to the problem. We appeal to audiences' hearts and minds with our groundbreaking educational content that reaches millions of people every month. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now, which is why we need your help. August 24th, 1995 was my last day homeless. August 24th of this year will be my 27th sober birthday. To be honest, when I walked into Hollywood and Vine Recovery Center all those years ago, getting sober for any length of time was not on my mind. Back then, I was the "worst of the worst" on the streets of Los Angeles. If you had seen me walking down the street towards you, you would have crossed to the other side. It's nothing short of a miracle that I even found a moment of sobriety, much less 27 years of being completely clean and sober! Invisible People's important work cannot continue without your help. For my sober birthday this year, I am asking everyone to please donate $27 to help end homelessness. Maybe you can only donate $2. Maybe you can donate $30. Maybe you can help us make our goal of $10,000 in one donation. Please know every amount helps keep Invisible People going and to help end homelessness.

Every week, Los Angeles Police Department and LA Sanitation sweep large areas of Skid Row, displacing homeless people, and often confiscating their belongings, making it harder for people to survive homelessness. Homeless encampment sweeps are a means to forcibly remove people experiencing homelessness from public spaces under the guise of street cleaning. Homeless sweeps fracture communities and damage physical and mental health. They regularly result in the loss of life-preserving shelter and medication, trauma for those being removed, and tickets, citations, and/or convictions that act as additional barriers to housing stability. These sweeps are conducted by governments with no plan to house or adequately shelter displaced residents and sweeps siphon public funds away from effective, long-term solutions to homelessness. Taxpayers pay over $70 million each year for the Los Angeles Police Department and LA Sanitation to displace homeless people under the guise of street cleaning. We all want clean streets, yet homeless sweeps only make homelessness worse! The only way to keep streets clean is to solve homelessness; however, LA's politicians continue to invest more in pushing homeless people out of sight than helping them. Homeless sweeps do nothing to help people, and they make homelessness worse. If you live in Los Angeles, here is a link for the City Council contact information broken down by district. Please reach out to your legislators to demand they stop the sweeps. https://lacity.gov/directory Nationally, please support Housing Not Handcuffs https://housingnothandcuffs.org We all must advocate for more housing and support services and stop homeless sweeps at the local level. At the same time, we must continue to pressure state and federal legislators. Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will worsen. Click here https://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. More anti-sweep videos: WATCH the Horrible Reality of LA's Homeless Sweeps https://youtu.be/4ysLhmL_UYk Woman Loses Everything in Los Angeles Homeless Sweep https://youtu.be/fd9kx-7MU6M Playlist of our anti-sweep videos https://invisiblepeople.tv/stopsweeps #losangeles #homeless #servicesnotsweeps ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness.

Homeless sweeps do nothing to help homeless people or housed people. They only make homelessness worse, and with the numbers growing, homeless sweeps are insane. Zach is homeless in North Hollywood, California. Zach has no place to go other than a tent on the sidewalk. No one is offering him services or support. LA Sanitation destroyed two tents and people's belongings inside because they were not there. Zach was lucky to be able to move his tent, and as soon as the homeless sweep was over like we showed in our previous anti-sweep video [https://youtu.be/ZMHhLtsBaug], he moved back because he had nowhere else to go. Taxpayers pay over $70 million each year for the Los Angeles Police Department and LA Sanitation to displace homeless people under the guise of street cleaning. We all want clean streets, yet homeless sweeps only make homelessness worse! The only way to keep streets clean is to solve homelessness; however, LA's politicians continue to invest more in pushing homeless people out of sight than helping them. Homeless sweeps do nothing to help people, and they make homelessness worse. If you live in Los Angeles, here is a link for the City Council contact information broken down by district. Please reach out to your legislators to demand they stop the sweeps. https://lacity.gov/directory Nationally, please support Housing Not Handcuffs https://housingnothandcuffs.org We all must advocate for more housing and support services and stop homeless sweeps at the local level. At the same time, we must continue to pressure state and federal legislators. Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will worsen. Click here https://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. More anti-sweep videos: WATCH the Horrible Reality of LA's Homeless Sweeps https://youtu.be/4ysLhmL_UYk Woman Loses Everything in Los Angeles Homeless Sweep https://youtu.be/fd9kx-7MU6M Playlist of our anti-sweep videos https://invisiblepeople.tv/stopsweeps #losangeles #homeless #servicesnotsweeps ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness.

Louis is a military veteran now homeless near the Koreatown neighborhood of Los Angeles. Like so many others, Louis came to Los Angeles to make it as an actor, but after several hard years of trying to go after his dream, Louis now lives in a tent. The day we first met Louis, all the homeless people living in the encampment were forced to move for a homeless sweep. Because none of them are offered any support or housing, they have no choice but to return. The only difference is, LA Sanitation has either removed or destroyed most of their belongings. It's a sick game politicians play on homeless people at the expense of taxpayers. In Los Angeles, homeless sweeps cost $70 million a year, yet they do nothing to help homeless or housed people. Homelessness continues to grow around the country. We cannot just push homelessness out of sight, thinking it will magically go away. We all want clean streets. None of us wants to see homeless encampments, but we need housing and real solutions to help people get the support they need. Last month, rents across the country increased more than any other month since they started to record rent costs. Rents have gone up 19% in Los Angeles. 40% in Austin. 30% in Orlando. There is nowhere that is not affected by the affordable housing crisis. If we don't start making a significant dent in homeless numbers now, I cannot imagine what homelessness will be like in five years. If you live in Los Angeles, here is a link for the City Council contact information broken down by district. Please reach out to your legislators to demand they stop the sweeps. https://lacity.gov/directory Nationally, please support Housing Not Handcuffs https://housingnothandcuffs.org We all must advocate for more housing and support services and stop homeless sweeps at the local level. At the same time, we must continue to pressure state and federal legislators. Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will worsen. Click here https://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. More anti-sweep videos: WATCH the Horrible Reality of LA's Homeless Sweeps https://youtu.be/4ysLhmL_UYk Woman Loses Everything in Los Angeles Homeless Sweep https://youtu.be/fd9kx-7MU6M Playlist of our anti-sweep videos https://invisiblepeople.tv/stopsweeps #losangeles #homeless #servicesnotsweeps ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness.

I asked Nicole why she sleeps next to the street. She responded they force her to sleep there. I thought it was her mental illness speaking, but then Nicole continued, “it’s illegal for me to sleep close to a building or near a door, so I have to sleep here.” Nicole is homeless near Hollywood Blvd. She's lived on the streets homeless in Los Angeles for far too long. Nicole is disabled and suffers from mental illness. In this interview, she shares the challenges homeless women face living on the streets. When Nicole said, "I don't know the difference between a good guy or a bad guy until somebody hurts me," my heart broke. On the streets, you have to trust people, but at the same time, you can't trust anyone. Nicole says she cries every night. I cannot imagine the emotional trauma of living on the streets women face. Nicole has two dogs. As with most pets, they help people cope with daily stress. Nicole loves her animals. Without them, life would be unbearable for her, yet the homeless sector is not equipped to help people, even with service animals. It's gotten better over the years, but there is still not enough shelter space or housing for people who have pets. Homeless Woman Has a Masters in Mathematics and Engineering https://youtu.be/nT3VGI0V5Rs Woman Loses Everything in Los Angeles Homeless Sweep https://youtu.be/fd9kx-7MU6M ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

While driving around the west side of Los Angeles, we came across a homeless woman moving all of her belongings to the sidewalk. We thought that maybe they were cleaning the area, but to our shock, LA Sanitation pulled up and started to load everything that this woman owned into a garbage truck. In the last three months, Holly has had all of her belongings taken eight times. Holly once had a great job, but after going through a divorce, her life snowballed into homelessness. Holly keeps applying for jobs, but no one wants to hire a homeless person. We all want clean streets. We all want homeless encampments gone. But homeless sweeps and the ongoing criminalization of homelessness only make homelessness worse. With homeless numbers growing, we need to get people off the streets into housing with the help they need. We cannot arrest our way out of homelessness. In each area, a homeless sweep displaces homeless people without providing them a place to go; in a day or two, tents and shacks return to that spot. Taxpayers pay over $70 million each year for the Los Angeles Police Department and LA Sanitation to displace homeless people under the guise of street cleaning. We all want clean streets, yet homeless sweeps only make homelessness worse! The only way to keep streets clean is to solve homelessness; however, LA's politicians continue to invest more in pushing homeless people out of sight than helping them. Homeless sweeps do nothing to help people, and they make homelessness worse. If you live in Los Angeles, here is a link for the City Council contact information broken down by district. Please reach out to your legislators to demand they stop the sweeps. https://lacity.gov/directory Nationally, please support Housing Not Handcuffs https://housingnothandcuffs.org We all must advocate for more housing and support services and stop homeless sweeps at the local level. At the same time, we must continue to pressure state and federal legislators. Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will worsen. Click here https://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. More anti-sweep videos: WATCH the Horrible Reality of LA's Homeless Sweeps https://youtu.be/4ysLhmL_UYk Homeless Man Can’t See. Los Angeles Sweeps Don’t Care https://youtu.be/1FmxUC4R6KI Playlist of our anti-sweep videos https://invisiblepeople.tv/stopsweeps #losangeles #homeless #servicesnotsweeps ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness.

Kevin is such a gentle and kind man. He's lived on the streets homeless in Los Angeles for three years. Kevin says he was hurt in a work accident, then life snowballed to where he had no choice but to live outside in a tent. Kevin has vision problems. It makes me so angry how we treat disabled homeless people. Instead of providing the support they need, homeless sweeps make homelessness worse by displacing people. As a result, Kevin has lost all his possessions several times. LA Sanitation gives homeless people 15 minutes to move everything. However, because we were there with cameras, they gave Kevin extra time, which is one of many reasons why it's vital to film sweeps and film police. We were the only ones who took the time to talk to Kevin. To learn his name. To know Kevin's story. To understand that he has trouble seeing, especially when the light is bright. Four case workers stood in the shade across the street, never once attempting to help Kevin. When I asked them about it, they explained that legally they cannot help people move their stuff. If service providers cannot offer help, why are they even there? Politicians say homeless people are being offered housing and services, but that is a lie. In every anti-sweep video we've posted, service providers verified the best they can offer is to be placed on a waiting list. In this video, an Urban Alchemy manager said, "it's being offered; there's just none available." Housing and services are being offered to homeless people, but there is no housing or services available. Taxpayers pay over $70 million each year for the Los Angeles Police Department and LA Sanitation to displace homeless people under the guise of street cleaning. We all want clean streets, yet homeless sweeps only make homelessness worse! The only way to keep streets clean is to solve homelessness; however, LA's politicians continue to invest more in pushing homeless people out of sight than helping them. Homeless sweeps do nothing to help people, and they make homelessness worse. If you live in Los Angeles, here is a link for the City Council contact information broken down by district. Please reach out to your legislators to demand they stop the sweeps. https://lacity.gov/directory Nationally, please support Housing Not Handcuffs https://housingnothandcuffs.org We all must advocate for more housing and support services and stop homeless sweeps at the local level. At the same time, we must continue to pressure state and federal legislators. Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will worsen. Click here https://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. More anti-sweep videos: WATCH the Horrible Reality of LA's Homeless Sweeps https://youtu.be/4ysLhmL_UYk LAPD Forces Homeless Man to Move Tent at Sweep https://youtu.be/cmIwqjjOPSg #losangeles #homeless #servicesnotsweeps ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness.

Another day in Los Angeles and another homeless sweep. Taxpayers pay over $70 million each year for the Los Angeles Police Department and LA Sanitation to displace homeless people under the guise of street cleaning. We all want clean streets, yet homeless sweeps only make homelessness worse! The only way to keep streets clean is to solve homelessness; however, LA's politicians continue to invest more in pushing homeless people out of sight than helping them. Homeless sweeps do nothing to help people, and they make homelessness worse. Gregory has lived in a tent for eight years. Rents went up more than he can afford. Homeless sweeps have confiscated all of his belongings ten times. Each time this happens, Gregory is left with nothing. Larry wants Councilmember Mitch O'Farrell to visit the sidewalk in Silverlake they call home. He shares how sweeps take items they cannot recover like photos of relatives who have passed away. Larry says that when someone walks into a garage and takes stuff, it's called robbery, but homeless sweeps can take everything a person owns and throw it away. Councilmember Mitch O'Farrell likes to say the city offers homeless people transitional housing and services, but when I pressed an Urban Alchemy worker on what exactly he was able to help these people with, he responded only to place their name on a waiting list, which is no help at all. If you live in Los Angeles, here is a link for the City Council contact information broken down by district. Please reach out to your legislators to demand they stop the sweeps. https://lacity.gov/directory Nationally, please support Housing Not Handcuffs https://housingnothandcuffs.org We all must advocate for more housing and support services and stop homeless sweeps at the local level. At the same time, we must continue to pressure state and federal legislators. Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will worsen. Click here https://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. More anti-sweep videos: WATCH the Horrible Reality of LA's Homeless Sweeps https://youtu.be/4ysLhmL_UYk Los Angeles Homeless Sweeps Destroy People's Lives https://youtu.be/Ow_LEAyNWLY #losangeles #homeless #servicesnotsweeps ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

PLEASE WATCH AND SHARE THIS VIDEO! Sweeps are horrible. They do nothing to solve homelessness, and as you'll see in this video, criminalization makes homelessness worse. This video is personal. Through USC's Street Medicine team, we met Monica, who lost both of her legs three months ago. You can watch her video here https://youtu.be/OnCUZ6jxk1U. While trying to connect with Monica, we learned from one of her friends that sanitation workers would sweep the area the next day. We showed up with cameras to highlight the horrible realities of Los Angeles' homeless sweeps. Most of the RVs left late at night. Many are not registered or may not have working lights, so they relocate to another location when there is less chance of being pulled over by police. By the time we arrived, the remaining people were panicking, doing what they could to save what little belongings they had left. "Where do they expect us to go," Lincoln Heights Resident Alexis asked. Enforcers don't offer an alternative, she continued; they just move you and say you can't come back. If you don't move, they will impound your stuff. These are empty streets; we aren't bothering anyone. LAHSA workers were onsite, monitoring and offering services in the form of a number to call. That's it – services are not being offered. Why? Because there are not enough services and not enough housing for people. People are just being forced to move somewhere else. Across America, streets are lined with RVs, many broken down. When people lose their job and face eviction, they may have some savings to go into a hotel for a while. When things don't get better, they buy an RV because the alternative is street homelessness. Shelters aren't an option. They are horrible, and they do not end homelessness. Even if they did, there is not enough shelter to help all the people experiencing homelessness. Things are getting worse. Homelessness is increasing across the country as the criminalization of homelessness grows exponentially. Politicians are putting more effort into getting people out of sight than working to solve the homeless crisis. This sweep alone saw over 14 sanitation workers, not including the truck drivers, three police officers, parking enforcement officials, and a few LAHSA employees monitoring. Add all that workforce up - you as a taxpayer pay massive money for this. You want homeless people out of sight. So do we; we want them housed. Sweeps and criminalization do nothing to solve homelessness - except costing taxpayers $70 million/year in Los Angeles alone. Stop the cycle, stop the insanity, stop criminalization and sweeps. The kicker? Sweeps are an endless cycle of futility and wasted taxpayer money. Homeless people move what belongings they can out of the way for sweeps. The sanitation workers then throw everything away. When they are gone, homeless people move their stuff back until sweeps return two weeks later. If you live in Los Angeles, here is a link for the City Council contact information broken down by district. Please reach out to your legislators to demand they stop the sweeps. https://lacity.gov/directory Nationally, please support Housing Not Handcuffs https://housingnothandcuffs.org We all must advocate for more housing and support services and stop homeless sweeps at the local level. At the same time, we must continue to pressure state and federal legislators. Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will worsen. Click here https://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. 💔 Homeless Without Legs. Los Angeles Starts Towing RVs Next Week https://youtu.be/OnCUZ6jxk1U Los Angeles Homeless Sweeps Destroy People's Lives https://youtu.be/Ow_LEAyNWLY ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

This is a replay recording of Invisible People's webinar on What America Believes About Homelessness: Barriers to Progress homelessness messaging and narrative change that was recorded live on March 24th, 2022. In the summer of 2021, Invisible People surveyed more than 2,500 U.S. residents in 16 cities to identify public attitudes about homelessness and measure support for common policy recommendations. You can find the research report here: http://invisiblepeople.tv/2021research/ link to PDF https://invisiblepeople.tv/research/2021/invisible-people-2021-research.pdf In its second annual report on public perceptions of homelessness, Invisible People announced today the release of “What America Believes About Homelessness: Barriers to Progress.” The report identifies America’s view on the criminalization and policing of homeless populations, and how an individual’s race, faith, and homeownership status affect perceptions on the issue. The nonprofit found a shift in America’s pandemic-era views, including increasing concern about homeless people committing crimes, and a decline in sympathy for renters facing eviction. Presenters: Mark Horvath Founder of Invisible People Mike Dickerson Researcher, writer, and advocate focused on homelessness and local government. Mike is a co-founder and member of Ktown for All. Barbara Poppe Founder of Barbara Poppe and Associates and the former executive director of the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness. ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

If we are going to end homelessness, we must house everyone. We cannot pick who is worthy or unworthy of housing. HOUSING IS A HUMAN RIGHT, or it should be. I want you to like Martin, but I know some of you won't get past parts of his story. Martin shares openly and honestly about addiction, depression, prison, and homelessness. Martin is homeless in Austin, Texas. His story is long. Martin rambles a little. He is a methamphetamine addict. Before you judge, I was a meth addict too. Meth and heroin are the perfect drugs to escape the pain of trauma and homelessness. I am sure many of you are thinking addiction is the cause of homelessness, and it can be; however, the vast majority of the 40 to 52 million people struggling with mental illness or substance use disorders don't experience homelessness. I first met Martin three years ago. Martin agreed to an interview, but he started to get emotional and stopped. So, out of respect to Martin, I never posted the video. I didn't know until this interview that Martin was going through a severe depression. Shortly after we first met, Martin jumped off a bridge to kill himself. Two police officers saw what they thought was a bag floating down the river. When they realized it was a person, they jumped in and saved Martin's life. Martin spent 25 years in prison. I don't know what he did. It must have been awful to get that much time. But, for me, it doesn't matter what Martin did. He is no longer in prison. Martin has always treated me with respect. Since he has been out, even as a meth user, Martin has stayed out of trouble except for getting tickets for being homeless. When I first met Martin, he told me that he would never go into housing. Martin actually changed my thinking. I once believed everyone would go into housing, but people who have done hard time don't want to be in a box. People change. Martin is doing much better mentally, and he now wants to go inside. Martin's story is important. He went into prison at 19, and he says 25 years later, when he was released, he was still just 19-years-old. You can judge Martin and others all you want, but it still doesn't change the fact that exiting people from incarceration to homelessness is wrong. Even if you don't have a heart, as taxpayers, we pay huge money for every homeless person outside. Housing people saves lives and saves money. Our criminal justice system must provide some kind of support for people when they leave jail or prison. Martin went into prison at a young age. Inside, you cannot show emotion. You have to be tough or your life will become harder than it already is. There are times in this interview Martin lets down his wall to show his kind soul. As I said, I don't know what he did nor do I care. The Martin I met is doing the best he can to survive life after prison. I hope Martin gets into housing soon. Here is the website Martin mentions in this interview https://socialimperatives.com More Austin stories: Austin Homeless Man Shares Powerful Prophecy and on Criminalizing Homelessness https://youtu.be/O1E5b2jncCI Disabled Homeless Man on the Streets of Austin after 30 Years in Prison https://youtu.be/u3_1_wtTCc0 #austin #homeless #prison ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

UPDATE: LA swept the area where Monica parked her RV. WATCH https://youtu.be/4ysLhmL_ Three months ago, Monica lost both of her legs. She was living in a tent homeless in Los Angeles. The weather dipped below 30 degrees. Monica didn't have enough blankets. Her feet started getting purple. Monica waited a few weeks to go to the hospital. Both of her legs were amputated. But her story gets worse. The hospital exited Monica but out to the streets without any support. Imagine losing your legs as a homeless person. Having to relearn everything including how to go to the bathroom, yet not having any help. Sadly, it's very common for hospitals to dump homeless people back to homelessness. We met Monica through USC's Street Medicine Team, who we featured helping people on Skid Row [https://youtu.be/RWVt_arzYoA] They have adopted Monica and are helping her with medical needs along with basic support. Their goal is to help Monica get prosthetic legs and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), but right now, they are helping her with day-to-day survival. Right now, Monica only receives food stamps. On May 17th, Los Angeles lifts the RV towing ban and will start towing vehicles homeless people live in. Without this RV, Monica will be sleeping back outside on the sidewalk. Tens of thousands of vehicle residents will be displaced with no place to go. We are working on a video project to help homeless people get better health care. We will be featuring Monica's story and how USC's Street Medicine is helping her. Because that project will not be posted until the fall, we wanted to get something up now to help her and to show the public the real people living in RVs the city will start impounding. Cities all over America are putting more resources into using homeless people out of sight than working to get people off the streets. With homelessness continuing to increase, the growing criminalization will make homelessness worse. If you live in Los Angeles, here is a link for the City Council contact information broken down by district. Please reach out to your legislators to demand they stop the sweeps. https://www.lacity.org/government/popular-information/elected-official-offices/city-council Nationally, please support Housing Not Handcuffs https://housingnothandcuffs.org We all must advocate for more housing and support services and stop homeless sweeps at the local level. At the same time, we must continue to pressure state and federal legislators. Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here https://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. More stories: Los Angeles Homeless Sweeps Destroy People's Lives https://youtu.be/Ow_LEAyNWLY Homeless Woman Bought RV with Pandemic Money https://youtu.be/2Oz8M2SXwZ8 Women Share the Horrors of Los Angeles Homeless Sweeps https://youtu.be/L-kkHG8hJlw #homeless #losangeles ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

In 2017, a report found that there were only nine public toilets accessible to the thousands of homeless people living in Los Angele's Skid Row. Run by Homeless Health Care Los Angeles, The ReFresh Spot is a community-driven project that provides the Skid Row community access to a restroom, shower, and laundry facility with supportive services, such as referrals to other homeless services providers in the area and phone charging. Homeless people can access the ReFresh Spot any time day or night. For more information about the ReFresh Spot and Homeless Halth Care Los Angeles, please visit https://www.hhcla.org Special thanks to Hanes for sponsoring the production of this video https://hanesforgood.com More Skid Row stories: Homeless Man Shares the Harsh Reality of Skid Row https://youtu.be/T_c5ff0EEcA We Can't Let Homeless People Die: USC Street Medicine on Skid Row https://youtu.be/RWVt_arzYoA #losangeles #skidrow #homeless ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Brian spends six days a week volunteering to help homeless people in New York City. Brian volunteers with City Relief's mobile outreach on four of those days, a modified bus providing food and services at locations around Manhattan, Harlem, and the Bronx. Brian also lives in a homeless shelter. Emmanual is a homeless veteran. He says it's an honor to help other homeless people adding, "anyone can fall into a situation like this." Emmanual lived in a homeless shelter for two months. Emmanual told us he was moving into a veteran's shelter the day we visited. People housed and unhoused need a purpose. By the time someone hits the streets, years of trauma and abuse have taken their toll. Homelessness is often lonely. Homeless people face long periods of isolation. Even after being placed in housing, people need tangible social interaction and a reason to get up in the morning. City Relief engages homeless people they serve to help others. People are provided a mobile phone and a MetroCard to get to outreach locations and around the city. Brian started using hard drugs at 35. He is now 57. Brian gives credit to Josiah Haken, City Relief's CEO, for helping him stay sober. While housing is needed to end homelessness, City Relief works to fill the gaps in the safety net. NYC's shelters are often horrible places. Volunteer programs that engage homeless people provide more than basic needs; they help give people a purpose. To learn more about City Relief, please visit https://cityrelief.org Invisible Stories is a mini-doc series that goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages understand, and can’t ignore. Watch more Invisible Stories mini-documentaries on homelessness https://invisiblepeople.tv/invisiblestories . Executive producer: Mark Horvath Producer/editor/cinematographer: Alex Gasaway https://www.youtube.com/alexgasaway More NYC stories: Disabled Homeless Woman Sleeps on the Streets of New York City https://youtu.be/zs1MlOjUWWs Homeless Man Surviving the Tough Streets of New York City https://youtu.be/OCbwNkD27_U America's First Supervised Drug Consumption Site https://youtu.be/h4nMm8dJH8g #homeless #newyorkcity #volunteering ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

La Donna is a homeless entrepreneur who struggles with constant threats of displacement from the city, making it impossible for her to build forward momentum to get out of homelessness. Tanya lives with her son, who suffers from seizures; her husband has skin cancer and lives in the tent next door. He panhandles and is unable to get work because of his condition. Both women live in a homeless encampment in Van Nuys, a neighborhood in the San Fernando Valley region of Los Angeles, California. How do homeless people better their lives when they are constantly being cut down? And being homeless is hard enough. Encampment sweeps and the criminalization of homelessness make it incredibly difficult for people to establish themselves enough to one day no longer be homeless. Los Angeles is spending tens of millions of dollars on homeless sweeps and the criminalization of poverty that does NOTHING to solve homelessness. In many ways, encampment sweeps make it harder to help people. The constant displacement causes trauma. Sweeps are cruel and a waste of taxpayer money. Cities all over America are putting more resources into using homeless people out of sight than working to get people off the streets. With homelessness continuing to increase, the growing criminalization will make homelessness worse. In Los Angeles, please support Services Not Sweeps https://servicesnotsweeps.com Nationally, please support Housing Not Handcuffs https://housingnothandcuffs.org We all must advocate for more housing and support services and stop homeless sweeps at the local level. At the same time, we must continue to pressure state and federal legislators. Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here https://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. Executive producer: Mark Horvath Producer/editor/videographer: Jonathan Thang https://nomadicperception.com More stories on homeless sweeps: Los Angeles Homeless Sweeps Destroy People's Lives https://youtu.be/Ow_LEAyNWLY Rats and Police Sweeps: Homeless in Los Angeles https://youtu.be/9Iv3x4Gx8Jg Disabled Man Arrested for Being Homeless in Las Vegas - TWICE https://youtu.be/5fkh5YMxQwQ #homeless #losangeles #servicesnotsweeps ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Sumaiyya ran away from home at age 12. She got sober at 21. Sumaiyya remained sober for 18 years until something terrible happened. What many people do not understand about addiction is people use drugs to escape pain. Sumaiyya ended up homeless in Venice Beach, California. When Sumaiyya went into A Bridge Home shelter, she didn't talk. Her case manager shared that Sumaiyya is now the life of the party. Sumaiyya's story validates that we can end homelessness when we help people go from the streets to shelter and then permanent supportive housing. It also is a powerful reminder homeless people need housing and support to heal. With Path and Venice Community Housing support, Sumaiyya moved into her own single apartment that provides case management and other services. Joe Kulman from PATH shared in this video fighting my friend Kenneth moving into a similar apartment https://youtu.be/JNA-PoN-aJc, shelters are filled with people ready and waiting to move into housing, but there is no housing. We can end homelessness. We've known how to end homelessness for years. We just lack the political and public will to end homelessness. Instead, cities continue to invest in criminalizing homelessness over creating the affordable housing and support services needed. That's where you come in. We all must advocate for more housing and support services at the local level. At the same time, we must continue to pressure state and federal legislators. Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here https://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. More stories: Venice Beach Homeless Man Moves into an Apartment https://youtu.be/JNA-PoN-aJc Venice Beach Homeless Woman Sleeps in Front of the Apartment She Rented for 17 Years https://youtu.be/NdS63o_TC_8 Homeless Man Shares the Harsh Reality of Skid Row https://youtu.be/T_c5ff0EEcA #homeless #venicebeach #housingfirst ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

I first met Kenneth back in 2018 when he lived in a tent homeless on Venice Beach Boardwalk. There was a small group of homeless friends that became family to me. Every chance I had, I would throw a hamburger party for about 20 homeless people that lived by the basketball courts. While I hate homelessness, I have many fond memories of eating Double-Doubles while sitting on a sidewalk. Walter and his wife went into housing over a year ago. Alicia is in the bridge shelter waiting for housing. Kenneth was in the shelter for over two years, which is far too long. No one should live in a homeless shelter for longer than six months. 45 days or less should be the average stay. HOUSING ENDS HOMELESSNESS Shelters can play an essential part in a community-wide system to get people off the streets into housing; however, it all fails when there is no housing. Los Angeles homelessness continues to grow. Politicians talk about the need for more shelters or putting people in tiny shacks as a solution, but shelters DO NOT end homelessness. The lack of housing is why homeless services fail from the top down. Probably the best part of working in homeless services is living vicariously through a soon-to-be formerly homeless person that moves into their new apartment for the first time. I am so happy for Kenneth. He moved into his own studio apartment thanks to Path and Venice Community Housing. I have been part of many move-ins, and I have to say this is the best one to date. Path and Venice Community Housing provided everything. I was very impressed. While Kenneth moving into housing is an amazing success story, it's also a story of failure. Shelters are full of homeless people who are ready to go into housing, but there is not nearly enough housing for everyone that needs it. Please watch this short video on Housing First https://youtu.be/SizHuR225Co Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here https://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. More stories: Venice Beach Homeless Woman Sleeps in Front of the Apartment She Rented for 17 Years https://youtu.be/NdS63o_TC_8 Evicted After Wife Died, Now Homeless in Venice Beach https://youtu.be/nLkRvfIQ90c HEARTWARMING Venice Beach Homeless Woman Gets an Apartment https://youtu.be/h0ak5wkOe64 #homeless #venicebeach #housingfirst ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

My friend Petra was visiting from London. This was her first time in Los Angeles. Petra is the Director of Rough Sleeper, Westminster and Migrants Services in London, United Kingdom. She has worked with rough sleepers trying to solve homelessness for several decades. Petra wanted to visit and experience Skid Row, so I connected her to the amazing women of the Sidewalk Project. This video is our second trip out on the streets of Downtown. I thought the international exchange between boots-on-the-ground service providers and Petra was important enough to capture and share. The two big differences between how the United Kingdom and the United States deal with homelessness in the UK have a much better safety net. Health care makes a huge difference in the prevention of homelessness, and because of the safety net, you don't see the vulnerable people sleeping outside as we do here. The United Kingdom has a much better system of getting people new to rough sleeping off the streets as quickly as possible. While the United States has programs like Rapid Rehousing that are meant to keep people in their apartments, we focus primarily on chronic homelessness. As Petra says so brilliantly in this video, it's essential to focus on the newly homeless and those that have been outside for a long time. Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here https://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. Please watch and share our mini-documentary on the Sidewalk Project https://youtu.be/vA_YZ_d45UE To find out more about the Sidewalk Project and support their important work, please click here https://www.thesidewalkproject.org Executive producer: Mark Horvath Producer/editor/videographer: Jonathan Thang https://nomadicperception.com More stories from Skid Row and London: Homeless Youth Sleeping Rough in London after Mother Died https://youtu.be/24To8SF46jU Homeless Man Shares the Harsh Reality of Skid Row https://youtu.be/T_c5ff0EEcA #london #losangeles #homeless ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Last week, the Los Angeles City Council voted to lift the moratorium on towing illegally parked RVs. Enforcement is set to start on May 15th, but as we saw yesterday, the criminalization of homelessness continues even before the moratorium is lifted. The ban on towing cars and vehicles that people live in came to be because of the pandemic. Housed people were concerned that unhoused people may take up ICU beds if COVID spread through the homeless community. But now that the coronavirus restrictions are being lifted, there is a growing push to get homeless people out of sight. Homeless sweeps are cruel. They do nothing to solve homelessness and in many ways, make it harder to help people. The displacement and fear cause trauma. When a vehicle someone lives in is towed, they are then street homeless, making vulnerable people even more vulnerable. None of these people are offered housing or basic services. The criminalization of homelessness is a waste of taxpayer money. Money could be used to help people instead of just moving homeless people around the city. How You Can Help If you live in Los Angeles, visit and support Services Not Sweeps [https://servicesnotsweeps.com], an LA-based coalition made up of over 35 community organizations demanding a care-centric approach to homelessness and the end of criminalization. The pandemic proved that we need to rethink housing in the U.S. It also showed that many programs designed to address homelessness are rooted in law enforcement rather than social services. Contact your officials and representatives here https://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved. Tell them you support revamping the way your city addresses homelessness. Handcuffs do not get anyone closer to stable housing. Instead, we need to focus on compassionate solutions, which is the first step to ending homelessness once and for all. More mobile homeless stories: When LIVING IN A CAR is Your Last Choice - "Mobile" a Short Film https://youtu.be/dMBVtPx2B_M Venice Beach Homeless Man Lives in an RV with His Daughter. Both Have Jobs but Can't Afford Rent https://youtu.be/dB1lyFMUpIM Homeless Woman Bought RV with Pandemic Money https://youtu.be/2Oz8M2SXwZ8 #homeless #losangeles #mobilehomeless ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

David is a kind and gentle man. My heart breaks for him. David moved to Austin, Texas, to work in construction. David lost his ID on the bus, and then someone stole his backpack with everything he owned. David survives by recycling and panhandling. When I asked David where he was going to sleep, he said he didn't know. I responded that's no way to live. David said he's not living; he's just existing. Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here https://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. More Austin Stories: Austin Homeless Man Shares Powerful Prophecy and on Criminalizing Homelessness https://youtu.be/O1E5b2jncCI Disabled Homeless Man on the Streets of Austin after 30 Years in Prison https://youtu.be/u3_1_wtTCc0 #austin #homeless ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People's website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People's Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath's Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn't just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don't take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

New York City's Mayor is cracking down on homelessness in the city. Since taking office in January, Mayor Eric Adams launched his Subway Safety Plan. The plan includes clearing off people who sleep in the subway. Task forces with police officers and outreached workers have been canvassing subway stations and platforms. The plan, Adams's said, is intended to get homeless people the help they need, in part by convincing them to check into one of the City's shelters. New York City is a so-called right to shelter city, meaning that everyone who wants a bed in a shelter can get one. Yet, people inside New York's shelters often face assaults, threats, and unsanitary conditions. Ibrahim Ayu is one of the City's countless people who felt safer living outside than in a shelter. With the City's new efforts to tear down encampments, some say homeless people are now even more unsafe than before. Video journalist : Shakti Langlois-Ortega https://shaktilo.com Executive producer: Mark Horvath More New York City stories: Disabled Homeless Woman Sleeps on the Streets of New York City https://youtu.be/zs1MlOjUWWs 15 Years Homeless in New York City https://youtu.be/2sP8lx1M9Zo Homeless Vietnam veteran in NYC uses his military training to survive homelessness https://youtu.be/smlxozQp888 ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People's website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People's Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath's Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn't just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don't take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

While I am sure I am not the first person to hand out socks to homeless people, I am one of the first. Now lots of people hand out socks, but there's still only one "Sock Man." This video is from 2013 as part of this documentary https://youtu.be/z0wDn9SAWZs How to Give Socks to Homeless People. https://youtu.be/RVHaf4FtsfE ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Cori is a homeless single mom living in a Los Angeles 90-day emergency shelter with her daughter. Cori's 90 days in up on 3/28 is just two days from now. Cori is disabled and cannot work. She received a little over $700 in disability income, but that is not enough to pay for rent and basic needs. The 90-day rule is a stupid rule driven by government contracts. Who gets their life together in 90 days? While it's frowned upon, family shelters can extend Cori's stay, which is the best-case scenario. It's shocking that the service provider has yet to find Cori housing or would even consider kicking this young mom outside, but I have seen it happen. No one should be homeless, especially young children. Cori reached out to me and asked if I would interview her. Cori sent a link to this video https://youtu.be/jOREQfOZTOs. Watching her story moved me, but meeting Cori and her daughter Cordelia was far beyond what I expected. Cori was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome at age 3. She has lived a tough life. At one point in this interview, I had to change the topic, or I would have cried; her story is so heartbreaking. Cori's an inspiration. She's been in the homeless shelter system in multiple states, trying to find support. It's mind-blowing that a young mother has to move from state to state to hopefully get the help she needs only to find a broken, homeless services system. Cori is a talented artist and businesswoman, even against all the challenges that a homeless single mom faces daily. She started drawing on cardboard selling her art to tourists. Cory now steps up a little popup shop on the sidewalk to sell her art and some jewelry that was given to her. Cori's Cash App Cash App is $Cortifa20. She shares her art on Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/cortifa_luv2.0 Homelessness is a growing, national crisis. It should be addressed in Washington. Bottom line: Housing is the solution. We need more resources to get folks into housing. Demand action. With your help, we can end homelessness. Click here https://invisiblepeople.tv/get-involved/ to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. More stories: Homeless Family with 6 Children Lives in a Small Hotel near St Louis https://youtu.be/s9vhLgzy7dI Ditsy is 19 years-old and homeless in Salt Lake City. All the kids in this video are homeless! https://youtu.be/OcEXf0bDFds #homeless #asperger #losangeles ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Cornelius bought a bus ticket in Alabama. He didn't have identification, but they sold him a ticket and allowed him on the bus for some reason. When the bus changed drivers in Oklahoma City, the new driver asked for ID. Since Cornelius didn't have one, they kicked him off the bus. He has been homeless since. I met Cornelius in Austin, Texas, where he is currently homeless. He actually has been stranded for five years after losing his ID. That may seem like a long time, and it is, but without ID, you can't get a job or a bunch of other things. It's also extremely hard in all states to get an ID if you don't have an ID to prove who you are. For example, I am adopted. New York State will never allow me to see my birth certificate, so if I lose my ID, I am not sure what I would be able to do to prove it's actually me. Over the week, I ran into Cornelius several times. He is super friendly. I am always amazed when someone facing the horrors of homelessness maintains a positive attitude. #austin #homeless #sxsw ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Feed The Streets NYC is an all-volunteer mutual aid organization helping homeless people every Sunday in Lower Manhattan. As homelessness continues to grow, concerned citizens are stepping up to fill gaps in the safety net. Amy is full of energy and a spirit of compassion. Amy works as a fashion model. She can do countless other things on the weekend, but Amy and a small army of volunteers gather donations to give out to their unhoused friends every Sunday in New York City Feed The Streets started in Los Angeles but is expanding as resources allow. If you'd like more information to get involved or to make a donation, visit their website here: https://www.feedthestreets.info Feed The Streets NYC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/feedthestreets_ny Feed The Streets LA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/feedthestreets_la/ Watch Tony's story here: Homeless Man Surviving the Tough Streets of New York City https://youtu.be/OCbwNkD27_U More NYC stories: Disabled Homeless Woman Sleeps on the Streets of New York City https://youtu.be/zs1MlOjUWWs 15 Years Homeless in New York City https://youtu.be/2sP8lx1M9Zo A Look Inside America's First Safe Drug Consumption Site https://youtu.be/h4nMm8dJH8g Executive producer: Mark Horvath Producer/editor/cinematographer: @RCodyWanner #homeless #newyorkcity #volunteer ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

AJ doesn't know why he can't stop using drugs. He has serious health issues from reusing dirty needles and has been homeless more times than he can count. AJ has been in and out of detox and rehab multiple times. In 2021 alone, AJ says he was in treatment over ten times! It's for people like AJ who suffer from addiction that OnPoint NYC opened. OnPoint NYC is the operator of the nation's first and only sanctioned supervised consumption centers. The nonprofit, which runs two harm reduction programs in northern Manhattan (East Harlem and Washington Heights), provides life-saving services as the country seeks to cope with record levels of drug overdose fatalities. A safe consumption site is a place where people can use their drugs in the presence of professionals who make sure they are safe and healthy. Professionals are there to keep users alive in the event they overdose. In addition to the supervised consumption centers, OnPoint NYC provides wrap-around services to meet its underserved participant's comprehensive set of needs including medical and mental health care, onsite access to Buprenorphine and other addiction treatment options, Hepatitis C and HIV testing and treatment, holistic services, hygiene and respite, food, clothing, and other critical supports. People use drugs to escape pain. The problem is America has a long history of a punitive response to addiction, which only creates more pain for the addict and their families. We must stop locking people up and start treating addiction as the health crisis that it is. A Different Approach OnPoint NYC offers an array of services so that when someone says, "I want to try something else," they can connect them. And it's working. 633 unique individuals used the sites in 6 weeks with over 6,000 utilizations in that time. Officials in NYC had hoped for 130 overdose interventions in the first year. They far exceeded expectations with 124 overdose interventions in less than 2 months. There is a false belief that harm reduction enables addicts to keep using. The truth is harm reduction saves lives and the proof is in the aforementioned numbers. Dead addicts don't get treatment, they don't recover, and they don't get to spend time with their families. When an addict overdoses at OnPoint NYC, they are provided with a safe healing place to recover with practitioners who understand what they are going through. They are made to feel loved, respected, and accepted. Too many people see addicts as disposable when they need to be treated as humans. Harm reduction allows addicts to come out of the shadows and have honest conversations about their addiction and to learn why they are self-medicating. "People assume participants haven't tried treatment. Yet 100% of people who have used our program have tried detox and treatment," Sam said. "They are going to use ... we want to keep them alive. We want to engage them in a conversation where they are." Harm reduction isn't about enabling drug use. Instead, it recognizes that just say no to drugs doesn't work. OnPoint NYC allows people who use the facilities to spend as much time as they need to feel better about moving on with their day. While staff allows people to use a variety of drugs in a way that is safe, they are simultaneously building relationships. "These are beautiful, kind-hearted people that just want to be here, that want to be loved and cared for," Sam said. "We know factually what we are doing is creating a dialogue for our people to get well. Harm reduction is the medicine for people." "We are meeting people who use drugs where they are in their life journey to support them in building their self-worth," Rivera said. "In celebrating life, we are humanizing people often not treated as human. There is love and care that happens in EVERY room at OnPoint NYC! Invisible Stories is a mini-doc series that goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages understand, and can't ignore. Watch more Invisible Stories mini-documentaries on homelessness https://invisiblepeople.tv/invisiblestories . Executive producer: Mark Horvath Producer/editor/cinematographer: Alex Gasaway https://www.youtube.com/alexgasaway Special thanks to Colin Askey for additional footage More stories on addiction: Homeless Man Shares REAL Truth on Opioid Addiction https://youtu.be/xj_by-u0N8o Young Homeless Woman in Seattle Shares About Heroin Addiction. Sabrina Died April 5th. https://youtu.be/9HwLo3e4EN0 Homeless Man Shares the Harsh Reality of Skid Row https://youtu.be/T_c5ff0EEcA #homeless #harmreduction #addiction ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People's website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate

Before you judge Reno or any homeless person addicted to drugs, walk a mile in their shoes! At the age of 7, child protective services removed Reno from living with his mom because of physical abuse. Reno went to live with his dad when he got out of prison. His father introduced Reno to marijuana and porn at the age of 10. Reno was first arrested at the age of 10 for having weed at school. If you look at the childhood of almost every person on the streets, doing drugs, or doing time in prison, you'll discover years of neglect and childhood trauma. One of the main reasons treatment fails to help people get off drugs is traditional treatment attempts to cure the addict but does not cure the pain people use drugs to escape from. Dr. Gabor Maté explains addiction in this short video. Please take the ten minutes to watch https://youtu.be/ys6TCO_olOc Reno is a good guy doing the best he can to survive homelessness on the streets of Los Angeles. It's nearly impossible to do homelessness sober. We all have addictions that help us escape pain. Some eat too much. Others are addicted to television. Younger generations are addicted to social media and scrolling on their smartphone. People can get addicted to drama and anger. Gambling or the rush of adventure. To put drug addiction in perspective, most addicts live in houses and apartments. You don't see them because they are behind walls. My point is Reno is a human being. I enjoy talking to him. Reno is always respectful. He wants to get sober. He wants to get off the streets, but the support is not there. Treatment is broken, and treatment without housing fails. There are not enough support services for addiction, mental health, and homelessness, and there's not nearly even close to enough housing! Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here https://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. More stories on addiction: Homeless Man Shares REAL Truth on Opioid Addiction https://youtu.be/xj_by-u0N8o Young Homeless Woman in Seattle Shares About Heroin Addiction. Sabrina Died April 5th. https://youtu.be/9HwLo3e4EN0 Homeless Man Shares the Harsh Reality of Skid Row https://youtu.be/T_c5ff0EEcA #homeless #losangeles #addiction ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Here's the link to Panda's channel https://www.youtube.com/c/ThePandaPhotographer If you'd like to help Panda, here is a link to his GoFundMe https://www.gofundme.com/f/the-homeless-photographer-need-your-help I didn't know what to expect as I walked to meet Panda. It was a cold, wet day in New York City. There's no good day to be homeless, but the winter months are the worst. A few people commented that I needed to reach out to him. Panda emailed me saying he would be at Penn Station in 20 minutes. That didn't allow time to look at his YouTube channel, but I assumed it was someone experiencing homelessness with a camera and a mic. I assumed wrong. Panda is a professional photographer living homeless with a cart full of production gear. As I turned the corner seeing his cart full of video and photography gear, I may have smiled a little because anyone who can carry that much gear and survive the streets of New York City had to be an amazing person on many levels. The first thing I asked Panda was how he survives without getting everything stolen. The answer is he's creative, Panda tries to stay in safer areas when he sleeps outside, and he has had some of his gear taken a few times. One time after trying to go into a shelter. Panda shares that story in this interview. Because Panda is what homeless services call high functioning, he doesn't qualify for most services. While everyone should have adequate housing, there are not enough resources to go around for all the homeless people that need help. The sector then priorities, so people like Panda are left to fend for themselves. Panda is smart. He has the skills and the gear. He just needs a little help to restabilize his life. I left meeting Panda encouraged. Although we talked about the horrors of homelessness, Panda shared positive insight on both life and serving the streets of New York City. A few times Panda said to end homelessness, all we have to do is care. Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here https://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. Here is a link to Panda's website https://drum.io/thepandaphotographer More stories: Disabled Homeless Woman Sleeps on the Streets of New York City https://youtu.be/zs1MlOjUWWs Homeless Vietnam veteran in NYC uses his military training to survive homelessness https://youtu.be/smlxozQp888 #homeless #newyorkcity #nyc ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Amy runs Feed The Streets NY, a volunteer-led mutual aid group in lower Manhattan. She told me about a homeless man who helps scrape the ice off the sidewalk with his crutches where they set up their food tables. That man is Tony. The day I met Tony, the weather was around 16 degrees with a wind chill that felt about 3 degrees. Tony is homeless in New York City. Like many homeless NYers, Tony rides the trains at night to stay warm and get a little sleep. As Tony says, you have to be tough to survive the streets of New York City. Tony went to the hospital to get rods in her legs. Five days after surgery, even before he could walk again, the hospital exited him back to homelessness. The hospital sent Tony to a shelter in Long Island City, but shelters are death traps with the pandemic, so Tony decided to live on the streets. Sadly, hospital dumping is far too common when a patient doesn't have health insurance or a home to go to. Tony is a good guy that's been through some rough times. He just needs some help to get off the streets into housing, but there is no housing for all the people who are homeless on the streets of Manhattan. That's where you come in. Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here https://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. Special thanks to Feed the Streets NY https://www.instagram.com/feedthestreets_ny More stories: Disabled Homeless Woman Sleeps on the Streets of New York City https://youtu.be/zs1MlOjUWWs Young Homeless Girl Living on the Streets of New York City. https://youtu.be/xRxt8u-iaGE Homeless Vietnam veteran in NYC uses his military training to survive homelessness https://youtu.be/smlxozQp888 ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

If you'd like to support Dawn, she set up this GoFundMe https://www.gofundme.com/f/sometimes-things-can-change Dawn texted week a few weeks ago. There was a homeless woman friend of her's she wanted me to meet. I regret that I could not go connect with Dawn right then because a few days later, Dawn texted me the woman was found dead on the side of the freeway. I forgot to talk about that with Dawn in this interview. It's a powerful statement of how dangerous homelessness is. I first interviewed Dawn close to two years ago [https://youtu.be/L4PFqQJX9AE]. Dawn's husband had health issues, and the two were living in their tent with their three dogs. Dawn is still married, but they split up and no longer live together, which is all Dawn wanted to say about it in this interview other than she is happy he husband is in a hotel where his health issues can be addressed. The Super Bowl is coming to Los Angeles in a few weeks, and police, Caltrans, and sanitation have picked up the frequency of their already aggressive homeless sweeps. It's as if housed people are the victims having to look at homeless people when homeless people are the real victims. Dawn texted me that she was displaced from a homeless sweep and now lives on a sidewalk under a Los Angeles freeway. Homeless people are in a constant state of fear, never knowing when the sweeps will come to take all of their stuff. For example, in the area where we recorded this interview, the sweep was posted for 9am, yet sheriffs and Caltrans showed up at 4:30am. Homeless people cannot quickly move their belongings, so this sweep coming early without notice resulted in panic, trauma, and more loss of belongings. Dawn is a fighter and a survivor. She has been through a lot. Dawn looks great. You would not even know she has lived on the streets of Los Angeles homeless for over three years. But homelessness is dangerous. Dawn or no one should be living without adequate housing. Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here https://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. #losangeles #homeless #superbowl ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Derwin is disabled living in a tent homeless in Las Vegas. You can't see from this angle, but I am sitting in Derwin's wheelchair to get level since he was lying on the ground. Derwin has been arrested twice in Las Vegas for trespassing. He spent 20 days and then 10 days in jail for the crime of not being able to afford an apartment. Las Vegas is one of the worse cities criminalizing homelessness. The city passed a law making homelessness illegal punishable by a $1,000 fine or 6 months in jail. The thing is, they do not offer people like Derwin a path to get out of homelessness into housing. Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here https://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. More stories: Disabled Veteran Says Las Vegas Treats Homeless People the Worst https://youtu.be/UwCBxgcQncg HOUSING FIRST WORKS: Homeless Veteran Gets an Apartment https://youtu.be/SizHuR225Co Barry is homeless living in a tunnel underneath Las Vegas https://youtu.be/qnwulGZe_lo #homeless #lasvegas #criminalization ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

I visited Food Not Bombs in Las Vegas today. I was told to park where the gate was open, so I did. Turns out that's an employee parking lot for the homeless shelter next door. Security and a city employee stopped me from recording. As I walked to the food distribution, I started a conversation with Brian, a homeless veteran. Brian says he has never seen any city treat homeless people as callously as Las Vegas, and he has traveled all over since 1973. If you didn't know, Las Vegas has made everything related to homelessness illegal. Homeless people cannot sit or lay down or panhandle without risking arrest and being fined $1,000 or 6 months in jail just for being homeless. In addition, food and clothing distribution are illegal. But even worse, Las Vegas uses a courtyard model leaving homeless people to sleep outside in mats inches away from each other. Brian was passing through and ran out of gas. He now has to wait until the first of the month for his VA check to get back on the road. Brian is lucky to have some income, but after paying child support, he is left with $500 a month, which is not enough to live on and pay rent. More stories: HOUSING FIRST WORKS: Homeless Veteran Gets an Apartment https://youtu.be/SizHuR225Co Barry is homeless living in a tunnel underneath Las Vegas https://youtu.be/qnwulGZe_lo #homeless #lasvegas #veterans ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

*** make sure to watch the second part of this video: starting tomorrow, homelessness will be illegal in many areas in Los Angeles. As a result, Timothy and tens of thousands of homeless people will be displaced without being offered services and no place to go. Humans make trash. All of us. Housed people make trash, and homeless people make trash. The only difference is housed people have trash pickup. The public often complains about visible trash at homeless encampments, and they should complain. But putting blame on homeless people is ridiculous. The main solution to the trash at camps is to HOUSE PEOPLE. No one should be living without adequate housing. If you don't want to see the trash, support solutions to prevent and end homelessness. In the meantime, cities must start offering trash pickups. In the first part of this video, Timothy gives us an update from when I first interviewed him here https://youtu.be/LJTDzf7pjIs Caltrans came through and displaced all the people living in the area, yet they didn't clean up. They just destroyed the shacks people made to keep dry during the rain. I HAVE SEEN PHOTOS OF THIS AREA CLEANED UP BY TIMOTHY AND FOLKS LIVING IN THIS CAMP. Tim and his homeless neighbors actually clean up the hill. Homeless sweeps do nothing to solve homelessness and in many ways make it worse, and now because of 41.18, homelessness will be illegal in many areas through Los Angeles. Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here https://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. More stories: Police Sweeps Keep People Homeless and Waste Taxpayer Money https://youtu.be/evrXWn9-O4o Nicholas on Los Angeles's Homeless Sweeps in Hollywood https://youtu.be/Tsx7msUxyKw Venice Beach Homeless Man Shares about Police Sweeps in Los Angeles https://youtu.be/t8ha3RxuTMg #homeless #losangeles #homelesssweeps ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

It's easy to judge another person without having lived through their experiences. It's easy to think that you'd have made different choices, but the truth is, we are all different, and we all react to life differently. Every time a person shares they ended up homeless at a very young age, my heart breaks. I cannot imagine a child growing up outside on the streets. I used to work as a family case manager. I know many people like to cast blame that homelessness is a choice, but when a child feels safer outside than with their family, I do not believe they can make a choice other than to survive. Besides, if homelessness was a punishment for bad decisions, we'd all be homeless. Robert lives in a shack made of tarps and other materials they could find. The shack provides some privacy, but it's not much protection from the heavy that hit Los Angeles last week. When I first met Robert, he lived with his partner in a tent on a hill nearby. Caltrans came and swept the area but didn't clean anything; they just displaced homeless people out from where they were living. It really makes no sense that Caltrans would make life harder for Robert and his partner, but that's only the start of their problems. Robert holds a posted sign for Los Angeles Municipal Code Section 41.18, otherwise known as a "sit and lie" law meant to criminalize homelessness. 41.18 defines that “nobody can sit, lie, or sleep on a street, sidewalk, or any other public location.” As a result, on January 10th, homelessness will be illegal in the area where Robert and hundreds of other homeless people live. Several hundred enforcement zones around Los Angeles will soon make homelessness illegal, yet Los Angeles is not providing support for homeless people to get off the streets. Moreover, making homelessness illegal in large sections of the city reduces the places homeless people can live all at a time when homelessness is growing. This is cruel and insane, and it will make homelessness even worse! Robert is the caregiver to his partner. She is HIV+ and suffers from mental illness. Because they are not married, service providers want to split them up. In just a few days, homelessness will be illegal where they live, and they have no place to go. Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here https://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. More stories: Homeless at 9. Abused at 11. Is this Venice Beach Man's homelessness by choice? https://youtu.be/Ho4AU4yo-jU Young Homeless Woman Living on the Side of Los Angeles's 101 Freeway https://youtu.be/1fWPDr2tf6w Displaced 53 Times by Police and Homeless Sweeps https://youtu.be/LJTDzf7pjIs #losangeles #homeless #covid ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

When Timothy said he was displaced by Los Angeles Police Department and LA Sanitation 53 times, I thought that number was awfully high. But for someone that has lived outside homeless for over 20 years, that is less than three times a year. I know homeless encampments that get swept monthly. A homeless man in Denver told me when the mayor was running for re-election, the city would sweep homeless camps almost daily to push them out of sight. What is a homeless sweep? The ACLU writes: "A homeless sweep or “clean-up” is the forced disbanding of homeless encampments on public property and the removal of both homeless individuals and their property from that area. Practices may vary between cities as to how much advance notice encampments are given before a sweep and what the city does with property collected during a sweep. Homeless sweeps are costly and ineffective and make homelessness worse, not better." Timothy shares that during a homeless sweep, the city or CalTrans takes all of their stuff, including essential documents and needed medications. He says police will high-five each other when throwing their property away. Timothy tells a story of how the LAPD tricked them into pulling the tarp back on their tent saying they could go on with their day, but the trash truck was waiting to take all their belongings. The story Timothy tells that bothers me the most is how service providers told them to pack up all of their property they wanted to take with them, and they would come back to take them into Project Roomkey, a hotel to housing program. The small community of people in the camp packed up and waited and waited and waited. A few days passed. The service providers never came back. Timothy is a good guy who has been outside far too long. Many years ago, he made some mistakes doing drugs and hanging with the wrong crowd. Timothy ended up in prison, and when he got out, he had no place to go but the streets. You can be judgmental of homeless people all you want, but no matter how they ended up on the streets, it takes a strong person to survive 20 years outside. I have spoken to most of the people in. this camp, and all of them have been homeless for extended periods of time, and all of them want to get out of homelessness. The problem is that the City of Los Angeles invests more in keeping homeless people out of sight than getting them the help that they need. Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here https://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. More stories: Police Sweeps Keep People Homeless and Waste Taxpayer Money https://youtu.be/evrXWn9-O4o Nicholas on Los Angeles's Homeless Sweeps in Hollywood https://youtu.be/Tsx7msUxyKw Venice Beach Homeless Man Shares about Police Sweeps in Los Angeles https://youtu.be/t8ha3RxuTMg #homeless #losangeles #homelesssweeps ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Paul used to have a job as a window cleaner when his life took a turn for the worse. Paul started to drink, which led to sofa surfing and eventually homelessness sleeping rough on the streets of London. In the UK, homeless shelters are often referred to as hostels. Paul has been in and out of hostels for a few years. Paul says rough sleeping wasn't so bad, but things have started to change. The streets and living homeless are not what they once were. Paul says he didn't stay in the hostels because many of them are outside of London. Even here in the United States, homeless shelters are located in areas where neighbors will allow over where they need to be to provide support for rough sleepers. Paul survives by panhandling. If he can make enough money, Paul hides his sleeping bag to pay to go into a single room occupancy for the night. This interview is a few years old. I like Paul, and I hope he was able to get off the streets into housing. Sadly, the UK's affordable housing crisis may even be worse than it is here, and because of the pandemic, rough sleeping continues to grow. More stories from London: Natasha is 22 years-old and has been homeless sleeping rough in London for 4 years https://youtu.be/6TLVgwoqhoc Giving Socks to Homeless People Sleeping Rough in London and Cardiff https://youtu.be/SiDBU91Mo44 Homeless Youth Sleeping Rough in London after Mother Died https://youtu.be/24To8SF46jU #london #homeless #roughsleeper ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Johana got pregnant at the young age of 14. After constant fighting with her mom, she went and lived with another couple. The guy tried to pimp her out on the streets as a sex worker. Johanna left. Her son is now with her mom. Johana lives in a tent on the side of the 101 Freeway. The 101 Hollywood Freeway is the 2nd busiest freeway in Los Angeles. It carries more than 125,000 cars daily. As homelessness grows, It is now common to see tents alongside California freeways and often on overpasses. Homeless encampments are everywhere. There are real people in those tents you see as you drive by. All of them need our help to get off the streets into housing. Johana and her boyfriend have lived in this area for two years. Johana told me she had been homeless for five years. They survive by recycling. In fact, Johana shared they have started an official recycling nonprofit. I asked her to email me more information. As soon as Johanna emails me back with her Cashapp or GoFundMe, I will post it here. I have emailed her a few times, but she has not responded. It could be a lot of things. Mostly, survival comes first, and access to the internet can be challenging. UPDATE: Here's Johana's cashapp : $HoneyyDidIt and her PayPal https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/onelovee37 Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here https://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. More stories: Young Homeless Woman in Seattle Shares About Heroin Addiction. Sabrina Died on April 5th. https://youtu.be/9HwLo3e4EN0 Young Homeless Girl Living on the Streets of New York City. https://youtu.be/xRxt8u-iaGE Young Homeless Girl on the Streets of San Francisco https://youtu.be/TncKRc6EoZ8 #homeless #losangeles #homelessness ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Charmain has been homeless in and out of the New York City shelter system since 2005. This is Invisible People's third interview with Charmain. While we love reconnecting with friends, we hate homelessness, and this story validates how broken NYC's homeless services are. You may have seen clips from both of Charmain's videos featured recently on Homelessness: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO) [https://youtu.be/liptMbjF3EE]. If you haven't watched John Oliver's show, please take the time to view it. While it has a comedic spin, it's the first national show that shares how public perception affects policy change, which is the focus of our work. Unfortunately, politicians are putting more resources into getting homeless people out of sight than trying to solve homelessness and help people, which will only worsen homelessness. Many people think homeless shelters are a solution. Yet, while shelters can play an essential role in a support network providing a path from the streets to housing, homeless services are broken, and people like Charmain fall through the cracks in the safety net. Charmain is provided with a bed in a shelter, but she doesn't feel safe as an abuse survivor, so Charmain spends much of her time outside. Her boyfriend is now in housing, but homeless services do not allow couples to live together. So if Charmain sleeps there, both of them will be kicked out. It really doesn't make any sense. Charmain is intelligent and resourceful. She has to be to survive the streets for this long. Charmain wants to work, but she will need time inside to heal from years of trauma to be able to maintain a job. Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here https://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. Charmain's previous interviews: 15 Years Homeless in New York City https://youtu.be/2sP8lx1M9Zo Homeless woman in New York City's shelter system since 2005. https://youtu.be/SkRF3McEAl0 Special thanks to Human.nyc https://www.humanplan.nyc #homeless #newyorkcity #nyc ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

One of the first things Cynthia shared with me is she used to sleep in a box. Cynthia now rests on a reclining chair living homeless in New York City. She felt it was an upgrade from sleeping on the cold ground. My work is far from scientific. I do not collect data on people. However, I do visit the same cities and walk through the same areas. Each time I visit a location, street homelessness has noticeably grown, and this trip to New York, street homelessness is far more visible. More people are sleeping outside, and there are far more seniors and elderly homeless women living on the streets of Manhattan. Cynthia says she has been homeless for seven years. In this interview, she shares about the abuse women face on the streets and the horror of the NYC shelter system. Cynthia says she is on a housing list, but the wait seems endless. Unfortunately, millions of homeless Americans are waiting for housing, but little to no housing is available. This is where you can make a difference. Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here https://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. More NYC stories: Young Homeless Girl Living on the Streets of New York City. https://youtu.be/xRxt8u-iaGE 15 Years Homeless in New York City https://youtu.be/2sP8lx1M9Zo Disabled Homeless Woman Sleeps on the Streets of New York City https://youtu.be/zs1MlOjUWWs #newyorkcity #nyc #homeless ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Toney is 65 years old senior living homeless in a tent in desperate need of help. Then he heard music. Skid Row is approximately 50 square blocks in the heart of downtown Los Angeles with over ten thousand people living in various states of homelessness. Known as the worst social crisis in America, Skid Row is butted right up against a multi-billion-dollar development boom with new condos and skyscrapers that drive up housing costs and widen the gap between the haves and the have nots. Turn on the news or scroll through social media, and you'll see story after post of the negative side of homelessness, and homelessness is horrible. No one should live without adequate housing. However, people don't see or don't see enough of real people in those tents trying to survive, and many have wonderful hidden talents. Urban Voices Project brings the healing power of music directly to individuals marginalized by homelessness, mental health issues, and unemployment in Greater Los Angeles. You can learn more about Urban Voices Project and support their work here: https://urbanvoicesproject.org ________________________ Invisible People is now partnering with video journalist Crystal Fambrini to augment our journalism initiative to publish video news stories on homelessness and related topics. Executive producer: Mark Horvath Executive producer/journalist: @Crystal Fambrini Producer/editor/cinematographer: Evan B Stone ________________________ More Skid Row stories: Homeless Man Shares the Harsh Reality of Skid Row https://youtu.be/T_c5ff0EEcA Street Photographer Suitcase Joe Captures the Humanity of Skid Row https://youtu.be/7YG8KMFGA4c Saving Lives of Homeless Sex Workers and Addicts on Skid Row https://youtu.be/vA_YZ_d45UE #losangeles #homeless #skidrow ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

For eight years, Invisible People had 20,000 subscribers. YouTube staff used to tell me that 20,000 subs for a nonprofit is huge. For a nonprofit working to end homelessness, 20,000 subs is a miracle. Being that homelessness is a rough not-so-popular topic, I just accepted we'd have 20,000 subscribers. About three years ago, a foundation in the homeless sector broke another promise. They kept promising to fund our work, but they kept saying next year, and when next year arrived, they would say next year. We always had a significant impact, but we never had the resources to scale to do more. I literally worked without compensation. If I had kids, there would be no Invisible People. I didn't have health care. Without support, Invisible People wasn't sustainable. I looked around at what we had, and it was YouTube and Patreon. That's all we had, so I put more time into growing YouTube, and you all started to support the changes. All of our growth has been from the last few years, and it all happened because of your support. Invisible People's work has never been more critical than it is today. Politicians are passing laws making it illegal to be homeless. Communities often driven by negative propaganda are putting more resources into pushing homeless people out of sight instead of helping them get out of homelessness. Homelessness is projected to increase 49% in the next four years. The criminalization of homelessness does NOTHING to solve homelessness and, in many ways, makes it worse. There are no words to express how grateful I am that you believe in me and this vital work. Over the last three years, with your help, we have been able to grow Invisible People from just me with a camera to becoming a nonprofit media publisher. While one million subscribers is a performance metric, it validates we are having an impact in educating the public to influence policy change. Thank you, Mark Horvath Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here https://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. Ktown for All Helping Homeless People in Los Angeles’s Koreatown https://youtu.be/_Gvp3NUBB_A When LIVING IN A CAR is Your Last Choice - "Mobile" a Short Film https://youtu.be/dMBVtPx2B_M ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Lan loves to paint and create art. In the 2nd grade, Lan's teacher asked him to paint a mural. At first, Lan got mad. For a 7-year-old, painting a 10-foot wall looked like a big challenge, but after talking to his parents, Len's pushed through, and he's been painting ever since. I normally don't upload more than one video interview a week, but tonight is the opening of Lan's street pop-up art gallery, so I promised him I would post his video ASAP. I rarely share a homeless person's location, but this is different. You can find Lan's gallery on Broadway just before Chinatown. He told me he sells prints for $150, so bring plenty of cash. The city of Los Angeles came and swept the area where Lan has his tent twice this week. He lost most of his belongings including a portfolio of his art. If you are not aware of homeless sweeps, Los Angeles Police Department along with sanitation workers come in and basically sweep the area clean. The cleaning isn't a bad thing, but they often sweep without posting notices and they displace people and take their belonging without offering support. Lan seems like a great guy. I love his art. I love how he adds textures to his paintings. I bought Lan a set of new paints and brushes. I offered to buy him a few canvases, but he likes to paint on what he finds. I am also buying Lan a tablet so he can get on the internet. Getting Lan online is the first step to getting him set up to sell his art online. I first discovered Lan from a Street Watch LA post. The Street Watch downtown team is going to try and help Lan set up an account to sell his art online. I am not sure if this will be enough income to get him off the streets, but our hope is it will give him some money for things he needs like a phone. Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here https://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. #LosAngeles #homeless #art ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Steve lost his job in 2018. After being evicted, Steve tried to live in his car but ended up living in a tent homeless in Los Angeles's Koreatown. I first met Steve about a week ago when there was a large homeless sweep. He had moved all of his belongings to another street while police and sanitation cleaned the area. NIMBYs (not in my backyard) came out of a nearby apartment yelling at the homeless people trying to set up their tents, but they did not have anyplace else to go. Cities all over the country are making homelessness illegal yet not providing support for homeless people to get out of homelessness. For example, Los Angeles is now pushing massive criminalization laws banning homeless people in areas throughout the city. Steve says making homelessness illegal will just move homeless people to other parts of the city, doing nothing to end homelessness, and he's right. Homeless people have told me they welcome the cleaning. Still, homeless sweeps are poorly planned and displace homeless people causing trauma and making it harder for service providers to help people. The truth is, the city and country should allocate the resources they put into homeless sweeps to get people off the sidewalks into homes, but the entire system is broken. Imagine once a week you have to pack up your apartment to move it across the street, then move it back. So often sweeps happen without posted notices, and belonging are destroyed or confiscated, including important documents, medications, and keepsakes like photos. More Ktown homeless sweep stories: Los Angeles Homeless Man Sleeps on Sidewalk Where He Was Evicted https://youtu.be/EdkSJterTXg Ktown for All Helping Homeless People in Los Angeles’s Koreatown https://youtu.be/_Gvp3NUBB_A ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Helimah's friend contacted me and asked if I could interview her. The friend said Helimah was going through a rough time living homeless in Los Angeles. Homelessness is challenging, but life on the streets seems to be worsening while at the same time it's harder to get support to get out of homelessness. Helimah and I spoke on the phone a few times. Unfortunately, she was in crisis where she was parking and had to move. When she finally found a safe place to park, I drove down to meet her. Helimah is working on getting a Venmo or PayPal. As soon as she does, I will post it here and in the comments. UPDATE: Here is Helimah's GoFundMe https://gofund.me/f7040b45 Helimah has been homeless for almost a year. After her mother died, the landlord doubled rent, so after trying to live with other people, Helimah took her pandemic unemployment money and bought an RV. One of the biggest challenges of mobile homelessness is finding a safe place to park. One of the biggest challenges for all of us is finding people we can trust, and often homeless people are in survival mode. Helimah found herself in wrong locations connected to people who were gang members or just out for themselves. Although still in crisis, Helimah has found a better place to park. She can now leave her RV to go fund support and even work if she can find employment. More on mobile homelessness: When LIVING IN A CAR is Your Last Choice - "Mobile" a Short Film https://youtu.be/dMBVtPx2B_M #losangeles #homeless #pandemic ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People's website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People's Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath's Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn't just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don't take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Saige doesn't look homeless. When I handed her a pair of socks, I was actually sure that she was. What happened next totally shocked me. When I gave Saige my business card, she burst into tears. They were happy tears. Turns out she watches this channel and is grateful that we give homeless people a voice. Near the end of the interview, Saige talks about her vision of starting her own YouTube channel, which you can find here https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCo-khdiVl32TxqDDEdIwymA Saige's story is an emotional tale of traveling, trauma, depression, survival, and our human need for purpose. The importance of purpose is not talked about enough. I started this channel to give myself a reason to get up in the morning. People need a reason to live. Often, homeless services ignore the power of purpose, which to be honest, I am not sure there is a specific solution since purpose is different for everyone. After college, Saige backpacked around the world. It was an adventure. She saw new places and stayed with new people. Then she faced significant trauma and everything changed. When she was traveling, Saige was nomadic, which is different than being homeless. Saige told me that what changed is tried to improve her living situation with no results. That's when Saige finally accepted that she was homeless. Saige is a strong woman with lots of emotions. It's important to her that she works her own way out of homelessness. I think most of us can relate. We hate asking for help. Saige is determined to find a purpose to help her get out of homelessness. As you'll hear me say in this interview, we all need to accept help from time to time. My hope and prayers are that Saige will find the support and purpose she seeks. More stories: Young Homeless Woman in Seattle Shares About Heroin Addiction. Sabrina Died on April 5th. https://youtu.be/9HwLo3e4EN0 Los Angeles Homeless Woman Being Evicted from Her Tent with Nowhere to Go https://youtu.be/9iksYQMfqmw ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

John used to have his own business. The business was growing, so John brought in a partner that screwed John over. He lost his business and then his home. At the time of this interview, John and his wife have been on the streets homeless in Philadelphia for six months. They panhandle and do odd jobs to survive. John says they are struggling day to day. John says outreach is promising employment and housing, while he hasn't seen anything yet, John feels they are moving forward off the streets. Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here https://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

I first met Bob last Sunday. I was invited to join West Valley People’s Alliance on outreach in Chatsworth, a suburban neighborhood in Los Angeles, California. I forget how hot the in the San Fernando Valley gets. It was 109 degrees out. Far too hot for anyone to be outside, but tens of thousands of homeless people do what they can to survive. Bob spent 17 and 1/2 years in the military until he was hurt on the job. It took almost five years of tests before they could validate his medical discharge. Around this time, Bob was going through a divorce, which made navigating the bureaucracy even harder. I have heard similar stories from other homeless veterans. Bob should be getting approximately $2,700 every month in VA benefits and $2,100 from Social Security. That amount combined would be enough to get Bob and his wife off the streets into an apartment. Instead, Bob receives $143 in total benefits every month. He cannot even get food stamps because they look at what Bob should be receiving, which on a computer is too much to qualify, but in the real world, Bob has to live on $143 every month. Bob likes to work on cars. Make sure to watch to the end to hear his 3rd wish. Bob makes extra money through his mechanic skills, but because of his disability, he cannot work enough to maintain a normal job. Bob's wife has been in the hospital for two weeks. During a homeless sweep, police and sanitation were pushing them to hurry up. Bob's wife cut her leg during the sweep, which eventually got infected. Homeless sweeps and the criminalization of homelessness are growing in Los Angeles. Politicians just passed 41.18, which makes it illegal to sit, lie or sleep in or upon any street, sidewalk or other public way. THEY DIDN'T PROVIDE MORE HOUSING OR SHELTER BEDS - they just made it illegal to live outside! Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here https://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. Please support the West Valley People’s Alliance https://wvpeople.org More stories: Watch a Homeless Veteran Get an Apartment https://youtu.be/SizHuR225Co Inside VETERANS ROW: Homeless Vets Outside Los Angeles's VA https://youtu.be/5S943965QQE Lanette is a homeless veteran living in her car in Los Angeles https://youtu.be/-bsmguOqd8A Homeless Vietnam veteran in NYC uses his military training to survive homelessness https://youtu.be/smlxozQp888 #homeless #losangeles #veteran ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

The Sidewalk Project uses harm reduction to help save the lives of addicts and sex workers living homeless on Los Angeles's Skid Row. And yes, they hand out weed to help homeless people with trauma and other medical reasons. While we know many will be offended that this organization provides free marijuana, we hope those same people will be more offended that humans live without adequate housing! Marijuana is becoming socially acceptable because it's proven to help people, yet homelessness is unacceptable because it kills people. Soma Snakeoil is co-founder of the Sidewalk Project. Soma is an amazing woman. She is a harm reductionist, a nonprofit director, an artist, a musician, and she's a professional dominatrix. Soma created the Sidewalk Project with Stacey Dee of Bad Cop Bad Cop using art and music in public health initiatives to help unhoused people. Unfortunately, because of the pandemic, the Sidewalk Project has not held music events, but that doesn't stop these women from going out often every day to help people. Jen Elizabeth is a harm reductionist and leads the Specialized Women’s Program at The Sidewalk Project. Jen's focus is on supporting sex workers living and working near Skid Row. Jen is a former sex worker and sexual abuse survivor. Jen is also a trauma coach and author writing about recovery and destigmatization of sex work. Harm reduction is often thought of as a set of practical strategies and ideas to reduce negative consequences associated with drug use; however, you are practicing harm reduction when you brush your teeth or fasten your seatbelt. Harm reduction saves lives. There is a false belief that harm reduction enables addicts to keep using, but the real truth is, a dead addict never recovers. People use drugs to escape pain. America has a long history of a punitive response to addiction, which only creates more pain for the addict and their families. We must stop locking people up and start treating addiction as the health crisis that it is. Sex workers and addicts are people - real people. They deserve love, respect, and grace just like everyone else. The Sidewalk Project helps people often ignored by government agencies, traditional nonprofits, and faith-based organizations. Because of this, they fulfill a tremendous need in saving lives but also do not receive the funding and support other nonprofits do. To find out more about the Sidewalk Project and support their important work, please click here https://www.thesidewalkproject.org Invisible Stories is a mini-doc series that goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages understand, and can’t ignore. Watch more Invisible Stories mini-documentaries on homelessness https://invisiblepeople.tv/invisiblestories Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here https://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. Executive producer: Mark Horvath Producer/editor/cinematographer: Alex Gasaway https://www.youtube.com/alexgasaway More stories: Ktown for All Helping Homeless People in Los Angeles’s Koreatown https://youtu.be/_Gvp3NUBB_A Homeless Man Shares the Harsh Reality of Skid Row https://youtu.be/T_c5ff0EEcA Young Homeless Woman in Seattle Shares About Heroin Addiction. Sabrina Died on April 5th. https://youtu.be/9HwLo3e4EN0 #homeless #losangeles #harmreduction ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Women and children represent one of the fastest-growing groups of the homeless population. Homeless women face different challenges as compared to homeless men. Women are predominantly vulnerable to victimization, sexual assault, and physical violence. As a result, many women are forced to trade themselves for a safe place to sleep. In addition, the pandemic has disproportionately impacted women with drastic increases in domestic violence and evictions. Stacy was the lead admissions coordinator for a mental health facility. The work had stretched her thin, and then when COVID happened, her position ended, and her life snowballed into homelessness. Life on the streets living in a tent homeless in Venice Beach is rough, and at one point, Stacy was suicidal. But thoughts of her daughter motivated her to reach out for help. Stacy went into the A Bridge Home homeless shelter in Venice Beach, where she received mental health counseling and other badly-needed support. As a result, Stacy was able to get her daughter back, and they are both in Project Roomkey on a path to housing. Once established, Stacy wants to go back to work as a nurse. Stacy is proof that we can end homelessness, but more women still need to be helped. Sandra has been homeless for three years. Sandra describes herself as good-hearted. She makes herself available when people need someone to talk to. Sandra would rather stay outside than live, as she calls it "under surveillance." Shelter rules are often like a prison. The common freedoms we all take for granted are rarely extended to homeless people. It's not that people don't want to abide by the rules; the rules are void of any respect or dignity. Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here https://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved​ to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. Invisible People is partnering with video journalist Crystal Fambrini to augment our journalism initiative with video news stories on homelessness and related topics. Executive producer: Mark Horvath Executive producer/journalist: @crystalfambrini Producer/editor/cinematographer: Evan B Stone More stories: Police Displace Homeless Family at Echo Park Lake https://youtu.be/AsWuqEYnz4E Venice Beach Homeless Woman Sleeps in Front of the Apartment She Rented for 17 years https://youtu.be/NdS63o_TC_8 #homeless #losangeles #venicebeach ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Most have of us have seen the unsettling images of American flags fastened to the outside of tents at a homeless encampment called "Veteran's Row" in Los Angeles. It's the type of photo that sticks with you in a haunting way. At least it did for me. It's a stark reminder that tens of thousands of men and women who served our country sleep outside homeless every night. No one should be homeless, and most certainly, no veterans should not have access to adequate housing. On July 4th, I decided to go visit Veterans Row to hand out socks and make new friends. It was overwhelming in several ways. First, I have walked into homeless camps all over the country. Homeless people are generally nice, but the homeless vets living outside the Veteran's Administration in West Los Angeles were extremely welcoming. Rob Reynolds's passion is to support homeless veterans navigate services to get the help they need. Rob is a member of AMVETS-CA Post 2, but the two times I visited, Rob was not like any social worker I have seen. Both a veteran and formerly homeless, Rob understands better than most what his brothers and sisters are going through and what they need to get out of homelessness. This is a powerful interview. I didn't know any of the backstories on Veterans Row, and to be honest, I am still learning. Rob is extremely knowledgeable, and he is working to influence positive change. This video was not planned. After talking a little to Rob, I felt what he was telling me needed to be heard by as many people as possible, so I asked him to go on camera. Invisible People will be doing more to help tell this story in the near future. Bureaucracy kills. I know of no other place that screams of bureaucracy than Veteran's Row, which sits outside of the Veteran's Administration's approximately 400 acres of land. Granted to the United States Government in 1887 by Arcadia Bandini de Baker to house wounded veterans, the land and rundown buildings have been through decades of controversy. From LA Magazine: Over the decades, the site fell into neglect while VA officials opened up the land to commercial and non-profit use. In 2013, a federal judge ruled that the VA had misused the area by allowing non-veteran related tenants on the land, including the laundry facility for Marriott Hotels, production set storage for 20th Century Fox, and a local soccer club. Brentwood School, a $40,000-a-year K-12 private school, was faulted for running a 20-acre athletic complex on the property. These problems persisted years later. A 2018 federal audit found that more than 60 percent of the campus’s land-use agreements were illegal or improper, citing a dog park, Red Cross offices, a Shakespeare festival, and a parrot sanctuary. That same year, an operator of a parking lot located on the property pleaded guilty to bribing a VA official with nearly $300,000 as he pocketed $11 million in unreported revenues. More veteran stories: Disabled homeless veteran living on the streets of Los Angeles. https://youtu.be/2RxJ1TyZYk0 Richard is a homeless veteran. When I handed him new socks, I was not prepared for his reaction. https://youtu.be/i3gGbF-IhlY Denver Homeless Veteran on the Criminalization of Homelessness https://youtu.be/pOPRetKm-Lk #homeless #losangeles #veterans ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Like many people trying to survive the pandemic, Lydia's income was cut. After being evicted for her inability to pay rent, Lydia attempts to stay with friends but finds that living in her car is her only choice. Lydia struggles to figure out what to do next and stay safe while keeping a sense of normalcy working as a rideshare driver in Los Angeles. Finding a safe place to park at night proves challenging until Lydia meets an unexpected ally who shows her kindness. Mobile is a short film based on true life events telling the story of a growing population forced into mobile homelessness. Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here https://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. More from films on homelessness from High-Toned Entertainment: Homeless (2021) - a powerful film inspired by real-life events https://youtu.be/o8chWrQ-rtI ================================== Directed by: Luciana Faulhaber Written by : Luciana Faulhaber Ben Meredith Executive Producers: Mark Horvath Luciana Faulhaber Javier E. Gomez Produced by: Luciana Faulhaber Ben Meredith Associate Producer: Jaclyn Amor Cast (In Order of Appearance) Lydia Luciana Faulhaber Karen Amy Schumacher Mr. Lee Victor Chi Steph Brie Eley Evan Mike Heslin Ethan Nic Wilson Male 1 Kevin Brennan Male 2 Eddie Ruiz Claudia Charisse Woodall Rider Dawn Anderson Martin Tom Malloy Director of Photography: Ben Meredith Assistant Director: Jaclyn Amor Edited by: Ben Meredith Sound Recordist: Suzan Jones Sound Mix: Taylor Finnigan VFX: Austin Bonang Production Assistant: Teddy De Marco Mobile was produced by a partnership between Invisible People and High-Toned Entertainment. #homeless #losangeles #shortfilm ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Derrick made his living as a professional photographer. After Derrick lost his photo gear when his car was stolen, life snowballed down into crisis, and he ended up living in a tent homeless in Venice Beach, California. We first met Derrick when filming our mini-documentary featuring Venice Family Clinic doing street medicine. You can watch that here: https://youtu.be/8N2Ry_g15KA. Derrick talked about how you can't lock a tent, so you have to take everything of value with you when you live for any length of time. The night before this interview, it had rained really hard. Derrick was cleaning up his area the best he could. In his almost two years of homelessness, Derrick has learned a lot about survival. What tents are best. How to use tarps and clamps. Where to place your tent to keep it dry. Your voice matters. Please click here https://invisiblepeople.tv/get-involved/ to tweet, call, or email your state and federal legislators to tell them ending homelessness is a priority to you. More Venice beach videos: Homeless at 9. Abused at 11. Is this Venice Beach Man's homelessness by Choice https://youtu.be/Ho4AU4yo-jU Venice Beach Homeless Woman Sleeps in Front of the Apartment She Rented for 17 Years https://youtu.be/NdS63o_TC_8 Evicted After Wife Died, Now Homeless in Venice Beach https://youtu.be/nLkRvfIQ90c #homeless #losangeles #venicebeach ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

What Danial says about being an American at the end of his three wishes is powerful. You'll want to watch to the end. "What are we going to do?" Daniel asks when talking about the city of Los Angeles doing homeless sweeps. He continues, "Just imagine you'd have to move out of your apartment. Take everything you own. Move it across the street. Then at the end of the day, move everything back." Daniel says homelessness is hard, and it makes it harder when every few weeks, police and sanitation crews come in demolishing everything you have. Taking everything that you own. And making you start from scratch. Daniel says when from the time he sees that two days notice, he starts packing up everything. He moves everything he owns across the street. Daniel has to move the structure he lives in. Food. Clothes. Everything. Daniel one "slept on the clock," and they destroyed or confiscated all his stuff. Sanitation workers say they give receipts for what they take, but Daniel says he's never received one. Homeless people's belongings are taken to downtown Los Angeles, yet homeless people do not have transportation to pick up their stuff, so everything is eventually thrown away. Daniel has lived homeless in Los Angeles for three years. He was working, yet they couldn't afford rent. Daniel lived in a small car with three children and the baby's mother. Life got worse, and Daniel snowballed into homelessness. Daniel survives by the goodness of others and working odd jobs as a handyman. He helps his homeless neighbors build a better shack or fix their bikes. I know some of you are thinking, why doesn't he get a job. Well, Daniel doesn't have an ID, which is a serious barrier for many homeless people trying to get their life back. Daniel is a good guy that just needs some help. The longer someone like Daniel lives on the streets, the most at risk they become. We need to get homeless people housing and support to end their homelessness. Your voice can help end homelessness. Please click here https://invisiblepeople.tv/get-involved/ to tweet, call, or email your state and federal legislators to tell them ending homelessness is a priority to you. Los Angeles Homeless Woman Shows How She Lives in a Tent https://youtu.be/aJgCU-evt8c Los Angeles Homeless Man Shares the Harsh Reality of Skid Row https://youtu.be/T_c5ff0EEcA #homeless #losangeles #criminalization ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

In California, more than 151,000 people are experiencing homelessness and in Los Angeles County alone, almost 66,000 people are homeless. For those that are experiencing homelessness, street medicine provides direct, comprehensive care to those living on the street and under bridges, as those experiencing homelessness often suffer from poorer health, on average have life expectancies 30 years shorter than their housed-counterparts and less access to preventive, primary and specialty health services. This has only been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Concerns for basic survival needs, transportation, lack of a mailing address, lack of ID and mental illness are some of the most significant barriers that keep this vulnerable population from accessing care through the traditional healthcare model. In integrating street medicine into Medi-Cal, those experiencing homelessness can get direct access to preventive, primary care services. Without primary care, those experiencing homelessness end up in hospital emergency rooms with multiple, untreated and advanced health issues. It is calculated that they then have 740% more hospital days at 170% greater cost per day than those who are housed, and state Medi-Cal pays the bill. The Street Medicine Act (AB369) is focused on increasing access to health and social services for those experiencing homelessness in bringing them into the existing healthcare infrastructure. AB369, proposed by Assemblymember Sydney Kamlager (District 54), seeks to remove barriers to care by requiring the Department of Healthcare Services to add street medicine as a Medi-Cal benefit. California residents, please contact your State Senators and ask them to support the Street Medicine Act (AB369) http://findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov For more information and to support the Keck School of Medicine of USC’s Street Medicine program, please visit: https://sites.usc.edu/streetmedicine Invisible Stories is a mini-doc series that goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages understand, and can’t ignore. Watch more Invisible Stories mini-documentaries on homelessness https://invisiblepeople.tv/invisiblestories Executive producer: Mark Horvath Producer/editor/cinematographer: Alex Gasaway https://www.youtube.com/alexgasaway​ More stories: House Calls to Homeless People in Venice Beach https://youtu.be/8N2Ry_g15KA Homeless Man Dying of Cancer https://youtu.be/NxLL_IwW4s8 Los Angeles Homeless Man Shares the Harsh Reality of Skid Row https://youtu.be/T_c5ff0EEcA #homeless #losangeles #california ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness.

In the United Kingdom, a homeless person is referred to as a rough sleeper or someone sleeping rough. While a different term for homelessness and homeless people is used, it's still very much as horrible. At the time of this interview, Peter had been sleeping rough in Manchester for four months. He had a flat (apartment), but he allowed a friend who was sleeping rough to stay. Peter was trying to help the man out. Peter learned from the police that his friend ripped the water boiler out and grew cannabis in the apartment. Peter ended up getting evicted. Peter says it's the other homeless people you have to watch out for. The Spice epidemic has hit the UK. Spice (a synthetic cannabinoid) is a designer drug made with analogs or a chemical structure similar to commonly used illicit drugs. The composition of these products constantly changes as manufacturers create new variations to remain under the radar. The manmade chemicals are typically sprayed on a plant or herb (not marijuana) that is most commonly smoked and mimics the effects of the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. Because it is marked as “not for human consumption,” the intended use is masked, and it is not subject to any quality control in manufacturing procedures or oversight that would be applied to other drugs. Spice is a cheap and dangerous high that has severe mental side effects. Peter shares of a homeless person holding a needle to someone's neck to get money. When dealing with mental illness and addiction, normal rules don't apply, especially when someone is smoking Spice. While horrible situations like this happen, most homeless people are kind people just trying to survive horrible circumstances. Peter survives by begging for money. Some charities help. Peter said Shelter gave him a phone the day before. Peter shares it's hard for outreach workers to find him when he doesn't have a phone. Peter's wishes are simple: a place to stay, his son back in his life, and to never become homeless again. He shares that people look down at rough sleepers, or they don't even look at all. Homeless people are invisible in the United Kingdom, just like here in America. This interview was recorded two years ago when I was invited by a UK charity, With One Voice, to participate in an international art exchange. You can learn more about the event here: https://youtu.be/rvNutlPqYIk More UK stories: Homeless Man in Manchester Sleeping Rough After His Mother and Brother Died on the Same Day https://youtu.be/XDajHYy_81A UK Homeless Woman Shares about Recovering from Alcohol Abuse and Mental Illness https://youtu.be/d-LULLfCT1g #sleepingrough #unitedkingdom #homeless ======================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Los Angeles is facing an affordable housing crisis that drove up homeless numbers even before the coronavirus pandemic. While homeless services providers are doing better than ever getting homeless people off the street, more people are entering into homelessness daily than LAHSA (Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority) can help. The biggest challenge is the lack of housing. When the Hilda L. Solis Care First Village opens in a few weeks, it will become a temporary living shelter for 232 homeless people. The Vignes Street development took only five months to build at the cost of $200,000 per unit, which is faster and far cheaper than traditional housing developments. I was told the cost of land was what drove up per-unit costs. I was honored to be asked by the American Institute of Architects Los Angeles to join a panel on diversity. While speaking, I told a conference full of architects to "never design anything you would not sleep in yourself." It was part of a rant about Pallet Shelters, which are growing in popularity. Many politicians pitch Pallet Shelters as a tiny home solution, yet jail cells by law are bigger than these tiny shacks – and jail cells have bathrooms. One of the architects thought I was ranting about their shelter container sleeping units. Once the misunderstanding was cleared up, they invited me for a tour. Although I am kicking myself for not having the right microphone or wide-angle lens (please forgive the bad audio), I was impressed by what I saw. Many people become homeless because they experienced trauma. Life on the streets adds lawyers of more trauma. I cannot stress enough how important a private space with a bathroom providing dignity is to start the healing process. It's unthinkable that some politicians support warehousing homeless people in tiny shacks meant for lawnmowers (Thanks to Pete White for that phrase). For a proposed solution to succeed in ending homelessness, it must be a living environment that people want to live in - where they can start to feel human again! A living space that helps to rebuild self-worth and dignity. Otherwise, they go back to the streets. If we are ever going to reduce homelessness, we need creative ways to reduce costs and the ability to cut through the bureaucracy. The bulk of the funding for Hilda L. Solis Care First Village came from the federal CARES Act, allowing the county to sidestep the usual convoluted process of finding money for affordable housing. The pandemic health emergency provided justification for exemptions from environmental review and competitive bidding. I left this tour of shipping container sleeping units encouraged. The day before, I visited a homeless encampment in Harbor City. I met wonderful people living in tents. Many of them have been outside for years. My heart was broken. With the crisis of homelessness growing, I didn't see how they would ever get off the streets. I do believe Hilda L. Solis Care First Village is a viable solution. We just need to go all-in and build as many of these sleeping container villages as quickly as possible. #homeless #homelessness #losangeles ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

If you'd like to donate directly to Callie, click here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-for-homeless-women-thank-you If you'd like to buy some of Callie's art, click here: https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/callie-austin I first met Callie as she was rummaging through food donations kind local citizens leave on the ground. There is no refrigeration. Homeless people who live in this Harbor City homeless encampment have to grab what they need to survive quickly, or the food spoils. This is no way for anyone to live, but Callie has been homeless in Los Angeles for eight years since her husband died. After 25 years of marriage, Callie's husband suddenly passed away from cancer. With her savings wiped out, Callie ended up on the streets with nowhere to go. Callie says the resources to get out of homelessness are little to none. She adds that it is difficult to find a job. Because of the ongoing police sweeps and constant moving, Callie now has problems with her legs. On Mother's Day, Callie wrote to her district councilman Joe Buscaino. She first started to thank him for what he has done and then went on to ask if they could have a sanctioned homeless encampment creating a safe space with bathrooms for them to live. At the time, the community was located across the street. Because the homeless camp was in a flood zone, the city moved them. And the city keeps moving them. Callie says Harbor City police and sanitation did a homeless sweep the day after Christmas and after Thanksgiving. Imagine you're trying to make the best of a horrible situation living in a tent when the police come and make you pack up to sweep the area, and that's your holiday! Callie doesn't drink or use drugs. She doesn't have a mental illness yet. The longer she stays outside, the more at risk Callie is. Callie says she's never gotten used to living in a tent. She's been a homeowner. She's been to college. Homelessness is not her way of life, but she has nowhere else to go. Your voice can help end homelessness. Please click here https://invisiblepeople.tv/get-involved/ to tweet, call, or email your state and federal legislators to tell them ending homelessness is a priority to you. More homeless stories: Homeless Man Talks Rats, Police Sweeps and Shelters https://youtu.be/9Iv3x4Gx8Jg Homeless Woman Has a Masters in Mathematics and Engineering https://youtu.be/nT3VGI0V5Rs Los Angeles Homeless Woman Being Evicted from Her Tent with Nowhere to Go https://youtu.be/9iksYQMfqmw #homeless #losangeles #homelesssweeps ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

When I asked Norman how long he has been homeless, Norman responded he can't remember but thinks it's about six years. Norman lives on the sidewalk in Harbor City, a highly diverse neighborhood in the Harbor region of Los Angeles, California. Norman shares about how rats have driven out of his homemade shack. The noise from the cars and trucks driving by is constant. Norman says you get used to it. People adapt to living outside. He went on to say that homelessness has taken him to another layer to understanding a human being can survive no matter what the conditions are as long as there is oxygen and water. No one should have to live like this. In Harbor City, police and sanitation sweep the area every three weeks. Norman understands cleaning for health reasons, but when LAPD takes all of their belongings, it forces homeless people to start from scratch again. It's rare to the point of almost never happening that services are provided. Homeless sweeps just confiscate people's stuff. Norman says they take their tents, their blankets - everything they have - forcing them to start over. Norman adds "if you are going to clean us out, help us." The City of Los Angeles has increased street cleaning and sanitation services for homeless encampments over the past three to five years. The City has done so with an emphasis on criminalization, harassment, and removal of people and their belongings, instead of taking a health-based approach to ensuring safe and clean streets for all. In 2019, LA's budget allocated $30 million to homeless sweeps, which do nothing to end homelessness and are a waste of taxpayer money. Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here https://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. Special thanks to Street Watch LA https://streetwatchla.com More homeless criminalization videos: Denver Homeless Veteran on the Criminalization of Homelessness https://youtu.be/pOPRetKm-Lk Sacramento Homeless Man on Living in a Tent City and the Criminalization of Homelessness. https://youtu.be/ae3YIcs_Xb0 Austin Homeless Man Shares Powerful Prophecy and on Criminalizing Homelessness. https://youtu.be/O1E5b2jncCI #homeless #losangeles #criminalization ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

I first met EJ on Hollywood Blvd in 2013. At the time, EJ was an 18-year-old homeless youth trying to survive while learning about this scary world we all live in. EJ's real name is Daniel, and he is now 26 years old. EJ was his street name. It's very common for homeless people to not use their real names. Daniel has been off the streets for five years now. He was lucky. A good samaritan helped Daniel out with a place to live and a job to provide a purpose. As of today, EJ's original video interview on Invisible People has 13,711,311 views and growing. It's our most-watched video! Many of you have asked countless times for an update on EJ, so I am glad Daniel and I were able to make this happen. Watch Daniel's first interview here: EJ is 18. He told me he has been homeless for 11 years. https://youtu.be/3N2z5O2xYKw While Daniel's story is a happy one, there are tens of thousands of homeless youth that need help. Please click here https://invisiblepeople.tv/get-involved to tweet, call, or email your state and federal legislators to tell them ending homelessness is a priority to you. Here's Daniel's Twitch https://www.twitch.tv/fatal_band1t More homeless youth stories: Homeless youth was in over 25 foster care placements before he ran away. https://youtu.be/NsA5dvpJYyg Nicholas on Los Angeles's Homeless Sweeps in Hollywood https://youtu.be/Tsx7msUxyKw Jermire is 19 living in a Chicago homeless youth shelter! He's been homeless since 13. https://youtu.be/6wcMS0JKX3w #homeless #homelessyouth #losangeles ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

I had the privilege to join USC’s Street Medicine program as they cared for homeless people throughout Los Angeles. Invisible People is producing a mini-documentary on their great work and the importance of street medicine. While driving to a homeless shelter created in response to the coronavirus pandemic, the medical team told me Steven was excited to tell his story. While editing this today, I was overwhelmed with emotion. Steven has terminal cancer. He's dying. Steven wanted to tell his story as a legacy and help gain support for street medicine programs. I am deeply humbled that we could provide a meaningful platform for Steven to share his story. Steven has lived on the streets homeless for ten years. He is 70 years old. Steven is candid about how his addiction to drugs caused his homelessness. He lived in a tent made out of tarps. They used buckets to go to the bathroom. What many people do not understand is how addiction takes over a person's life. No one wants to be homeless. People use drugs to escape pain, and at some point, the drugs take over. Addicts cannot just flip a switch to stop using drugs, and no sensible person would shit in a bucket for an extended period of time, but then at some point, homelessness becomes normalized. Humans adapt while the drugs take over! This is why we must continue to push for more housing and treatment! Regardless of how Steven ended up homeless, he is still a person. Addicts are people too. I believe we have a moral obligation to help those who are in need, but if you are more concerned about money, as a taxpayer, we all pay huge money to take care of people still in some state of homelessness. Street medicine saves lives and saves taxpayer's money. Because of Steven's health issues, the homeless shelter may not be able to allow him to stay. The medical team is concerned that Steven may be exited back out to homelessness due to a lack of housing and support services. Near the end, Steven shares that he is not worried because he has good people looking out for him. Steven was referring to the medical team, but I believe if you're reading this, you're good people, too. Please click here https://invisiblepeople.tv/get-involved/ to tweet, call, or email your state and federal legislators to tell them ending homelessness is a priority to you. ***we did add a 2nd camera, but Steven's audio was not edited, so everything he shared was raw and unfiltered. More stories: After Michael's five-year-old son died, he lost everything and crashed into homelessness. https://youtu.be/ZiUFJuQBJmw Homeless Veteran Dying of Cancer on the Streets of Denver https://youtu.be/Lh-d9577Zp4 This Homeless Family Lives in a Small Hotel Room. 11-Year-old Son Has Brain Cancer. https://youtu.be/qO0_p8UcXFU #homeless #losangeles #cancer ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

*** It's wonderful so many of you are reaching out with job offers for Mona. Your compassion is commendable. Mona needs some time inside with support services, otherwise, she would not be able to maintain employment. It's extremely rare that a person can go from homelessness to a job without support to heal, and that support must include housing. Mona is a great example of why we all need to advocate for more affordable housing and mental health services. This compassion that's driving you to offer Mona a job, please use it to help all of the homeless women like her sleeping outside. I cannot stress enough how important housing and support services are to help people with the trauma of homelessness. Mona lives homeless in a tent near Los Angeles's International Airport. Before the pandemic, police made homeless people tear down their tents every morning. When COVID hit, the CDC recommended that homeless people be allowed to keep their tents up all day. Mona has lived in this park for four months, which she says is safe. Mona's house burned down in the Thomas Fire, and when she lost her house, she also lost her work from home job. Mona has a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics. She is two classes away from her Master in Mathematics because she left to go to another college where she received a Master of Science in Industrial Engineering. Prior to the fire, it had been a while since Mona worked in her field doing electricity research. She ended up working from home, and then that all crashed after her house burned down. When I asked Mona if anyone is helping her, she says service providers come around providing meals, but there is no path to housing being offered. Mono continued sharing it's nearly impossible to maintain a job while living homeless in a park. Mona talks about service providers are overwhelmed, which is why it's hard to navigate the system. Homelessness is a growing, national crisis. It should be addressed in Washington. Bottom line: Housing is the solution. We need more resources to get folks into housing. Demand action. With your help, we can end homelessness. Click here https://invisiblepeople.tv/get-involved/ to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. More stories: Noah Is Homeless Because His Parents Are Addicts https://youtu.be/nQt1T8xO1jw Living under a Bridge Doesn't Stop This Seattle Homeless Woman from Staying Positive. https://youtu.be/xYShiXMGULE Disabled Homeless Woman Sleeps on the Streets of NYC https://youtu.be/zs1MlOjUWWs #homeless #losangeles #homelessness ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Under a cloak of secrecy, Los Angeles's Councilmember Mitch O'Farrell used police action with park repair claims to forcibly remove hundreds of homeless people living in tents at Echo Park Lake. While midnight crews erected a fence around the park, around four hundred housed protestors showed up to protect their unhoused neighbors. LAPD arrested 182 protesters, including five reporters and legal observers. The cost to taxpayers of this police action may be over a million dollars! While Los Angeles politicians try to spin that they housed 200 people, the truth is the majority of homeless people were placed in temporary hotels while many were displaced to other parts of the city. According to Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA), the resources used for temporary hotel placements were initially allocated to vulnerable homeless people, putting them at far greater risk. The criminalization of homelessness does and is extremely expensive to taxpayers. This video features a homeless family with two adorable children. The transgender mom lost her job as a chef when the pandemic hit. While this family needs housing, the Echo Park Lake homeless community provided a safe place for the family and their children. The police action at Echo Park Lake displaced this homeless family to another part of Los Angeles. Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here https://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved​ to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. For more on how the Echo Park Lake homeless community was, please watch our mini-documentary here: https://youtu.be/iY3LwDH72-c Invisible People is now partnering with video journalist Crystal Fambrini to augment our journalism initiative to publish video news stories on homelessness and related topics. Executive producer: Mark Horvath Executive producer/journalist: @crystalfambrini Producer/editor/cinematographer: Evan B Stone #homeless #losangeles #echoparklake ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Before you watch this, remember what you were like when you were young. Did you have a different worldview? Did you think you were indestructible? Did you think you knew everything? I did. When you listen to Noah, try to remember the innocence of youth, and try to remember Noah is a hurting young adult suffering through the trauma of homelessness. Noah is 21. He is homeless in Westchester Park near Los Angeles International Airport. Noah is a good kid. Moments before this interview, Noah gave a homeless woman a cellphone. The reason Noah is on the streets is that his parents are using drugs. At the time of this interview, Noah's parents were in housing, but they too spent some time on the streets. Noah told me he visits them, but he cannot stay long. Social and economic deprivation during childhood and adolescence can have a lasting effect on individuals, making it difficult for children who grow up in low-income and dysfunctional families to escape poverty when they become adults. Because the negative effects of deprivation on human development tend to cumulate, individuals with greater exposure to poverty during childhood are likely to have more difficulty escaping poverty as adults. In other words, poverty and homelessness are often generational. Children and young adults model their parents. It's a miracle Noah is not using drugs. If we looked deeper, there is a good chance that his parent's parents suffered from addiction and lived in poverty. You'll hear Noah share a few times in this interview that he believes the solution to homelessness is people need more love. He's spot on. When you look behind the curtain into people's lives and how they were raised, you'll often find layers of some kind of abuse and trauma. For homeless youth like Noah, there is a very real sense of urgency to get them off the streets, however, most resources go to help vulnerable homeless adults. As youth homelessness continues to grow, services that target young adults need more support. With just a little love, Noah can get out of homelessness, but the longer he lives in a park, the more at risk he becomes. Special thanks to Street Watch LA https://streetwatchla.com More homeless youth stories: Homeless Youth at 13, Rule Is Now 22 and Still Homeless. https://youtu.be/Eod_SNaPRZw Young Homeless Girl Living on the Streets of New York City. https://youtu.be/xRxt8u-iaGE Young Homeless Girl on the Streets of San Francisco https://youtu.be/TncKRc6EoZ8 #homeless #homelessyouth #losangeles ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Felisa is not wearing a mask just to protect herself from the coronavirus. She doesn't want people to see her teeth. Felisa is one of the growing populations of elderly homeless in America. Felisa told me her real age, but publicly says she is 70+. Felisa has diabetes, which has caused dental problems that she cannot afford to get fixed. Felisa moved to California to live with her nephew, but when he lost his apartment, she ended up homeless in Los Angeles. Felisa considers herself lucky to have a van to sleep in. As a senior citizen, Felisa cannot afford to rent an apartment. Even the cost of senior housing is too much. Over the next decade, the number of elderly homeless Americans is projected to triple — and that was before Covid-19 hit. Policymakers had decades to prepare for this momentous demographic shift, but the social safety net has only frayed under relentless political pressure to slash funding for programs that senior citizens rely on to make ends meet, like subsidized housing, food, and health care. Now more than ever, your voice is needed to help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here https://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. Special thanks to Street Watch LA https://streetwatchla.com More stories of elderly homelessness: Evicted After Wife Died, Now Homeless in Venice Beach https://youtu.be/nLkRvfIQ90c Seattle Homeless Woman Takes Donations for Flowers to Survive https://youtu.be/T-rArzBkTDI Elderly Homeless Man Worked All of His Life Just to End up on the Streets of Los Angeles https://youtu.be/oM8u4ZK0qjw #homeless #losangeles #elderlyhomelessness ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

If I didn't meet Sunshine in front of the tent where she sleeps, I would not have guessed she is houseless. She does not look like stereotypical homeless women most people hold in their minds, yet Sunshine lives in a homeless encampment near Los Angeles International Airport. Sunshine (not her real name) prefers the term houseless, which is a term that's gaining popularity. Even NIMBYs (not in my backyard) have started using the term houseless. I prefer the term homeless, which made for an interesting conversation with Sunshine as we both shared our experiences with homelessness. Someday soon, I'll produce some content on homeless phrases. In short, people should be called whatever term they are comfortable with. I only used "homeless" in the title instead of "houseless" because no one searches using houseless, and people must find Sunshines video. Sunshine is from Utah. She was on a road trip of self-discovery and ended up stranded in Los Angeles. Before leaving Utah, Sunshine lived in her car and sometimes in a park in Salk Lake City. Sunshine survives through the community in the homeless encampment and from the help of organizations like Street Watch, a coalition of organizers working to help unhoused people in Los Angeles and surrounding areas. You can find more information about Street Watch here: https://streetwatchla.com Sunshine wants to go back to Utah. She has a son that she misses. Sunshine also has a big goal of building homes for homeless people. She believes God wanted her to experience homelessness so she can better help the unhoused community. I am always in awe about how many people experiencing homelessness want to help others. I love the conversation Sunshine, and I have about the humanity that society could learn from unhoused homeless people. One of the reasons I LOVE homeless people so much is we have an extreme tolerance for others. For the most part, homeless people respect and extend grace to other people. This tolerance of others is not demonstrated in executive board rooms or even our Congress. The reason Sunshine ended up homeless doesn't matter as much as that; we must get people like her the help they need to restabilize. The longer Sunshine lives outside, the harder it will be to get her out of homelessness. This is where we need your help to advocate to fix the affordable housing crisis and for most support services. Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here https://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. More homeless interviews: Disabled Homeless Woman Sleeps on the Streets of New York City https://youtu.be/zs1MlOjUWWs Living under a Bridge Doesn't Stop This Seattle Homeless Woman from Staying Positive. https://youtu.be/xYShiXMGULE UPDATE: Rita Is Still Homeless in Chatsworth https://youtu.be/Cp2atsXvHcI #homeless #losangeles #homelessness ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

On my last trip to Venice Beach, I handed out socks to homeless people as I always do. I always give each person a card with Invisible People's information and how they can contact me, and information about our online support group. Usually, we don't use last names, but for this video, we have to. Meet Jessy Horvath. Horvath is more common on the east coast. It's rare to meet another Horvath on the west coast. For example, there is another Mark Horvath that lives in my hometown, but Jessy is the first Horvath I have met in Los Angeles. Jessy is originally from San Jose. Jessy was on a disastrous path. Drinking and mental health caused her to end up on the streets. She says homelessness has made her a better person. Although I do not wish homelessness on anyone, I can agree that homelessness has made me a better person too. Jessy and I have something else in common. Most of us don’t think twice about using a shopping cart (except when it has a squeaky wheel). Jessy says her pride will not allow her to push a shopping cart. On the streets, a shopping cart is called a “buggy.” When I was homeless, I avoided “pushing a buggy” as long as I could. When that day finally came – when I had to get something from point A to Point B and had no other option but to use a shopping cart – I could no longer be in denial about my situation. I was homeless. Jessy has a college degree. She is intelligent with a positive attitude. Jessy has been on the streets homeless for six years. That's a long time. When someone like Jessy ends up sleeping without a home, we need to get them the help they need as quickly as possible. If we were able to see the beginning of each chronic homeless person's path into homelessness, I believe we'd find many stories like Jessy's. The longer someone sleeps outside, the harder it is to get them out of homelessness. More stories: Venice Beach Homeless Woman Sleeps in Front of the Apartment She Rented for 17 Years https://youtu.be/NdS63o_TC_8 Venice Beach Homeless Man Lives in an RV with His Daughter. Both Have Jobs but Can't Afford Rent https://youtu.be/dB1lyFMUpIM Making House Calls to Homeless People in Venice Beach https://youtu.be/8N2Ry_g15KA #homeless #losangeles #venicebeach ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

It's been almost a year since I have gone out with Carmen and Deb to visit Ithaca's infamous homeless encampment called "the Jungle." About 20 to 25 people are homeless living in tents or homemade shacks. When I looked at the weather, it read 21 degrees feels like 8 degrees. It's hard to even fathom people live outside in this cold. I currently have a pulmonary embolism with multiple blood clots in my lungs. A few weeks ago, I was in the hospital. I am getting better, but it may be a few months before the clots dissolve. I am sorry about the breathing while walking. Except for the hospital and grocery shopping, this was the first time I have been outside of the house connecting with friends and helping homeless people. I needed to do something to help others, and Carmen and Deb and heroes. Carmen Guidi and Deb Lockwood Wilke are more than volunteers. Both help support homeless people with basic needs and help people navigate a broken social services system. It's refreshing to see Christians take tangible actions to show the love of Jesus through actions, not words. Carmen and Deb and their families have adopted the homeless people living in the woods. New people ending up homeless outside because they don't have anywhere else to go. Sometimes the system works and they get into housing. Sometimes the story doesn't have a happy ending. Helping homeless people has become a lifestyle for Carmen and Deb and the other volunteers that help Ithaca's homeless people. If we all worked to help our neighbors, we could end homelessness. Support Second Wind Cottages here https://www.secondwindcottages.org More Ithaca stories: Tour of Ithaca's Tent City Where Homeless People Survive in the Freezing Cold https://youtu.be/rZjoHWARvjU Ithaca's Tent City "THE JUNGLE": Living Homeless Sucks! https://youtu.be/l_-1SjKK31A Homeless People Living in Freezing Cold in Ithaca's Tent City, The Jungle https://youtu.be/mvcyFN5jB3I #homeless #ithaca #coronavirus ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

This is a replay recording of Invisible People's webinar on what America believes about homelessness and homelessness messaging that was recorded live on March 4th, 2021. In September 2020, Invisible People surveyed more than 2,500 U.S. residents in 16 cities to identify public attitudes about homelessness and measure support for common policy recommendations. You can find the research report here: http://invisiblepeople.tv/2020research/ Presenters: Mark Horvath Founder of Invisible People Mike Dickerson Researcher, writer, and advocate focused on homelessness and local government. Mike is a co-founder and member of Ktown for All. Barbara Poppe Founder of Barbara Poppe and Associates and the former executive director of the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness. ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

I adore Anna. She is always full of positive energy especially considering she lives in a tent homeless near Downtown Los Angeles. You may remember we featured Anna cooking for the Echo Park Lake homeless community in our mini-doc https://youtu.be/iY3LwDH72-c. Anna is always helping others, and you can tell she loves Jesus! I spent a lot of time in Echo Park Lake. Each time, I would ask Anna if I could interview her, and each time she said no. To my surprise, on my last visit, Anna came up to me asking if I would help her tell her story. I lived in Los Angeles for over 30 years and regret I never learned how to speak another language. Anna and I do the best we can to communicate, but there are obvious gaps in our communication. Anna cleans houses. She says she makes enough for a single apartment, but the truth is often homeless people will rationalize why they are sleeping outside. The brain is very powerful. The brain has to think one of two thoughts: either the world hates me and I am worthless, or I like to be homeless. Anna has found community and purpose in Echo Park with other homeless friends. I may be projecting here, but in the middle of the video, Anna started to let down her guard a little. Anna is a strong woman, but living in a tent on the streets of Los Angles is hard on everyone. As a homeless woman, Anna has seen things and experienced unthinkable things, and no one should be living without adequate housing. Anna ended the interview by saying she is hoping that God and more work will get her an apartment. This is slightly different from what she said earlier, which shows there were communication barriers between us. Anna's last wish was to go home to El Salvador. She talked about money, yet I thought that was strange. Even a few sentences earlier, Anna said she didn't want money, so I asked her to explain a little better after the interview. Anna is waiting for her son, which now helps make context to more of her story. There have been a bunch of videos posted on YouTube showing the tents in Echo Park Lake. What's missing is there are people in those tents who have no place else to go. Anna is one of those people. #homeless #losangeles #echoparklake ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Eddie and Constance are homeless in Reseda, a neighborhood in the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles, California. Eddie sleeps in a Volkswagen Beetle while Constance sleeps in a Project Roomkey hotel. Since they cannot be a couple at night, they spend their days together. Eddie and Constance have been homeless for three years. Eddie calls it apocalyptic living. Constance says once you are on the streets, it's really hard to get off the streets. Ed shares that he slept outside for so long, it took him a while to get used to sleeping in a bed. The homeless sector often separates couples. Even married couples. This is one of the rules that makes little sense to me. For the cost of one person, they could help two people out of homelessness. More often than not, couples refuse to be separated and will stay outside refusing support. Eddie and Constance lived in a commercial building for ten years. They always paid their rent on time, but the building was not zoned for residential use. Someone told on them and reported the zoning violation, and Eddie and Constance were evicted into homelessness. Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here [https://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved​]​ to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. More stories: Los Angeles Homeless Woman Shows How She Lives in a Tent https://youtu.be/aJgCU-evt8c Los Angeles Homeless Woman Being Evicted from Her Tent with Nowhere to Go https://youtu.be/9iksYQMfqmw Homeless Man Lives in a Tent Camp in San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles https://youtu.be/iXmBGj_F5Nk #homeless #losangeles #reseda ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Dr. Coley King of the Venice Family Clinic is one of a growing number of medical professionals making house calls to homeless people. Living on the streets, people don’t visit the doctor because there are barriers: no transportation, ‘I can’t leave my stuff because it will get stolen,’ ‘I don’t trust the healthcare system’, ‘I need to find food, not healthcare’. But many homeless people are in desperate need of medical attention. They have compounding health issues like untreated mental health conditions, addictions, and severe emotional trauma. Street medicine brings services out of the clinic and provides care directly on the street or at encampments. “I try to meet them where they are at,” Dr. King says. These services prevent medical conditions from deteriorating to the point of needing emergency care. After addressing immediate health needs, street medicine teams try to connect homeless clients with follow-up services like mental health and addiction treatment, and ideally, housing providers. Dr. King shares his team builds trust by engaging with homeless people, showing up multiple times, and when they say they will. “We get to know them.” In this mini-documentary, we meet Arkansas, who openly shares about his addiction and losing a friend to a fentanyl overdose. We also meet Simba, an elderly homeless man who suffers from incontinence, a common yet embarrassing problem for the elderly. Imagine living on the streets without a bathroom, privacy, or even the ability to change into clean clothes. The pandemic has exacerbated the chronic disaster that is homelessness. Hundreds of new homeless encampments have popped in Los Angeles alone. Venice is now home to the largest concentration of homeless anywhere on L.A.'s Westside. Homelessness in Venice Beach is a juxtaposition of the haves and the have nots. Extreme wealth and extreme poverty right up next to each other. But there is hope. People like Dr. King and Venice Family Clinic are giving their all to help people in need. On the day we were filming, we met Morris, who was turning 77 the next day. He’d been on the street for 8 years – throughout his 70s! Without sharing spoilers, watch to see what happens to Morris, proving homelessness can be ended. We also meet Laura, who, after 15 years living homeless, is now sober after being placed in Project Roomkey. She’s cleaner, healthier, and feeling better – she even panhandled so she could buy some supplies for cleaning, a mundane activity most housed people take for granted. Homelessness is a growing, national crisis. It should be addressed in Washington. Bottom line: Housing is the solution. We need more resources to get folks into housing. Demand action. With your help, we can end homelessness. Click here https://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved​ to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. For more information and to support Venice Family Clinic, please visit: https://venicefamilyclinic.org Invisible Stories is a mini-doc series that goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages understand, and can’t ignore. Watch more Invisible Stories mini-documentaries on homelessness https://invisiblepeople.tv/invisiblestories Executive producer: Mark Horvath Producer/editor/cinematographer: Alex Gasaway https://www.youtube.com/alexgasaway​ More Venice Beach stories: Evicted After Wife Died, Now Homeless in Venice Beach https://youtu.be/nLkRvfIQ90c Venice Beach Homeless Woman Sleeps in Front of the Apartment She Rented for 17 Years https://youtu.be/NdS63o_TC_8 Venice Beach Homeless Man Lives in an RV with His Daughter. Both Have Jobs but Can't Afford Rent My Day with Street Medicine Detroit Helping Homeless People https://youtu.be/wOxU--jhfBA #homeless #losangeles #venicebeach ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Larry is a homeless veteran living on the streets of Downtown Los Angeles. He shares someone set his tent on fire. Homeless encampment fires are growing as homelessness continues to grow. Fires are dangerous no matter how they are started. In DTLA, many tent fires are set by gangs in retaliation for a homeless person not paying their taxes. Another cause is more people are cooking outside or using propane heaters to stay warm. Addiction and smoking can be causes of both house and tent fires. Larry said he got his dog Rebel from someone that was beating the dog with a metal cane. Larry said he was beaten to and received six stitches. Larry has been outside far too long. Larry says he has been looking for work before the pandemic hit, but even if he was, an elderly homeless man like Larry is not hirable. Larry says he lived in an SRO that was a dump. He says the hot water and heaters didn't work. Downtown LA's SROs are known for horrible conditions. A new friend introduced me to Larry. As a rule, I try not to post interviews with people who have a severe mental illness. Larry sometimes does not make sense. My guess is his mental state is fragile because of his age and homelessness. Elderly homelessness is growing.10,000 boomers are hitting 65 years-old every day. More seniors lost everything in the 08 crash and ending up with no choice but to sleep on a sidewalk. I can't imagine what Larry and other elderly homeless people have to go through every night. We need to get them all in permanent supportive housing. Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here [https://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved]​ to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. More Los Angeles stories: Los Angeles Homeless Man Harassed by Downtown Business District's Purple Patrol https://youtu.be/8IIibrZw2iE Homeless woman slept on the sidewalk in downtown Los Angeles last night. https://youtu.be/hE-FtycvPbo Los Angeles Homeless Man Shares the Harsh Reality of Skid Row https://youtu.be/T_c5ff0EEcA #homeless @losangeles #elderlyhomelessness ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Mercy (not his real name) is homeless in South Los Angeles. This part of LA is rough. The streets have their own language. A person has to either adapt to the lifestyle or get killed. If you weren't hard before South LA, the streets make you that way. As you listen to Mercy talk, you'll hear stories of the cruel streets along with stories of good people helping each other. As hard as the streets make a person, they still have a heart, and there is still hope we can get them off the streets into housing. I included the beginning of our interview because I just love the interactions with Mercy and it helps explain some of the audio issues. I may have had the wrong settings too. When doing street interviews, everything happens fast. I am often in unsafe areas with a lot going on. Ideally, a proper lavalier mic would work best for audio, but I have found getting up close using a shotgun is the quickest and safest. Mercy was uncomfortable with that. You have to understand this is the Hood and his home. At times, Mercy may be hard to understand. He's hardcore. The streets are hardcore. You have to listen to how he says something along with what he is saying. Mercy has been homeless for three years. When I asked him what happened, he responded "what didn't, a little bit of that. A little bit of this," and then went on to tell me he was shot while in his tent a year and a half ago. Street Watch Los Angeles (. https://streetwatchla.com) helped me connect with Mercy. They are a group fighting for homeless people's rights. Mercy shares how a woman had her tent poles stollen, and through Street Watch, he was able to replace her tent. Notice how our conversation changes when I ask Mercy about his future. He has a plan to start a restaurant and another business. Mercy says he is a good cook. One thing homeless services rarely talk about is how important it is for people to have a purpose. With just a little help, I bet Mercy could make his dreams happen. Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here https://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. More LA stories: Los Angeles Homeless Man Shares the Harsh Reality of Skid Row https://youtu.be/T_c5ff0EEcA Father and Son Homeless in Los Angeles https://youtu.be/rQVWwDIqsGA Ktown for All Helping Homeless People in Los Angeles’s Koreatown https://youtu.be/_Gvp3NUBB_A #homeless #losangeles #homelessness ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

"Homeless" is a short film that raises awareness about the increasing problem of homelessness in America. Steve is a homeless man down-on-his-luck, who while looking for a job, comes across a friendly shop owner and an aspiring nurse who try to help. Inspired by real-life events, this short film highlights the struggles of homeless people and the urgent need for effective support and intervention programs. Filmed in the backdrop of New York City. __________ Directed by Luciana Faulhaber. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3445312/ Featuring actors Javier E. Gomez, Luciana Faulhaber, Jason Nguyen-Valentin, Juan Villareal, Jules Rico, Tony D’Anzica and Rustam Salikhov. Cinematographer: Michelle McCabe. Sound Design: Jonah Blaser. Featuring songs by Roger O. Maldonado and Silverio Pérez. __________ Our latest short film: When Living in a Car is Your Last Choice - "Mobile" a Short Film https://youtu.be/dMBVtPx2B_M __________ More NYC stories: Disabled Homeless Woman Sleeps on the Streets of New York City https://youtu.be/zs1MlOjUWWs Homeless Woman in New York City Has Brain Damage from Domestic Violence https://youtu.be/3daLtOuBFyQ Homeless Vietnam veteran in NYC uses his military training to survive homelessness https://youtu.be/smlxozQp888 #homeless #shortfilm #newyorkcity ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

From the moment we first met, Jossalyn and I became friends. Every time I visit Downtown Los Angeles, I look for Jossalyn. She was always easy to find. Jossalyn lived homeless in an alley near Skid Row for 17 years. That's right, she was homeless in Los Angeles for SEVENTEEN YEARS! I first interviewed her in 2016. You can watch that interview here https://youtu.be/ItBBLiXUuWU I aggressively tried to get Jossalyn help, but I could not get outreach teams to visit that alley no matter how hard I tried. Jossalyn suffers from anxiety and mental illness. She cannot go to an office to sit with a case manager, and homeless services are only now slowly starting to bring services like housing to homeless people. On my last few trips to LA, Jossalyn was not in her normal spot, at least the times when I looked. I was worried. Living on the streets is dangerous. Although I hope for the best, I fear the worst. Then on Facebook, Jossalyn's profile pops up as a recommended friend. We facilitate an online support group for homeless people, so I am used to homeless and formerly homeless people being online, but seeing Jossalyn on Facebook was a surprise. I messaged her asking, "Is this really you?" She responds with, "Yes, I'm doing a lot better but still DT on hill 😉." That's Jossalyn's normal spot, so I asked her when she'd be there next. My heart jumped seeing her, but wait - Jossalyn is no longer homeless - JOSSALYN IS NOW IN HOUSING! That is a miracle! I never thought Jossayn would get into housing, not because of her not wanting to go into housing, but because homeless services are broken. I love talking to Jossayln. This is an insightful interview because we talk candidly about how homeless people placed into housing need a purpose and tangible social interaction. For Jossayln, she still takes a train to hang out in her same spot every day, but now that she is in housing, she doesn't stay as long as she used to, which is why I kept missing her. After living in that alley for 17 years, Jossayln has a community there. The store owners know her. She has regulars that walk by and give her money. Jossayln still dumpster dives, but now instead of going through the trash to survive, it's her hobby. The two big lessons here are that everyone can get housed, and to keep people in housing, we need to give people a purpose. For Jossayln, she already has a community and purpose. Others may not have that. After a homeless person is placed into housing, there is not a lot for them to do. This is a real problem. Jossayln created her own purpose or went back to what she knew, however, homeless services needs to give out a way for the people they house to thrive, not just survive. More stories: Los Angeles Homeless Man Shares the Harsh Reality of Skid Row https://youtu.be/T_c5ff0EEcA Los Angeles Homeless Woman Shows How She Lives in a Tent https://youtu.be/aJgCU-evt8c Ktown for All Helping Homeless People in Los Angeles’s Koreatown https://youtu.be/_Gvp3NUBB_A #homeless #losangeles #coronavirus ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Lashenee and her fiancé are living in a tent homeless in Los Angeles. Before this, she lived in a homeless shelter in Orange County, but she contracted coronavirus from one of the shelters' staff members. Lashenee told two of the staff she felt sick, but it took the shelter another week before sending her into quarantine. Lashenee was finally tested for COVID-19, and she tested positive for the coronavirus. The homeless services provider placed Lashenee into a hotel with three other homeless women who tested positive. Lashenee said they kept moving her around to different rooms, but the big issue was the other women still had symptoms. Before Thanksgiving, the CDC told Lashenee that they could not go back to the homeless shelter or any shelter in California until after December. 3rd. Lashenee's fiancé tested negative, but the homeless services provider kept changing his quarantine date every time they were together. Homeless services often separate couples. Lashenee says the hotel where they were sent to quarantine lacked basic needs like clean towels and hygiene products. She tells the story of how one of the other women liked to completely undress and walk around naked all night. After December 3rd, Lashenee and her fiancé tried to go back to the shelter, but the homeless services provider said they could not return. The couple then decided to live outside in a tent. The amount of bureaucracy in the homeless sector that continues to make it extremely hard for homeless people to get the help they need is maddening. Bureaucracy literally kills people and wastes taxpayer money. Often the public believes it's homeless people's fault that they are homeless, when often it can be the homeless services system that causes someone's street homelessness and makes it nearly impossible to get out of homelessness. This week the first doses of the coronavirus vaccine have been given to healthcare workers. We should all rejoice over this miracle, but we also need to be realistic. It will be until next summer when most of us are able to get vaccinated, and often poor people get pushed to the end of the line. This week the first doses of the coronavirus vaccine have been given to healthcare workers. We should all rejoice over this miracle, but we also need to be realistic. It will be until next summer when most of us are able to get vaccinated, and often poor people get pushed to the end of the line. The homeless sector was caught off guard and has done amazing work considering the challenges caused by COVID-19, but like in Lashenee's situation, we must do better if we are going to help people and help end this pandemic. Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here https://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. More stories: Father and Son Homeless in Los Angeles https://youtu.be/rQVWwDIqsGA Evicted After Wife Died, Now Homeless in Venice Beach https://youtu.be/nLkRvfIQ90c #losangeles #homeless #coronavirus ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

UPDATE: after this interview, I reached out to LAHSA. I just learned LAHSA was able to help them today. Adrien and Rodger are no longer living in a tent! The one thing that messes me up more than anything is when I see homeless children. I worked as a family outreach case manager for four years at a Los Angeles Winter Shelter. It was probably the most rewarding and most heartbreaking job I have ever had. This morning I was on a call with an executive from one of my favorite homeless services. Because of the affordable housing crisis and the coronavirus pandemic's influence on the economy, she was telling me about the increase in families with children living in tents. I was handing out socks at Echo Park Lake talking to a couple who I met five years ago in their tent downtown. They both looked great. The last time I saw them, they were suffering from addiction. The woman is now in housing, and because some housing does not allow couples, her partner of all these years stays in a tent. They recognized me. It was really awesome seeing them sober and healthy. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a man cooking on a camping stove in front of his tent. The man was kneeling partly sticking out of the tent talking to a young boy standing looking at the food. My guess it was dinner time. I don't like to interrupt people, but I had to go ask if they were homeless living in that tent. I mean, it was rather obvious, but I don't often see kids outside in homeless encampments, so I walked over and asked them if they needed socks just to start a conversation. Adrien has been living with his son Rodger in a tent near Downtown Los Angeles for five days. Adrien speaks with broken English, and Rodger did help translate a little, but some of my understanding came from our conversations after this interview. Adrien and Rodger were sharing a four-bedroom house with other people. One of them was Rodger's babysitter. I am not 100% sure, but it looks like Rodger has special needs. The father and son lived in a bedroom together. That living relationship lasted for seven years. I don't speak Spanish, so I am not completely clear on this next part, but drama happened, forcing Adrien and Rodger outside with no place to live. When I asked Adrien if any homeless services were helping him, he didn't understand my question. Adrien started referring to the Echo Park Lake homeless community. It is awesome they are in a homeless encampment that has formed into a community, but no one and especially no child should be sleeping outside homeless. One of Adrien's wishes was for more cans of cooking gas. After the interview, I opened my wallet and gave them some money. I started to walk away when Rodger came running saying "hey Mr. you just gave my dad one of his wishes." I didn't really understand what Rodger was referring to, so I asked. Rodger said, "my Dad wishes for cooking gas and now he can buy it." I have already been in content with the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, who said they will go find Adrien and Rodger tomorrow to offer services. I know from experience, that homeless services will do what they can to get children off the streets. The scary part is, with 30 million households at risk of being evicted, we are going to see many more children living in tents, which is where you come in. Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here https://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. 'Where Are We Going to Go': Story of Echo Park Lake's Homeless Community https://youtu.be/iY3LwDH72-c Los Angeles Homeless Man Shares the Harsh Reality of Skid Row https://youtu.be/T_c5ff0EEcA #homeless #losangeles #echoparklake ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Simba (street name) met his wife fishing. I love that. Sadly, Simba's wife was very sick from complications with diabetes. She needed a kidney transplant. Simba's wife was on the transplant list at USC Medical Center, but while she was waiting for a donor, her health got worse. The emotional stress of being her caregiver was hard enough; when his wife died, Simba became severely depressed. He started to self medicate with marijuana to help him sleep. This was four years ago, and people's views of marijuana were much different then. Today, it probably would not even be an issue, but Simba's landlord used his cannabis use to evict him. Simba is homeless in Venice Beach, California. He's a gentle, kind man who should not be living on the streets in his senior years. Elderly homelessness is growing at alarming rates. Boomers are hitting 65 at 10,000 people a day, and many lost everything in the 2008 recession. The coronavirus pandemic is going to make things even worse. Simba's first night homeless he slept on a bench at a Metrolink station. He woke up without his wife and best friend, and without a home. A first night homeless is something no one should experience. Simba's story is powerful and heartbreaking. I appreciate his candor when I asked him about living homeless as a senior. For many of us growing older, incontinence — the loss of bladder control — is a common and often embarrassing problem. Now imagine living on the streets without bathrooms or privacy, or the ability to change into clean clothes. Elderly homelessness is a serious crisis, and we need you to help take action to end homelessness. Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here https://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. More Venice Beach stories: Los Angeles Homeless Man Works Full Time and Sleeps at Venice Beach https://youtu.be/k7s7k6gxGD0 Venice Beach Homeless Man Lives in an RV with His Daughter. Both Have Jobs but Can't Afford Rent. https://youtu.be/dB1lyFMUpIM Homeless Woman Shares Heartbreaking Story of Life on the Streets of Venice Beach https://youtu.be/uSucuvVC_PE The Venice Beach People Don't See: Homelessness in the Rain! https://youtu.be/MmvrIdssFpk Venice Beach Homeless Woman Sleeps in Front of the Apartment She Rented for 17 Years https://youtu.be/NdS63o_TC_8 #homeless #venicebeach #losangeles ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

I met Curtis while visiting The James Talib-Dean Encampment for Permanent Equal Housing, a Philadelphia protest homeless camp, commonly known as Camp JTD. Curtis moved to Philly eight years ago to chase his dream of becoming an R&B artist, but life never goes as planned. "There's so much you can go through in one day. You can get killed out here," Curtis shares describing being homeless in Philadelphia. He continues that everyone has a heart. Curtis moved to Philly to chance his dream, and he says his story is not done yet. Curtis drives for Uber, and he works as a caregiver. Curtis works two jobs, and he still cannot afford to get out of homelessness. One thing people don't understand how expensive living homeless can be. There's rarely refrigeration, so you're always buying food, which is expensive. Basic survival needs cost money, and there is one crisis after another. It's almost impossible to save money. Curtis lives in a very unique homeless encampment. Camp JTD started as a protest to fight for more affordable housing and leverage the city to allow homeless people to legally occupy abandoned homes. At the time of this interview, the city agreed to give activists 50 houses. I interviewed Sterling Johnson, who is an organizer with the Black and Brown Worker Cooperative here: https://youtu.be/IyQeQWfHJpw Curtis started a radio show you can find here https://www.blogtalkradio.com/bhindthescen or follow him on Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/kurtizentproductions/ You can also follow Camp JTD on Twitter here https://twitter.com/CampJTD and on Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/CampJTD/ Curtis like so many homeless people just needs a little support to get off the streets. They work hard to better their situation, but setbacks happen constantly when a person is homeless, which is why we need to be there to help. Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here https://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. More Philly stories: Homeless College Student Shares Her Story and Some Hip Hop on its 44th Anniversary https://youtu.be/JoY25s5L0VQ Joe describes homelessness in Philadelphia. https://youtu.be/oprGMMEtaIo John is homeless. Moments before a woman spit on him because John asked her for a cigarette. https://youtu.be/6fQj-H-LTis #Philadelphia #homeless #homelessness ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

I first met Charmain in 2013. You can watch her original interview here https://youtu.be/SkRF3McEAl0. At the time, Charmain shared she has been in and out of the New York City homeless shelter system since 2005. It's hard to imagine that homeless services could not house this woman in fifteen years. In the homeless sector, you'll often hear politicians and nonprofit executives use the phrase "homeless people are service resistant." The truth is, services are people resistant. 100% of homeless people will go into housing and stay in housing if it's the right housing. This short video [https://youtu.be/SizHuR225Co] on housing my homeless friend Lanny proves it. Charmain slept outside the night before, even though she is placed in a temporary shelter. Charmain is a survivor of domestic violence, yet New York City's social services placed her in a shelter with all men. Charmain feels after on the streets than in the shelter she has been placed in. Charmain said, "they push you until you have a mental breakdown, and then you'll get your own apartment." What she is referring to is the homeless sector priorities people based on their vulnerability. This model developed as a way to triage homelessness with limited resources. Although I used to support this, in recent years, I have changed my mind. If Charmain was housed after being homeless in New York City for fifteen years, it would take her several years and support to heal. Charmain is in her 40s, she's intelligent, and to survive NYC's streets, she obviously is tough. In a few years, Charmain may be able to re-stabilize. If we wait until her mental state gets worse, social services will be taking care of her for the rest of her life. Since her first Invisible People interview in 2013, Charmain says she has slept outside 80% of the time. Last winter, she stayed in the temporary homeless shelter, but as soon as the weather got warm and the coronavirus pandemic hit, Charmain came right back outside. I adore Charmain. It was great seeing her again. I love reconnecting with people I interviewed in the past, yet it's so heartbreaking seeing people still outside after years of homelessness. Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here https://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. Special thanks to Josh Dean from https://www.human.nyc More NYC stories: Disabled Homeless Woman Sleeps on the Streets of New York City https://youtu.be/zs1MlOjUWWs Homeless Vietnam veteran in NYC uses his military training to survive https://youtu.be/smlxozQp888 Young Homeless Girl Living on the Streets of New York City. https://youtu.be/xRxt8u-iaGE #homeless #newyorkcity #coronavirus ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Years ago, I made a living producing broadcast television. If an interview started to go south, I would ask the interviewee if they had three wishes. More often than not, that little distraction brought the person's focus back and we'd continue with the interview. When I started Invisible People, I didn't ask homeless people what their three wishes are on a consistent basis. If you look at our first videos, I didn't ask. Only now and then. Back in 2009, I was speaking at an outdoor amphitheater for an event at the University of Arkansas. It was a magical event. There was a farmer in the audience that after hearing me speak gave 40 acres of land to start a community farm. The mayor was in the audience and started a housing program. After I was done speaking, I walked over to the organizer to hand him the microphone. He said, "we are not done." I looked at the audience, and everyone, about 500 people, was holding large white posterboards where they had written their three wishes. I didn't know how powerful it was until the moment, and I have asked that question ever since. YouTube invited me to speak to a group of nonprofits and asked that I make an intro video. I put this together sharing on Twitter and Instagram. people liked it so much, I made this extended version for you. I am not sure what it is about the three wishes question that connects to people. My guess is it helps humanize homelessness. People have been programmed with a lot of false beliefs, so hearing their three wishes shatters those harmful paradigms. Here are the original interviews in order of appearance: Los Angeles Homeless Man Shares the Harsh Reality of Skid Row https://youtu.be/T_c5ff0EEcA Oakland Homeless Woman Shares About Living in a Tent City Encampment https://youtu.be/1ohsS1f8DgQ Homeless at 9. Abused at 11. Is this Venice Beach Man's homelessness by choice? https://youtu.be/Ho4AU4yo-jU Homeless man calls Orange County’s largest tent city home. https://youtu.be/AWE06zf0_4s Los Angeles Homeless Woman Shows How She Lives in a Tent https://youtu.be/aJgCU-evt8c Homeless Man on the Streets After Losing His Wife. Now He Can't Find a Job. https://youtu.be/tP5-I5Ae-6U Powerful Story of a Homeless Family with 5 Kids Living in a Weekly Rate Hotel https://youtu.be/zm_YS_ZIY3s Heartbreaking Story of a 73-year-old Elderly Homeless Woman https://youtu.be/DyCVG637Ftw Never Thought He'd Be Homeless in Hollywood https://youtu.be/h_PhwyUkriU Homeless Family Living in RV With Special Needs Child https://youtu.be/dfr6MlwjGWw Los Angeles Homeless Man Sleeps on Sidewalk Where He Was Evicted https://youtu.be/EdkSJterTXg Venice Beach Homeless Man Shares about Police Sweeps in Los Angeles https://youtu.be/t8ha3RxuTMg Homeless Woman on the Streets of Los Angeles for 15 Years. https://youtu.be/ItBBLiXUuWU #homeless #homelessness #homelesspeople ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, a living wage or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

I am not sure even where to start describing this interview. The story of this homeless couple is both wonderful and troubling. My hope is you'll see two homeless people who's lives from a young age were filled with surviving disabilities, abuse, and uncertainty. If we are ever going to end homelessness, we must fix families and how children are raised. Matt and Sam are homeless in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Both are originally from Texas. After Matt aged out of foster care, he was sleeping in the woods on an abandoned couch. Matt enrolled himself in high school, which is amazing for any kid to put themselves through school while experiencing homelessness. In his senior year, Matt went into a youth program he says helped him a lot, but then he started using drugs and get into trouble. Matt was kicked out back to the streets, which is where he met Sam. Matt then dropped out of school to get a job to help take care of Sam, who is autistic. Sam left home to be with Matt. They say it was a high school love. When I asked for more details, Sam wasn't living with family, and the situation wasn't healthy. Sam says her mom loved drugs more than. her children and that her step-dad physically and sexually abused her. SAM'S MOM SOLD HER TO HER BEST FRIEND WHEN SAM WAS FOUR! I put this in all caps because childhood abuse and childhood trauma play a significant role in how a person functions as an adult. It's easy to point a finger at a homeless person judging them that their homelessness is their choice, but when you learn more about a person's story, you'll often find layers of childhood abuse and neglect. Sam graduated from high school even while surviving homelessness and autism. I cannot stress enough how amazing this is. At fifteen, Sam was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome, which is a condition on the autism spectrum, with generally higher functioning. The couple has been in and out of homeless shelters. At one point, they were kicked out of a Salvation Army shelter for not being able to pay the $7 a night, which is a homeless services model that is whacked. Some shelters now charge per night per bed. The only way people with no income can raise $7 a night is by panhandling or doing crimes. Matt has been in and out of trouble. Last year Sam spent the winter outside alone while Matt was in jail. The couple also gave birth to children while homeless, who were put up for adoption. The good news is that at the time of this interview, Sam was approved for Section 8 housing and Matt had positive feedback from an employer about a possible job. CAUTION! Some content may be offensive. Our hope is you'll get mad enough to do something...has been a disclaimer on our website since we started in 2008. Parts of Matt's and Sam's story may upset you, and it should. Well, then take action to fix families and help end homelessness Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here https://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. #homeless #fostercare #autisim ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

The concept of community and love doesn't die when you're houseless. It's not an economic thing. People still need love that comes from community. The unhoused community at Echo Park Lake embraces this concept, and accepts all walks of life. They take care of people new to homelessness, give them food and support. They remind people they are not less than; nothing has changed because of their economic situation. This Los Angeles tent encampment has organized, raising money from recycling and donations to hire homeless community members to manage the area they live in – picking up trash, monitoring the food pantry, and other jobs. Residents prepare a daily community meal from donated food. They partner with housed neighbors to care for a community garden. When we were filming, they were erecting a medical tent for residents. Just like any community, housed or unhoused, the homeless residents help their neighbors! But more people are entering homelessness. They keep coming and the tent community is growing. Meanwhile, NIMBY (not in my backyard) opposition is growing. As a result, Councilman Mitch O'Farrell attempted to evict Echo Park Lake residents without providing an alternative place for them to live. 200,000 vacant units sit empty in the county – but this isn’t a housing issue. Officials just want the group to move along. Where are they supposed to go? Los Angeles's last annual homeless count shows that 66,433 people are homeless – up 12.7% from 2019. However, the annual point-in-time (PIT) homeless count is, at best, a good guess. The numbers are always significantly higher than data shows. Even more concerning is HUD's PIT count took place in January – before coronavirus hit. We’re not ending homelessness – it’s growing. There’s not enough affordable housing. People have nowhere to go. But they have a right to dignity. This video shows an officer with his baton raised as other officers place a community member in handcuffs. Why? Because Davon Brown was standing up for his right to live.  LA’s Mayor and Councilman Mitch O'Farrell MUST STOP criminalizing homeless people. It is morally wrong and a waste of taxpayer money. Homeless people need housing, not handcuffs. More stories: Homeless Man on Building Community in Echo Park Lake https://youtu.be/9yDzKZ6QMP8 Homeless Man with Multiple Sclerosis Lives in a Tent https://youtu.be/ml1WTc6eidA Homeless Man Poses As a Celebrity to Take Over a Luxury Hotel https://youtu.be/AzLMuSs6Ks4 Homeless Man on the Criminalization of Homelessness https://youtu.be/-YBbHKXQp7E Invisible Stories is a mini-doc series that goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages understand, and can’t ignore. Watch more Invisible Stories mini-documentaries on homelessness https://invisiblepeople.tv/invisiblestories Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here https://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. Executive producer: Mark Horvath Producer/editor/cinematographer: Alex Gasaway https://www.youtube.com/alexgasaway #homeless #losangeles #echoparklake ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

I almost didn't see laura sitting there in Times Square. Even with the coronavirus, New York City has many people around, although not as much as before the pandemic. I almost missed her in the crowd. Laura didn't look homeless, but most homeless people don't look like they live on the streets. Laura has been homeless in New York City, sleeping near Times Square for two years. She was in a domestic violence relationship where she received four head injuries. Laura says she experienced brain damage and lost the ability to think clearly and concentrate on making decisions. The abuse got so bad that one day she just walked out and left, leaving all of her belongings at the time. As a rule, we will never feature a domestic violence story unless they are safe from being abused. When I asked Laura if she is safe, she responded: "I'm outside, so I am not really safe," referring to the dangers of homelessness for women, but she is safe from her abuser. Because of COVID-19, many bathrooms are closed. The nearest public bathroom for Laura to use is Penn Station, which is almost a mile away. Imagine having to walk a mile each way to use a washroom. It's extremely challenging for Laura to travel that distance by foot with all of her stuff, so Laura has to wait until a homeless friend she trusts will watch her cart and her dog. In this interview, Laura said Penn Station is four blocks away. I just looked on a map, and it's ten New York City blocks from where she was sitting - each way! Laura shares how she feels New York City is not making it a priority to help homeless people during the pandemic. I've been told there are 130,000 vacant hotel rooms that are not being used. There must be case management and support services to place homeless people into hotels, so it's not as easy as it may sound, but it can be done and should be done. Sadly, in NYC, NIMBY (not in my back yard) residents in. the Upper West Side continue to protest homeless people being placed into hotels. Near the end of this video, Laura starts to coughing, saying she is sick. We were socially distancing, and I always wear a mask, but me wearing a mask only protects her. I now hear in her voice that she is sick, but I didn't at the time. If I did, I might not have interviewed her. When she started to cough, I asked Laura if she has been COVID tested. She responded no, and our exchange after opened my eyes to the challenges of properly testing homeless people for coronavirus. COVID testing sites are hospitals, medical clinics, and sometimes drive-thru facilities. As Laura shared, she would have to leave all of her belongings to go get tested. Going to a hospital is a longer trip than walking to a bathroom and back, and Laura may lose her stuff, and she is not going to leave her dog. Service providers are doing the best they can to respond to testing challenges homeless people face, but resources are still lacking. Laura's story is an important story. I hope you watch all the way to the end. She says far too many powerful statements that I have room to list here. The one that got to me was when I started, she looks clean, she responded, "I am not clean." If her story moves you to take action, there are tens of thousands of homeless women out on the streets, and we must end homelessness for everyone. Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here https://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. More NYC stories: Disabled Homeless Woman Sleeps on the Streets of New York City https://youtu.be/zs1MlOjUWWs Young Homeless Girl Living on the Streets of New York City. https://youtu.be/xRxt8u-iaGE Homeless Vietnam veteran in NYC uses his military training to survive homelessness https://youtu.be/smlxozQp888 #homeless #newyorkcity #coronavirus ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Eileen is 61 years old. She's from Rhode Island but relocated to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, after a friend's friend promised a room. To rent, but the situation didn't work out, so Eileen and her friend are back out on the street homeless. Now they are stranded. Eileen and her friend are new to Harrisburg. It's an unfamiliar city, and now they don't have the funds to go anywhere. Right now, Eileen is not sure what they are going to do. When I first met Eileen, she was in desperate need of eyeglasses. My friend Cody did a great job telling the story of our day in Harrisburg and going to the store to get Eileen glasses https://youtu.be/UTeU--Bchro. Eileen recorded an interview, but something was wrong with the SD Card corrupting the file. I happened to run into Eileen a little later, and she agreed to do another video. Interestingly enough, I didn't even ask her. I just mentioned that her interview didn't come out because I made a mistake, and she offered to record this interview. Eileen shares very candidly about the affordable housing crisis. She says she cannot find a room to rent or to share that she can afford. The housing that social services offer that comes at a very discounted rent is over rundown or in a bad neighborhood. Many communities now are scrambling to build new affordable housing and housing for seniors, but it's not even close to enough. Often nonprofits are forced to deal with landlords that are offering apartments that barely make an inspection. What Eileen shares is often very true. She says it's crappy housing and a "big mega ripoff." Eileen says she found an apartment for $700 a month that comes with all utilities paid even cable, but because she's homeless, she doesn't believe she'll get approved to live there. WEAR A MASK! PLEASE WEAR A MASK! Disclaimer: Invisible People does not edit our first-person homeless interviews. The reason for this is to preserve the integrity of the homeless person's story. It's their story raw and unedited. In this video, Eileen gets upset about the pandemic and people wearing masks. The statements Eileen makes about wearing masks are not true. Here are some facts: Debunked myths about face masks https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/debunked-myths-about-face-masks Coronavirus: 'Deadly masks' claims debunked https://www.bbc.com/news/53108405 I encourage you to do your own research. I wear a mask 100% of the time when I am going to be around other people. I wear a mask for their protection. Over 216k American's have died of COVID-19. PLEASE WEAR A MASK! Eileen says she doesn't have a spirit of giving up, which helps her survive, but Eileen also feels she cannot do homelessness anymore. Eileen continues whether she wants to or not, she doesn't have a choice. Elderly homelessness is the fastest-growing demographic of homelessness. Boomers are hitting 65 at 10,000 people a day. Many lost their safety net in the 08 cash, and now the pandemic is causing economic hardship for everyone. Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here https://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. More elderly homeless stories: Elderly Homeless Man Worked All of His Life Just to End up on the Street https://youtu.be/oM8u4ZK0qjw Homeless woman died shortly after this interview. Her death could have been avoided https://youtu.be/5pvcoMhZAXk Heartbreaking Story of a 73-year-old Elderly Homeless Woman https://youtu.be/DyCVG637Ftw Rodger is 83 years-old and lives in van homeless near Seattle https://youtu.be/X7aXuOJ4T8Y #homeless #harrisburg #elderlyhomelessness ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

I was honored to spend some time at a homeless Camp JTD in Philadelphia Yesterday. I interviewed Sterling Johnson, who is an organizer with the Black and Brown Worker Cooperative. From the outside looking in, I thought from the news media that what was happening in Philadelphia was the city trying to remove homeless encampments and the organizers were able to win a battle with the city to acquire 50 vacant houses. What I learned from visiting Camp JTD and talking to Sterling is this movement to pressure the city to fix the affordable housing crisis has been happening for a very long time. The Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA) owns many vacant homes in Philadelphia. When the pandemic hit, Occupy PHA started to repair some of the vacant homes and started to move families and individuals in providing safe shelter from the coronavirus. Philadelphia Housing Action is a coalition formed over the winter of 2019-2020 between Black and Brown Worker Cooperative, Workers Revolutionary Collective and OccupyPHA. On June 10th after the George Floyd protests, Camp JTD was created as a protest. Three times the city tried to evict the people living in the camp, but communities and organizations around Philadelphia came to their support. For more information on the Philadelphia Housing Action visit https://philadelphiahousingaction.info You can follow Camp JTD on Twitter here https://twitter.com/CampJTD and on Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/CampJTD/ #Philadelphia #homeless #affordablehousingcrisis ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, a living wage or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Dirk lives in a tent homeless in Venice Beach, California. This is his first time being homeless. Dirk is 64 years-old. He lived and worked as an independent contractor in Montana for 14 years. In his own words, Dirk says he is tired. It's time to retire. As most American's do, Dirk has been paying into Social Security all of his life. He figured Social Security would provide his retirement funds. When Dirk filed at 62, they told him he didn't have enough credits. Dirk has now filed again at 64. he says that he is wondering if they will ever pay him after 40 years of working and paying into Social Security. At the beginning of this interview, Dirk shares about how lucky he is to be living in a tent one block from the beach. Truth is, Dirk is disabled. Dirk told me after this interview, he is losing his sight and is partially blind. He can no longer work. Montana winters are cold. Dirk was looking for a warmer climate. Dirk didn't plan on ending up homeless on a sidewalk in Venice Beach. He was passing through, and the coronavirus hit. The pandemic made travel almost impossible, so Dirk is making the best of it. Dirk says he has a case manager helping him get into housing and file for Social Security. At the time of this interview, Los Angeles police allowed homeless people to keep their tents up all day. CDC guidelines changed how police dealt with homeless encampments. Elderly homelessness was a growing crisis even before the pandemic. Boomers are reaching 65 years-old at 10,000 people a day. Like me, many lost everything in the 08 crash. They don't have retirement funds. Now with the pandemic, all demographics of homelessness will skyrocket. Dirk's point of US vs THEM may be true. He's right that there is plenty of money in this great country of ours. We the good people need to do something about them the bad people Dirk says. If we all just learned to love each other. Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here https://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, a living wage or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Probably the most frequently asked question in the comments is where's their family. What people fail to realize is relationships are complicated. Family can often be the cause of homelessness. Bill and Madeline had their own apartment in San Francisco. They relocated to Oakland to help take care of Bill's mother and his aunt. Bill's cousin's name was on the deed of the house. Bill and his cousin had a verbal agreement, but his cousin changed his mind and started eviction proceedings to get them out of the house. With no place to go, Bill and Madeline ended up living with Kymberli and Lenton in an Oakland tent encampment. At first, they slept on the floor, but eventually got their own tent to live in. Through this all, Madeline kept working a full-time job. She works in-home care helping the elderly. I cannot imagine what it must be like holding down a job while living in a tent without bathrooms and showers. Derrick Soo, who you also know from this channel, helped Bill and Madeline get out of the tent camp into an RV program to help homeless people at risk of the coronavirus. The goal of Project Homebase is to transition homeless people from the RV trailers into permanent supportive housing. In Los Angeles, I know a few of these RV programs are closing down as the money runs out. Homeless service providers are doing everything they can to get people into housing, but there is just not enough housing. Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here https://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. UPDATE: Homeless Couple in Oakland living in RV Pandemic Program https://youtu.be/Bue7D8xzPRc Update: Derrick Is Back Homeless in an Oakland Tent City https://youtu.be/NTlp6hjpEDs Oakland Homeless Woman on Her Fall into Homelessness, Living in a Tent City, and Drug Addiction https://youtu.be/Iuo0pIbV6_w #homeless #oakland #coronavirus ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, a living wage or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Before you all start leaving comments about Derrick wearing an Invisible People shirt, it's all Derrick. I had nothing to do with it. Honest! Derrick and I spent the day exploring homeless encampments in Oakland and Berkeley, and this was the shirt he wore. Most of you know Derrick from his first interview https://youtu.be/XZComkkxeEI or the VR180 feature we did with YouTube on his homeless camp https://youtu.be/ftMifFpUWCQ. Derrick also helps moderate our live streams on Sunday night. Since his first Invisible People interview, Derrick was to go into housing, but the housing organization working with Derrick was shady, and the housing never happened. Derrick was lucky to find a shared living arrangement, so he was off the streets for close to a year, but sadly, Derrick is now back outside homeless in Oakland. At the time of this interview, Derrick was sleeping at the tent camp one full week. We were messaging back and forth on his first night, and Derrick was having trouble sleeping because the rats were too loud. Can you imagine not having any choice except to sleep in an infestation of rodents? Derrick is amazing. He's still running for Mayor of Oakland https://www.facebook.com/Derrick-Soo-for-City-of-Oakland-Mayor-2022-975183006011778/, he's spearheading a tiny home village, and he's helping homeless people every day connecting them to services. Kymberli and Lenton are just one of many examples of people Derrick has helped https://youtu.be/Bue7D8xzPRc. Driving around with Derrick, he was trying to show me tent cities. I remember telling him I have walked through tent encampments all over the country, but later the day really hit me hard. Homeless camps in Oakland and Berkley are everywhere, and they are growing. What stuck with me is homelessness like this is the future of America unless we take action now to fix the affordable housing crisis and end homelessness. Here's a couple that was helped by Derrick: Evicted by Their Own Cousin Is How This Couple Ended up Homeless https://youtu.be/RgeCsP8GB80 #homeless #oakland #tentcity ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, a living wage or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Chris is homeless in Hawthorne, a city in southwestern Los Angeles County, California. At the start of this interview, Chris states that he recycles to survive instead of committing crimes. Some of you may have trouble understanding the significance of what Chris said. People have to eat. Humans have basic needs, and if the person cannot get a job or if they are unemployable, let's say because of a prison record, their choices are to steal or sell drugs, which will send them back to prison, and as a taxpayer, we pay considerable taxes to lock criminals up. Chris spent some time in prison. Now, because he cannot find employment, he lives outside in a tent. Chris is a good guy. He tries to help other homeless people all he can. Chris even teaches the ins and outs of recycling. Chris has lived at the current homeless encampment for six months. He says that's a long time. Police make them move after people complain about seeing the trash. What the public needs to understand is humans make trash. All of us, without exception, create some waste or garbage. Most of us are used to having trash pickup. Homeless people do not have that luxury. As Chris says, if the city provided a dumpster with even just monthly pickup, the homeless camp would use it. There is a direct connection between homelessness and incarceration. Many people end up on the streets after being released from prison. There is little support for reentry back into society, and it's nearly impossible for an ex-con to find employment. Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here https://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. Very special thanks to Street Watch LA https://streetwatchla.com Dawn and Mike live close to Chris: Homeless Woman's Husband Is Seriously Ill yet LA County Outreach Just Brings Water https://youtu.be/L4PFqQJX9AE #homeless #losangeles #incarceration ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, a living wage or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Chad was first homeless at 9 years old. His mom lost the house they were living in, so they moved into their car. After a few years of living between vehicles and homeless shelters with his mother, Chad ended back on the streets homeless at 11 years old. Chad got into am trouble and was placed into foster care, then at 13 he ran away, and he has been homeless ever since. Chad is now 28, having spent most of his life homeless. Chad says, "I don't like being homeless, but that's what I mainly know." Chad has gotten used to homelessness. He's really known knowing else. When people see a homeless person like Chad in Venice Beach, they don't know the backstory of how that person became homeless. Venice has always been a party city ever since Abbot Kinney founded Venice of America in 1905. Thousands of people, many of them artists, are attracted to the beach community for its Bohemian lifestyle. Like Chad, many are not living outside by choice. Life circumstances often childhood trauma push a person into homelessness. Once on the streets, it's extremely hard to get out.  Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of on the shortage of affordable housing, gainful employment, living wages, childhood trauma, or countless other reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness and poverty, as public sentiment affects public policy. Some people hold onto the false belief that homelessness is a result of a person's bad choices. Chad's never had a chance to be a child or an adult. He's never had a job. Chad doesn't even own a pair of shoes. No one is going to hire Chad. There is a very good chance that Chad will spend the rest of his life homeless, dying outside at some point. But you can help change that. Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here https://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. More Venice Beach stories: Venice Beach Homeless Man Shares about Police Sweeps in Los Angeles https://youtu.be/t8ha3RxuTMg Venice Beach Homeless Woman Sleeps in Front of the Apartment She Rented for 17 Years https://youtu.be/NdS63o_TC_8 Venice Beach Homeless Man Lives in an RV with His Daughter. Both Have Jobs but Can't Afford Rent. https://youtu.be/dB1lyFMUpIM #losangeles #venicebeach #homeless ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, a living wage or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

For my 25th sober birthday and the 25th anniversary of my last day street homeless live stream, I wanted to have music, so in true Invisible People style, the music needed to be from homeless musicians. Street musicians are some of the best in the world. My friend Rebecca Powell is the founder of Dirty Kid Couchsurfing Coalition and Project Call Your Mom; both are online support services for homeless youth and homeless travelers, often called dirty kids. Rebecca posted a request in the DKCC group asking if any homeless musicians would like to provide a video for our live stream. I am honored, and grateful Cash sent me his song "The Sky is Blue" to play in the live stream. Cash has a great voice, and I love how there are children and dogs in the video. Thank you, Cash. His song is so good; I wanted to feature separately from the live stream. You can watch the live stream from August 24th here: Celebrate Live 25 Years Sober and Anniversary of Last Day Street Homeless https://youtu.be/1xukZ54QWOI Here's another song by homeless youth played on the live stream: Talented Homeless Youth Sing an AWESOME Song! https://youtu.be/PV_tMUK3YZw We also heard from Glen Pops Freeman: Homeless Street Musician in San Diego Sings to Us https://youtu.be/Xdz2c1id_y8 ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, a living wage or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

I have traveled to over 300 cities connecting with thousands of homeless people from Anchorage to Los Angeles to Tampa and to New York City, the one constant no matter where I travel is the insane amount of times a homeless person seeks help just to be turned away. Around ten years ago, homeless service providers started to prioritize helping homeless people based on what's known as a Vulnerability Index. These days there are other tools like the VI-SPDAT but the theory is the same - people who are more vulnerable access more services and thus cost taxpayers more money. If we house them, it would save money. It's always about money! As a former outreach case manager, helping people who were seriously ill with severe health conditions wasn't about money. NO ONE should die outside without a home. NO ONE! Dawn and her husband Mike live in a tent in Hawthorne, California. On March 21st, 2019, the couple and their three dogs were left stranded in a Walmart parking lot. Dawn says nothing prepared them for homelessness in Los Angeles County. So the couple has food and other needs, Dawn panhandles and recycles when she is not taking care of her husband. Mike is an insulin-dependent diabetic. Because they do not have refrigeration, he cannot keep his insulin cold. Mike had four shoulder surgeries and is in chronic pain. As a result of being diabetic, he has peripheral neuropathy in his feet and hands. Most recently, Mike was diagnosed with congestive heart failure. Mike is dying in this tent. He is extremely vulnerable. Dawn thinks the reason they have not been housed is because of their dogs, but homeless services have started to realize homeless people do not want to be separated from their pets. Having pets makes it a little harder to find housing for both housed people and homeless people, but it is possible. Case managers just have to work a little harder to make it happen. It's extremely upsetting that Dawn and Mike are not getting the help they need. Dawn says outreach teams show up from time to time making promises, but other than bottled water, the couple gets more help from volunteers who are part of Street Watch South Bay. Very special thanks to Street Watch LA https://streetwatchla.com #homeless #losangeles #disabled ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, a living wage or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

To help celebrate my 25th sober birthday and the 25th anniversary of my last day street homeless, people sent in videos that were featured on the live stream you can view here https://youtu.be/1xukZ54QWOI Huge thanks to everyone who participated. THANK YOU! Invisible Stories mini-docs https://invisiblepeople.tv/invisiblestories Housing First: A Solution to End Homelessness https://youtu.be/SizHuR225Co Documentary on Mark Horvath of Invisible People https://youtu.be/z0wDn9SAWZs ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, a living wage or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Here is a link if you'd like to support the camp https://linktr.ee/Echoparkriseup I am no stranger to Echo Park Lake in Los Angeles. 25 years ago, I spent a little time as a homeless man. I also worked at a ministry within walking distance, and I was on staff at the church across the street producing their weekly television show. My last marketing job in 2008, that laid me off, setting into motion the start of Invisible People, my office overlooked Echo Park Lake. Yesterday was my first visit since June when I interviewed a few people you now know from this channel. It's shocking to see how the tent community is growing with the number of new tents, but with homelessness continuing to skyrocket in Los Angeles, homelessness is increasing all over the city. Some other changes are happening at this homeless camp. The community is getting organized. The place is cleaner. They have a food pantry and made their own showers. But wait - they have even figured out a way to hire people living in tents to do jobs in the community. Ayman once lived homeless on the streets of Venice Beach and Santa Monica. Like many of the unhoused residents in the Echo Park Lake homeless community, he is filled with energy, love, and spirituality. Homelessness is hell, and on top of that, police and park rangers are constantly harassing homeless people that live in this park, so it's amazing that folks are staying positive and building this community. The community that is being built by homeless people for homeless people at Echo Park Lake is absolutely gorgeous. Ayman and other residents believe that they will be able to create a permanent home there. In a perfect world, no one would be without a home, but wouldn't it be great if homeless people and housed people learned to co-exist peacefully and support each other? Maybe this community is the model to make that happen. I sure hope it is. Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here https://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. Watch more stories from Echo Park Lake: Homeless Man with Multiple Sclerosis Lives in a Tent in Los Angeles https://youtu.be/ml1WTc6eidA Los Angeles Homeless Man on the Criminalization of Homelessness in Echo Park Lake https://youtu.be/-YBbHKXQp7E Homeless Man Poses As a Celebrity to Take Over a Luxury Hotel to Get Mayor Garcetti's Attention https://youtu.be/AzLMuSs6Ks4 #homeless #losangeles #echopark ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, a living wage or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

All it takes is one conversation with one unhoused person to change the ugly perceptions about homeless people. ~ Adam Conover, TV Host and SELAH Volunteer Everywhere you look, homelessness is getting worse. This especially holds true in cities like Los Angeles where homelessness continues to skyrocket. Homeless encampments are everywhere, and it’s clear that governments and nonprofits are overwhelmed. With the coronavirus pandemic threatening mass evictions, the crisis seems daunting. People want to help, but they don’t know what to do. SELAH Neighborhood Homeless Coalition is a group of normal folks that decided to take tangible actions to help their homeless neighbors. What started as just giving out 25 food boxes a week has grown into an organization that’s helping people with basic needs like food and water, and connecting them with resources. “On engagement, we bring food, water, hygiene tips to folks who are unhoused. We ask if they are feeling well. We say hello, try to learn folks’ names, build relationships – that’s the long game,” Adam Conover said. This type of engagement can be a lifeline, especially during COVID-19. For example, take Conover’s recent experience with a woman who was in distress, but not obviously homeless. She had been evicted from her home 5 days prior, left with no possessions, and no direction or resources. “She was sleeping in the clothes she had been evicted in,” he said. By reaching out to her, SELAH was able to connect her with needed resources. But, how many people are in this same situation across the country with nowhere to turn? Our communities need to recognize when a person is in distress, volunteer to engage with them, learn about them and connect them with the right resources. It’s as simple as asking “Do you need anything?” “I felt that barrier, I felt like I couldn’t speak to those folks, I didn’t know what to do,” he continued. “And I saw SELAH on social media: ‘Hey we go out into the community, we hand out bottled water and we say Hi, and we talk to folks in our community.’ I wanted to do that.” Nicole Arbusto, SELAH’s Co-founder, noted, these are “our neighbors who find themselves with no place to live. Once you see them as your neighbors who have fallen on hard times, how could you not want to help them in some way?” Partnering with Silverlake Community Church, SELAH has also become a food distribution program. They started out with 25 boxes per week; they’re now up to 100 boxes. “A lot of these people need help; what I’ve experienced since I’ve come to this area, they are not getting the help they need. We can’t just keep pushing those people to some other side of the city,” Pastor Kyle of Silverlake Community Church shared. Do you want to help your homeless neighbors? SELAH Co-founder Cat Kim said, “Get to know what local organizations are in your area. Then you can volunteer with them. Advocate through policy. Donate. Make your community a better place for everyone.” “Who better to help neighbors than other neighbors?” added SELAH Co-founder Dorit Dowler-Guerrero. SELAH Neighborhood Homeless Coalition https://www.selahnhc.org Never Thought He'd Be Homeless in Hollywood https://youtu.be/h_PhwyUkriU Invisible Stories is a mini-doc series that goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages understand, and can’t ignore. Watch more Invisible Stories mini-documentaries on homelessness https://invisiblepeople.tv/invisiblestories Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here https://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. Executive producer: Mark Horvath Producer/editor/cinematographer: Alex Gasaway https://www.youtube.com/alexgasaway #homeless #losangeles #coronavirus ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness.

I first met Kymberli last year while I was visiting a homeless camp in Oakland. Kym was washing her dishes with a garden house. Almost a year to the day, I interviewed Kymberli and her husband B (Lenton is his real name) in front of the shack they turned into a home living on the side of the road. They even gave us a tour in this VR180 video https://youtu.be/ftMifFpUWCQ and you can vide their original video here https://youtu.be/MSbiFPbAyrI Kymberli and Lenton now live in an RV thanks to Operation HomeBase, a program run by the City of Oakland that provides trailers to adults over 65 that are at risk of COVID-19. The difference that a safe place to sleep and shower makes is amazing! They are still homeless but living in a small trailer with running water, bathrooms with showers, and privacy has improved their lives tremendously. Both Kymberli and Lenton are looking forward to the next step. They want to pay rent. They want a place of their own. They do not want to be homeless anymore. Thanks to the help of Operation HomeBase and the generous support from people on YouTube and the several of their landscaping clients helping them to raise money, they are looking to purchase a car and a commercial truck to grow their business. https://www.gofundme.com/f/transition-into-permanent-housing It took a little bit of time for Kymberli and Lenton to agree to transition to the RV. One huge roadblock to homeless support is people are not able to keep their belongings. For example, shelters only allow two small bags, and for the shelters that kick people out every day, homeless people have to carry their bags with them. One thing the coronavirus has shown is that the State of California can make helping homeless people a priority. Programs like Project Roomkey and Operation HomeBase are cost-effective solutions to get people off the streets. The programs are not perfect, and it's not housing, but seeing the difference Kymberli and Lenton is validation. Homeless people need a safe place to sleep with bathrooms that provide dignity as an alternative to sleeping outside on a sidewalk. #homeless #oakland #coronavirus ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, a living wage or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

AUGUST 24TH at 2pm PST Celebrate Live 25 Years Sober and Anniversary of Last Day Street Homeless https://youtu.be/1xukZ54QWOI 24 years ago, I was homeless. You might be surprised to know what the most painful thing about being homeless is: To be homeless is to be invisible. People avoid eye contact. They step away from you. They don't answer you if you address them -- even if you wish them a good day! It's painful. It's debilitating. Over time, it gets worse, not better. There are a lot of bad things about being homeless, but being invisible it the worst! This is how I know that powerful change can happen when people who are homeless get the chance to tell their stories. You should see someone’s face when they realize another person actually wants to listen to them. August 24th, 1995 was my last day homeless. It was also my last day drinking and using. I was one of the worst of the worst. I was severely addicted to drugs, homeless and hopeless. If you saw me back on the streets when I was homeless, you would have walked over to the other side I was that bad. For the last 24 years, I called my mother on my sober birthday to let her know I made it another year. On several occasions, the thought of not making the call disappointing my mom kept me sober. As many of you know, my mother passed away on May 8th. This year I celebrate 25 years sober but don't have anyone to call, so I figured you could all be my someone. On August 24th, I will be doing a special live stream on YouTube. It's a miracle that I am even talking to you today. It's a huge miracle that on August 24th of this year I will celebrate 25 years of sobriety. Another miracle is the nonprofit I founded. Invisible People humanizes homelessness by giving a voice to people living on the streets and making their stories impossible to ignore. At the same time, we strive to educate communities about the systemic issues that contribute to the problem. We appeal to audiences' hearts and minds with our groundbreaking educational content that reaches more than a billion people across the globe. THE PUBLIC’S INABILITY TO RELATE TO HOMELESSNESS IS OUR BIGGEST OBSTACLE TO ENDING IT. There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it, instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address homelessness's root causes. Invisible People stories are changing the whole conversation about homeless people. These stories are influencing the policies and programs that can make a huge difference far beyond individuals. If you think homelessness is an unsolvable problem, please think again! Homelessness can be solved. It is being solved. I know it can be discouraging at times in our current political climate. But even now, we are making positive steps. And I think much bigger steps are coming! And your support to gather these stories and get them out to people who need to see them is part of that solution! When you support us, you will change too. You’ll see firsthand that you can really be part of positive change. Having that knowledge will empower your heart and your attitude in unpredictable but wonderful ways! It starts with you. And me. Together we can transform our communities for the better. Thank you for all you can give today. YouTube donation on the right for desktop or below on mobile. Here's Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/donate/303358884208735/ Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Today is Khaledeeannka's 66th birthday. At this age, most seniors are thinking about retirement, but for Khaledeeannk, she's just grateful to be in a hotel room. Khaledeeannka is a homeless veteran living on the streets of San Francisco off and on since 2001. She served in the military as an aircraft mechanic in the Vietnam War. Khaledeeannka is a strong woman. Vietnam in itself was hard, I cannot imagine what a woman who is colored (a term she used) had to endure during that period. Because of COVID-19, California started housing homeless people in hotels. Swords to Plowshares, a nonprofit in the Bay Area working to end veteran homelessness, helped get Khaledeeannka into this hotel. She says Swords to Plowshares has helped her get her courage back. When Khaledeeannka had money, she would try to rent rooms on Airbnb. Her favorite was riding the bus all night. Khaledeeannka says this is all very humiliating after serving in the military to have to go through all the bureaucracy just to get the help she needs. This interview with Khaledeeannka is a little long, but she has such a powerful story, and I could talk to her forever. I hope you watch long enough to hear us near the end talk about how true homelessness is the absence of choice. I love this thumbnail because I know Khaledeeannka is laughing underneath her mask. We had a lot of fun during this interview. I hope Khaledeeannka gets into housing soon. Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here https://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. Special thanks to Swords to Plowshares https://www.swords-to-plowshares.org More San Francisco stories: Young Homeless Girl on the Streets of San Francisco https://youtu.be/TncKRc6EoZ8 San Francisco Homeless Woman Disabled From Bullet in Her Back https://youtu.be/Ce-IIkE9aA0 #homeless #veteran #sanfrancisco ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, a living wage or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Sage is 23. She has been homeless in the Tenderloin for 2 1/2 years. Before homelessness, Sage only smoked a little weed. Since she's lived on the streets, Sage has been to rehab three times. She wants to go back to college, and she hopes to get into housing soon. When I asked Sage about homelessness, she responded it's not that bad. I then asked Sage if she's putting up a front covering the pain of homelessness, or is it really not the bad. She said, "Kind of. I am a young attractive female. People take care of me." I cannot imagine what this girl has experienced living on the streets. Sage told me that she tries to focus on animals to keep her mind off things. Sage likes butterflies. One of her wishes was for the butterflies to come back. One might think this young hippie chick is making bad decisions, so she gets what she deserves, but the truth is, we are our brother's keeper. Sage has tried to get out of homelessness a few times, but there is no easy path out. It's up to all of us to change that! We must prevent homelessness from happening in the first place, but if someone young or old ends up on the streets, we need to get them out of homelessness as quickly as possible. Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here https://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. More homeless youth stories: Young Homeless Girl Living on the Streets of New York City. https://youtu.be/xRxt8u-iaGE EJ is 18. He told me he has been homeless for 11 years. https://youtu.be/3N2z5O2xYKw Young homeless girl is a college student 'flying a sign' in Pasadena https://youtu.be/VbkhD-srDQ8 #homeless #coronavirus #sanfrancisco ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, a living wage or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

When the coronavirus pandemic hit, San Francisco's homeless shelters were forced to reduce the number of people they could allow inside. Congregant living is not safe because COVID-19 easily spread through human to human transmission. Many homeless people who would typically stay in shelters left, and a large tent camp of around a hundred people formed around city hall. Safe Sleeping Village is San Francisco's first sanctioned tent camp providing a safe place for homeless people to live. The encampment provides social distancing, temperature checks, showers, bathrooms, an electric charging station, and case management services. Urban Alchemy's CEO Lena Miller gave me a tour, but the wind noise killed the audio. I salvaged what I could because this is an important story. As homelessness continues to increase, more cities need to adopt the sanctioned tent city model. The priority must always be housing, but there may never be enough housing for the people who need it. If a community does not have enough housing or shelter beds, they should implement sanctioned tent camps as part of a community-wide effort to help end homelessness. Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here https://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. More from San Francisco: San Francisco Homeless Man Shares About the Affordable Housing Crisis https://youtu.be/uwfi7BiubD4 San Francisco Homeless Woman Disabled From a Bullet in Her Back https://youtu.be/Ce-IIkE9aA0 San Francisco Homeless Man on Panhandling and Homeless Shelters https://youtu.be/eRUXo5lVZc4 #homeless #coronavirus #sanfrancisco ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, a living wage or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

If you see a human down, you stop and help. That’s the message Wound Walk OC is sharing.   Founded by Michael Sean Wright, the group provides basic wound care and hygiene services as well as food and drinks to unsheltered people in Orange County, California.   “We can all agree that wounds need to heal. Without care, a nick or scrape can become something serious that no one should go through,” Wright said.   For most people living outdoors, their primary doctor is the ER doc, who can only stabilize their wound or condition, but then must release them to the streets where the injury gets worse and worse.   The Orange County organization acts as an in-between, helping homeless people with their injuries. According to Wright, for a wound to properly heal, it must be treated and monitored. “Our goal is to identify, triage, stabilize and get into a clinic environment,” he said. This includes taking pictures of wounds, knocking down any infection, and connecting the injured persons with a clinic to monitor their recovery. “We want to make sure we have a primary care physician to look at the wound over time.”   When COVID-19 hit, Wounded Walk OC scaled up. Everything had closed, making it harder for homeless people to get basic needs like food and water. The pandemic also disrupted nonprofit and government organizations' ability to provide homeless services to unsheltered residents. Wounded Walk OC increased their capabilities by offering handwashing stations and other measures to help prevent the spread of coronavirus.   “We bring sanitation to them,” Wright said, adding that they also question them about their current health, whether they have lost sense of smell or taste, do they feel hot?   Wright reminds us that we have the power to make changes and to improve the lives of those around us – and it is a rewarding feeling.   “That exchange we have with our friends out here – there is a moment of relief when they get their skin washed, when they get a band-aid, when they get wrapped – that is a moment that is indescribable.”   It's not up to somebody else, it's up to us to help our homeless neighbors during the coronavirus and at all times, Wright said. “We all have something we can do, and that we are good at. This problem isn’t going away unless we step up and do something.”   Now is the time to help your neighbors – maybe even start your own Wound Walk! It will be the most rewarding thing you can do in life.   Wound Walk OC Facebook https://woundwalk.org Invisible Stories is a mini-doc series that goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages understand, and can't ignore. Watch more Invisible Stories mini-documentaries on homelessness https://invisiblepeople.tv/invisiblestories Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here https://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. Executive producer: Mark Horvath Producer/editor/cinematographer: Alex Gasaway https://www.youtube.com/alexgasaway #homeless #coronavirus #documentary ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People's website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People's Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath's Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, a living wage or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness.

To the best of my knowledge, the homeless sector does not track how relationships cause homelessness. Yet, death in the family or divorce, among other relationship failures, does play a significant role in the cause of homelessness. I met Nathan in Central London. He was begging for money in a Tube Station trying to keep dry from the wet weather. Nathan was looking after his mom. After she passed away from cancer, the landlord evicted Nathan, and he didn't have anywhere to go but to sleep rough outside homeless. A death in the family is a familiar story on this channel. Often, the person who passes away brings in the income, so after their death, the family member doesn't have a lot of options. This has been a real fear for me. My mother just passed away a few weeks back. For the last few years, I was her caregiver. The state came close to taking the house a few times for her healthcare, and there are zero jobs in our small town. No matter what the crisis, we need to be able to provide a safety net for people so they don't end up on the streets. Besides the obvious health and safety issues, homelessness is expensive for taxpayers. We need to prevent homelessness from happening in the first place, and if someone does end up sleeping rough, we need to get them the help they need as quickly as possible. More stories from London and the United Kingdom: Homeless woman sleeping rough in Oxford, England died sleeping outside https://youtu.be/qz3cAS84lSY Homeless Youth Sleeping Rough in London after Mother Died https://youtu.be/24To8SF46jU Homeless Man Sleeping Rough in London since He Was 17 https://youtu.be/apdRbks-E3U Barry has been sleeping rough in London since he was 18. https://youtu.be/fV_NCu2XZHQ ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, a living wage or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Debra has been homeless in Venice Beach for nine years. After her roommate died, she was given two weeks to move. Although she receives Social Security Disability Income, it's still not enough to cover rent, so Debra ended up on the streets of Los Angeles. Right before this interview, LAPD threatened to arrest Debra for being homeless. She was visibly upset. You don't have to be a medical professional to see Debra is disabled. She is trying to survive the horrors of life on the streets and for an elderly homeless woman, Debra lives in constant anxiety and fear. The criminalization of homelessness continues in almost every community. Instead of offering people the help they need, police harass homeless people in an attempt to push them out of sight. Whenever I meet someone like Debra, I wonder what they were like when they first became homeless. She's been on the streets for a very long time. Too long. Debra has survived hell many times over. If we were able to help Debra and those like her as the enter into homelessness get off the streets into housing, my guess is that after a short period of healing, people would restabilize and be able to take care of themselves. The homeless sector is structured to only help the most vulnerable. That means that Debra is still not yet vulnerable enough to get the help she needs. Think about that for a moment. People have to become so vulnerable that the government will have to take care of them for the rest of their lives. The issue is the lack of resources. Since there is not enough housing for everyone, even though housing saves lives and saves taxpayer money, the homeless sector prioritizes those who need it most. We need your help in making sure there is enough housing for everyone who needs it. Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here https://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, a living wage or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

DESTINY By Harmony In Paradise Davon Brown & Mr.Veggatan https://youtu.be/Lg9ylFqU-zU Probably one of the coolest advocacy stunts I've ever seen happened this past May and was pulled off by a Los Angeles homeless man who lives in a tent in Each Park and Jed Parriott, a housing advocate with Street Watch LA. To help explain, I need to do a little setup. Once the coronavirus hit, governments and service providers went into hyperdrive to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the homeless community. Homeless shelters do not allow for social distancing, and since most hotels now are vacant, it makes sense to utilize empty hotel rooms to help save lives. In April, California Gov. Gavin Newsom launched Project Roomkey to allocate emergency funds and acquire 15,000 hotel rooms, but only some homeless people would qualify for the program. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti asked hotels to volunteer their empty rooms even though he had the executive power to commandeer them. At the time this was all going down, only 1,508 people had been placed in hotel rooms. Here's where it gets good. Davon posed as a famous musician. Jed played the role of his manager. Together with a few other friends, they created an entourage and headed to Ritz-Carlton in downtown Los Angeles. Jed told the hotel staff they'd like to book three rooms for 10 nights, but first, they'd like to see the rooms. Once inside a hotel room, Davon shares with the concierge: “Actually, I’m not famous,” he said. “I’m homeless. I live in Echo Park. And I’m not leaving this hotel until Mayor Garcetti commandeers these vacant rooms.” You can watch this on Davon's Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/tv/B_spohRpiDl/ Daily Beast wrote about it here: https://www.thedailybeast.com/why-lady-gagas-ex-model-seized-a-luxury-hotel-suite-in-los-angeles Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here https://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. More Echo Park stories: Homeless Man with Multiple Sclerosis Lives in a Tent in Los Angeles https://youtu.be/ml1WTc6eidA Los Angeles Homeless Man on the Criminalization of Homelessness https://youtu.be/-YBbHKXQp7E ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, a living wage or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Brent worked most of his life as a law clerk. After he lost his job, Brent lost his place to stay, and then he blew the engine on his truck. Brent never thought he'd be homeless on the streets of Los Angeles. Brent looks for work, but no one wants to hire a senior. Ageism is a severe roadblock to employment. Brent is 61 years-old. He says employers love his resume. He does great on the interview call, but when Brent shows up for the in-person interview, and they see that he's older, he never gets the job. Brent shares the challenges of personal hygiene. He's able to take a shower once a week. Brent says the second biggest challenge they face is keeping their phones charged. He used to use the library because of CONVID-19, but now everything is closed. Coronavirus has hurt and helped homeless people. Once businesses and restaurants shut down, there was no place for homeless people to use the bathroom or get water. The plus side is police have, for the most part, left homeless people alone. Usually, police force homeless people to move frequently. When a homeless person has to spend most of the day every day trying to find a new safe place to sleep, it makes it harder for them to get off the streets. More on elderly homelessness: Elderly Homeless Man Worked All of His Life Just to End up on the Streets of Los Angeles https://youtu.be/oM8u4ZK0qjw Heartbreaking Story of a 73-year-old Elderly Homeless Woman https://youtu.be/DyCVG637Ftw Volunteers Helping Homeless People During the Coronavirus Pandemic https://youtu.be/8pWTs9hxKls Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here https://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, a living wage or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

It's literally insane to ticket homeless people for being homeless. People sleeping outside in tents or in their vehicles have little or no income to pay fines. What makes it worse is police rarely offer support to help homeless people get out of homelessness. Homeless people don't have any place to go, and police know this, yet they write citations for different petty offenses criminalizing homelessness. Mike lives in a tent in Chatsworth, a neighborhood in the northwestern San Fernando Valley region of Los Angeles, California. Homelessness has grown significantly throughout Los Angeles County, but there is very little support for homeless people in the San Fernando Valley. Most homeless services were intentionally located in Skid Row, which is a complete failure of urban design. Mike and other homeless people living in Chatsworth have few options to get off the streets. Mike was working odd jobs until the coronavirus hit. Now, he is surviving by recycling, but police have even tried to stop him from dumpster diving. Mike feels COVID-19 was meant for homeless people. He shares how now that everything is shut down, people need a car to go through a drive-thru to get fast food. Mike says he feels safer in his tent than going to a shelter or a hotel. Mike would rather go get a job and live in an apartment, but while the coronavirus is around, he plans on staying in his tent. If you thought homelessness was bad, over 40 million Americans are now unemployed. The economic fallout from COVID-19 will create a significant increase in homelessness. YOU can help change that. Support the HEROES Act to make housing a priority. Contact your legislators today https://invisiblepeople.tv/talk-to-your-legislators/#/ #homeless #losangeles #coronavirus ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, a living wage or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Shaun is 19 years-old sleeping rough on the streets of London. After his father died, his mother got depressed. She started to drink more and take sleeping pills. Her depression got worse until she was hospitalized. Four weeks before this interview, Shaun's mother died. Two weeks later, the landlord kicked him out because he couldn't pay the rent. Shaun's first night of homelessness, he woke up with his shoes stolen. Shaun said he didn't know the rules for sleeping rough. He learned to use his shoes as a pillow. The London Assembly housing committee report estimates that there are 13 times more hidden homeless people in London than those who are sleeping rough. Almost a quarter of a million under-25s homeless youth in London have stayed in an unsafe place because they have nowhere to call home. ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, a living wage or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Tee Tee lives in a women's homeless shelter in Austin, Texas. I interviewed Tee tee in early March, right before the coronavirus crisis became worse with the mandatory stay at home restrictions and orders for people to wear masks in public. Tee Tee says the congregate homeless shelter she lives in with 70 other homeless women is chaotic. 40 women sleep in one dorm and 30 women sleep in another dorm room. She says they are trying to stay clean, but in congregate homeless shelters, there is little space to allow social distancing. Tee Tee is politically active trying to help fight homelessness in Austin. She has a dream of starting a shelter for homeless women. Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here https://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, a living wage or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

The Delores Project in Denver, Colorado, has an emergency homeless shelter for 60 unaccompanied women and transgender individuals over the age of 18 who are without a safe place to stay at night. They also have 35 units of permanent supportive housing and 95 units of affordable housing for individuals and families. Their campus was developed using trauma-informed design creating physical spaces that promote safety, well-being and healing. To start the process of healing, homeless people need a safe place that provides security and dignity. The Delores Project is one of the best homeless services I have toured. Being able to bring people from the streets to housing in the same facility is brilliant. For more information, visit https://www.thedeloresproject.org Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here https://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. Mayors and CEOs for U.S. Housing Investment paid for travel expenses. Invisible People did not receive any compensation for this video. For more information on Mayors and CEOs for U.S. Housing Investment, click here: https://housinginvestment.org Special thanks to Mark Stavnicky for producing and editing support https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-stavnicky/ ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, a living wage or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

After a person does their time, they are released out into the streets with little to no support. As a convicted criminal, it's nearly impossible to get a job. Many end up homeless. Like this or not, as a taxpayer, we all pay huge tax money per homeless person that's out on the streets. Our criminal justice system is broken. Patrick is 53 years old and lives homeless on the streets of Austin, Texas. After 30 years in the prison, Patrick was released to homelessness. Patrick suffers from mental illness. He has several fingers amputated from his right hand and a dislocated shoulder. Even if there was someone who would hire an ex-felon, Patrick is disabled and cannot work. He says he's tried to get out of homelessness, but the cost of housing is too much. Patrick has a sister that tries to help, but she's hurting too. Patrick got emotional and asked to stop the interview. I can literally feel Patrick's pain and frustration. Homelessness is hard. He's paid the price for whatever crime he committed. There should be support for people like Patrick, but our criminal justice system is broken. Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here https://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, a living wage or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Stephanie just woke up. She lives in Governor Abbott's state-run homeless camp in Austin, Texas. Jennifer was on her way to the porta-potty when her friends suggested that I talk to her. I was kind of surprised she agreed. It's rare people want to speak to a camera first thing after getting out of bed. Stephanie says homelessness is hard being judged and pointed at looked down by people who don't understand the situation. Most people believe people are homeless because they don't want to work or do anything for themselves. Stephanie continues there are people in the camp who had homes and have jobs but lost everything do to a crisis or an illness. In Stephanie's situation, it's both crisis and illness. The owner sold the home Stephanie was living in. Although she was sick with cancer, she had to leave the property in 24 hours. Stephanie then went through major surgery. She says the hospital excited her back to homelessness even though she needed recuperative care, where she then survived on the streets severely disabled. Sadly, hospitals are known to exit patents without insurance or a place to stay out on the streets. A few hospitals have been sued for patient dumping, but they still do it. Stephanie is now receiving disability, but it's still not enough to rent an apartment. She has been on a housing list for three years, but because of the affordable housing crisis, homeless service providers have trouble finding apartments. Everyone I talk to during my visit to Camp Texas had been on a housing list for several years. We need your help to fix that. Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here https://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People's website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People's Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath's Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, a living wage or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn't just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don't take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

America has been living at Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's homeless encampment for a few months. She was harassed by Austin Police. After filing a complaint, America no longer felt in the city of Austin. Gov. Abbott's Camp Texas is managed by the state. America claims Austin Police criminalized her for being black. She goes on to share how police in the city have a long history of racial bias often underserving African American communities along with racial discrimination. The 2005 incident she talks about did happen. The Midtown Live nightclub caught on fire. Its clientele was mostly black. Six Austin Police officers and four police dispatchers were disciplined in connection to mobile messages that several witnesses saw. I police officer sent a message "Burn Baby Burn" and a dispatcher responded with "I got some extra gasoline if they need it." Race continues to influence how people of African descent in the United States are treated by law enforcement. In the U.S., Black people accounted for 31 percent of police killing victims in 2012, even though they made up just 13 percent of the U.S. population. The disparities appear to be even starker for unarmed suspects, according to an analysis of 2015 police killings by the Guardian. Racial minorities made up about 37.4 percent of the general population in the US and 46.6 percent of armed and unarmed victims, but they made up 62.7 percent of unarmed people killed by police. (Source: https://www.vox.com/identities/2016/8/13/17938186/police-shootings-killings-racism-racial-disparities) This woman like many others in our country has faced racial discrimination and abuse simply because of her skin color. It's horrible! America is a smart intelligent woman. I have huge respect for her knowing she had the courage to file a complaint and speak opening about racism. It's 2020. Racism should no longer exist, but it does, and that is unacceptable. I was visiting Camp Texas just before the country started 'shelter at home' as a result of the coronavirus. It was good to see space between tents with lots of handwashing stations and porta-potties throughout. The two showers were disgusting made up of plywood and a garden hose. People using the showers have zero privacy. From what I could see which was validated by everyone I met in the camp, no services were being provided. Advocates are concerned Governor Abbott's homeless camp is just a ploy to continue his push to criminalize homelessness in Texas. I have visited many homeless camps over the years. Because of COVID19, it's great they have separation and sanitation, but a camp run by the state government should be providing services to get people off the streets into housing. #homeless #homelessness #austin ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, a living wage or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Michel had a job working at a restaurant in San Francisco. After his paycheck bounced for the third time, his landlord evicted him out into the streets. Michel is now homeless in Venice Beach, California. Michel shares there is plenty of food. Keep in mind this interview was recorded before COVID-19. Because of the coronavirus crisis and shelter at home orders, homeless people no longer have access to food, water, bathrooms, or places to charge their phones. Michel immigrated from France when he was 17 years old and has worked for the last 33 years. Michel says 90% of the time circumstances put people out on the streets. Homelessness can happen to anyone. People don't choose to be out on the streets, especially with the economic ups and downs we've seen in this country. Something Michel said in this interview is crucial. If we want to end homelessness in this country, we must pay attention to who we vote for and what they stand for, as they look at the less fortunate members of society. At the time of this interview, Michel was working with LAHSA to go into the Bridge Shelter. Michel has worked all of his life and wants to get back to work as quickly as possible. Because of an injury, he cannot work right now. As soon as he is able, he says he's going to do whatever it takes to get back to being a contributing member of society. Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here https://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, a living wage or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Eric Montoya is an outreach supervisor for LA Family Housing. When it comes to his job, Eric is a rock star. He is respected by his peers and even more importantly, the homeless community. Eric works tirelessly to get homeless people off the streets and into permanent supportive housing. "Permanent supportive housing is the key because services are attached," Eric said. He knows housing ends homelessness - he has witnessed the strategy's success. Eric continues with a sobering statement: "I'm a paycheck from being homeless myself ... most people who work for a living are a paycheck away from homelessness. [We must] Understand the homeless population so we can break down the stigma of people experiencing homelessness." In this video, Eric takes viewers on a tour of the Sepulveda Basin in Los Angeles's San Fernando Valley. Between 300 and 400 people live in this area and face the constant threat of criminalization, homeless sweeps and being displaced - an action that can be just as traumatic as becoming homeless in the first place. They are forced to move onto another location where they will not be welcome. Let it be known: There's no law against being homeless, yet people are harassed because they are ... mostly because housed people complain about those less fortunate. "I'd rather deal with the weather, I'd rather deal with natural causes than with the people who are harassing [us]. [This isn't] how we really want to live," said Mark, a former Seattle business owner and 'Bamboos' resident. Mark lost his business in 2008. Shortly after that, he lost his home and everything else of value. Mark says he put everything into his business, but a few contractors didn't pay while the debts piled up. The business was forced into bankruptcy leaving Mark and Sharon homeless for the past 10 years. For several years, they have lived in a makeshift homeless camp. It's not how they want to live. No one wants to be homeless. Jennifer also knows the pain of being unfairly stereotyped by the general public. "We shouldn't be at parks because we scare little children. That statement got under my skin. I have a daughter and a granddaughter ... I don't think my granddaughter is scared of me." Jennifer shatters all the stereotypes surrounding homelessness. She is sober, does not use drugs and helps those within her homeless community. "I was a single parent. You always struggle when you are a single parent. I had two jobs to make ends meet ... and I lost both jobs within three months of each other. I couldn't find work at that time, and everything snowballed all at once." Jennifer added that she was evicted and ended up living in a homeless encampment. She helps those around her by connecting them with Eric for staples such as food and water, among other things. "We are people, we are citizens - we should be treated with respect." All human beings should be treated with respect and provided the basic needs. The lack of affordable housing in this country has led to an increased amount of homeless people. We must take action to reverse this trend. Since we interviewed Mark and Sharon, Eric was able to get them housing. Jennifer is still homeless. Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here https://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. Invisible Stories is a mini-doc series that goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages understand, and can’t ignore. Watch more Invisible Stories mini-documentaries on homelessness https://invisiblepeople.tv/invisiblestories Executive producer: Mark Horvath Producer/editor/cinematographer: Alex Gasaway https://www.youtube.com/alexgasaway #losangeles #homeless #homelessness ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) has a tough job. As the primary homeless services agency for Los Angeles County, LAHSA is responsible for helping to end homelessness in 88 cities spanning 4,083 square miles – that’s an area larger than the states of Delaware and Rhode Island combined! Thanks to dedicated staff members, the agency continues to make amazing strides. In 2019, LAHSA helped a record 21,631 people move from homelessness to some kind of permanent, supportive housing. This is thanks to the fervent, resourceful and compassionate people serving on LAHSA’s team. Take Martha Trujillo for example. As an outreach worker for LAHSA, Martha has a big heart and doesn't take no for an answer. She commits to her clients, as is the case with Noemi. Homeless people often have years of trauma. The longer a person is outside, the harder it is for them to accept help. Noemi was pregnant living in a tent addicted to drugs. Even though Noemi kept pushing Martha away, Martha kept visiting. Eventually, she got Noemi into rehab. Today, Noemi is sober, in housing, and she has a job. "She's more than a case manager to me, she is family,” Noemi said about Martha. Martha shows us that if we don't give up on people, we can end homelessness. And homeless services everywhere continue to do better than they ever have. The problem is more people are entering homelessness than getting out due to the affordable housing crisis. The latest homeless count reported 58,936 people are experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles County alone. Of course, this is a good guess at best. The number of homeless people in every city is far greater than what's being reported. Agencies like LAHSA need more support from the public and elected officials. There needs to be more support for solutions, more support for affordable housing options, more support to provide basic needs services. The public must take action and show their support for agencies like LAHSA that are out on the street everyday saving people. Invisible Stories is a mini-doc series that goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages understand, and can’t ignore. Watch more Invisible Stories mini-documentaries on homelessness https://invisiblepeople.tv/invisiblestories Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here https://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. Executive producer: Mark Horvath Producer/editor/cinematographer: Alex Gasaway https://www.youtube.com/alexgasaway #losangeles #homeless #homelessness ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, a living wage or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

America’s homeless crisis seems insurmountable and people are overwhelmed. As homelessness continues to grow in Los Angeles, regular everyday people - who have no professional experience in social work or outreach - are stepping up to help their homeless neighbors. Ktown for All is a model for those who want to take action. This volunteer-led community action group provides direct support to homeless people in Koreatown. They also work to affect policy change to stop the criminalization of homelessness. We featured Ktown for All before [https://youtu.be/t7Ew-RC-n78]. It's encouraging to see community action groups across the United States providing tangible support for homeless people in their own communities. Each group forms out of compassion for their homeless neighbors and a growing frustration that local municipalities are not doing enough to help end homelessness. For more information on Ktown for All visit: http://ktownforall.org Invisible Stories is a mini-doc series that goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages understand, and can’t ignore. Watch more Invisible Stories mini-documentaries on homelessness https://invisiblepeople.tv/invisiblestories Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here https://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. Executive producer: Mark Horvath Producer/editor/cinematographer: Alex Gasaway https://www.youtube.com/alexgasaway #homeless #losangeles #documentary ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, a living wage or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Skid Row may be the most notorious slum area in the United States. Often described as third world poverty in our first world country, Skid Row is the epicenter of the homeless crisis in America. Skid Row is a 50 square block area of downtown Los Angeles with 9,000 people in various states of homelessness. Images of addiction, mental illness, crime, gangs, and streets lined with tents are how most people know Skid Row, but Skid Row is also a vibrant community with beautiful people doing the best they can to survive. While many have tried, few photographers have managed to capture the heartbreak within this vulnerable community. Fewer still have managed to capture the heart. Yet the humble homeless advocate and anonymous street photographer known only as Suitcase Joe has managed to do both. Unlike other photographers, Suitcase Joe likes to spend real, actual quality time with the people he photographs. Suitcase Joe has become part of the Skid Row community itself, and it shows in the candid black and white images he shares with us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/suitcase_joe/ Update on Scrappy: Her health is declining, and she’s not hanging out as much. She’s rejected going into hospice care. Scrappy wants to spend out her days surrounded by her community and where she feels at home and loved. Invisible Stories is a mini-doc series that goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages understand, and can’t ignore. Watch more Invisible Stories mini-documentaries on homelessness https://invisiblepeople.tv/invisiblestories Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here https://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. Executive producer: Mark Horvath Producer/editor/cinematographer: Alex Gasaway https://www.youtube.com/alexgasaway #homeless #losangeles #skidrow ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, a living wage or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Theo Henderson fell into homelessness the way most people do: he wasn't making enough money to afford the rent. At the same time, he also suffered from an illness that put him on a path to the streets. Henderson moved from an apartment in Chinatown to his car, from his car to motels and eventually the sidewalk. A former school teacher who lost his job during the Great Recession, Theo is homeless in Los Angeles, yet he prefers to use the term unhoused. Theo survives by tutoring kids in the park and teaching martial arts. We The Unhoused is a podcast produced and hosted by Theo where he lifts the voices and struggles of unhoused people and advocates in Los Angeles https://soundcloud.com/user-369990655 Invisible Stories is a mini-doc series that goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages understand, and can't ignore. Watch more Invisible Stories mini-documentaries on homelessness https://invisiblepeople.tv/invisiblestories Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here https://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. Executive producer: Mark Horvath Producer/editor/cinematographer: Alex Gasaway https://www.youtube.com/alexgasaway #losangeles #homeless #podcast ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People's website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People's Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath's Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, a living wage or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn't just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don't take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

I first met Connie while producing a VR180 video on an Oakland Tent City Homeless Encampment you can watch here https://youtu.be/ftMifFpUWCQ. Late 2015, a nonprofit that was housing Connie and her kids as them to vacate the apartment there were living in. The owner wanted possession of the property. Because the nonprofit didn't have alternative housing solutions for her family, Connie and her children ended up in a motel at the cost of $100 a day, which they could not afford. The family downgraded to a sleazy motel and then eventually ended up living in Connie's van. Connie asked one of her brothers to take care of her youngest while her older two children went on their own. Connie then bounced from couch to couch. Connie says she met a guy and eventually landed at a tent city in Oakland, California. Connie has applied for subsidized housing just to be turned down so much that depression set in, and she eventually gave up looking. The social services sector does not make it easy for people to get the help they need. Homeless services are probably the only industry that exists even after repeatedly turning people away. For homeless people, seeking help just to be turned away time and time creates learned helplessness. No one wants to be homeless. They just give up. Connie receives $900 a month yet the cheapest studios in Alameda County start at $1,200, and landlords require income to be three times the amount of the rent. Renters have to have good credit. Connie also has a felony, which makes it nearly impossible for her to find employment or a place to live. Connie's children offer to help but Connie doesn't want to put her burden of homelessness onto one of her children. Connie says they worked hard to get where they are and she believes it would not be fair for them to have to help her. I adore Connie, and I ao so very grateful she shared so openly and honestly about the reality of homelessness and what it's like living in a tent encampment. I spent a good amount of time with her over the week. I had no idea she was using drugs. Connie had 13 years sober before relapsing. Connie says she knows better but the real truth about addiction is people abuse drugs to escape pain. People need to understand that homelessness is hard to do sober. Addiction takes away people's willpower. UPDATE from Derrick: Connie was “Crashing” from medical and mental fatigue so she decided to take up an offer of housing from her daughter. Shortly after settling in, Connie’s daughter gave birth to a baby girl. Connie has become a Live-In Grandmother and spends many an hour Crocheting baby clothing and blankets. She still has her medical issues, but being indoors with ACCESS to heat and a real bed, makes things much less stressful these days. Connie is sober because she now has a REASON to stay sober. Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here https://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. #homeless #oakland #tentcity ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

When I first met Jack, he insisted that I see how part of his spine is missing from his back. He lifted his shirt, and I've never seen anything like it. It's hard even to comprehend how he can stand. It was so disturbing, I decided not to show as part of this video. A trailer came off a truck that was doing 45 mph and slammed into Jack while he was walking, Jack is disabled and cannot work, and like so many people, his disability claims keep getting denied. Jack has lived on the streets homeless in Austin, Texas, now for ten years. When I asked Jack for his three wishes, he only had one: that nobody would be homeless. Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here https://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, a living wage or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

After catching his wife cheating with his best friend, Tom packed a bag and left. Tom is now sleeping rough in London. A few days ago, someone stole Tom's bedding, so now he is sleeping rough with no blanket. Tom has been out by Victoria Station, begging for money trying to get enough for a blanket. Tom shares how panhandling for change is belittling. Rough sleeping continues to increase in the United Kingdom. Because of the affordable housing crisis, more individuals and families are ending up homeless and often sleeping rough on the streets. If you live in the UK, please reach out to your local and national politicians and demand that they do something about the growing homeless crisis and the lack of affordable housing. ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, a living wage or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Lucrecia is a cancer survivor and was in the army for four years. Like tens of thousands of homeless Angelenos, she lives homeless in a tent in Los Angeles's Koreatown. Lucrecia had stage 3 lymphoma cancer. She went through both chemo and radiation at the same time. There was little hope of remission, but after seven months of aggressive treatment, Lucrecia is cancer-free. Sadly, because of being tired and missing work, the cancer treatment caused Lucrecia to lose her job. She then moved in with her parents, but because there were too many people in the apartment not on the lease, Lucrecia left her children with her parents and ended up homeless. When Lucrecia became homeless, she also started using meth and quickly became a drug addict. Meth is the perfect drug for homelessness. Going to sleep on the streets is dangerous, and meth will keep a person up all night. Meth gives the energy needed to carry water and walk for miles for food. Because cancer treatment killed Lucrecia's immune system and all of her strength, methamphetamine became her life so she could function on the streets. Lucrecia is now drug-free. She still smokes weed, but pretty much everyone smokes weed anymore. For a cancer survivor, Marijuana has many benefits. Lucrecia is in contact with her parents and plans to go back home soon. Lucrecia is trying to do everything right. After many years on the streets, it's a process of adapting back. Lucrecia shares openly about how the street people you know become family just like any community. She shares about the dangers of homelessness and how one of her closest friends died in his tent. Lucrecia also shares about the growing criminalization of homelessness. Police have harassed her and taken everything she owns several times. Community action groups like Ktown for All [http://ktownforall.org] do the best they can at replacing tents and sleeping bags, but Los Angeles runs over 40 homeless sweeps every day. The scale homeless people are being displaced is massive, and homeless sweeps do nothing to help end homelessness. Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here https://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, a living wage or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Doug is 68 years old. He is a Vietnam era veteran but never saw combat. Doug and his niece were living in an apartment, but the mold was getting him sick. They ended up homeless with their two dogs! I met Doug in Gainesville, Florida. He was taking turns with his niece flying a sign on the side of the road hoping to get enough money to survive. Doug receives a pension from the military. He told me they should be able to get another apartment soon. Tonight it's going down below 30 degrees. Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here https://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, a living wage or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Ron is in the construction field, but he says Pittsburgh does have any work, so he moved to Charlotte, North Carolina, where he ended up on the streets homeless. Ron survives by panhandling. He says people look down on the homeless. When I asked Ron what he would like housed people to know about homelessness, he responded: "don't look down upon us. Think of us as a human being." Ron says the local homeless shelters use the lottery system. If your name is not picked, then you don't get a mat on the floor. Homeless services do not make it easy for people to get out of homelessness. Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here https://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. #homeless #charlotte ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, a living wage or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Deborah is homeless in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. At the time of this interview, she has been sleeping outside for three months. Deborah received a 28 voucher for a homeless shelter. She was to go into housing, but like in most communities, there is never enough housing so the whole system bottlenecks. Deborah is disabled, and apartments wanted more rent than her disability check. The shelter extended Deborah's stay, but then she was exited back to homelessness. If Deborah's story sounds confusing, that's the social services system. The homeless sector does not make it easy for people to get out of homelessness. It's a dead-end referral after dead-end referral. The bureaucracy is maddening. Homeless people often don't have resources like a phone or transportation to navigate the broken system and on top of that, people have to carry all their belonging everywhere they go. The bottom line is Deborah is disabled and cannot work. As taxpayers, we pay huge money for each homeless person that sleeps outside. Housing saves lives and saves taxpayer money - your money. The broken social services system that works against homeless people like Deborah, is expensive. We have to fix the broken homeless services system and we have to create more affordable housing or we'll never end homelessness! Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here https://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, a living wage or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

As a reminder of how deadly homelessness in Canada can be, Toronto Homeless Memorial recently added its 1,000th name. People are dying outside in the freezing cold. There is not enough housing nor are there enough shelter beds for all of the homeless people who need to get inside. It's a very serious crisis. This is the 21st year my friend Jody Steinhauer has put on Project Winter Survival to help homeless people during Toronto, Canada's freezing cold. Jody founded the Canadian charity Engage and Change. Engage and Change is a charity that was created to foster good citizenship and encourage healthy communities by giving back. Engage and Change gives people and companies the opportunities to do hands-on group volunteer projects that assemble and build kits to assist in the alleviation of poverty. These kits are then distributed to the local communities through social service agencies directly to those in need. Here is my video from Project Water Survival https://youtu.be/aDy8V5k4TUs For more information, please click here https://www.engageandchange.org #homeless #toronto #canada ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, a living wage or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

When we met Bobby, he was understandably upset. The day before, park rangers did an aggressive homeless sweep at Los Angeles's Echo Park Lake. Bobby says the park rangers broke his phone, threw his clothes in the mud, and tore up his tent. Bobby has been off and on the streets homeless in Los Angeles for 20 years. Bobby says in all that time he's never experienced anything like the criminalization of homelessness that's growing in Los Angeles County. Los Angeles is spending over $30 million dollars on 40+ homeless sweeps every day. This criminalization of people with nowhere else to go does nothing to end homelessness and is a waste of taxpayer money. As I type this, Los Angele's Parks and Recreation will begin the first phase of a mass eviction at Echo Park Lake of over 60 homeless people. Homeless sweeps in Los Angeles and elsewhere must stop. Please support Street Watch Los Angeles as they advocate for our homeless friends https://streetwatchla.com. Ktown for All is another community action group working to fight the criminalization of homelessness in Los Angeles http://ktownforall.org. Bobby wants to find a lawyer to take legal action. Chances of a local lawyer taking the case are not good. Ktown for All currently is suing the city trying to stop Los Angeles's homeless sweeps. On a national level, the National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty https://nlchp.org/ works to fight criminalization and anti-poverty laws around the United States. #homeless #losangeles #echoparklake ========================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, a living wage or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Here is Jennifer's PayPal if you'd like to help https://www.paypal.me/freilichjennifer Jennifer lives in a tent in the San Fernando Valley, an urbanized area of Los Angeles County. She is one of many homeless people being displaced with no place to go on a daily basis in Los Angeles and other communities criminalizing homelessness. Jennifer shatters all the stereotypes surrounding homelessness. She is sober and does not use drugs. Jennifer is a single mom. She worked two jobs. Jennifer lost both jobs within three months while rent kept going up and up. Jennifer tries to stay positive. She says every day is good. If the weather is too hot, Jennifer sleeps during the day and then works around her camp at night. She says it's important to keep her area clean just like you would an apartment. It's just a lot harder with you're homeless, and everything is dirt. Many homeless people stay up at night for safety reasons too. Jennifer is politically active working to get other homeless people to vote. With close to 60,000 homeless people in Los Angeles County, collectively that's a very powerful voice. Because homeless people are focused on daily survival, voting or being politically active takes a back seat. To be honest, many homeless people feel powerless. Even service providers rarely listen to homeless people so many homeless feel what's the point of voting. This is where you can help. Invisible People wrote a post about helping to register homeless people to vote here https://invisiblepeople.tv/advocate-for-homeless-neighbors-through-voter-registration/ and equally important, we need you to speak up for homeless people by contacting your state and federal legislators demanding they work to end homelessness in your community https://invisiblepeople.tv/get-involved/ This is the eviction notice posted around the Sepulveda Basin area where Jennifer and several hundred homeless people live. They have nowhere else to go. This criminalization of homelessness and displacement of homeless people is not just cruel, it does nothing to help end homelessness and is a waste of taxpayer money https://www.youtube.com/post/UgwH7WRGwL-7MHXbrud4AaABCQ. Invisible People endorses the Services Not Sweeps campaign in Los Angeles. For more information, please click here: https://servicesnotsweeps.com/ ================================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, a living wage or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom. #homeless #losangeles #homelesswoman

Mary Howe is the executive director of the Homeless Youth Alliance, located in the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood of San Francisco. On my last trip to San Francisco, a multiple friend of ours, Bevan Dufty, started sending me texts that I have to meet Mary because she is amazing, and the homeless services nonprofit she runs is also homeless. If you know Bevan, he can be rather persuading, so off I went to meet Mary, and I am glad I did. Homeless Youth Alliance is a nonprofit working with homeless youth that just happens to be homeless themselves. Homeless Youth Alliance had a drop-in center for 14 years, but a few years back, they lost their lease and still have not been able to find a suitable new location. While most nonprofits would just shut down, losing their offices and drop-in center didn't stop Mary and her team even for one day. The Haight-Ashbury neighborhood of San Francisco is the birthplace of the 1960s counterculture movement attracting all kinds of colorful people. It is a mecca for homeless youth and homeless youth travelers. The public often sees homeless youth as rebellious kids, but the truth is many are throwaways never even reported missing by their families. The young adults find community with other homeless youth travelers. Mary shares how homeless youth will always travel to the Haight, looking for something better than where they are leaving. She continues saying, is it really a choice when a homeless youth decides to leave home full of abuse and neglect to be on the streets. Yes, it's a choice, but they are being forced to make that choice. Mary shares that there is no way to get away from the history of what the 60s was in the Haight-Ashbury and that there will always be community and acceptance. While that is true, the criminalization of homelessness and poverty is really harsh. The amount of trauma, violence, and policing the youth are subjected to daily is huge. There is no research on how many homeless youth travelers become homeless adults, but I assume the percentage is extremely high. It's great that the homeless sector now focuses on prevention to stop chronic homelessness, and I believe strongly the getting kids of the streets as quickly as possible will also reduce the increase in chronic homelessness. Mary talks about the systemic issues of how our government created homelessness. Mary believes, and I agree that until we see changes at the federal level that caused the homelessness we see today, there will be little change on the streets. You can watch an interview I did with Paul Boden for more on the topic https://youtu.be/6Y3M-GaR84s "We, as individuals, have to be informed and have to vote and have to fight and have a revolution to change things. We also have to do the work ourselves. We have to acknowledge people. If you don't have money to give, that doesn't matter because you have time. You have time to acknowledge someone. You have time to learn someone's name. The person sleeping outside your house is your neighbor. They have a name, and they have a story. There is something profound that happens when someone is acknowledged and seen, can really change their self-esteem" ~ Mary Howe Please help support the Homeless Youth Alliance's important work https://www.homelessyouthalliance.org ================================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

This is Invisible People's 1,000th video uploaded to YouTube. Almost 900 of our videos are first-person interviews of homeless people sharing the realities of homelessness unfiltered and unedited. Invisible People is a pioneer in innovative storytelling, and social media use to educate the public on homelessness, and it's all made possible by supporters just like you. I take this milestone very serious. It's the end of 2019. It's the end of this decade. Invisible People has continued to make history since our beginning in 2008. Although we have been around for eleven years, 2020, and beyond Invisible People will grow to reach more people and have more impact in helping to end homelessness. When I started Invisible People, I could not edit video. The laptop I had didn't have a hard drive fast enough for video editing. Being a television producer by trade, I almost didn't do this. To me, a video has to have broll, music, and graphics. No one just uploads a video without editing it, but the raw and unedited videos uploaded to Invisible People was the magic that connected to people. For the last week, I wrestled with the production of this video. I guess the TV producer is still strong in me. I started writing a script. I started gathering old photos. Then my friend Chis Brogan responded to a tweet with these three words, "just press record," which is how Invisible People began, so I did just that. I pressed record and started talking. I didn't plan on going on for an hour, but you are all family now, and once I started talking, I kept going. In this video, I share about the very early days of Invisible People. How I got the idea from a coffee table book in my boss's office. How he laid me off shortly after, and then I had the time. I share about working temp jobs at the Los Angeles Winter Shelter and how that changed me. I talk about my very first trip to Sacramento's tent cities after Oprah highlighted them on her show, and it turned into a mess. That trip then led to a tech startup bringing me up to Seattle to talk to their developers, which led to meeting Chris Pirillo, who bought me my first iPhone with the ability to record video. Chris then asked me to speak at Gnomedex, and that's where I met Chris Brogan, Jeff Pulver, Liz Strauss, and so many of you that helped Invisible People grow to fight homelessness. Thanks to all of you that support us on Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople] or via or website [https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate] and generous donations from Craig Newmark Philanthropies and Hanesbrands Inc, this year Invisible People was able to launch a brand refresh and a new impact and engagement strategy. We now have a place for people to learn about homelessness, we post original news stories daily from both housed and homeless writers, and we launched a campaign for you to be able to contact your state and federal legislators. In 2018, we reached over a billion people. So far this year, we reached over 1.3 billion people, up 300 million from last year. That number doesn't include the close to 30 million yearly views on YouTube. I also share in this video how you can help to end homelessness. 1) educate yourself and those around you 2) support local homeless services that are working to end homelessness, not just maintain it 3) advocate for more affordable housing, more support shelters, more housing, more shelters, and more support for addiction and mental health. Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here https://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. ================================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change, and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

I often find it hard to title Invisible People videos. Jerry is a homeless veteran on the streets of Denver. He shares about the actual realities of life on the streets. Jerry has also been ticketed three times by the city of Denver for "urban camping." Denver, like many cities in America, continues to pass laws that criminalize homeless people for the crime of not being able to afford rent. Jerry is a Marine veteran. He says, "I fought for these rights. I fought to be able to choose how I want to live my life if I don't want to go to a shelter." Jerry goes on to explain how shelters are either full or horrible places, so he'd rather pitch a tent. Criminalizing homelessness and giving tickets to people who have no other choice but to pitch a tent and sleep outside makes zero sense. Criminalization does nothing to end homelessness and is a complete waste of taxpayer money. I met Jerry in the offices of Denver Homeless Out Loud [https://denverhomelessoutloud.org], a local advocacy group fighting for the rights of our homeless neighbors. This year, Denver Homeless Out Loud made the impossible happen by contesting Denver's urban campaign ban by getting Initiative 300 on the ballot. Initiative 300 was defeated because of the well-funded opposition, so it remains illegal for people to shelter themselves in public. Another issue is when a homeless person enters the criminal justice system, it makes it even harder for them to find employment. Without a shower, a place to sleep, or transpiration, homelessness is hard enough to get an employer to hire you. Adding a criminal record makes it impossible. Here is the link to the post we talked about in the video: How One Citation Can Ruin A Homeless Person’s Life Forever https://invisiblepeople.tv/how-one-citation-can-ruin-a-homeless-persons-life-forever/ Homeless people in Denver asked the city for porta-potties and trash pickup, which also help the public too. Instead, the mayor of Denver responded with aggressive homeless sweeps. Cities frequently will sweep a homeless encampment and move on. According to Jerry and Denver Out Loud, Denver sweeps an area continually over 24 hours making it impossible for homeless people to return. Because there is no place for homeless people to go, this type of aggressive criminalization just displaces people and does nothing to help solve the homeless crisis. Because of the affordable housing crisis, homelessness continues to grow. More people, even with full-time jobs, have trouble paying rent. Unless we all take action, this crisis will continue to get worse. Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here https://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. ================================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv About Invisible People We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

As I walked into a homeless camp in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles, Mark had kind of surprised and happy look as he said, "Hey, I know you. I watch your show." Mark went on to thank me for Invisible People's important work. Today was the first time I was recognized at a homeless encampment, and I have to admit, I got a little emotional. The highest level of praise that means the most is what homeless people think of Invisible People. Homeless people are the true experts. I spend almost every waking hour working to help homeless people in some way. Their opinion means the world to me. Mark, when you read this - THANK YOU! Mark lost his business in 2008 and shortly after that, he lost his home and everything else of value. Mark says he put everything into his business but a few contractors didn't pay while the debts piled up. The business was forced into bankruptcy. Mark was then out on the streets scared to death. There is no manual for homelessness. One day you have a safe place to sleep and the next you have no idea where you are going to find food and shelter. You're homeless! Mark worked for 42 years and now can't get a job anywhere. Mark says he cannot get anyone that owns a company to even talk to him. Searching for employment is all automated and computerized. Mark tries but he never gets a call back for an interview. Mark says that's how it's been for the last 10 years and now he's at an age where he cannot do the work anymore. Mark says there are lots of places that promise help but only a few nonprofits that actually do provide help. Mark ran into Eric Montoya who heads outreach for LA Family Housing [https://lafh.org]. Thanks to Eric's continued dedication to helping our homeless neighbors and support from LA Family Housing, Mark now has a housing voucher. What that means is soon, he will no longer be homeless. When they need money, Mark makes a cardboard sign and stands on the freeway exit asking people for money. Mark says it's humbling and embarrassing but he doesn't know what else to do. When I asked Mark about the police taking his stuff, he responded, "they only took stuff that I really need". Mark says he believes in the police but it's as if they have a personal vendetta against homeless people. Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here https://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. ================================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, a living wage or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

The last time I was with Rockey, she gave me a tour of her tent where she lived homeless in Los Angeles. You may remember Rockey showed us the door she made for security. You can watch that video here: https://youtu.be/aJgCU-evt8c I first met Rockey on the set of a virtual reality film Oculus is partnering with Rose Troche and Invisible People to produce. The story is Rockey's story, and she played herself in the film. You can watch that video here: https://youtu.be/2G3oeDj9QGw Today I went and visited Rockey in her apartment. That's right, thanks to LA Family Housing Rockey is no longer homeless! It was so great seeing Rockey today and checking out her apartment. I didn't have my main camera with me simply because I don't video everything I do. Cameras change things and this didn't seem like a video moment. Arien requested we record a video to update her story so that's why I had my good camera. When Rockey started showing me all the amazing things she makes I pulled out my smartphone to shoot this little video. I have to be honest, this video doesn't even begin to show all the cool stuff Rockey builds. She is a born maker and is truly gifted at decorating and interior design. Huge thanks to Invisible People supporters who helped get Rockey a bedroom set, a refrigerator, and a few other things to make her apartment a home. When I learned she was sleeping on the floor and had no way to keep food from spoiling, you all stepping up to help. Thank you! To clarify, nonprofits like LA Family Housing would furnish each apartment if they could. They do the impossible by covering rent. The issue is funders either do not fund furniture or put restrictions on their funds. Making apartments a home is a great opportunity for faith-based and community groups. I wish more would step up to coordinate with service providers to help. When Rockey kissed me on the cheek it was unexpected and I forgot to say how important permanent supportive housing is to ending homelessness and saving taxpayer money! Homeless shelters are needed as part of a community-wide system to get people off the streets but there always must be a path out of the shelter to housing! Housing ends homelessness, it saves lives, and it saves taxpayer money - your money! Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here https://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. ================================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, a living wage or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Arien joined me today as I walked around Hollywood handing out socks to new homeless friends. While we were talking to a group of homeless men in a tent, a man drives by and slows down after recognizing Arien from YouTube. Arien has recorded four Invisible People videos while living homeless on the streets of Los Angeles. Four videos of the same homeless person over a few years' time is a benchmark I never imagined we'd hit. It also shows how broken homeless services are. If Los Angeles County could not get this young woman off the streets in three years' time something is seriously wrong. Here is a playlist of Arien's four videos: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL51CPD51hq2SoscnV5Gdj7Hi_3mbN_-lm Around nine months ago, I scheduled a fifth video with Arien but she canceled. The night before Arien was sexually assaulted and understandably didn't want to record an interview. I am so glad and excited to share that Arien's fifth Invisible People video is to announce that she is no longer homeless. When I heard Arien was off the streets and working I messaged her right away. She confirmed what I heard was true and even suggested we record an update video. Arien is an amazing young woman with a bright future who is very lucky. Someone allowed Arien to stay at their apartment long enough for her to find a job and a place to stay that is more stable. I cannot stress how important this is. Without help, people cannot go from homelessness to employment and housing. Many people think that all homeless people need is to get a job but without a safe place to sleep, food, a shower, and some stability it's impossible to get a job or remain employed. Lots of horrible things can happen to a homeless person in a very short amount of time. Arien made it because someone gave her a chance. I understand we all can't just open our doors to a homeless person but all of us can speak up to help create more affordable housing and fix a broken homeless services system. Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here https://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. ================================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, a living wage or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Yesterday it was raining in Los Angeles. Although he lives in a tent homeless, Todd says he loves the rain. He is originally from Seattle, which explains his fondness for damp weather. Todd has been homeless in Los Angeles for six years. Todd has multiple sclerosis (MS) and is in a wheelchair. Todd once lived in a retirement home, but he says it's not the best environment. Todd says because he is not going to beat MS, he's going to embrace it. Todd has decided to live his life instead of being in a board and care. Todd had a place in Silver Lake then he was diagnosed with MS, and there was a problem with his social security benefits which is how he first ended up homeless. His mom passed away and left him a small trust fund but one of his brothers has held up the money. One of the most frequent questions I receive is people asking where is the homeless person's family to help. I will often respond by asking "how was your last Thanksgiving, drama free?" Truth is, relationships are often difficult. Either there is some kind of conflict or often family members are struggling themselves. Todd shares that people are scared of homeless people. That they drive by seeing tents and say to themselves they'll never be like that. That they'll never be homeless. Todd continues "guess what, you wake up with MS and the next thing you know you're living in a tent". The day before this area was swept by Los Angeles Sheriffs and sanitation workers. I talked to a few homeless people and all said the sweeps were aggressive. One man shared how they took his cellphone and all of his belongings, which sadly is very common. Los Angeles continues to spend millions of dollars on 40 sweeps a day. These sweeps do nothing to end homelessness, they destroy people's lives by displacing them with nowhere to go, and they are a waste of taxpayer's money! Invisible People supports Services Not Sweeps, an LA-based coalition made up of over 35 community organizations demanding that Los Angeles Police stop the aggressive criminalization of unhoused people. Click here for more information: https://servicesnotsweeps.com NO ONE should be homeless in this great country of ours and no one disabled in a wheelchair should be living in a tent. ALL OF US need to speak up for our homeless neighbors. Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here https://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. #homeless #losangeles #echoparklake ================================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, a living wage or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

A few years back, Jennifer woke up in pain. She immediately went to the hospital. Jennifer was diagnosed with Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) disease. LAM disease is extremely rare occurs almost exclusively in women. Because of cancer caused by LAM disease, Jennifer lost a kidney. Jennifer cannot work. She has been applying for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits since 2017 but keeps on getting denied. Jennifer says that since she's been on the streets homeless in Austin, Texas, she has been raped three times. Homelessness is hell for everyone but homeless women and youth have an extreme risk of sexual violence. Jennifer continues that shelters are unsafe because belongings get stolen or there is a risk of more violence. Jennifer has been waiting two years for housing. Although she is disabled, there is not enough housing for all the people who need it. Jennifer says her legs are swollen to where it hurts to walk but she has to keep moving. Homeless people can be fined or arrested just for being in one place too long. Jennifer saw me interviewing Cheech [https://youtu.be/O1E5b2jncCI] and approached me to request that I help her tell her story. Both interviews messaged me up and reinforced the importance of Invisible People's work. Jennifer should not be on the streets homeless but like many others who are also disabled yet cannot get benefits, they do what they can to survive on the streets. For me, I believe we must help people get out of homelessness because it's the right thing to do but housing people also saves taxpayer money. Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here https://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. ================================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, a living wage or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom. #homeless #homelesswoman #austin

Each year, as many as 3.5 MILLION AMERICANS sleep in shelters, transitional housing, and public places not meant for human habitation. As a result of the affordable housing crisis, the number of people experiencing homelessness in both rural and urban communities is increasing at an alarming rate. Rents have gone up 75% in the last five years while wages have remained stagnant. The truth is, the homeless sector is housing more people than ever before, but more people are entering into homelessness for the first time than service providers can help. Reports estimate that 7.4 MILLION PEOPLE HAVE LOST THEIR HOMES and are living with family or friends due to economic necessity. Of these "invisible people," 1.3 million are children under six years old. As our homeless crisis grows at epidemic proportions, so does community resistance to solutions that will save lives and save taxpayer money. Opposition against the creation of new supportive housing units or bridge housing is often fueled by negative perceptions of homelessness and homeless people. These negative perceptions have been reinforced for decades. Town halls turn into shouting matches. Legal battles are funded by communities to stop progress to ending homelessness. Community boards like Nextdoor are filled with nasty comments from angry neighbors. The use of hostile architecture is increasing. Violence against homeless people is increasing. A recent report found that NIMBYism is one of the two most significant barriers to building more affordable housing. THE PUBLIC'S INABILITY TO RELATE TO HOMELESSNESS IS OUR BIGGEST OBSTACLE TO ENDING IT. There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, a living wage or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn't just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don't take action now. ================================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People's website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People's Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath's Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Debo and I first met as we were crossing the street in downtown Miami. I didn't know he was homeless and he didn't know about Invisible People. Debo stopped me and asked, "I hope you're not offended but you remind me of Colonel Sanders." I laughed and said I wish I had a secret chicken recipe that could make millions. We both laughed. Debo says there are all kinds of stuff that can lead a person into homelessness and that no one is ever safe from falling into a life on the streets. Debo has been on the streets homeless in Miami for eight years. Both he and his wife don't smoke, drink or do drugs. The alley where they keep their tent, they keep clean. His wife is a former school teacher. She has been homeless for five years! Debo and his wife have a strong faith in God. They believe God will provide all of their needs. Debo is super friendly. He tries his best to help other homeless people living in downtown Miami. Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here https://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. ================================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, a living wage or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom. #homeless #homelessman #miami

Only moments after walking into Ithaca's infamous homeless camp known as The Jungle, we learned of a homeless woman who had severe burns from trying to put out a fire the night before. When she came out of the shack they were living in, you could see how the fire burned through the layers of clothes she was wearing on her arm and leg. The woman is screaming in pain. Luckily, Deb and Carmen were there to help. There was also an outreach worker from the Department of Social Services, but he didn't have a vehicle. Deb took the young woman to the emergency room where she was treated and later released. This all might seem a little odd to ordinary folks, but Carmen and Deb are not typical. They are not social workers. They are not even volunteers. They are simply concerned citizens doing what they can to help their homeless neighbors. Deb's husband is a dentist. The original plan to start the day was Deb was going to outreach with us and then drive a few of their homeless and formerly homeless friends to get dental work done. Compassion to help people is deep-rooted in both Carmen's and Deb's families! Others are part of the Ithaca Homeless Crisis Community Group [https://www.facebook.com/groups/869415259888079/] doing what they can to help the homeless people living in shacks and tents. Still, there are not enough people and not close enough resources to support all the people who need help. Ithaca is a rural community in Upstate New York. Although the cost of housing is high, the funding for social services you'd see in a larger city is not available. There literally is no place for all of the homeless people to go to get the help they need. Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here https://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. Here is the video I made of my last winter tour of Ithaca's Jungle https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZjoHWARvjU Please support Second Wind Cottages https://www.secondwindcottages.org ================================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, a living wage or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Dennis is on the streets homeless in Charlotte, North Carolina, fighting to stay sober. Dennis was just exited from a recovery rehab center after 36 days. 36 days is not enough time for an alcoholic or drug addict to get sober. The typical stay in an addiction treatment center is 28 days, although most alcoholics or addicts need 90 days to a year to get enough sobriety to stay sober. The reason for the short stay is money yet taxpayers and insurance companies actually end up paying more due to homeless people relapsing. Many rehabs become a revolving door. Added to this, after a person gets sober, they are excited back to homelessness, where it's nearly impossible to stay sober. Many people these days believe falsely that homelessness is 100% caused by mental illness and addiction, and that the lack of affordable housing is a hoax. They believe that to end homelessness, we need more recovery centers. Yet, the real truth is that without housing after a person exits addiction or mental health treatment, they are still homeless. On the day of this interview, Dennis turned 65. He says shelters and places that provide housing won't accept him because of his age. Dennis is going to fight to stay sober, living homeless in Charlotte. Dennis says he does not have family or anyone to help with support. Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here https://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. ================================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, a living wage or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Russ's original homeless in Ottawa video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1aH2N-Az6DE I am in Edmonton volunteering at the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness conference. It's probably the best conference in the homeless sector in North America. One of the many reasons I love CAEH is how they engage and integrate homeless people and formerly homeless people into their event. This year, they brought in 150 people with lived and living expertise on homelessness. I was hanging out in the lived experience lounge that CAEH provides for homeless and formerly people to network and as a safe place to get out of the madness of the conference, which may be a traumatic experience for someone not used to large crowds. In walks Russ with his friend Chris. I immediately recognized Russ. Back in 2013 or 2014, I interviewed Russ when he was homeless on the streets of Ottawa (the video wasn't uploaded until 2014 but I believe I interviewed Russ much earlier). Russ's story shows that housing ends homelessness. While he was in a shelter, Russ was not able to look for work. Once he got into transitional housing and then his own place, Russ was able to get a job. Russ is living proof that housing first works. The number one request I get is y'all want updates. Right now, our travel is dependent on of 3rd parties bringing me in for speaking or consulting. I am kind of in awe that just a few weeks ago, I was able to upload an update on Brenda [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cy8mtI0BkqE] and now an update on Russ. I do hope to someday be more intentional with our storytelling so we can provide more updates whenever possible. ================================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, a living wage or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

I've visited Edmonton before, but today was the first time I walked around downtown in Canada's freezing cold weather. I was shocked not just to see a lot of homelessness, but that homeless people were literally sleeping on cardboard and then covering themselves with tarps. Perissa has slept outside homeless for over three years. She has been on a housing list for even longer. Like many communities do anymore, Perissa says the police keep moving homeless people around, yet they provide nowhere for them to go. Perissa told me she does not believe she'll be able to survive another winter outside. ================================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People's website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People's Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath's Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, a living wage or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn't just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don't take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom. #homeless #Edmonton #homelesswoman

When most people think of homelessness, they envision a homeless person covered in dirty flying a cardboard sign begging for money. The image of a chronic homeless person has been reinforced for decades by media and even nonprofit fundraising materials. The real truth is most homeless people do not look like the stereotypical homeless person. When I was an outreach case manager in Los Angeles, I would say probably 85% of our clients you'd never know they were without a home unless they told you. When Michael told me he has been homeless in Austin, Texas, for 34 years, I was shocked. As I said, most homeless people do not look homeless; however, the longer a person lives on the streets, the worse their physical and mental condition gets. Homelessness is horrible. Fighting to survive every day takes its toll. Michael says his homelessness was a result of a bad marriage. He continued, "after a broken heart, I hit the streets." Michael has been addicted to everything, and he has quit everything. I have to say living on the streets for 34 years and not having a severe addiction problem is a miracle. I have tremendous respect for Michael. Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here https://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. ================================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, a living wage or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

When Richard shows me the tattoo on his knuckles, he starts to get emotional. The tattoo reads "Hold Fast" and is a tribute to his best friend Dave "Whiskey" Walker who was killed by a grenade that also wounded Richard. Like many veterans, Richard suffers from PTSD. Seven months ago, Richard had a massive nervous breakdown that within six weeks his whole life spiraled out of control. Richard is now sleeping rough in Central London begging for change to survive. Richard says he feels invisible. If people don't look at him, then homelessness in their mind doesn't exist. Richard says poverty is growing in the United Kingdom and the public is numb to it. People don't feel any empathy towards rough sleepers. ================================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People's website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People's Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath's Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, a living wage or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn't just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don't take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Lavane was married in an abusive relationship for ten years. The last time the domestic violence was so bad Lavane was hospitalized. Upon release, Lavane went home, grabbed her dog, and has been homeless sleeping rough in Central London ever since. Please know that Lavane is safe from her partner. As a rule, we never post interviews with domestic violence victims unless the person is safe. Sadly, although Lavane is not at risk of further abuse from her partner, she is still sleeping rough. Rough sleepers face all kinds of danger every day, and it's especially hard for elderly and women sleeping rough. Lavane's dog is her life. Lavane says she would never be able to survive homelessness if it wasn't for her dog. Sadly, the London hostels (UK term for homeless shelters) that allow pets are all full. Like many homeless people, Lavane would rather sleep outside than separate from her dog. While recording this interview, a woman came up to Lavane, scolding her for having a dog outside. The woman was obviously more concerned about the animal's wellbeing than Lavane being homeless. I love animals and currently take care of my mother's dog, but I don't think I will ever understand how some people care more for pets than humans. And if you're one of the people who care more for a dog than a homeless person, then let's get both inside. Housing ends homelessness for both people and their pets. Lavane survives by food and soup runs in Central London and begging for money. She says some regulars come and bring her blankets and dog food. There's lots of controversy over public feedings. Many homeless service providers are against homeless people getting food and sleeping bags, saying the charity enables them to be homeless, but the real truth is people need to survive. Since there are not enough shelter beds, housing, or support services, we cannot just leave people to die outside. ================================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, a living wage or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

John has lived on the streets of Austin homeless for close to four years. He tries to do things differently by keeping to himself and staying away from common areas. John spent most of his life locked up in prison. John shared that he has spent more time in prison than he has spent on the streets. Before you judge John, whatever he did, he has done his time and has been released. Our criminal justice system does almost nothing to help ex-convicts get back into society. Many end up on the streets homeless, and as taxpayers, you pay for their homelessness. John suffers from mental illness and other health issues. He says he is working with good case managers and is on a list to be housed soon. John believes that how people are selected for housing is obsolete and needs to be redone. His basis for this is the fact that homeless people can be on a housing list for years and never get into housing. John is a smart man. John went on to give more suggestions on homeless services and case management. He believes and I agree that some people need help transitioning from a life of prison and then homelessness into housing. At the end, John invited me to visit his new apartment when he gets housing. Just so happens I will be in Austin for SXSW early next year and hope to visit John in his castle! Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here https://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. ================================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, a living wage or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Andrew is homeless in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. When I offered him socks, Andrew showed me that he needed new shoes. He was hiking the Appalachian Trail, and his shoes wore out. Nine months ago, Andrew's son died. He set out to hike the Appalachian Trail because it's something he has always wanted to do and to find himself again. Andrew says the military taught him how to take care of himself, but the Appalachian Trail taught him about being more self-sufficient. Andrew says that Harrisburg, like many communities, is lacking in resources to help homeless people get out of homelessness. Also, like in many communities, Andrew says there is plenty of food. There is food insecurity in the United States but homeless people in urban areas are often overfed. After this interview, I went and bought Andrew's new shoes. I share on social media that I do this type of charity, not for me, but to inspire others to do the same. The homeless sector now has conference sessions on how to engage with people who have lived experience of homelessness when it's really as easy as 1) see people 2) listen to their stories 3) be present 4) if they share a need and you can help, DO IT 5) repeat often. =========================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People's website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People's Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath's Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, a living wage or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn't just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don't take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

The number one request you all ask for is updates on the homeless people we interview. Because our travel is mostly dependent on 3rd parties it's challenging to get updates but whenever possible we try to make them happen. As we grow, we do hope to be able to provide more updates whenever possible. I first met Brenda when she was sleeping on cardboard homeless on the streets of New York City. You can watch that video here: https://youtu.be/zs1MlOjUWWs What's interesting is in her original video, I didn't understand everything Brenda was saying but now it all makes perfect sense. Many years ago, Brenda used to work at the Hershey chocolate factory in Pennsylvania. She knows of the area including an independent living facility for seniors. Brenda was homeless in San Diego. Brenda should have been receiving disability from Social Security but as she got older and closer to Social Security age, she traveled to Pennsylvania to apply for an independent living apartment. While waiting, Brenda decided to live on the streets of Manhattan. The moment she got Social Security income she housed herself. Truly remarkable. Also remarkable, a mother sent me an email about visiting NYC with her daughter when her daughter recognized Brenda from watching Invisible People. The family befriended Brenda including buying a bed for Brenda's new apartment. You can read that email here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/powerful-email-i-21576713 Brenda is one of a few homeless people who engaged with people in the comments of her Invisible People video. Over the course of a year, Brenda would leave updates about her situation and how she was going. I noticed some butterflies on the wall and Brenda informed me that someone from this YouTube channel sent her some stuff. You can tell by the sound of the room, Brenda does not have much. She has a bed, a few chairs, a small table, and a plant. Social Security does not provide much after rent is paid. Invisible People will be donating to Brenda a special gift to help her with her book but she needs things for her apartment too. If you're like to help, here is a link to her GoFundMe https://www.gofundme.com/f/8-years-homeless-due-topersonal-injury-to-apt-in ================================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People's website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People's Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath's Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, a living wage or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn't just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don't take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Cheech relocated to Austin to try and jumpstart his career as a chef. Because he was homeless with mental and physical disabilities, he wasn't able to maintain employment. Cheech has homeless in Austin, Texas now for four years. I honestly could sit and listen to Cheech all day long. He is brilliant and very knowledgeable about homelessness and the social services system. Because of his disability, Cheech is getting Social Security; however, that is not enough to pay for rent. When I asked him about qualifying for housing, he responded that a lot of people are getting housing, but there are still a lot of people that have been homeless for years not getting housed. During my stay in Austin, I met one man who was outside for 34 years and several others homeless for 20 years and 10 years. In many cities, homeless services are doing better than they ever have but because of the affordable housing crisis, more people are entering into homelessness than they are able to get out of homelessness. Cheech shared something that is so profound that it blew me away. He went on to forecast how a rich man, a cop, and a minimum wage worker would be treated by other homeless people when they ended up on the streets. Cheech's prophesy I believe is spot on. What do you think? Let us know in the comments. Cheech is very knowledgable on homelessness in Austin. He shares about attending city council meetings and the growing criminalization of homelessness. Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here [https://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved] to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. ================================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People's website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People's Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath's Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, a living wage or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn't just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don't take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom. #homeless #homelessman #austin

Antony's mother has cancer. He was helping to take care of her in San Antonio but his mother's boyfriend is abusive. Anthony could not take it anymore. He says homeless on the streets of Austin, Texas is better than another day of an abusive relationship. The first night Anthony stayed in a homeless shelter, someone stole all of his vital documents including his birth certificate and ID. He is in the process of getting a new birth certificate but it takes time. Without identification, Anthony cannot find work. Lost ID is a major challenge for many homeless people. Anthony says because it's a homeless shelter that you have to be grateful but it's really hard to get inside. Because of a lack of beds, Anthony informed me that homeless shelters in Austin run off a lottery system. Although shelter operators probably have the best intentions, a lottery for a place to sleep at night adds even more stress to homeless people who suffer from the trauma of homelessness all day long. The solution is more shelters, more housing, and more support services but the public and political will have to make that happen! Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here [https://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved] to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. ================================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People's website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People's Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath's Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, a living wage or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn't just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don't take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Tanya is homeless in Oakland, California. She is two months pregnant. Tanya shares the reality of life on the streets. Sometimes she goes without food and water. The city has taken the tent away she sleeps in and all of her stuff. Tanya says she ended up homeless because of bad decisions. If homelessness was a punishment for bad decisions, we would all be homeless because each and every one of us has made bad decisions. The difference is, we all had a social safety net of people to help us. No one should be homeless. We must advocate for Tanya and the tens of thousands of other homeless people sleeping outside tonight. Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here [https://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved] to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. ================================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People's website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People's Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath's Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, a living wage or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn't just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don't take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

On the streets, he goes by the name of Grim. It's what people call him. Grim has grown to like the name since the streets are all he has ever known. When I asked Grim how long has he lived homeless in San Jose, he responded: "20 years, I am 29." Grim went on to explain that at the age of 9 he was removed from his family by child protective services. Grim was placed into foster care but he didn't like it and ran away. The streets have been Grim's family since. Can you imagine growing up homeless from such a young age! Grim's story is important because the public needs to see the story behind addiction, mental illness, and homelessness. Grim is a byproduct of a broken social services and foster care system. Some may see a drug addict but I hope you see the young child that never had a chance to grow up. Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here [https://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved] to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. ================================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People's website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People's Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath's Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, a living wage or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn't just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don't take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom. #homeless #homelessman #sanjose

Being Hardly Normal: How the Lizard Man of Hollywood Boulevard became the Sock Man of Social Change https://unbound.com/books/hardly-normal/ By Derek Humphries and Mark Horvath In this video, I share about a secret project https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SiDBU91Mo44 and I have been teasing a secret project. My friend Derek and I are writing a book. Well, he's doing the writing and I am just talking to honest. Today we launch the crowdfunding phase of the book. This is the true story of Mark Horvath, a TV exec who became a heroin addict; a homeless man who became a social change agent; a humanitarian who pioneered digital storytelling in a mission to bring to the world the voices of invisible people. ================================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, a living wage or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Derrick is a survivor. After losing millions of dollars in the Great Recession of 2008, Derrick's life then snowballed to living in a tent homeless in Oakland, California. Over time, other homeless people started camping around Derrick, and a small homeless encampment grew into a tent city. I featured the tent community here: https://youtu.be/ftMifFpUWCQ Derrick is running for mayor. You can learn more and support his campaign here: https://www.facebook.com/Derrick-Soo-for-City-of-Oakland-Mayor-2022-975183006011778/ ================================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, a living wage or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom. #homeless #tentcity #oakland

Cynthia says she never planned on being homeless. No one does. Cynthia first went through a drug phase. She ended up homeless and started sleeping on the sidewalk, in abandoned cars, behind buildings, at bus stops, or anyplace she should find. Cynthia has been homeless for nine years. She now lives in a homeless encampment in Oakland, California. We featured the tent city in a VR180 video you can watch here: https://youtu.be/ftMifFpUWCQ Cynthia feels safe in the homeless community. She receives $328 a month from government assistance. She supplements that by doing odd jobs and panhandling. The money Cynthia receives is barely enough to survive much less pay for an apartment. Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here [https://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved] to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. ================================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, a living wage or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

This VR180 video is best viewed in a virtual reality headset such as an Oculus Go or Google Cardboard for a 3D immersive experience. This video will play on a mobile device or desktop, and you can move your phone or mouse around to see more than you would on a regular video. Derrick Soo worked as a government contractor with over three million dollars in the bank when the recession hit and he lost everything. Derrick's life then snowballed to living in a tent homeless in Oakland, California. What started as just a small tent encampment grew to a much larger tent city where homeless people found support and community. Oakland took notice that Derrick and other homeless residents cleaned up the area. The city started to provide trash pickup and Porta Potty portable toilets. In this video, Derrick gives us a walking tour where you'll meet a few of the homeless people living in the tent city. For more information on the homeless here is the post on Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/city-sanctioned-homeless-camp/ Even though tent cities provide some basic support and are better than just being outside, homeless encampments should not even exist. We need your help to advocate for more support services and more affordable housing. Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here [https://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved] to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. ============================= Producer: Mark Horvath Producers/Editors: CreatorUp! & Jordan Mann Associate Producer: Peter Jung Spatial Sound Design: Noctvrnal Camera: Kevin Kunze Recorded on: Insta360 EVO Very special thanks to Matthew Celia Special thanks to YouTube and VRScout for inviting Invisible People to be a part of the VR Creator Lab. #homeless #oakland #VR180 ============================= Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People's website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People's Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath's Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn't just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Grab your virtual reality headset to watch this VR180 video tour of one of San Francisco's Navigation Centers for homeless people. This video will play on a mobile device or desktop, and you can move your phone or mouse around to see more than you would on a regular video. But in a headset, this tour is an immersive experience in 3D, and it's really, really cool! As homelessness continues to grow, many cities have started to look for new solutions to help homeless people get off the streets and hopefully into housing. One significant improvement is designing homeless shelters to be places that provide dignity. Homeless people often suffer from years of severe trauma, addiction, and mental illness. Most homeless shelters are horrible places. For anyone who has spent time on the streets, providing a safe place where homeless people can start to heal is crucial to any strategy for ending homelessness. San Francisco was the first that I know of to implement Navigation Centers instead of traditional homeless shelters. Los Angeles has followed by starting to create what they call Bridge Housing. The basic concept is Navigation Centers will integrate as part of a community-wide system to get people off the streets into housing. The big problem is, there is no housing. The Navigation Center or Bridge Housing model only works if there is housing to move people out of the shelters. The affordable housing crisis continues to cripple homeless services' best intentions. Navigation Centers are a great idea. We need more of them in every city. But we also desperately need more housing. Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here [https://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved] to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. ============================= Producer: Mark Horvath Producers/Editors: CreatorUp! & Jordan Mann Associate Producer: Peter Jung Spatial Sound Design: Noctvrnal Camera: Kevin Kunze Recorded on: Insta360 EVO Very special thanks to Matthew Celia Special thanks to YouTube and VRScout for inviting Invisible People to be a part of the VR Creator Lab. #homeless #sanfrancisco #VR180 ============================= Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Rosalind lives in a tent in Charlotte, North Carolina. She was evicted from her apartment almost four years ago. Rosalind says she's going through a transition. I first met Rosalind at Urban Ministry's art studio https://youtu.be/RzmRaul45xc Rosalind wants people to know that not all homeless people are addicted to drugs or have a criminal record. Special thanks to Urban Ministry https://www.urbanministrycenter.org For more information on Mayors and CEOs for U.S. Housing Investment, click here: https://housinginvestment.org Mayors and CEOs for U.S. Housing Investment paid for travel expenses. Invisible People did not receive any compensation for this video. ================================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, a living wage or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

This last week I had a wonderful experience. Urban Ministry in Charlotte, North Carolina, invited me out to visit homeless tent camps in the city. When we returned to their facility, Urban Ministry invited me to participate in the theater workshop. In the past, I shared a few videos on how art, music, dance, and theater can help homeless people. But this was the very first time I have participated in an art workshop with homeless people. It will remain one of the most memorable experiences of this year. Only an hour before the theater class, I happened to visit a homeless encampment under a freeway. I talked to a young homeless woman at the tent camp, but I wasn't sure I would ever see her again. To my surprise, the woman was in the theater class. Although I do kind of wish I had filmed the workshop, cameras change everything. Seeing homeless people write and create their own theater productions was mind-blowing in many ways. So much community. So much healing. So much compassion and understanding. If I had broken out my camera, things might have been different, and at the core of our work is relationships come first. Heather Bartlett is the therapeutic art coordinator at the Urban Ministry Center. There are no words to express how much Heather impressed me. Heather truly loves people and she loves her work. Heather invited me back for this art class where we asked the people attending for their permission to go on video. Art and music programs are a hard sell to nonprofits because funders don't see the value, and without funding, nothing happens. Please watch this video and share it with everyone you know that works in the homeless sector. I guarantee you programs like this can help people who are suffering from layers of trauma start to heal for more than talking to someone sitting behind a desk. Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here http://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. Special thanks to Urban Ministry https://www.urbanministrycenter.org For more information on Mayors and CEOs for U.S. Housing Investment, click here: https://housinginvestment.org Mayors and CEOs for U.S. Housing Investment paid for travel expenses. Invisible People did not receive any compensation for this video. ================================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, a living wage or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

I joined Urban Ministry's outreach team looking for a homeless man in Charlotte, North Carolina. We drove to several locations, and the man was not in his usual spots. We saw a group of homeless people on the side of the road and stopped to ask if they knew they knew the man we were looking for. Michelle approached the car and leaned in to inform us of the man we were looking for passed away a few days ago. Michelle spoke fondly of the homeless man. They were friends. Michele shared with a tear in her eye how the man passed away with money in his pocket and wearing new clothes. That thought made her happy. It was a moment that's hard to put into words. Michelle clearly had an understanding of the streets. Michelle then went on to make a few suggestions to the outreach team. Allison, the outreach director, started taking notes. Turns out, Michelle is a former social worker with a masters degree. She had invaluable insight into life on the streets. Michelle lost or job and then her apartment. Michelle's daughter went to go stay with her godmother while Michelle ended up on the streets homeless. She thought it would only be for a short period of time. That was almost two years ago. Michelle is hurting. She is vulnerable. Although I was homeless myself, I can't imagine what Michelle has had to do to survive each and every day! My heart breaks for her because I know how hard the transition from the streets to a home can be. Because of the severe lack of affordable housing, It can take months and possibly years to get Michelle off the streets. That's where you come in. Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here http://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. Special thanks to Urban Ministry https://www.urbanministrycenter.org For more information on Mayors and CEOs for U.S. Housing Investment, click here: https://housinginvestment.org Mayors and CEOs for U.S. Housing Investment paid for travel expenses. Invisible People did not receive any compensation for this video. ================================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People's website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People's Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath's Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, a living wage or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn't just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don't take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom. #homeless #homelesswoman #Charlotte

Today I was invited to visit homeless camps with Urban Ministry, a large homeless service provider in Charlotte, North Carolina. After visiting a few tent encampments, the outreach team shared that they had someone special they'd like me to meet. On the way, outreach started to tell fond stories of Anthony. Like with the homeless people we just met at the camp, the outreach team builds relationships to move people from the streets to housing. It was easy to see Anthony from a distance. He was standing in an intersection with very long cardboard sign the reaches almost from his feet to his head. I immediately liked Anthony. He has a kind and gentle way about him, and he likes to make people feel good. It's a trait I wish more of us had. Anthony says he made a couple of bad decisions. The past has a way of beating up on the present. When Anthony lost custody of his kids, it was too much for him to take. From that point on, Anthony's life snowballed into homelessness. The good news is Anthony is soon to go into housing. After three years of living in a tent on a sidewalk, Anthony will be able to have a place of his own that provides dignity. He can start the process of healing and hopefully get reunited with his children. By the way, Anthony may have the best response to my three wishes question yet. Special thanks to Urban Ministry https://www.urbanministrycenter.org Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here http://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. For more information on Mayors and CEOs for U.S. Housing Investment, click here: https://housinginvestment.org Mayors and CEOs for U.S. Housing Investment paid for travel expenses. Invisible People did not receive any compensation for this video. ================================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, a living wage or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Mark lost everything in a bad divorce. He has been homeless now for about three years. Mark stays at a mission in Columbia, South Carolina. Prior to that, he had a camp in the woods. Mark shares about how people steal stuff from his tent camp when he is not there. Mark shares a little about the criminalization of homelessness that's growing in every city. He says police target anyone with a backpack that looks homeless. Mark just started a full-time job. His plan is to save up and get out of homelessness soon. Thing is, the affordable housing crisis continues to get worse. More people are entering into homelessness than are getting out. Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here http://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. For more information on Mayors and CEOs for U.S. Housing Investment, click here: https://housinginvestment.org Mayors and CEOs for U.S. Housing Investment paid for travel expenses. Invisible People did not receive any compensation for this video. ================================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, a living wage or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Interview with Mayor Benjamin on homelessness and the affordable housing crisis in Columbia, South Carolina. Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here http://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. For more information on Mayors and CEOs for U.S. Housing Investment, click here: https://housinginvestment.org Mayors and CEOs for U.S. Housing Investment paid for travel expenses. Invisible People did not receive any compensation for this video. ================================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, a living wage or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

As I travel, I love connecting to people in real life that I first met online. I first met Regi through our Facebook peer support group for homeless people and formerly homeless people. I am in Columbia, South Carolina at the moment. Regi reached out to me and suggested we meet up at the Richland Library. I am glad we did. As the affordable housing crisis continues to grow, the numbers of people experiencing homelessness increase along with it. In almost every American city, homeless people have nowhere to go. As a result, libraries have become a day center for homeless people. It's really amazing to see libraries stepping up to this new challenge by not just being inclusive but also adding social workers to help the people they serve. In this video, I interview Lee Patterson, Richland Library's social work manager. I am so impressed that they have a decided area to connect with people. For more information, visit https://www.richlandlibrary.com/social-work You can find the Public Library Association here http://www.ala.org/pla/ Here is my vlog on the Dallas Public Library https://youtu.be/_SaG0xR7xkU Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here http://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. Special thanks to Mayors and CEOs for US Housing Investment https://housinginvestment.org ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Interview with Mayor Vi Lyles of Charlotte, North Carolina on homelessness and the affordable housing crisis. Charlotte is close to assembling $50 million in private funds for affordable housing, matching the same amount in public money from a 2018 bond issue. Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here http://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. For more information on Mayors and CEOs for U.S. Housing Investment, click here: https://housinginvestment.org Mayors and CEOs for U.S. Housing Investment paid for travel expenses. Invisible People did not receive any compensation for this video. ================================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, a living wage or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Who gets their life back together in 30 days? NO ONE! Morris lives in a mission that has 30 days in and 14 days out policy. What that means is a homeless person can stay in the shelter for 30 days, but when 30 days are up, they have to leave and cannot come back for 14 days. As crazy as this policy is, it's very common even in cities with freezing weather. Morris is homeless in Columbia, SC. He is sober and looking for work. Morris is trying to make it, but it seems as the world is against him. The mission also does not allow homeless people to leave stuff in the shelter during the day, so when people go on a job interview, they have to take all their belongings with them. A clear sign to an employer that the person is homeless. I just met Morris but I have a feeling he's going to make it. Sadly, there are more people entering into homelessness than ever before. We all must work together to help our homeless neighbors. Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here http://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. Special thanks to Mayors and CEOs for US Housing Investment https://housinginvestment.org ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Grab your virtual reality headset to watch this powerful VR180 video featuring Couper, a disabled firefighter helping homeless people in San Francisco – even though she is homeless herself! This video will play on a mobile device or desktop, and you can move your phone or mouse around to see more than you would on a regular video. But in a headset, you'll experience Couper's story in 3D, and it's really, really cool! "I'm sick of seeing people suffer," Couper said, referring to people experiencing homelessness and in need of help. As a firefighter, Couper's whole life was about helping others. When she was hurt on the job and could no longer work, her focus didn't change. She underwent four back surgeries with the hopes of returning to her job. It just was not possible. Life then spiraled downward until she ended up without a place to stay. Couper eventually found herself sleeping in a tent. Even though she herself was living on the streets, Couper continued helping people. Many homeless people either cannot go or will not go to a hospital to seek medical attention. To help them, Couper provides medical support – evaluating people, treating abscesses, administering Narcan. She showed one woman, who was shot and sustained neck injuries, exercises to improve her condition and suggested getting a neck brace. Couper is known as a street medic to those she helps. While she misses her job as a firefighter, Couper believes everything happens for a reason. As a street medic, she's helped 53 people come back from an overdose – people who probably wouldn't be alive today otherwise. But she also wants to feel normal again. Couper currently lives with her cat in an RV parked on the side of the road. Although better than a tent, an RV is still not home. There is no bathroom and no security. Couper's biggest fear is she'll come back one day and everything she owns will be towed away. "The only difference between us and people who are housed is just they have a roof over their head and we don't … people need to be treated with respect and that is the one thing that is lacking here – respect," she said. Couper is an amazing woman with a heartfelt story of resilience and compassion. She does what she can when she can because everyone needs help. If everyone would just do that, we could end homelessness! Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here [https://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved] to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. Here is another interview with Couper https://youtu.be/iPLeQ-EwcV0 Here is a link to a film about Couper https://www.couperwashere.com If you'd like to help Couper, you can donate directly to her here: https://handup.org/members/couper or through Venmo: https://venmo.com/code?user_id=2638783287656448784 ============================= Producer: Mark Horvath Producer/Editor: Jordan Mann Associate Producer: Peter Jung Spatial Sound Design: Noctvrnal Camera: Kevin Kunze Recorded on: Insta360 EVO Special thanks to YouTube and VRScout for inviting Invisible People to be a part of the VR Creator Lab. #homeless #sanfrancisco #VR180 ============================= Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People's website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People's Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath's Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn't just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Grab your virtual reality headset to watch this powerful VR180 video of a homeless man panhandling in San Francisco. This video will play on a mobile device or desktop, and you can move your phone or mouse around to see more than you would on a regular video. But in a headset, you'll experience Eric "flying a sign" in 3D, and it's really really cool! Eric is a good guy with a kind heart, but like many Americans these days, Eric lives outside houseless. Eric has been homeless in San Francisco for six years. He panhandles to survive. Eric shared the realities of life on the streets. Near the end of the video, Eric takes us to where he sets up a makeshift home out of street barricades. Although Eric seems to have a positive attitude, it's heartbreaking when he takes us inside to show us how he sleeps! Here is the video from the first day I met Eric https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRUXo5lVZc4 Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here http://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. ================================================== Producer: Mark Horvath Producer/Editor: Jordan Mann Associate Producer: Peter Jung Spatial Sound Design: Noctvrnal Camera: Kevin Kunze Recorded on: Insta360 EVO Special thanks to YouTube and VRScout for inviting Invisible People to be a part of the VR Creator Lab. #homeless #sanfrancisco #VR180 ================================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People's website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People's Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath's Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, a living wage or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn't just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don't take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

If it wasn't for the shopping cart filled with all of her belongings, I would not have known Carolyn was homeless sleeping on the streets of Seattle. Carolyn has found an injurious way to survive. She takes donations for flowers. Carolyn says acquires flowers and then either asks for donations or if the person is in a worse financial situation than her, Carolyn will give the flowers away. Carolyn has lived homeless in Seattle for five years even sleeping outside during the winter. When I asked if anyone is helping her get out of homelessness, Carolyn responded no. She says she has a caseworker but continued that the caseworker is not able to do much. It's often not the fault of social services. Without housing, there is not much a caseworker can do. Carolyn talks about her mom, dad, and then her son dying. There is no research on this but as I travel I hear time and again how a death in the family can cause emotional trauma that takes a person down to homelessness. Carolyn says her sleeping on the streets is self-induced but the lack of mental health support and how it's almost nearly impossible for a homeless person to get the help they need plays a significant role in Carolyn's homelessness. Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here http://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Thanks to people who support Invisible People on Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople] and other generous donors, this year we were able to launch a new invisible People with a brand new strategy to help educate the public on homelessness. Along with our first-person video content on homelessness, we now publish original news content five days a week that’s also syndicated on Apple News. We now hire formerly homeless and currently homeless writers. We created an online portal for young adults to learn about homelessness and we launched an advocacy platform for people to contact their state and federal legislators. Behind the scenes, we facilitate an online peer support group for homeless people and formerly homeless people that helps people 24/7/365. I don’t talk a lot about this but Invisible People partners with a laptop refurbishing company to provide laptops to homeless people. Invisible People continues to be a leader in using new media to reach people and educate the public on homelessness. Last year we reached over a billion people. Our YouTube channel has over 275k subs and growing. Thanks to YouTube and VR Scout selecting Invisible People for their VR Creators Lab, over the next few weeks we’ll be uploading VR180 videos of homelessness in San Francisco. Oculus is partnering with Invisible People to produce a virtual reality film on homelessness that will be released at Sundance next year. I could go on and on. Invisible People is still the only national education-based nonprofit working to end homelessness. There are many reasons to invest in our important work. Right now, the monthly revenue we received from Patreon covers our expenses. We get around $4k a month and that goes to producing content and paying writers. As many of you know, for the past eleven years I have done this work without income or healthcare. On August 24th, I will have 24 years sober. It’s a miracle that I have 24 minutes sober. For the last eleven years, I have given my all to help homeless people, but at 58 years old, I cannot continue without a basic income and healthcare. To help celebrate my 24th sober birthday I am asking everyone to please consider donating $2 a month - $24 a year to support Invisible People’s important work. Please help support our important work for as little as $2 a month ($24 a year) https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Geri lived in a beautiful two-story house. The owner said no dogs. Geri kept her dogs and gave up the house. She now lives in a tent encampment in Oakland, California. When I speak at colleges and conferences I'll often ask people to raise their hand if they love their pets. Almost everyone raises their hand. I then ask the room who wants to get rid of their pets. No one responds. People love pets! Animals become family, and to a homeless person, the unconditional love received from a pet means everything! Homeless people with pets do not want to give up their pets to go into a homeless shelter. Geri has been homeless for some time. She's lived in this tent camp for about a year. Geri says she survives daily. She continues that every single day you wake up with a plan and then life changes. Geri says the public should give homeless people a chance. She says homeless people need a hand up. As one friend recently said to me, you can't bootstrap without the boots. Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here http://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Yes, Marvin has been drinking. If you were homeless on the streets of Denver dying of cancer, you'd be drinking too to cope with the trauma of reality. In the middle of this interview, Marvin lifted his shirt to show me his back where he had three skin grafts. I didn't pan the camera down because it just didn't feel right to do so but what I saw was disturbing. Marvin has a giant hole in his back, unlike anything I have ever seen. Marvin is a kind man. I stopped to talk to him every time I saw Marvin out panhandling. This evening, he told me he has cancer. We started to talk more. Marvin has many health issues! He needs to be in housing but sadly, there is little housing available for those who need it most! Marvin spent eight years in the military. he says he know receives $230 a month in disability. No one can afford to live much less rent an apartment on that amount of money! Marvin is vulnerable and fragile. He is an easy target for people who steal from elderly homeless people. The night before, Marvin had everything he owned ripped off. I helped him get some things including a duffle bag to carry his belongings, but Marvin needs housing! Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here http://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. Special thanks to Mayors and CEOs for US Housing Investment https://housinginvestment.org ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Tony is homeless in Denver, Colorado. He's been on the streets for six years and sober for the last three years. Staying sober on the streets is nearly impossible. I have huge respect for Tony for living on the streets and going through methadone maintenance to get off opioids. I met Tony through Denver Day Works which is a low-barrier work experience program for homeless people or those who may be at risk of homelessness. You can find more information here: https://www.denvergov.org/content/denvergov/en/denver-human-services/be-supported/jobs/denver-day-works.html It's great that Tony has now a purpose and is receiving an income but six years on the streets is far too long. He's really trying but without a path to housing, Tony will remain on the streets living in a tent. That' where you come in. Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here http://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. Special thanks to Mayors and CEOs for US Housing Investment https://housinginvestment.org ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

This past week I have been visiting Denver thanks to the Mayors and CEOs for US Housing Investment. Today I had the honor of speaking with Britta Fisher who is Denver's Chief Housing Officer. Britta and I talk about the importance of homelessness prevention and the desperate need for federal support for more affordable housing. Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here http://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. Special thanks to Mayors and CEOs for US Housing Investment https://housinginvestment.org ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

In the United States, the typical homeless shelter only allows homeless people to stay at night, kicking people out in the morning even in bad or cold weather. Tammy is disabled and homeless in Denver, Colorado. The homeless shelter where she stays wakes people up at 4:30 am to be out of the building by 6:30 am. Tammy says she is walking "bone on bone." She doesn't have any cartilage in her left knee causing her to fall a lot. Tammy can hardly walk. She cannot work. After exiting the shelter in the morning, she has absolutely nothing to do all day. Tammy ended up homeless after having surgery. The cost of housing was too much and she ended up in a homeless shelter. When I asked her what she would like people to know about homelessness she responded, "we cannot afford a thousand dollars for an apartment." Tammy continues that people who are elderly or disabled need low-income housing. Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here http://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. Special thanks to Mayors and CEOs for US Housing Investment https://housinginvestment.org ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

"How do you help young people? Listen to them! It really is that simple. Sandwiches are sandwiches, a shower is a shower, a bed's a bed! But for too long as a society we've not empowered young people enough to give us their voice and tell us what they need, and if we listen to young people, they'll tell us how to help them." ~ Chris Nelson That's a quote from the video interview I did with Chris Nelson about five years ago when I first visited Attention Homes in Boulder, Colorado. You can watch that interview here: https://youtu.be/ZdzIBCw-v_Y I just happened to be in Denver working on a campaign with the Mayors and CEOs for US Housing Investment, so I sent Chris an email to say hello and to find out what's new. I was pleasantly surprised when Chris responded that Attention Homes is now building permanent supportive housing for homeless youth ages 18 to 24. Behind the scenes, Chris and I had a lot of fun. This interview is informative about the homeless youth crisis and solutions to help young adults. My hope is you'll watch it to the end. The information Chris shared holds true in helping all demographics of homeless people! Youth homelessness and elderly homelessness are the fastest growing demographics of homelessness. Click here http://invisiblepeople.tv/learnmore to learn more about homelessness and click here http://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to contact your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness is a priority to you. Special thanks to Mayors and CEOs for US Housing Investment https://housinginvestment.org ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

David has lived on the streets of Denver for five years. Like many elderly homeless, he gets social security but it's not enough to pay for rent. David says we can no longer keep our heads in the sand hoping that homelessness will go away on its own. The lack of affordable housing needs to be addressed in every city in America. David was just released from the hospital. As taxpayers, we pay for the cost. Homelessness is expensive. Housing people saves lives and saves taxpayer money. Please watch this short video on housing first that explains the public benefits of getting homeless people into housing: http://invisiblepeople.tv/housingfirst David tries to sleep during the day so he can stay awake at night. Homelessness is dangerous but at night homeless people are more vulnerable to violent attacks. Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here http://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you. Special thanks to Mayors and CEOs for US Housing Investment https://housinginvestment.org ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

This short video is an excerpt from my live stream last night - Let's Talk Homelessness: the Andrew Yang UBI Episode https://youtu.be/wvaSJQCNbWY Many people believe homeless people are homeless by choice. Please watch this video and then think about what life would be like if you didn't have a toilet or a shower. NO ONE WANTS TO BE HOMELESS! Don't believe me? Try going to the bathroom outside. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People's website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People's Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath's Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they're on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can't ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation's most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America's homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

I first met Kymberli when she was bringing her dirty dishes in a small children's wagon to a water hose to clean. The reality of living out on the streets or in a tent encampment is still homeless. Imagine day after day living without indoor plumbing for hygiene, cleaning, and simply to quench a thirst. Kymberli and B have been married for fifteen years. They were caregivers for Kymberli's father who lived around the corner from the house they rented. When Kymberli's father passed away, the couple moved into the house which was owned by Kymberli's uncle who then died a few weeks later. Like most areas anymore, skyrocketing rent caused by a lack of affordable housing is creating greedy landlords. The rent for the house was going up to $2,500 and that was more than they could afford. Kymberli and B first lived in their car. They then lived in a vacant lot. Kymberli and B now live in a tent community in Oakland, California. The couple built a little shack. They have a generator they run for lights and to power for a TV. But there is no water or bathrooms and little security. B says when they leave, they don't know if their stuff will be there when they return. Kymberli and B are working hard to get out of homelessness. They started a landscaping business. Now that their car broke down, they use bicycles to tow their lawnmowers. If you'd like to help Kymberli and B get their car repaired or help them purchase a commercial vehicle for their landscaping business, click here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/transition-into-permanent-housing ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Josiah, Tricia and their son live in Tent City 3, a city-sanctioned tent community in Seattle. Around 70 homeless people call Tent City 3 home. In an ideal world, tent communities should not exist because homeless services should be able to get everyone into housing. But since we don't live in a perfect world and there is a severe lack of housing and shelter beds, sanctioned tent cites provide invaluable support and community. For one, many of the people who live in Tent City 3 have a job. I know this seems ironic, but homeless shelters do not make it easy for people who are employed to stay. Shelters often have insane rules with curfews that are not conducive to work schedules. Another issue is many shelters require even married couples to separate. Josiah and Tricia are initially from Alaska. Tricia first came to Seattle to get treatment for drug addiction. Both Josiah and Tricia are now coming up on close to two years sober. Tricia shares about the challenges homeless families and individuals have to go through to get the help they need. Nonprofit funding is based on specific grant requirements, and if you do not fit those requirements, you cannot get support. Josiah and Tricia are sober and married not wanting to separate. Their only option since they had a young child was Tent City 3. Think about that for a second: homeless services do not offer support for a married couple with a young child that wants to stay together as a family! Tricia shares about how their family was not "homeless enough" or "disabled enough" to get support. I know lots of leaders in the homeless sector to not like sanctioned tent cites but as long as homeless services cannot provide help to people when they need it, tent cities fill the gap in the safety net. To learn more about family homelessness, click here https://invisiblepeople.tv/category/learn-more/family-homelessness/ For more information on TC3 along with items they need, please click here http://www.sharewheel.org/tent-city-3 Special thanks to HanesBrands https://hanesforgood.com ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Eric is homeless in San Francisco. He relocated to the area trying to get his birth certificate. Without proper identification, it's nearly impossible to get support. Eric has tried homeless shelters and transitional programs. He shares that after a short period of time, they kick people back out onto the streets. Eric also says shelters are horrible places suggesting that people should not believe what they read and go check out the shelters for themselves. The public believes homeless people make a lot of money panhandling but the truth is begging for money is demeaning and dangerous. While panhandling, people spit on you, call you names, pour hot coffee on you, and throw objects with the intent of causing harm. It's a horrible way to raise a few dollars but when people don't have an income they have to survive somehow. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Jennifer Friedenback’s advice: When you see a homeless person, don’t call the cops – call the elected! Keep the pressure on local officials to change policies. Jennifer is busy – and for good reason. The San Francisco Bay Area has one of the highest concentrations of homeless people. Why? Housing prices are skyrocketing while wages remain stagnant. This has left thousands homeless in San Francisco alone. As Executive Director of the Coalition on Homelessness, Jennifer aims to organize homeless people to find permanent solutions, and fights to protect the rights of those on the streets. One of her team’s accomplishments: rallying for a call-in system for those seeking shelter beds. Prior to the call-in system, people would wait up to 18 hours PER DAY to simply reserve a bed for the night. While this reservation system now allows more time for people to work at getting off the streets, there is still a significant bottleneck simply because there aren’t enough beds. “It’s a very brutal system.” Jennifer is passionate and knowledgeable about homelessness. More importantly, she has her finger on the pulse of today’s San Francisco homeless people and their needs. In this interview, Jennifer shares how her team organizes homeless people, individuals who are in survival mode. She helps find their voice by conducting outreach. This isn’t your typical outreach, though – as in handing out granola bars to homeless people. Her team conducts outreach to listen. She says it is important to recognize you aren’t recruiting people to support an idea or protest you are selling. That’s mobilizing people. Organizing is asking what the demands are of those protesting. And the demands come from the people who are personally impacted – homeless people. That’s outreach. “There is a massive payoff in getting involved,” Jennifer adds, noting it gives homeless people a voice and helps with the “healing process.” Addressing Gentrification and Criminalization Jennifer says landlords have become ruthless, hitting up poor communities and outpricing the residents so they can lease to wealthier people. When the wealthy arrive, the presence of poor people alarms them (without warrant), so they call and complain … which segues into Jennifer’s next topic: criminalization. Get this: In San Francisco, a homeless person can get 6 months in prison for aggressive panhandling – that’s asking for money twice in a day. They can get 6 months for sitting on the sidewalk after their second offense. The Coalition on Homelessness was able to stop some of the insanity through legal proceedings. But police have become more creative in their criminalization of homeless people, confiscating tents under the guise of using it as evidence for misdemeanors when really, it’s just to get people off their street. But calling the cops is a “complete waste of money.” Not only does it not work, Jennifer says it exacerbates homelessness. How you ask? 1) Being arrested traumatizes people hindering their escape from the streets. 2) When a homeless person has a trivial charge against them resulting in a warrant, they are kicked off the housing list, which means they will spend more time on the street. 3) People often lose their IDs in sweeps, which means they lose what they need to get off the streets. “Criminalization does nothing to decrease the presence of homeless people,” Jennifer said, adding it is a cruel kick to someone when they are down. Check out the Coalition’s “Punishing the Poorest” study. http://www.cohsf.org/Punishing.pdf Like we’ve said before in our Ultimate Guide to Calling the Police on Homeless People – DON’T https://invisiblepeople.tv/ultimate-guide-to-calling-police-on-homeless-people/ What Can People Do? 1) Listen to homeless people, what are their issues 2) Educate yourself, then educate others – during family gatherings, neighborhood barbecues, etc. 3) Make homelessness front and center on the ballot. Support the Coalition on Homelessness http://www.cohsf.org ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Heather's story is important because the public often judges homeless people without knowing how they got there or the challenges they face to get out of homelessness. Heather is a disabled woman living homeless in San Francisco because she has a bullet lodged in her back. Because she is very soft spoken and there was a freeway above us, I added captions. I first met Heather when we followed Couper around for a day. While Couper was helping Heather with a medical issue, I learned that Heather badly needed a neck brace. I ran to the closest medical supply store and bought a brace and some other items Couper told me they needed. When she was only eighteen, Heather was riding a bus when the police come on to search for a robbery suspect. Bullets started flying and Heather was shot in the back. Heather continued to work full time but eventually, the pain got worse. She doesn't receive disability. Heather survives but watching other people's tents when they run errands. In San Francisco, the waitlist to get into a homeless shelter is over 1,200 people. Once you get a bed, you can only stay for 90 days. The whole homeless support system in San Francisco doesn't make sense but I assume it's driven by a severe lack of housing. Without housing, you can't move people from the shelter into homes! There are over a million people who are experiencing homelessness in the United States right now. If you want to help them, the best way is to advocate for more affordable housing. We've made it easy for you to contact your legislators. Click here and input your address and then contact your state and federal representatives https://invisiblepeople.tv/get-involved/ ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

I was walking around San Francisco carrying my camera when Alex approached me and started up a conversation. Honestly, I am not sure I would have asked Alex if he wanted to share his story if he had not approached me. I did not know what to ask him. I am and still am in shock that disabled little person has to survive out on the streets. Homelessness is hard on every person who has to live outside but I cannot even imagine the challenges Alex has to face every single day. Alex has lived homeless in San Francisco for the last two years including spending the winters outside. Alex says he has a caregiver that comes to help in a few times a week. During this trip to San Francisco, I have seen things that I have never seen before. The mental illness and drug addiction here is at a level I do not see anywhere else including Los Angeles's Skid Row. The fact that humans in this great country of ours cannot get the help they need is upsetting. No one should be homeless. It's disturbing that Alex has slept outside for two years. Shame on us! After the interview, Alex asked me if I would record an update video when he is in his new apartment. I said sure as long as Alex cooked me dinner. We talked for a bit and shared a few laughs. I can only hope and pray that Alex will find housing and the support he needs to get out of homelessness. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Paul Boden’s Mantra: Be fearless. "There’s nothing worse than coming from the streets – what are you going to do to me?" As a native New Yorker, Paul has a reputation for telling it how it is … in a colorful way. He is passionate about defending human rights and addressing social injustices. He demands equality, and he demands the truth. Total equality is saying what you know and what you believe to everyone, no matter where they are from. More importantly, he says: “Get over your shit and get involved.” In this interview, Paul begins by talking about the federal government’s shift in focus, a shift based on corporate greed that led to skyrocketing rates of homelessness. Prior to 1980, the federal government provided funding for affordable housing – approximately $54 billion a year in today’s dollars. After Ronald Reagan took office, the government stopped funding affordable housing and redirected the money to homeless services. This was a bureaucratic approach that dehumanized homeless individuals. According to Paul, this current approach prevents us from solving homelessness. “The more we institutionalize it, the more we professionalize homelessness ... the further we get away from ending it.” What’s worse is the government also redirected funding away from those who needed it most to help those who didn’t. The Reagan Revolution, according to Paul: "We are going to triple our home ownership housing subsidies and eliminate our poor people's housing subsidies because one is charity and therefore there's no profit for corporate America. The other benefits the mortgage industries, the banks and the construction industry." As an Executive of WRAP (Western Regional Advocacy Project), Paul is extremely knowledgeable on homelessness and tells it like it is. And he has a lot to say in this interview – so many interesting tidbits. Here are a few highlights: “It wasn’t a lack of cops that created homelessness, yet they are the number one department addressing the issue.” “It wasn’t closed parks that created homelessness, yet we close our parks thinking that will make homelessness disappear.” On Mayors: “There is so much more concern about how the general public is impacted by the presence of homeless people and so little concern with the impact that it is having on homeless people themselves.” On Educating the Public about Homelessness: “You keep changing the name and the fucking media reports on it like it’s a new initiative ... The public education on this issue is so lacking.” On Criminalization: “If you look poor and homeless in a cop’s mindset, if you look like one of them, they’re going to fuck with you. If not, you get a pass ... I have never seen a family of shoppers with the little kids eating ice cream on the sidewalk get a ticket. Our argument isn’t that they should, our argument is that no one should.” This is an important interview. I hope you will take the time to watch the whole thing. Sadly, the people who need to watch this video won't ever get past the title. Whenever I bring up the "homeless industry," people who work in the sector feel threatened and become defensive. I honestly don't understand how anyone remotely connected to homeless services doesn't question from time to time: “WHAT THE FUCK ARE WE DOING?!” More committees are being formed every day, more research is being funded, criminalization is growing, and maybe a few shelter beds or housing units are created (Paul says he is sick of baby steps), yet homelessness continues to grow exponentially. SOMETHING IS BROKE! About WRAP and Chronic Homelessness, a Post-1980s Phenomenon I mentioned above that Paul is a WRAP Executive. According to the WRAP website, WRAP was created to expose and eliminate the root causes of civil and human rights abuses of people experiencing poverty and homelessness in our communities. For example: Did you know that prior to the 1980s, there was no such thing as chronic homelessness? This phenomenon was created along with an industry to deal with chronic homelessness. For more information on the criminalization of homelessness and what you can do about it in your community, please visit WRAP's website https://wraphome.org. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Mike has lived on the streets homeless in San Francisco for eight years. He says years ago he was able to rent a hotel room for $550 a month but now the affordable housing crisis has increased the cost to $1,500 to $2,000 a month. Low-income people often called the working poor are being priced out of a place to live. This is also happening to seniors in this country like Mike. The money he gets from Social Security retirement is not enough to pay for rent. Most adults hope that by the time they reach age 65, they’ll be able to comfortably retire. They may dream of finally having time to pursue their interests or take up new hobbies. There’s a whole other segment of the elderly population, however, that isn’t living the life they dreamed of. These individuals worry about how they will eat, where they will sleep, and what will happen if they get sick. The number of elderly individuals experiencing homelessness is rising. In the Annual Homeless Assessment Report, released by HUD, the number of elderly individuals experiencing sheltered homelessness nearly doubled from 4.1 percent in 2007 to 8 percent in 2017. It’s not slowing down, either. This population is expected to triple over the next decade. A new study out of UCSF showed that almost half of all elderly homeless people became homeless after age 50. These statistics tells us that whatever the problem is, it’s related to age. The question we need to ask ourselves is, why are the elderly falling through the cracks? Elderly homelessness will soon put more stress on a social services system that is already overwhelmed. Mike has been on the streets for too long. He is extremely vulnerable. When I asked Mike about housing, he responded that he is on several housing waitlists. Mike added that one housing list he signed up for five years ago! ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

If you'd like to help Couper, you can donate directly to her here: https://handup.org/members/couper or through Venmo: https://venmo.com/code?user_id=2638783287656448784 Couper is a disabled firefighter that was hurt on the job and is not able to go back to work. She spends her days working to help other homeless people with medical needs. Couper says her footprints are embedded in the streets of San Francisco. She loves this city. Couper says: "My footsteps tell a story. I don't want them to be forgotten just because I am homeless." Couper missed her job. She loved working as a firefighter. But Couper believes that if she wasn't hurt on the job that the 53 people she's helped come back from an overdose wouldn't be alive today. Couper believes everything happens for a reason. Couper is an amazing woman with an amazing story of resilience and compassion. Many homeless people either cannot go or will not go to a hospital to seek medical attention. People on the streets call Couper a street medic. She does what she can when she can because everyone needs help. If everyone would just do that, we could end homelessness! Here is a link to a film about Couper https://www.couperwashere.com Special thanks to Coalition on Homelessness http://www.cohsf.org ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Vincent has lived homeless on the streets of San Francisco since 2017. He got in a fight with his landlord and lost the place where he was living. Vincent says when he first became homeless in the Tenderloin, he didn't give it the attention it deserved to get back into housing. Vincent says he didn't realize the streets: "sucked you in and kept you there. It's like crabs in a bucket trying to get out of the streets." Prior to homelessness, Vicent was two quarters away from receiving a Doctor of Chiropractic degree in California. Now he's fighting for survival just trying to keep his head above water. Vincent says social services have been great. He says the biggest challenge is other homeless people. Live on the streets is hard so everyone is in survival mode! Many are just looking out for themselves. They have to. Vincent has tried to keep working but people keep stealing his stuff. He says four times people walked off with his phone! Vincent does delivery work or whatever he can to survive. When I mentioned those jobs don't pay enough to cover the cost of an apartment, Vincent responded he is not even thinking about rent. The affordable housing crisis has hit San Francisco hard. Unless you make a lot of money, you cannot afford a place to live here. When I asked Vincent for his three wishes, he got emotional. This is now the second time this has happened out of almost 800 interviews. I asked Vincent if it was the question or just being interviewed. He responded that it's maybe a combination. When he thought of his son, that was the trigger, not the question. As I stated the last time this happened, I work on being more sensitive and I may not end with the three wishes question. Obviously, I may not have read this situation. But any question about his family would be a trigger. Vincent seems like a great guy. He's intelligent and he knows how to hustle. I hope he gets off the streets soon. Homelessness has a way of changing people who are on the streets for too long. We need to prevent people from becoming homeless in the first place and if a person falls into homelessness, we need to get them off the streets as quickly as possible! ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Lynda is a precious human filled with compassion and love. She has been on the streets for a long time. Too long! The life of homelessness for a woman is extremely stressful. Lynda drinks and she has a mental illness. That doesn't make her any less of a person. Let me start at the beginning. I was on the phone with a friend that works in San Francisco's homeless services. We started talking about Twitter. He told me about a video he saw online of a woman whose first dog was killed and then her second dog was stolen. He then sent me a link to this tweet: https://twitter.com/barron_ang/status/1129251284794597376 I contacted the woman who posted the video. Angela shared a little more of the story over Twitter along with this link to a news story about the man charged with a felony for killing Lynda's first dog: https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/market-dog-puppet-kicked-felony-animal-cruelty-12994971.php I interview Angela at 17:30 I called Angela this morning. Angela is amazing. I wish more housed people would adopt their homeless neighbors as Angela has. When Angela first encountered Lynda and her dog, she was concerned about Lynda and if she would be able to take care of the pet. Over time, Angela saw how much Lynda loved and took care of her dog. Something else happened, Angela and Lynda became friends. Lots of people love animals. It's common to hear people complain about homeless people who have pets thinking the dog or cat is not being cared for. The real truth is, homeless people often take better care of their pets than housed people. The other issue that needs attention so there are people who care more about animals than homeless people. I like dogs too but humans, YES HUMAN BEINGS, must always take priority over animals. If you care more about a dog or cat sleeping outside than a homeless person, you really need to readjust your thinking because that's all kinds of wrong! Lynda eventually got another puppy. His name is Buddy. Lynda loved and took good care of Buddy. Bathrooms are a serious challenge for homeless people. Lynda needed to use a bathroom and asked a friend to watch Buddy. As puppies do, Buddy got into some turpentine that was laying around. Lynda tried to contact Angela but Angela was away. Lynda then took Buddy to another friend who has helped her watch Buddy in the past. This friend took Buddy to the vet but then refused to give Buddy back to Lynda. Some of you probably think that's a good thing. It is not! Lynda needed Buddy, and Buddy loves Lynda. Even the veterinarian told the person to give Buddy back to Lynda. Buddy was loved and well taken care of. Probably better than most dogs! Just because someone doesn't have a home that doesn't mean they cannot love and care for their pets. At the time of this interview, the police were involved, but Lynda still did not have Buddy. About an hour ago Anglea let me know that San Francisco Police contacted her and Buddy will be returned to Lynda tomorrow morning. I wish I could say that's a happen ending, but Lynda is in desperate need of housing. You do not have to be a social worker to know she is vulnerable. We need to get her and all the other homeless people in San Francisco off the streets and into housing with the support services they need. To do that, we need you to advocate for your homeless neighbors. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Davonna has lived homeless on the same street in San Francisco for the last six years. A few times she went into the city's shelter system but always ended up back in the same spot. When I asked her why Davonna said it's because she feels it's a safe haven. One in five transgender individuals has experienced homelessness at some point in their lives. Family rejection, discrimination, and violence are part of the reason. The other is social service, and homeless shelters that work with this population often fail to culturally and appropriately serve transgender homeless people, including denying them shelter based on their gender identity. Transgender individuals are often more vulnerable than other homeless populations, yet HUD has proposed a rule that would roll back protections for transgender homeless. This is especially disturbing knowing that several faith-based organizations support this type of discrimination. I am not a theologian, but I'm pretty sure Jesus wouldn't be fighting to exclude people who need help. Twice Davonna been in the city’s Navigation Center but because there is no housing and from what I understand there is a time limit on beds, Davonna was exited back to the streets. San Francisco’s homeless services are very complicated. Their shelter system is based on a reservation model. I’m told there are over 1,200 people waiting for a shelter bed. Special thanks to the Coalition on Homelessness http://www.cohsf.org ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims, and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

John is a lovely man. Most people probably just judge him at a distance without ever knowing his heartbreaking backstory. While walking down the street in Great Falls, Montana, I happened to see a man across the street who I thought may be homeless. I just wasn't sure. Most homeless people you'd never know they are homeless, and in rural communities, it can even harder to determine if a person is homeless. It was the backpack that seemed out of place for a housed person. Normal adults can buy any backpack they want probably would not have a bright orange children's backpack. For a homeless person, anything that will carry belonging works. I crossed the street and asked my new friend if he wanted socks. John and I started to talk. He really liked the name Invisible People, and he started telling me his compelling story of surviving abuse and mental illness. As a rule, we never feature homeless people with severe mental illness. Not because of any legal issues but because I respect people. If a person is not of right mind having a psychotic episode of some kind, they should not be on YouTube. Because of how mental illness affects homelessness is such an important topic, it's a conversation that needs to be shared. If the person is high-functioning and fully aware of Invisible People's work and being on YouTube, then they can make a conscious decision. John's mother tried to drown him before he was five-years-old. John's grandparents then took him. His grandfather severely beat John until he was 14 when he decided to leave. John has been in and out of homelessness and institutions ever since. John suffers from panic attacks, PTSD, and what he describes as multiple personality disorder. Do survive the beatings, John developed what he calls "alternates" which was his defense mechanism as a child. My heart breaks for John but I am grateful he had the courage to share his story. Most people just look at the homeless person as a drug addict without ever considering that drugs and alcohol may be a way of coping with childhood trauma. I have interviewed close to a thousand homeless people. This is the first time anyone has broken down when I asked if they had three wishes. I know some people recently have been critical of me asking that question. To be candid, I almost didn't post this video because I didn't want to deal with the drama, but John's story is important. People need to hear the truth about homelessness and mental illness. The three wishes question is important because it helps humanize homelessness. No one either homeless or housed has had a problem with it except every now and then someone comments they don't like it. I am highly empathetic. I can literally feel other peoples pain. This interview with John has taught me that I do need to be more sensitive, and in interviews like this, I will stop asking the three wishes question. Just so you know, I do a lot behind the scenes before and after interviews. Many of the homeless people connect with me online or in our support group. I did not just leave John on the street. We hung out for some time after I stopped recording. I wanted to make sure he was OK. I walked with John as he headed to the Salvation Army to get food. John is a good man who had a rough childhood. It's not his fault that he is homeless but it's our fault that he has lived his adult life in and out of the system! ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Harold and Stacy along in with their three kids and pets will be sleeping in the car behind them. A greedy landlord caused their homelessness which is far too common in Los Angeles these days. As housing costs rise, landlords now often force out older tenants so they can raise the rent. The family used what savings they had to stay in a hotel but that money ran out. Tonight will be the first night they have to sleep in their vehicle. Harold has cancer and suffers from diabetes. He cannot work. Harold's last wish was a place to stay until the breath is out of his body. Mobile homelessness is growing all over Los Angeles County and everywhere. If you live in the United States, click here https://invisiblepeople.tv/get-involved/ to let your legislators know you want them to make ending homelessness a priority. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

James suffers from mental illness. He currently lives on the streets homeless in Columbus, Ohio. James is on a waiting list for the shelter. He has to call every day to find out if there is an available bed. James asked something that's so brilliant and so full of common sense I wish I had an answer: "If the shelter is full, why don't they build a new shelter?" He continued: "or find a solution to end homelessness?" Thing is, we know how to end homelessness. We've known for a long time. We just don't have the political will to make it happen. If you live in the United States, you can help change that by clicking here to let your legislators know you want them to make ending homelessness a priority https://invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved/ James panhandles surviving by the generosity of strangers. He sleeps under a security camera because he believes that if someone kicks him at least it will be caught on video. Just because a homeless person is down that doesn't mean they don't stop dreaming for something better. James is starting a business turning gravestones into social media displays. His idea is brilliant https://www.eternitygravestones.com/ ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

UPDATE: Rockey Is No Longer Homeless in Los Angeles https://youtu.be/xXeXcpUgSn8 When I went to visit Rockey at her tent, she started to show me how she made a gate to keep people out. I wasn't yet set up with my camera but I started recording video. Rockey shows me how she ties a rope to the gate and then sleeps with the rope so if anyone tries to get in, she'll feel it and wake up. Homeless people and especially homeless women are constantly of being attacked. NO ONE SHOULD HAVE TO LIVE LIKE THAT! Some of you may remember Rockey from our behind the scenes vlog on the virtual reality movie made possible through a partnership with Oculus's VR For Good, film director Rose Troche, and Invisible People. You can watch that video here: https://youtu.be/2G3oeDj9QGw Thanks to the help from Eric Montoya and LA Family Housing, Rose was connected to Rockey and the two became friends. The VR film is about Rockey's story and Rockey also plays herself in the VR experience. Rockey has lived homeless in the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles County for over three years. She has lived in this tent for about a year. Rockey says she had to make it as much of a home as possible. Rockey had a bad turn of events that snowballed until she had no choice but to live in a tent. Rockey doesn't want to draw off the system forever. She wants to work. Rockey wants to be like normal people. Go home at the end of the day. Have a meal and watch television. Rockey says life can change in an instant. If you don't have money to pay rent, you're going to try to survive. You build a tent. You get a trap. You grab cardboard. You do anything to keep yourself warm at night. #homeless #losangeles #homelesswoman ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

“Housing ends homelessness” is a cute saying but people need community and purpose. Art, music, and theater can help with that and can be used as an advocacy tool for policy change. ⁦With One Voice is working to strengthen art NGOs that are helping homeless people. Here is the vlog I shot at last year's North America Summit in Montreal: https://youtu.be/d8VA7_qSC7U Link to NBC Dateline that features Brian and Invisible People. It also features Vijay Gupta and Street Symphony along with Urban Voices Project: https://www.nbcnews.com/dateline/video/full-episode-city-of-angels-1319822915741 My favorite part of this vlog is at the end when I talk with Emma and Denise about sleeping rough in the UK. Here is Denise's story: https://youtu.be/d-LULLfCT1g Cameras change everything. I try to always have a camera with me but there are times when I am either too busy to shoot video or that I want to participate in the event. At this year's With One Voice International Arts and Homelessness Summit in Manchester, I wanted to be present so I didn't shoot a lot of video content. I also didn't have the right equipment to really cover the event as it should be. Because the event was so awesome and history in the making, I made this vlog out of the segments that I did shoot. 250 delegates from 15 countries traveled to Manchester, Uk to network and exchange ideas to help support a growing international arts and homelessness movement. An estimated 20,000 members of the public joined for a week-long Festival. Why arts and homelessness? Homelessness is not just about housing, and people who are homeless can suffer from a multitude of challenges from practical ‘house-lessness’ to low well-being, social isolation and stigma. The arts are being used effectively around the world to reduce social isolation by building social networks and increasing both physical and mental health, improve public attitudes/promote understanding towards homeless people and enable homeless people to express themselves so their voice can be heard. For more information about With One Voice: http://with-one-voice.com Special thanks to Ashley Proulx (www.ashleyproulx.com) ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Walter and his wife are homeless in Venice Beach, California. Walter suffers from schizophrenia. Both he and his wife are kind and gentle people. Because of the affordable housing crisis and the lack of support for people who are homeless or have a mental illness, they have no choice but to sleep outside. No matter what the politicians say, there is no support to get Walter and his wife off the streets. Sadly, they have a better chance of dying than getting the help they need. Los Angeles budgeted $30 million for homeless sweeps this fiscal year. L.A. has also budgeted massive funding for "enforcement zones" around the budge housing. The cost to taxpayers of these homeless sweeps around the homeless shelters is more than the budget to run the shelter. Communities claim that homeless sweeps are needed because homelessness is a public safety issue. It is. It's actually a public safety crisis. But the truth is all the homeless sweeps do is displace people who have no place to go and they eat taxpayer money. Without support to get homeless people the help they need, sweeps are inhumane and do absolutely nothing to solve the crisis. Homeless sweeps actually make it worse! Walter and his wife lost everything in the sweeps including all of their clothes. Walter went for a cup of coffee and when he returned, sanitation workers were dumping all of their belonging in a pile mixed with everyone else's stuff. Walter pleaded with the workers but they never give mercy. The Mayor of Los Angeles said in an LA Times article that the city is now using a more "nuanced" approach to sweeps and that there are social workers present. The real truth is, rarely are support workers present. The reason is, there are no shelter beds and there is no housing to help people. Plus, claiming the sweeps which are aggressive as all hell are nuanced is a flat out lie. If you live in Los Angeles follow #ServicesNotSweeps on social media or visit https://servicesnotsweeps.com. As a taxpayer, you are paying more for sweeps than you are to help people. There is something seriously wrong with that. We wrote about it here: 'Services Not Sweeps' Aims to Reform Homeless Sweeps in Los Angeles https://invisiblepeople.tv/services-not-sweeps-aims-to-reform-homeless-sweeps-in-los-angeles/ ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People's website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People's Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath's Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they're on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can't ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation's most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America's homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Beau and his wife are homeless in Venice Beach, California. During this interview, you can see his wife packing up what little belongings they own. Signs were posted on the street they pitched their tent at night that Los Angeles Police and the Bureau of Sanitation are coming to sweep the area. This fiscal year, Los Angeles budgeted $30 million for homeless sweeps. In contrast, the budget includes a $20 million fund to construct emergency bridge housing city-wide. I honestly don't know how anyone can publicly claim they support our homeless friends and then privately support criminalization and homeless sweeps. Homeless outreach workers are supposed to visit the areas before the sweeps to offer support, but that rarely happens. The reason is there is no support for people to get out of homelessness. There are no shelter beds, and there is no housing. The police tell homeless people to move without offering any solutions. They just say "don't be here," but there is nowhere else to go. Bean adds that they lose touch with outreach groups when they are forced to move because they do not have any way to communicate with them. Beau and his wife have been on the streets homeless in Los Angeles for over a year. The job he has lined up fell through. They survive on two hundred dollars a month plus food stamps. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Travelers are a subculture of homeless youth that are known for hopping trains. You’ve seen them hanging out in your city. They almost have a uniform wearing brown clothes and often have dogs. Most of the kids seem happy, and the hippie lifestyle looks attractive. Truth is, many of these kids are “throw away” often running from horrible family situations. They find community with each other, but as young adults, this lifestyle does not come with any professional or even social development. One youth leader once told me she was concerned because these kids don’t get the nutrition they need. As fun as the traveling lifestyle may look, I have often wondered how many of these kids end up as chronic homeless in their adult years. Matty is one. Matty started traveling in his early 20s. He is now 34 years old and homeless in Detroit. Matty told me he survived the winter by sleeping on steam drains and panhandling. Matty did some jail time. When he got out, there was no support. Because of parole violations, he kept getting caught and being brought back to Detroit. Matty now calls the streets of Detroit home. Matty worked construction for a bit but the logistics of a full-time job while living on the streets is nearly impossible to manage. Formerly incarcerated people face multiple barriers to securing housing (including public housing) and employment, which can lead to homelessness. And just by virtue of being homeless—by having to sleep on a bench or take shelter under a bridge—these people may then be targeted by the police. Thus starts an unrelenting cycle, through which people are tossed back and forth between jail and the street. Matty just needed a chance. He made a bad decision. We all make bad decisions. When he got out of jail in his 20s, we should have been there to help him. As taxpayers, we pay huge money per homeless person per year. The real cost savings is preventing homelessness in the first place. Formerly incarcerated people face multiple barriers to securing housing (including public housing) and employment, which can lead to homelessness. And just by virtue of being homeless—by having to sleep on a bench or take shelter under a bridge—these people may then be targeted by the police. Thus starts an unrelenting cycle, through which people are tossed back and forth between jail and the street. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

UPDATE: Rockey Is No Longer Homeless in Los Angeles https://youtu.be/xXeXcpUgSn8 There really are no words to describe a virtual reality experience on homelessness starring real homeless people and formerly homeless people. As far as I know, nothing like this has ever been done before! It's a real miracle, and I thank the team at Oculus and Rose Troche for having the courage to make this virtual reality film happen. I shot this behind the screens vlog on the set of a virtual reality film made possible through a partnership with Oculus's VR For Good, film director Rose Troche, and Invisible People. There are lots of great takeaways in this video but the biggest I hope you all see is how the film crew was changed through this experience by connecting to homeless people. Much of Invisible People's advocacy work happens online, but in-person experiences may have the most significant impact. Whenever possible, whether it's taking a college class out into the streets our a sock tour around Skid Row, I try to connected the public to homelessness. We can and must change the harmful beliefs on homelessness that have been reinforced for decades and it's a direct connection to homeless people that will have the most impact. Another is how Rockey and Paul because they were given a purpose. Homeless people want to take tangible actions to help fight homelessness. As service providers, we must continue amplifying the voice of people experiencing homelessness and give them opportunities to participate in advocacy. I am grateful and honored Oculus's VR for Good partnered Invisible People with Rose Troche. Over the last several months, I have gotten to know the humanitarian side of Rose. The day this vlog was shot was the first time I saw Rose work as a film director. Rose has a huge heart, and she is extremely talented. The very first time I took Rose out into the streets we joined a community action group in Koreatown. You can watch that vlog here: https://youtu.be/t7Ew-RC-n78 We then spent a day with Los Angeles County's C3 outreach team on Skid Row. While Invisible People was working on a project to humanize homelessness in Venice Beach, Rose joined me several times handing out socks to our homeless neighbors. Rose an I took a walk on the boardwalk to test this Insta360 ONE X Action Camera Insta360 ONE X Action Camera https://youtu.be/lOyRUyDhR6Q Because I help take care of my mother in Upstate NY, I am not in Los Angeles full time. I asked my friends at LA Family Housing [https://lafh.org] for help. Huge thanks to Eric Montoya for believing in this project and introducing us to Rockey. Criminalization of homelessness is expensive to taxpayers, yet it does nothing to end homelessness. The money communities spend on homeless sweeps could go to solutions that work like more shelters and more housing! From LAist: https://laist.com/2019/03/12/lapd_homeless_report_force_citation.php According to the reports, the Los Angeles Police Department recorded at least 2,146 uses of force in 2018; 698 involved a homeless resident. That represents about 14 percent increase from 2017. At the same time, homeless people are cited or arrested for things that the rest of us might not even realize are crimes. In 2018, at least 1,424 people experiencing homelessness were cited for sitting on the sidewalk in the City of Los Angeles; at least 468 people were cited for having more than 60-gallons of personal property; at least 415 people cited for possessing a shopping cart. Los Angeles budgeted more than $30 million this fiscal year for supporting a small army of police, sanitation, and homeless outreach workers dispatched daily to roust homeless encampments and clean the spots where they were. According to the reports, L.A. "processed" more than 9,000 tents in 2018. In the same period, sanitation teams disposed of more than 3,600 tons of garbage from cleanups, and 60,437 pounds of human waste. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Karla is homeless in San Diego, "America's Finest City." I really enjoyed talking to Karla. She is full of life and she shared important insights into homelessness. At 11:52 in her interview, Karla walks us through a day in the life of a homeless woman in San Diego A Day in the Life *You're up at 5am Every Day; otherwise, you'll be ticketed for sleeping on a sidewalk. *Then you have to run and stand in line at the day center for two hours because only the first 15 people in line receive all of the services like laundry and showers. *Day Center opens at 6: 30am, but staff doesn't arrive until 8am. So you stand in line waiting. *Men can shower at 8: 30am; Women can shower at 9:30am. But the showers are two blocks away. So you store your stuff, walk two blocks to get your shower, then come back to get your stuff. *At 10am, you have to go stand in line for food or you'll never get a plate. *In the afternoon, there are a few hours to take all of your belongings to storage then go to the library. At the library, you can charge your phone, and possibly get computer access to look for employment and contact family. Most libraries limit access to 45 minutes. *At 4: 30 pm, the day center has closed and the storage facility is about to close. If you have not picked up your possessions from the day center, they will place everything by the side of the road, and people will go through it. The priority is getting to your storage to get what you need for the evening. *It's now 6pm. You put your stuff in the space where you feel safe to sleep and now you have to go find dinner. The choices are to stand in a food line or, in some parts of town, people will drive by and give out food. *You cannot set up your tent or sleeping bags until after 9pm or otherwise, you'll be ticketed by police or go to jail. Homeless people do not get a day off. There are no vacation days. There are no sick days or personal leave. Homeless people in every city have to go through this type of routine just to survive each and every day. If you don't, something bad will happen. Someday, Karla would like to walk across the country to bring awareness to the issues of homelessness in America. She says there is a large group of people who believe homeless people are all drug addicts or lazy. Karla explains homeless people often start using drugs simply to survive. "Many people are drug addicts because they don't want to sleep. They don't want to get raped, they don't want to get mugged, they don't want their stuff stolen. They are scared to sleep. People don't choose drugs over jobs and housing." She also talks about the insanity of credit score requirements for low-income housing. Karla walks us through how her own credit situation snowballed after her husband had to take a severe pay cut when the company he worked for merged with another company. She closes with three wishes: her children to have what they need; a roof over her and her husband's head; and the ability to get others to understand what's going on in the world – compassion is more important than status. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People's website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People's Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath's Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can't ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation's most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America's homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

***this is an excerpt from a live stream we do most every Sunday night. If you'd like to be notified of future live streams, subscribe here and click the bell https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Sadly, like most everything anymore, people are polarized to opposite beliefs digging lines in the sand unwilling to have an open conversation that may lead to change. The higher you go up in the homeless sector, the bigger the egos and the less willing people are to even consider a different way of thinking. This conversation is not about right or wrong, it's about human lives! I started to change my mind on prioritizing chronic homeless people during a lunch with Tanya Tull. In 1988, the "Housing First" Program for families was launched at Beyond Shelter by Tanya Tull in response to a sharp increase in the number of homeless families with children. Dr. Sam Tsemberis is often crediting for developing the Housing First model. But it was Tanya Tull who first came up with Housing First and implemented it. Tanya mentioned to me that prioritizing chronic homeless people does not produce the intended results the special interest groups claim they do. She continued explaining that if the homeless sector truly wanted to save lives and save money, they should prioritize people new to homelessness because they have a far better chance of restabilizing and getting off of any kind of public assistance. This is the woman who first came up with the Housing First model! She is an icon in the homeless services sector! LISTEN UP! Focus on Ending Chronic Homelessness About 10 years ago, the homeless sector started focusing on the prioritization of chronic homelessness. In simple terms, a chronic homeless person is someone who has been on the streets for a while, really stuck in homelessness. They may have developed an addiction, mental health problems, even behavioral problems. The homeless sector started implementing a vulnerability index to rate how close a chronic homeless person is to death. Then, they fast-track the person into housing (which, by the way, doesn't exist, there is not even close to enough housing). Initially, I supported the movement to prioritize chronic homelessness. Facing homelessness myself, I was here in Los Angeles working as a case manager. I was borderline poverty, scraping rent and crashing into homelessness myself. I went to this meeting in Santa Monica where they just started talking about Chronic Homelessness. At the meeting, they passed around a book showing about 100 chronically homeless people. These people were so close to death - I could only look at four pictures. It was clear these people needed immediate help or they would die. The Theory: Chronically homeless people eat up 80 percent of the resources available to the homeless sector. If we end chronic homelessness, we can take those resources and use it to end family homelessness. Here’s the thing: It's not working. Youth, Families and Elderly are the fastest growing homeless demographics. Why? Well, because we've only focused on Chronic Homelessness. My friend Alicia is homeless. She sleeps in front of her apartment building where she lived for 17 years. She has issues now. But if she received help, and in turn, her dignity, she would turn around. I believe she would get a job. If you watch her interview [https://youtu.be/NdS63o_TC_8], and I hope you do, she talks about how she wants to go back to work. But she remains homeless. Alicia spends all day, every day in the Venice Beach bathroom – picture the dirtiest truck stop, and that’s still better than the Venice Beach bathrooms. She stays in there, listening to her radio because she is scared. She used to be able to leave, find somewhere else to hide. But she's getting older. She's been on the streets for four years. She can't leave and she hides in the bathroom. What do you think her mental state is? What will it be in a year? The trouble is right now Alicia is not "vulnerable" enough to qualify for support. The current system prioritizes only the most vulnerable. I still believe we have a moral imperative to help people who need it the most. But I no longer believe that targeting just the most vulnerable is smart. Here's why. If Alicia doesn't get into housing soon, chances are she will need support for the rest of her life. Or worse, she'll die outside. By prioritizing people like Alicia, we'll save more lives and more taxpayer money. Housing First http://invisiblepeople.tv/housingfirst ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

As I travel, I run into some very talented street musicians that also just happen to be homeless. The one I will never forget is meeting Zaq and a group of homeless youth one Thanksgiving in Hollywood. I gave them socks and they sang me a song. https://youtu.be/PV_tMUK3YZw Today I was walking around San Diego handing out socks and meeting new homeless friends when I just happened to meet Glen Pops Freeman. Glen was so nice and very talented, and wise. Glen lived in Seattle for the last 40 years. He originally from San Diego and decided to head south. Glen wanted to see his old home town again and get out of Seattle during the winter. Glen earns his way as a street musician. He says his music is a combination of reggae, calypso, and Motown. I really am glad Glen decided to sing to us. "Doing anything is better than nothing" is one of the nuggets of wisdom Glen shared in this interview. It also is not just about homelessness or homeless people. We all need a purpose. We all need a reason to get up in the morning. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

When I asked Dustin about homelessness in Los Angeles her responded "wet, cold, sucks, and everybody hates you." That's an accurate description actually. Dustin is homeless in Hollywood. The night before he slept under an overhang because it was raining. Dustin says that he applied for a job online and it turns out it was an identity scam. By the time Dustin found out, he was $100,000 in debt and crashed back into homelessness. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Here is the video Jan produced: Spreading kindness to the homeless people of Venice - handing out socks - Ft. Invisible People https://youtu.be/isTDKvQG9Ls Subscribe to Jan here: https://www.youtube.com/c/Adventuremuse follow Jan here: https://twitter.com/AdventureMuse_ and here: https://www.instagram.com/graphicmuse.design/ Jan made the end card video we now use. Thanks, Jan! From 1990 to 1994 I was the Director of Distribution Services for Starcom Television. During that period If you watched Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy, Married With Children, or hundreds of other syndicated shows, I was the guy that got them to your TV set. For the next few decades, I went on to produce broadcast television. I have won a bunch of awards and blah blah blah. Thing is, none of that experience has prepared me for the world of YouTube. In fact, in many ways being a broadcast dinosaur has hurt me producing for YouTube. There is a first time for everything, and this vlog is Invisible People's first time doing a collab with another YouTuber. I was thrilled that Jan and her friend Staci spent the day with me handing out Hanes socks to homeless people in Venice Beach. Being a first time doing a collab, I had no clue what I was doing. In true Invisible people style, I jump in and learn along the way. One of the great things about YouTube is authenticity has replaced production style. Ya, there are LOTS of things I wish I had done better production wise but this experience of connecting two people too homelessness and the conversations we had is perfect, and that is what matters. I really like how Jan and Staci asked me questions about homelessness, and I was so very impressed how they connect with our homeless neighbors. I went a little long with Mark's interview, but I believe what he shared people need to hear. Plus, I adore Mark. I sincerely miss the homeless people I now call friends who live at Venice Beach. I am hoping to do more collabs with more YouTubers as I travel. For over ten years, I have been taking social media influencers out on the streets to hand out socks. This being my first YouTube collab the experience pushed me to try new production techniques, and I had getting to know Jan and Staci. If you'd like to collab, please reach out to me on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal ________________________________________________ Documentary on Mark Horvath of Invisible People Using YouTube and Social Media to End Homelessness https://youtu.be/z0wDn9SAWZs Video on Housing First http://invisiblepeople.tv/housingfirst Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

I have a lot of respect for Rachel. She has lived outside homeless in a tent even during the cold weather and she is fighting to stay sober. What most people don't understand is it's nearly impossible to live homeless and not use drugs or alcohol to space. Ithaca is a rural community in Upstate New York. Because Ithaca is a college town with Cornell University and Ithaca College, there is an extreme lack of affordable housing. People who make minimum wage can't afford apartments and social services have a difficult time finding housing to place homeless people in. Rachel says that this winter there has been times that the side of their tent was covered with frost and the water they use frozen. Some think homelessness is a choice. NO ONE wants to live outside in freezing weather. They just don't have any other choice. Rachel shares they don't go into shelters or hotels is because people steal their stuff. She adds that they don't have a lot but it's all that they own. Rachel is lived in Ithaca's Jungle since she was released from jail. There is little to no support for people who were incarcerated to rebuild their lives after doing their time. Plus, it's extremely hard to find a job. Rachel says having a felony on her record is hurting her ability to lease an apartment. The good news is Rachel has a housing voucher and people like Deb Wilke from Ithaca Homeless Crisis, a group of concerned citizens taking action, are helping Rachel navigate social services and the affordable housing crisis. If you'd like to learn more about the group, here is a link to their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ithacahomeless Here is a link to the tour of Ithaca's tent encampment where I first met Rachel and Deb talks about helping homeless people in the Jungle: https://youtu.be/Qm_DV-F-qWg ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

2018 Tour of Ithaca's Tent City Where Homeless People Survive in the Freezing Cold https://youtu.be/rZjoHWARvjU Ithaca's Tent City "THE JUNGLE": Living Homeless Sucks! https://youtu.be/l_-1SjKK31A I shot and edited this vlog down and dirty to get it up quick. It may not be the best video production, but the content and what we talked about is what's the most important. 20 people sleep outside in Ithaca's infamous tent encampment known as "The Jungle." I learned near the end of the video that everyone sleeping outside in the freezing weather has a housing voucher. What they don't have is the support to get out of homelessness into the housing, so they sleep in tents in subzero weather. What does this mean? ITHACA COULD END HOMELESSNESS FOR THESE 20 PEOPLE IF IT WANTED TO! It's not that anyone is bad. Homeless services are filled with bureaucracy and are horribly inefficient. The system is also overwhelmed. Added to that there is a severe lack of affordable housing in Ithaca. It's not just Ithaca. Social services everywhere have to go by the rules placed onto them by the government and private funders. Funders and the leaders making the decisions are often far removed from front line service. Boxes have to be checked. Data must be collected, and people are reduced to spreadsheets. The problem is that even though people are complex, the solution to getting someone off the streets may be simple yet the system never allows for any flexibility. Carmen Guidi and Deb Wilke are doing what they can to fill in the gaps. Carmen owns a body shop. He has no social services training, but when he learned of people sleeping outside in Ithaca homeless, he started to take action to do something. Deb is a mother and a housewife. Her whole family comes out to the Jungle to help their homeless neighbors. A highlight to be is a husband and wife volunteering for the first time connected with Carmen after watching Invisible People videos. Carmon goes on to tell the story of a man he met out in the wood last week who was helping homeless people rebuild a shack. The man told Carmen he recognized him from Ivisible People videos, which is what motivated him to go to the Jungle and start helping people. This is poverty in America. This is poverty is rural America. Normal citizens are starting to take tangible actions to help end homelessness. As cool as that is, social services needs to be out in Ithaca's tent city working along side people to get them out of tents and into housing! To learn more about Second Wind Cottages click here http://www.secondwindcottages.org ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People's website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People's Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath's Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they're on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can't ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation's most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America's homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Guy is homeless in Venice Beach, California. He is a professional musician. After being evicted, Guy jumped on a train and headed to Los Angeles. Lots of people relocate to Southern California for many different reasons. Some are seeking fame and fortune. I was one of those who headed west way back in 1987 when I relocated from Upstate New York. I too ended up on the streets! The population of Los Angeles has a lot of people moving in and out but the research shows that 65 percent of those on the streets have lived here for 20 or more years, whereas about 10 percent have been here less than a year. Guy does receive disability income but it's not enough to afford rent. I know many of you will comment that he should move to someplace where it doesn't cost so much to live. Well, that's easy to think and harder to do. First, a homeless person would have to get first months rent and security deposit. If they have bad credit or an eviction, that also makes it hard to rent a place. Plus, there really is no perfect place to live. Where there is cheaper rent, there often are only low paying jobs, if you can get a job. But Guy's biggest challenge is he doesn't have identification. Without ID, you can't do anything anymore. Guy shares about the bureaucracy he faces trying to get a new ID. Guy is a gentle and kind man. Even if he wasn't disabled, at 61 there is little chance an employer will hire him. We need to help people like Guy get out of homelessness. TAKE ACTION: We've made it easy for people in the U.S. to contact their federal and state legislators to let them know they to want to make ending homelessness and fixing affordable housing crisis to be a priority. Visit https://invisiblepeople.tv click on "Get Involved" and speak up to end homelessness. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Video is for this post: New Invisible People Launches: See. Learn. Take Action. https://invisiblepeople.tv/new-invisible-people-launches-see-learn-take-action/ Around ten years ago during a period of extended unemployment, it looked like I was crashing back into homelessness for a second time. I had no income. I was surviving by eating $1 pizzas from Ralph’s grocery store, which are mostly cardboard with tomato sauce. It was a very dark time in my life. I grabbed my dinky camera and started to interview homeless people. I had to sell my Avid (video editing software) workstation when I lost my house to foreclosure. The laptop I had back then would not allow me to edit video. Being that I am a television producer by trade, I thought video needed music, graphics, and B-roll or it wasn't video. I almost didn't move forward until I said to myself "no one is going to watch this" and I uploaded the video to YouTube raw and unedited. 45 million views later, I now know authenticity has replaced production value. I wish I could tell you that my goal was to help make our world a better place but the truth is I was just giving myself purpose to get up in the morning. I took $45 and registered a domain, bought some server space, and I hacked out the header photo on a WordPress theme and the very first Invisible People was born. I am excited to launch a brand new and improved Invisible People with a new look, a new web presence, and a new engagement strategy. This entire brand refresh has been two years in the making. In typical Invisible people style, I started making these changes with no money. Money helps a lot but I am living proof that people can do a lot with a little. The lack of money should never stop us from moving forward. After working for a year, a few donors stepped up to support Invisible People's vision (thank you, Kurt, Dorit and Al, and Hanesbrands). I took a look at where we were at and I decided to start from scratch. That added another year to the project but it was the right decision. There is no map or guide for the work we do. Invisible People is completely unique in both what we do and the amount of reach we have educating the public on homelessness. Much of the backend comes by trial and error and a strong belief in audience building. Here's what's new: LEARN MORE is where people can learn about homelessness. Up until now, if a young adult wanted to learn about any homelessness, they have to sift through educational content or fundraising materials. There was no place on the internet for a high school student to find information on homelessness for a homework assignment, until now! STORIES is where you can find the raw and unfiltered stories of homeless people that we have been uploading for over a decade now. NEWS is precisely that - news on homelessness and solutions to end it. As I stated above, we are still adding content to this section. Right now, it is stuff I wrote over the years. But very soon you'll be able to find well-written articles from professional journalists, academics, leading experts, homeless people and formerly homeless people. As we grow, one of our goals is to hire as many writers with lived experience of homelessness as possible. GET INVOLVED is the feature I am the most excited about. If you live in the United States and click on the GET INVOLVED tab, we make it easy for you to contact your legislators to demand they make ending homelessness a priority. Just input your address and you are able to email, tweet, call or Facebook your federal and state lawmakers right from our site! This feature is all set to go, so feel free to give it a try. We've even made it possible for people to donate with Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Litecoin (LTC), Ripple (XRP), and a few other cryptocurrencies. Our new website, brand refresh, and engagement strategy will multiply our reach and significantly increase our impact educating the public on homelessness. And now we can direct people to take tangible actions to help end homelessness. While Invisible People has been around for ten years, I feel like we are now just at the beginning. This year will be our biggest year yet! Besides partnering with Oculus on a virtual reality film on homelessness, we are going to produce educational programming for colleges and high schools to use. There are no words to express how grateful I am to all of the people who believed in me and Invisible People's important work. Your support is what makes all of this possible! Thank you!  On March 13th I turn 58, and I am asking everyone to please consider donating at least $29 (half my age) to help support Invisible people's important work http://invisiblepeople.tv/birthday ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv

What you all ask for the most are updates on the homeless people we talk to and longer interviews. Whenever possible, I am now trying to extend the conversations. Lots of it depends on how long people want to talk and the environment surrounding us. As support for Invisible People grows, one of our goals is to provide updates on people whenever possible. Right now updates happen organically. I met Laura last year when I visited Gainesville, Florida for the first time. Laura is one of those people that continues to remain positive even though she is sleeping outside homeless. Laura shared in her first interview [https://youtu.be/9kJzkxeLuyI] about being abused as a child and becoming a sex worker. Life is exceptionally challenging for homeless women, yet, laura's personality and her smile stuck with me. The moment I arrived back in Gainesville I started to look for Laura. I was hoping for the best but expected the worse. Most of the people interviewed on Invisible People are still homeless. A few have found a path to housing. Several have died. It's not the service providers are not giving their all, the homeless services system is broken, and more resources are needed. I met a homeless woman who confirmed with me Laura was still sleeping outside. I then aggressively started to look for her. I walked to the local park where we first met a few times every day but no Laura. Then walking through a farmers market there she was sitting and smiling! You'd never know Laura is homeless by the looks of her. I was so happy to see her but saddened she's still outside! All homeless people adapt to their situation in one way or another. What I have seen is the people who have experienced the most childhood trauma have the hardest time surviving homelessness. Laura is an extraordinary person. She spends her time working on personal growth and volunteering. There is no doubt in my mind that if homeless services were able to get Laura inside into her own place, in a short period of time, Laura would become self-sufficient again. We've now made it easy for you to contact your legislators to demand they make ending homelessness a priority. Click here and speak up to help people like Laura https://invisiblepeople.tv/get-involved/ ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

As many of you know, a few years ago I started trying to experiment with the vlogging format to help bring you all along with me as I am traveling connecting with homeless people and homeless service providers. I usually am out working on other Invisible People projects and try my best to shoot some video along the way. I believe the vlog format has a lot of potential to engage the public on the crisis of homelessness and may be the future of storytelling. Here is a link to a playlist of all the vlogs I've created: http://invisiblepeople.tv/vlogs Some are good. Some are not so good. All of them are real and authentic giving you a glimpse into homelessness and people who have decided their lives to help end homelessness! In 2017, I was in London working on a secret project. While there, I shot video but because I am still learning, I never felt I was able to connect the stories. In 2018, Crisis brought me into London and Cardiff to speak about how to message homelessness and Invisible People's important work. If you're not aware, Crisis is the only nonprofit that I know of besides Invisible People that takes messaging seriously. Crisis also championed research on messaging you can find here: https://www.crisis.org.uk/ending-homelessness/homelessness-knowledge-hub/services-and-interventions/finding-a-better-frame-how-to-create-more-effective-messages-on-homelessness-in-the-united-kingdom-2017/ There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, a living wage or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. This video in this vlog was shot in 2017 and 2018. I felt the stories needed to be told so I tried to connect them the best I could. I hope you find some value in it. There are several different stories throughout this vlog with lots of essential truths you don't hear from other homeless nonprofits! I start off connecting with Lisa Lewis who is the chief executive of Doorway [https://www.doorway.org.uk], a homeless services provider in rural England. Lisa is one of my favorite people. We then meet John for the first time. John was sleeping rough in London. I interviewed him twice that trip. Once on the streets https://youtu.be/rcAn69lb4As and a few days later in the hospital https://youtu.be/alrdamxFi8k I sat and talked to my homeless friend Mervin about fishing. You can watch his full interview here: https://youtu.be/SBwwmIkmZXo That year, I also had the honor of taking George Olney out on the streets for the first time. George is Crisis's story journalist. After funding research, Crisis looked around to see whatever charities were messaging right. They got inspired by my work and started their own version of Invisible People. The vlog then goes back to 2018 when I had the privilege of handing out Hanes socks in London with Loredana Sole who is Senior Manager, Corporate Social Responsibility, GEC Europe & South Africa for Hanesbrands. This was the very first time Loredana, and I met in person, and her first time handing out socks to people sleeping rough. Loredana is a natural. It was amazing to see how well she connected with homeless people. I then travel by train to Cardiff, Wales. This was my first time in Wales, and it was very eye-opening. Sadly, homelessness is a crisis in every city and every country. My first day there I met Andy and posted his story. Imedditatly Andy's story started to move people. The first night it received 40,000 views and a year later 323,949 views. Here is his original story: https://youtu.be/TRRbCzZH_HY While I was recording Ed, he started to put on the Hanes socks I gave him. Here is Ed's full interview: https://youtu.be/xXdGFjoc2zA A highlight of my visit was joining the Wallich [https://thewallich.com] outreach team on a breakfast run. They go out every day including Christmas. I am very impressed that at the time of this video 17% of their staff are formerly homeless people with the goal of 25%. Their CEO was once homeless. Near the end, I visit Mencap [https://www.mencap.org.uk/], a UK charity that works with people who have learning disabilities. Mencap is close to my heart. Great people who are doing great work. If for nothing else, you have to watch this video to meet their receptionist, Josie! I close out the vlog with my friend David Tovey. David used to be homeless. He now is a famous artist using his talents to help others. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople

UPDATE: I tried to find Granny this year. I was told she was in an ally and her health was bad. I aggressively looked for a few days to no avail. Someone just shared with me that she was killed in a hit and run accident. "She was so proud of being featured in the video that your organization posted. She couldn’t believe how many people viewed it, and she loved to tell people about it or show them." Email I received informing me of Granny's death. __________ I first met Granny the night before. She was sitting down on a sidewalk panhandling. I said hello and gave her some socks. We talked for a little bit but I didn't get to know her. Last night I was walking around and I hear "thank you for the socks" off in the distance. I turn and there was Granny. I walked over to say hello and started to ask her a little more about her story. Granny is homeless in Gainesville, Florida. She ran away from an orphanage when she was just 13. Granny has been on and off the streets homeless since then. Granny was in placed into housing for a month but she didn't feel safe where they housed her. Often the only landlords that participate in housing programs have properties in bad neighborhoods. Before being housed, Granny was homeless for almost six years. Granny has a strong faith. She tries to help others when she can. When I asked her about all of the people walking by her she responded "that's OK. Not everyone knows Jesus the way I do. Some call themselves Christians but it's just a name to them." It's heartbreaking to see so many homeless seniors out on the streets. Homeless shelters are starting to look like nursing homes. The elderly homeless population is the fastest growing demographic of homelessness. It's very scary because there are not enough resources to help all of the people now. The growing senior homelessness will tax a system that's already overwhelmed. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People's website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People's Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath's Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they're on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can't ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation's most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America's homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Derek is homeless in Cardiff, Wales in the United Kingdom. At the time of this interview, Derek was sleeping rough for about a year and a half. This is his second time experiencing homelessness. Derek says he got married and that saved him. He was off the streets for nine years! Derek is not ashamed to say that he was addicted to heroin and alcohol. He has now been sober seven months and he has not used opioids in over nine years! After his first experience with homelessness, Derek went back to college and became a registered nurse. He is currently working with homeless agencies in Cardiff to get rehoused. Derek plans to get back to work. Derek lives in a tent. Recently, Tory councillor Kathryn Kelloway tweet that people should tear down the tents in Cardiff people are sleeping in. Her ignorance of homelessness is common and it's why educating the public and politicians is so very important. Sadly, one of the news stories about Kathryn Kelloway tweet features Andy, who when I left Cardiff was sleeping inside at a hostel (homeless shelter) but is now back outside sleeping rough. Here is Andy's original video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRRbCzZH_HY and here is the news story https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/homeless-mans-heartbreaking-message-tory-15739289 ________________________________________________ Documentary on Mark Horvath of Invisible People Using YouTube and Social Media to End Homelessness https://youtu.be/z0wDn9SAWZs Housing First http://invisiblepeople.tv/housingfirst Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Imagine your only choice for housing is a tent and the rain starts coming down nonstop for days. The public falsely believes homeless people like to be homeless that they are living homeless by choice. No refrigeration to preserve food, no wifi for Netflix, no bathrooms, and no escape from the bad weather. There are no days off, no vacation days, there is no personal leave - every single day homeless people have to fight just to survive. In rainy or snowy weather, homelessness goes from worse to beyond horrible. I have made several good friends who live on the Venice Beach Boardwalk. They are good people; they just happen to be homeless. It breaks my heart thinking about what they have to endure when the weather is like is - cold and wet. People are dying homeless. The other night my friend CJ's friend died in her tent. I can't even imagine what it must be like to be living in a tent when a person sleeping next to you passes away. According to Los Angeles County Coroner records, more than 1,200 homeless people have died since 2017. In this video, I attempt to give you a little glimpse of what homelessness is like in the rain. The reality is I can stand outside with a camera, but it's impossible to transmit the emotional trauma homeless people experience living outside in the elements without any real support! The last homeless count reports that around 850 people are without homeless in Venice, California. At best, the number is a good guess. The reality is there are far more people experiencing homelessness that are not counted. We know how to end homelessness. We have known for years how to end homelessness. We just need the public support to do it. I any city in America, there is not enough housing and there is not enough support to help all of the people who are in desperate need. WE MUST CHANGE THAT! This week the rain in Venice Beach, California reminded me of the time about nine years ago when I stood in front of a Los Angeles Winter Shelter in the pouring rain and recorded a video [https://youtu.be/H9vm450vud4] asking LAHSA's leadership why they were kicking homeless seniors and homeless people with disabilities out into the monsoon weather. A CBS News reporter told me that the video went all the way to Governor Schwarzenegger who opened the National Guard Armories during the day. These days, the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority is far more proactive in opening homeless shelters in bad weather. #venicebeach #homeless #losangeles __________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People's website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People's Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath's Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they're on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can't ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation's most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America's homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

I met Jason while he was waiting for the winter shelter bus. It was his day off. Jason works full time but because he doesn't get off of work and back to Venice Beach in time, Jason cannot only access the winter shelter. Jason also shares in this interview that sometimes he'd rather sleep outside than go into the homeless shelter. During the colder months, LAHSA (Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority) operates emergency winter homeless shelters throughout Los Angeles County. At few locations, they bus homeless people to the winter shelters. LAHSA does the best they can with the resources they have but because there are far more homeless people that need help than there is the support to help them, programs like the winter shelter are at best just warehousing people and do little to end homelessness! Please don't get me wrong, emergency winter homeless shelters provide a valuable service when the weather gets cold. It's just that the lack of any real housing solutions to get people off the streets combined with a service model that kicks people out during the day even in cold weather work to maintain homelessness more than anything. When we first met, I gave Jason some socks and my business card. A few days later I received a text from Jason that he checked out Invisible People online. Jason wrote: " I like what you are doing and would be willing to share a bit about my experience." We tried to connect that night, but Jason called me from work letting me know that he picked up a second shift and we'd have to reschedule. He works as a dishwasher, and you could hear the kitchen noise. I immediately thought how great it is that Jason will get some overtime, but my heart broke realizing that for a homeless people, an unplanned change like that can be logistically challenging. Jason told me he slept in the Silver Lake area that night because it was too late to get back to Venice Beach. Jason has lived on the streets homeless for a little over a year. He's had a few good paying jobs in that time, but Jason made the mistake of spending his money on hotel stays. Homelessness is horrible, so it's common for a homeless person who gets a job to want to get off the streets as soon as possible. Plus, it's impossible to maintain employment if you can't shower or get a good nights sleep. Hotel rooms can become a trap that keeps people in a state of homelessness, but sadly the homeless sector does not make it easy for working homeless people. There is no end in sight of the affordable housing crisis. The cost to rent an apartment is skyrocketing in every community while incomes remain stagnant. More and more people with jobs are living outside homeless. Some people say well move, but saving up for relocation is not always possible and then where do you go? Rents are going up in every city in America! ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

I first connected with Safe Place for Youth (SPY) around eight years ago. I believe it was their social media volunteer that reached out to me and asked that I connect with their executive director Alison Hurst t. They took me out to lunch and since that moment, Alison has been one of my favorite people. In a sector that's often fueled by political agendas, Alison's candor is refreshing. She tells it like it is. Alison also genuinely cares for homeless youth. At the time, Safe Place for Youth did even have a location in Venice Beach. Now, they have a wonderful building where they are able to help over a hundred homeless youth every day. I love Safe Place for Youth, which many of the kids now call SPY. I have visited a few times. It's a happy place full of love. Because SPY is just a day center, watching the homeless youth leave around 5pm is so very sad. A lot can happen to young adults out on the streets. The good news is that the Los Angeles City Council approved a Bridge Home, which is a temporary housing facility that will have 54 beds dedicated to homeless youth. I love that Councilmember Mike Bonin visited with the youth at SPY to get their insight on the bridge housing's design and support services. In full disclosure, Invisible People is working with Los Angeles to help humanize homelessness. We were given no instructions except to do what we do best and that is to empower homeless people to share their own stories. Our work features the raw and unfiltered stories of homeless people. I have to give lots of respect to Mike Bonin supporting this type of storytelling and for genuinely wanting homeless people's voice to be heard. One of the many highlights of this video is near the end when we talk to two formerly homeless youth that are now living in a host home. As far as I know, Safe Place for Youth (SPY) is one of the first homeless youth organizations that connect people who have a spare room with homeless youth. It's truly amazing! With homeless numbers increasing and the affordable housing crisis getting worse, we need to figure out creative ways to end homelessness. Hearing from these two young adults really sold me on the host home model! To learn more about SPY, please click here http://www.safeplaceforyouth.org Special thanks to Ashley Proulx (www.ashleyproulx.com) ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Just before Christmas, I had the honor of volunteering with Hanes Canada employees at the Scott Mission in Toronto, Canada. To learn more about HanesBrands corporate social responsibility efforts around the world, please click here: https://hanesforgood.com Disclosure: Hanes helps Invisible People with socks, and I sometimes work for Hanes as a consultant, but neither myself or Invisible People was compensated for this video. I thought it was a fun day so I made a video. Enjoy! Special thanks to Ashley Proulx (www.ashleyproulx.com) ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

I want to make sure you hear this powerful statement Walter shared in this interview: "Who suffers? The elderly, the vets, more homeless, more minorities. Minorities, once you're out here, it don't matter what color you are. It doesn't matter who you are, you are a minority again. When you're a minority, no one listens. When no one listens, you got to speak louder, and if you don't speak louder, like Martin Luther King says, who gives a damn? Okay, I don't mean speak louder as in being totally angry, but you got to speak up for yourself and that other person who's homeless, that other person, no matter who it is — elderly, whatever, mental problem — you've got to speak not just for yourself, you got to speak for everybody." Walter grew up in the conservative midwest state of Missouri. Walter has strong political views, and he does not like Republicans. He feels that they don't "give a damn." Right or wrong, that's what Walter believes. I try to stay away from politics, so I hope people watching this video will see past any politics and listen to what Walter has to say about mental illness and life on the streets living homeless in Venice Beach. I have huge respect for Walter for having the courage to be open and honest about his mental illness. He was diagnosed with schizophrenia, multiple personality disorder and bipolar. Walter hears voices and sometimes talks to himself. He shares how people walk by him and say "he's one of them...crazy." Walter shares that mental illness can happen to anyone. In Venice Beach and in many Los Angeles communities, police force homeless people to tear down their tents early in the morning and move to another area. The problem is, there is no place for homeless people to relocate to. It's an endless Whack-a-mole game paid for by taxpayers. There is really only one way to stop this madness and that's to get homeless people off the streets into housing. Every single day Walter and his wife have to face the reality of homelessness. There are no days off. No vacation days. No personal leave. I cannot imagine how the stress of life on the streets affects his or anyone's mental health. Please watch this interview and listen to Walter's story and how he survives with mental illness. Hear him speak with compassion on how we all need to speak up for other people who need our help. Then please take tangible action to help fight homelessness in your community. Housing people saves lives and saves taxpayer money! ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

To watch 360° videos, you need the latest version of Chrome, Opera, Firefox, or MS Edge on your computer. On mobile devices, use the latest version of the YouTube app. In 2018, Invisible People was selected by Oculus's VR for Good to help produce a virtual reality film on homelessness. Oculus connected me with Rose Troche, an award-winning writer, director, and producer of film, television, and new media. The virtual reality film on homelessness we are producing is going to be one of the highlights of 2019, so it's kind of fitting that the first video I upload in 2019 is a 360° conversation on homelessness with Rose at Venice Beach Boardwalk. Three years ago I started to experiment with 360° video and recorded this video of Heather and Mark in Toronto https://youtu.be/GWseLtZC-dY I have not done much with immersive storytelling because of the video quality for prosumer gear that I could possibly afford was not very good. For this video, I was testing out the Insta360 ONE X Action Camera. This is also the first 360° video that I edited on Adobe Premiere, which is something not even possible a few years back. I am a complete novice to editing 360° video. Heck, I am a notice to 360° and the world of virtual reality. The video is uploading as I type. I have no idea how this is going to come out. But I think it's important for nonprofit storytellers to stay current with technology the best they can. Rose has been researching homelessness for the last few months. We have gone out on the streets to connect with homeless people serval times now. You may remember Rose from the Koreatown vlog [https://youtu.be/t7Ew-RC-n78]. In this video, Rose and I go for a walk to the former MTA bus lot that at the time was the proposed Bridge Housing location. The good news is Venice Beach Bridge Housing was approved. The facility would provide up to 154 beds - 100 beds for homeless adults and 54 for homeless youth. Please know this video is simply a test. I am trying to learn more about 360° video. I felt the conversation with Rose was important enough to post and, the only way to see the 360° effect is to upload the video. In the last part of the video, Venice icon Harry Perry skates up to Rose to sing her a song PLUS Rose shares more details about the VR film we Invisible People is helping Oculus to produce. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People's website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People's Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath's Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they're on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can't ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation's most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America's homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

There is something very subtle in Ronnie's interview that is so very important. At one point he shows me the clothes hangers he found and believes he'll be able to sell. Besides the fact that we have created a scavenger class of people in America, just imagine the human spirit at a point where a person's entire survival revolves around what garbage they can find. I am not talking about the people who go out and intentionally dumpster dive for what they believe is buried treasure. Homeless people like Ronnie have had their spirits broken. They are no longer living -- they are surviving! It's hard to explain to someone who hasn't been to the point of when learned helplessness sinks in, and you just give up on any hope of getting out of homelessness. It took me a while to grasp Ronnie's story. Ronnie was visiting a girl he was dating. After watching a basketball game with the family, the girl's father told Ronnie he could sleep outside instead of going all the way home. Ronnie crashed in the alley behind the house, and a truck ran over his leg. Ronnie was still able to work but sometime after, a skateboarder ran over his leg, and Ronnie was not able to work eventually losing his job. Ronnie has lived on the streets of Venice Beach homeless now for five years. He calls himself a collector. He primarily scavenges for survival. Like so many others, Ronnie has adapted to homelessness! After I first met Ronnie, I stopped to talk to him several times. I am not a social worker nor do I have any medical experience but from my interactions with Ronnie, I believe he is vulnerable. He needs help. He needs to get off the streets! He needs us to advocate for him because there just is not enough support or housing for all the homeless people who need it. Please watch this video on Housing First http://invisiblepeople.tv/housingfirst We can end homelessness! We know how! We just need the public support to make it happen! ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

I don't know about you, but for me, 2018 was a very interesting year filled with both professional and personal victories and challenges. In 2018, Invisible People exploded multiplying our reach connecting with the public to educate people on homelessness. As communities continue to ramp up efforts to help homeless people we also saw a growth in resistance from the general public. Town halls became nasty, legal actions are being taken to stop homeless shelters, angry residents continue to protest efforts to end homelessness in their neighborhoods. The public resistance to helping our homeless neighbors will snowball in 2019. For ten years, Invisible People has been trying to counter harmful stereotypes by humanizing homelessness. In 2018, we reached significant benchmarks unheard of for a nonprofit, and especially an education-based nonprofit working to end homelessness. This year, YouTube presented Invisible People with a Silver Creator Award for reaching 100,000 subscribers, but our growth didn't stop there. Currently, we have 214,615 YouTube subs. We also achieved a benchmark of 41 million views. On YouTube, 41 million views over ten years is not a lot. The thing is, 26,116,210 views are from the last 365 days meaning Invisible People's new yearly minimum benchmark is 26 million views! In 2018 highlights: YouTube views - 26,116,210 YouTube Subscribers - 168,666 Potential Social Media Reach - 1,174,344,163 (Twitter and Facebook) The Nonprofit Times included me in their Power & Influence Top 50 of nonprofit executives: http://www.thenonprofittimes.com/special_report/the-npt-power-influence-top-50-2018/#body Featured on Dateline NBC: Full episode "City of Angeles" https://www.nbcnews.com/dateline/video/full-episode-city-of-angels-1319822915741 Invisible People's segment https://www.nbcnews.com/dateline/video/city-of-angels-part-6-1319848003812 Invisible People selected by Oculus VR for Good to help produce a virtual reality film on homelessness. https://www.oculus.com/blog/vr-for-good-introducing-our-2018-creators-lab-participants/ Near the end of this video, you'll see a sneak peek at the new Invisible People brand refresh, educational strategy, and our new website. I literally have been working on this for two years now. When I started with the vision, Invisible People had zero money but not having money has never stopped me. It just slows me down and limits out potential and impact. Then, a very generous person gave Invisible People a large donation. I decided to start from scratch since a few of the directions we were headed now changes because we received funding. The new educational strategy and website will launch early 2019, and it's very exciting. Our foundation of first-person storytelling from homeless people will not change. The new site adds an educational component that's focused on teaching young adults about homelessness. Plus, we're adding a "call to action" for people to contact their legislators to demand they take actions to fix the affordable housing crisis and help end homelessness! This video only highlights a few of the fantastic things that happened this year, and we have a lot more planned for 2019. Even though I have been doing this work for ten years, I believe we are just getting started. Our YouTube growth is significant enough to open the doors to more brand deals. We're going to travel more with the hopes of making a tenth-anniversary road trip happen. We'll finish the VR film with Oculus, and there are a few more amazing things in the works that I can't talk about just yet. THANK YOU! Thanks to every one of you that helped support Invisible People with a financial donation and that shared our content with your networks. Without you, none of this would even be happening. We only receive $5,000 in grant funding each year. The support needed to keep this vital work going all comes from people just like you. Please consider a tax-deductible year-end gift to support Invisible People's important work. https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate Start 2019 off right with a monthly gift here: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate or becoming a Patron for as little $2 a month ($24 a year) by clicking here: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal

While walking around handing out socks to new homeless friends, I started to talk to a woman who was sitting on the sidewalk. Her name is Lisa, and she is homeless in Venice Beach, California. I don't exactly remember the conversation, but at one point Lisa says to me all excited "we were on Dateline together." HOLY WOW she was right! A few months prior, Dateline NBC produced a show about homelessness in Los Angeles. I may be a little biased because Dateline featured Invisible People, but I think Dateline produced one of the best shows on the topic I have ever seen. You can watch the full City of Angeles episode here: https://www.nbcnews.com/dateline/video/full-episode-city-of-angels-1319822915741 I think the world of Lisa. After we first met, we connected a little bit before this interview. While walking down Venice Beach Boardwalk, almost every vendor and homeless person said hello to her. She is a kind and loving person. Liked by many. Lisa is also the type of individual I envision when I think of Venice Beach culture. Venice Beach is one of the most wonderful and unique places I have ever visited. Being an old hippie myself, I find the bohemian lifestyle romantic. People are drawn to Venice for many different reasons these days but many are drawn by the lure of a carefree life and freedoms to express themselves as individuals. Venice Beach is known for healers, mystics, psychics, artists, and musicians. Lisa is a gifted natural health professional, a healer! She has a master's degree in Acupuncture/Ancient Asian Medicine and is a Certified Bach Flower Therapist. You can find her blog here: http://theflowerchildblog.blogspot.com Lisa also doesn't want to be homeless. The good news is Lisa is connected to support services that are helping her get off the streets. I cannot imagine the pain and suffering Lisa has experienced living on the streets of Los Angeles. In the middle of this interview, if you watch close enough, you'll see rats running in and out of the bushes. NO ONE SHOULD HAVE TO SLEEP ON A SIDEWALK NEXT TO RATS! ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

It's freezing cold in Toronto, Canada. It's hard to imagine homeless people sleeping out outside in this weather, but the numbers of homelessness continue to increase. I was walking around handing out socks and hand warmers. As I was talking to an indigenous homeless man who goes but the street name of "Bushman" and a young girl who probably wasn't even 18 yet, a homeless woman goes by wearing two backpacks while bushing a cart with suitcase precariously balanced on the top. When I asked the homeless woman if she'd like some socks and hand warmers, her cart came tumbling down. By now I learned her name. Karla told me she has been sleeping outside homeless in Toronto for four years. Karla and I worked together to get her cart back in order and somewhat balanced. She told me she had asked someone to watch her stuff and this person did something that rearranged the order causing the cart to be unbalanced. My heart broke just thinking about how Karla lugs all this stuff around everywhere she goes. Some people say homeless people are lazy when it's the exact opposite. Surviving homelessness is hard work, and there are no days off - ever! After being arrested, Karla was sent to a halfway house. When that didn't work out, Karla tried to go into an addiction treatment program, but because she was using suboxone at the time, they would not accept her. That's how Karla first ending up on the streets of Toronto. It's nearly impossible to stay sober when living on the streets. Karla got addicted to heroin and fentanyl. She's tried methadone treatment, but when the clinic was closed on a holiday, Karla got dope sick. It's hard to describe dope sickness or opioid withdrawal to anyone who has not experienced it. Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and/or constipation, hot and cold flashes, muscle aches and spasms, and even the sensation of bugs crawling on or under the skin all lead to one of the worst experiences imaginable. Dope sickness or even the fear of dope sickness leads to creating the cycle of addiction. A person may first start using opioids to escape emotional trauma once the addiction sets in the addict now need drugs more than they need air. Karla is determined to wean herself of off drugs. I have huge respect for Karla for having the courage to be candid about her addition and for working hard to get sober. She reminds of another homeless heroin addict I met named Cameron. Cameron received help and is now married with children. He is proof that people can get sober even from the hardest drugs if we are there to help them. Watch his original interview here https://youtu.be/xj_by-u0N8o For everyone who is going to judge Karla for being a drug addict remember that as a taxpayer we pay huge money per homeless person per year that's out on the streets. Blame them all you want - you still pay for their homelessness. The smart move is to house homeless people because housing doesn't just save money, it saves lives. Please watch this video on Housing First to learn more: https://youtu.be/SizHuR225Co ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Yesterday, I was walking around handing out socks to homeless people in Venice Beach when I happened upon a small cluster of tents. I talked to a few of the people living there and told them that I would be back today with wipes. Often called "bath in a bag" or "shower in a bag," baby wipes are desperately needed on the streets. Tonight while keeping my promise and handing out wipes I ran into an older woman who was trying to make a home for the night. Every morning at 6am, police come and make everyone tear down their tents. For the growing number of homeless seniors out on the streets, the daily existence living without a home is overwhelming. I asked Michelle if she would like some wipes. She responded, "I'll take as many as you can give." I then asked her how she ended up homeless in Venice Beach. We sat down on the sidewalk together, and she started to share. Michelle's story is heartbreaking. "I never asked to be homeless here in Venice. It just happened to me", Michelle starts her story. A friend talked her into moving to California after a bad divorce. Michelle had her own business grooming pets and boarding dogs. She lived on a farm with her ex-husband. Michelle continues "I got to where I thought I was better than anybody myself. Now, look at me." At one point, Michelle turned to me and said she cannot continue. I kept recording by instinct. I asked Michelle about her most recent stroke six days ago, and she kept on talking. After, Michelle was okay that I didn't stop. Michelle's purse was stollen with her identification. A friend helped buy a bus ticket. The first driver allowed her to get on the bus without ID. The second driver wasn't so flexible. They threw Michelle out on the streets of Downtown Los Angeles at 3:30 in the morning. This was her first time on L.A. and her first time homeless. Michelle met a few homeless people that took her to a safe place. Michelle is determined to get herself off the streets and out of homelessness. Although she has health issues, she is a strong woman. She is doing everything in her power to better her life, but the truth is there are not enough resources for all the people who need our help. We need to change that. Everyone in Los Angeles County must work to end homelessness before more people die outside on the streets! ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People's website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People's Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath's Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they're on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can't ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation's most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America's homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

David and his daughter are mobile homeless. They live in an RV in Venice Beach, California with their dog and two cats. Both work jobs, but it's still not enough to save up to rent an apartment. David's daughter works two jobs while David is currently working parttime. The night before this interview, David was in the hospital because of an injury to his hand. Health issues have reduced the hours that he can work. This father and daughter have been living in a small recreational vehicle (RV) parked on the side of the road for almost nine months. David and his daughter both lost their places to live and started to live in their cars around the same time. Because they were not able to find affordable housing, the two eventually spent the money they had on an RV so they'd have someplace to sleep. David says mobile homelessness is like the TV show Lost in Space or Star Trek. Every day is a different adventure not knowing where you are going to end up and there's always some element of danger. David said in their nine months of living in an RV he has seen a lot of reactions with most of them being negative. One of the biggest challenges for people living in a vehicle is finding a safe place to park. David and his daughter are working homeless. David says all they want is what everyone else wants: A couple of walls, a place to go to the bathoom, some privacy, and a place to cook your meals. A tent on the sidewalk or a mobile home parked on the streets is now affordable housing in America. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis in Los Angeles County, homeless numbers will continue to increase! ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Alicia's story is heartbreaking. She rented an apartment in Venice Beach, California for 17 years. Alicia is now homeless and sleeps on the same street where she once rented because that's where she feels safe. Alicia says in this interview: "the beach was once my heaven, but now it's kind of my hell." Alicia how now lived on the streets for two years. She says she's had a lot of bad things happen in her life but none if it compares to being a homeless woman in Los Angeles. Alicia feels homelessness is a no way out situation. Alicia adds: "I really feel like I'm dead because every day-to-day is not, you know, alive. When you wake up you just wait for it to be over so you can do it all over again." Alicia told me in this interview that on her very first night being homeless, she was hated. "You're either invisible or you're an eyesore, or they just want you to go," Last year, Alicia says she cried all day and all night every day! Alicia is at risk. You don't have to be a social worker to hear the pain in her voice caused by living homeless. If she doesn't get help soon, her whole mental state will get much worse. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Mark has heart problems. He says he is working with six to eight cardiologists at the VA Hospital. Mark says he gets a lot of help from the Veterans Administration. He is a disabled homeless veteran living in a park in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. Mark worked as a mechanic. His back went out from leaning over cars most of his life. It's hard for Mark to walk. Mark says he's gained weight since he's been homeless. Well-intentioned people like to give food away to homeless people, but a sandwich will never end homelessness. There is an overabundance of food being given to homeless people yet an extreme lack of housing to get people off the streets. It's OK to feed homeless people in a park as long as you're doing something to get them out of the park and into housing. Special thanks to St Joseph Center https://stjosephctr.org ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

"More than anyone else in the country, Horvath's interviews give the homeless a face and a voice" ~ NBC News Invisible People featured on Dateline NBC: https://www.nbcnews.com/dateline/video/city-of-angels-part-6-1319848003812?v=raila& Ricki Lake Show Talking with Mark Horvath about Homelessness and Social Media https://youtu.be/55xompH7h_g Ten years! Ten years of Invisible People is hard for me to imagine, but yesterday we marked the milestone of our tenth year uploading videos to YouTube providing a platform and a voice for homeless people to share their own stories. I was really hoping to make a big splash for our tenth year anniversary, but life changes quickly. If you don't know, I help take care of my mother, and she had a heart attack a few weeks back. She's OK now recovering in a nursing home but taking care of and her dog became the priority. Invisible People also hit 200,000 subscribers on YouTube and the milestone of 39 million views. If you spread that out over ten years, it's not so impressive, but 150,000 subs and 25 million views happened in the last year. Going forward that means Invisible People's minimum yearly benchmark on YouTube is 100,000 subs and 25 million views! That's huge! In this video, I share a few stories of the early years. I had this idea to interview homeless people, but I almost didn't do it. The whole project was a risk. Social media at the time was brand new. Homeless services providers and politicians were pressuring me to stop. I was unemployed without income facing my own homelessness a second time. Empathizing with homeless people was crushing. There were times I could not even look at the footage I was so emotionally wrecked. It made little sense to continue, but I did. I have data that shows Invisible People has generated 4 billion impressions on social media over the last five years. That number doesn't include the reach of Dateline, Ricki Lake Show, LA Times, CBS, MTV, PBS, CNN (three times) and all the other media we have received over the years. If we do not have public support, we will never end homelessness. In Los Angeles, Proposition HHH and Measure H have shown that we can have all of the money in the world, but the battle continues to be public support. That battle continues in cities all over the country. Invisible People reaches more people outside of the social services sector educating them on homelessness than all other homeless services combined. Miracle after miracle has happened over the last ten years. Tens of thousands of homeless people have been helped directly and indirectly because of this work, and because of your support! I honestly believe that even after ten years we are at the beginning of something much bigger, and it's all made possible because of you. Without you, none of this would have ever happened! Thank you, Mark ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Carlous and Charltece are homeless sleeping on the beach in Venice, California. They moved to Los Angeles from Texas back in 2008 and ended up on the streets. Carlous and Charltece were housed in 2013. All was good until their landlord sold the apartment building they were living in. Even though Carlous and Charltece have been homeless for only a few months this time, they told me they are concerned about getting used to homelessness. No one wants to be homeless. What happens is there is not enough support for all the people that need help. People new to homelessness fight to better their situation but without resources like a shower, clean clothes, transportation, food, a good nights sleep, and the fact that homeless services do not make it easy for people to get out of homelessness, learned helplessness sets in. People get used to their situations in all socioeconomic levels and that included homelessness too. The good news is Carlous and Charltece are connected to St. Joseph Center https://stjosephctr.org Carlous says she is soon to start in St. Joseph Center's Culinary Training Program. St. Joseph Center is a good place and hopefully, Carlous and Charltece will be back in housing soon. The bottom line is we need more support services to get people off the streets and into housing. The social services sector needs to aggressively work to prevent homelessness in the first place from ever happening, but when someone ends up on the streets we need to get them the help they need quickly before they get used to life on the streets. No one should get used to homelessness. You can help make that happen by supporting your local homeless services. ***Please forgive the fluctuating focus problems. Often like in this situation, the conditions to record video are far from perfect. I believe strongly that documentarians should not interfere with the environment they are trying to capture. We should do our best to document life as it really is. I try hard to make quality content but because some of the situations I find myself in I don't have the time to set up properly or I may have to hurry because of safety concerns, issues like focus may not be perfect. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Denise is homeless in Cornwall, United Kingdom. Although Denise and I met online some time ago, we just connected in person while I was visiting Manchester, England for With One Voice International Arts and Homelessness Summit. I first met Denise on Twitter [https://twitter.com/Justagirl2017x]. I was impressed with how Denise openly and honestly shared publicly about struggling with homelessness, addiction to alcohol, depression, and the abusive relationships with men that she found herself in. What began as therapy, Denise turned into a blog called Just A Girl - My Life that you can find here: http://justagirl.emyspot.com. Denise is now a mental health writer and she spends her time talking about homelessness and depression hoping her story will educate and inspire other homeless women who may be going through the same situation. Denise has been homeless in the UK for nearly five years. She shares about how quickly homeless people adapt to a bad situation and abnormal becomes normal. Denise is lucky that she never ended up sleeping rough on the streets but she has still ben pushed around the social support system. Just like here in the United States, the UK has a large percentage of hidden homeless sleeping on couches in situations that are not safe. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Mark’s mother and brother died on the same day. He was able to keep the house for nine months but eventually ended up homeless after being evicted. Mark has been sleeping rough in Manchester, England now for three years! Mark tried to beg enough money every day to get into a homeless hostel. Here in the United Kingdom, hostels are similar to homeless shelters in the United States. Some are better than others. Some provide services. But just like homeless shelters in the U.S., hostels are not a solution to ending homelessness. Mark shares that it is freezing cold at night sleeping rough outside. He has to get up early every morning to walk around to get some body heat going. It rained really hard last night. Mark stayed dry sleeping under an awning in a doorway in front of a shop. For his three wishes, Mark said it's not too much to ask for to put a roof over his head. He repeated that statement a few times. Every person no matter where they live should have a roof over their head and a place to call home. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Persons experiencing domestic violence and domestic abuse with limited economic resources are at increased vulnerability to homelessness. There are limited resources to help heterosexual victims of domestic violence and domestic abuse and even less support for LGBTQ survivors of partner violence and abuse. The same-sex domestic violence epidemic is silent. We rarely hear about same-sex domestic violence. Mellisa is homeless in Traverse City, Michigan. She tries her best to be the best person she can be. Mellisa was once a drug addict addicted to crack cocaine but is now clean and sober. Mellisa says her partner is emotionally abusive. Because Mellisa doesn't have the resources to pay for her own housing, she is now homeless. Melissa is scared to be alone. She doesn't have family or anyone to help. If you or someone you know is suffering because of domestic violence or domestic abuse, please contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1−800−799−7233 or visit https://www.thehotline.org ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Devine was born and raised in California. He left the Golden State to chase love, a decision Devine says now was a mistake. After his mother passed away, Devine decided to come home to connect back with his California roots, and because of the high cost of living Devine ended up homeless on Venice Beach. In this interview, Devine shares about life, love, and homelessness. He feels that homelessness is not something people should end up feeling comfortable with and getting used to. I agree but what happens is after a person tries and tries to get off the streets and receives no help, learned helplessness sits in. Devine is fairly new to life on the streets. He's still trying. I hope he finds a path out before he gets stuck like so many others. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

"Art to me is a humanitarian act and I believe that there is a responsibility that art should somehow be able to effect mankind, to make the world a better place." ~ Jeff Koons Something I don't talk about very often is that at its very core Invisible People is art. Years ago, my boss at the time had in his office a coffee table book of photos of homeless people. The pictures humanized homeless men, woman, and families as the real people that they are. I said to myself: "I could do this with video." Shortly after, I was laid off and Invisible People was started. If you'd like to learn more about my story and how Invisible People started, please watch this documentary https://youtu.be/z0wDn9SAWZs Art and music have the power to bring people together and change our world for the better. Both art and music can play a huge role in giving homeless people a purpose. Yes, housing ends homelessness but just putting homeless people in boxes will never end homelessness. People need to thrive and not just survive. Art therapy and music therapy are powerful tools for wellness, and as you'll see in this vlog - art, music, and theater can be used for advocacy to help change policy. Last year, With One Voice sent a delegation to the ATSA État d'Urgence Festival in Montreal, Canada. It was an amazing few days meeting new friends and brainstorming on how we can help other creative organizations scale to have more impact helping homeless people. I shot a bunch of footage but never got around to editing it into something until this month. My dream is someday to be able to produce mini-documentaries like this vlog highlighting cool ideas and amazing people working to end homelessness who may not always get a lot of media attention. For example, in this vlog, I reference a video I shot when I was invited to the Dallas Public Library that you can watch here: https://youtu.be/_SaG0xR7xkU The folks behind With One Voice saw this video and invited Jo and Heather to Montreal to share about creating safe spaces. I hope to one day be able to produce more like this but on a much larger scale! In her interview, Beth Knowles from the City of Manchester and With One Voice references the North America Review of Arts and Homelessness that you can find here: http://with-one-voice.com/usa-canada From With One Voice's website: With One Voice began as a showcase event curated by Streetwise Opera at the 2012 Cultural Olympiad in London. For the first time in Olympic history, it gave a platform for homeless people – celebrating the artistic achievements of 300 performers who had experienced homelessness. To learn more about the people and the organizations in this video, here is a link to information about the delegates https://www.atsa.qc.ca/en/eu-2017-with-one-voice-en For more information about With One Voice, please visit their website: http://with-one-voice.com ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Kenneth has lived homeless in Venice Beach for five years. He once had a good job and a family, but his addiction to gambling and other circumstances took him to the streets of Los Angeles. I first met Kenneth while taking college students from Otis College out on the streets to hand out socks to homeless people. You can watch that video here https://youtu.be/ilbR2iKnJZ4 and also see when we met Kenneth for the first time. Kenneth was so nice helping to teach the students about homelessness I wanted to do something nice for him in return. Gary Vaynerchuk had given everyone at the Vidsummit conference K-Swiss sneakers. Since I already have shoes, I just needed to find someone size 11 to give them to. Turns out Kenneth was my size, and I made plans to come back later in the day. Turns out that when I reconnected with Kenneth, the sun was already going down. I didn't have a light kit with me so I just rolled with it. As the interview goes on, the sun started to set making the video a little dark. I apologize for the quality of the video, but it's Kenneth's story that's most important. Kenneth worked in the aerospace industry for 13 years. When the company he worked for lost a large contract, Kenneth was forced out of his job starting the downward spiral into homelessness. Kenneth tried to stay with family but often families these days have a hard time taking care of themselves. Kenneth eventually ended up homeless on Venice Beach. Even while living in a tent homeless, Kenneth continued to work. But it wasn't enough to afford rent and holding a job while on the streets is nearly impossible. Kenneth shares about how people adapt and get used to homelessness. No one wants to be homeless, but the social services system does not have enough resources to help everyone that needs help. Homeless people try to get off the streets but over time learned helplessness sets in. I strongly believe we need to get people off the streets before they get used to homelessness. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

I strongly believe that young adults are our best chance of ending homelessness. Today's youth genuinely care about their community, and they want to take tangible action to affect positive change. That's why when a design class from Otis College as me to speak last week I suggested that the join me on Venice Beach to hand out socks to homeless people. I love giving sock tours to people, but I'll admit this one I was a little scared because there were so many college students in the class. One thing I have learned is large crowds can be intimidating. We started off with a small group advance team, but the homeless people we met on Venice Beach were so generous and wonderful the students took off with bags of Hanes socks all on this own to make new friends. I love that Otis College of Art and Design has a Creative Action Integrated Learning program. Invisible People has always tried to target young adults, and with our new online portal for young adults to learn about homelessness soon to launch, we hope to expand in-person learning experiences as we did in Venice Beach.  You may like my video on how to hand out socks: https://youtu.be/RVHaf4FtsfE In full disclosure, Hanes occasionally hires me as a consultant and Hanes donates socks to Invisible People, but I am not being compensated for this video in any way. Hanes is the best sock for you to buy to give to homeless people. I want homeless people to have socks. I want them to have quality socks, so that’s why I recommend Hanes. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Dakota is 29 years old. She has been homeless off and on for 10 years. This time for four months. Dakota has no ID so she cannot receive welfare. Without identification, she can't leave Los Angeles even if she wanted to. Most of us cannot even imagine what this young woman has to do to survive the streets of Venice Beach every single day. As a young homeless woman, Dakota tries to make the best of it. She left an abusive relationship. Domestic violence is a leading cause of homelessness. I am spending this week in Venice, California learning about local homeless issues by talking to homeless people and local residents. One thing that's really struck me about the Venice homeless community is the number of people who have adapted to a life of homelessness. Most people when they first lose their apartment or place to live, try to better their situation. The problem is homeless services doesn't make it easy for people to get off the streets and there are not enough resources to help people. Over time, people get used to homelessness. Learned helplessness sets in. They stop trying to change their lives and develop a survival mentality. The beach culture of Venice ends up becoming a lifestyle. Many of the homeless people I talked to don't ever see a path out of homelessness. WE MUST CHANGE THAT! We need to be able to help people when they first end up homelessness long before learned helplessness sets in. Venice is building what's known as a Bridge Housing. It's a huge step in the right direction but we need more housing and homeless shelters for people. If you'd like to learn more about Venice's Bridge Housing visit: http://BridgeHomeVenice.com ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

With all of the people walking by I almost didn't notice Dwayne sitting on the sidewalk of Hollywood Blvd. Dwayne told me he became homeless for the first time at the age of 15. This time he has been on the streets of Los Angeles since 1989. Dwayne says he's gone into homeless shelters in downtown LA and has been in programs. Since 1989, he has been accessing homeless services only to be back out on the streets time and again. It's hard to imagine someone living without a home for 29 years, but stories like Dwayne's are far too familiar. As I travel, the one constant with every homeless person I meet is the massive amount of times they tried to get help and for whatever reason didn't get the help they need or were returned to the streets. On average, housing a homeless person each person per year saves $20,000 in taxpayer money. With the affordable housing crisis getting worse and causing homeless numbers to increase, we've got to figure out a way to prevent people from becoming homeless in the first place and getting those that do end up on the streets into housing quickly. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

I recently had the honor of keynoting at the public affairs conference at Missouri State University. The university was kind enough to bring me in a few days early to connect with local homeless services and meet new homeless friends. One of the highlights was touring Eden Village Of The Gathering Tree in Springfield, Missouri. Eden Village is a tiny homes community that has found a very unique way to bypass NIMBY (not in my backyard) resistance to building housing for homeless people. Through research since tiny homes are considered RVs, they discovered that mobile home parks are already zoned for tiny home communities. Eden Village is built on an abandoned mobile home park they purchased. I believe the most significant battle to ending homelessness will be gaining public support. Not every community will have abandoned mobile home parks, but this workaround zoning law may be a way for homeless service providers to build tiny homes without the neighborhood battle. I have always been torn about the tiny homes concept. The reason is I have seen people push for tiny homes simply because they want tiny homes completely ignoring the human aspect. We just can't warehouse people in boxes. Homeless people need tangible social interaction through community along with health and wellness support like mental health services. Eden Village is a model that provides services and dignity. If you'd like more information, please visit https://www.gatheringtree.org/eden-village Lester will be moving into Eden Village soon https://youtu.be/6YyibjD9FNE ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People's website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People's Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath's Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they're on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can't ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation's most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America's homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Prior to my own homelessness, I had a great job in the television industry making sure the world received programs like Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy along with many other syndicated shows. Before that, I was a professional musician for 26 years making my living playing drums. When I was on the streets homeless and told this to people, do you think they believed me? Benjamin is homeless on the streets of downtown Los Angeles. He shares a story that may be hard to believe but I believe him. It's how he talks with confidence remembering circumstances and dates, and as I said, my own story is hard to believe. There is no reason to believe he is telling anything but the truth. Plus, from experience, more often than not people are telling the truth. Yes, the mind may waver on some details. That happens to all of us. Now add the stress of living on the streets homeless. The mind plays tricks on people experiencing homelessness. But it's not Benjamin's past that you need to pay attention too. It's what's happening to him now in the present. Benjamin says that homelessness is starting to get to him. The isolation of being on the streets and not having tangible social interactions with other humans is causing him to have in his words "symptoms." Benjamin says he does "crazy stuff" that makes people think he is on drugs when he is not. Mental illness is a crisis in this country. If a person does not have mental health problems prior to homelessness, they will develop mental illness. The longer someone is on the streets, the worse their mental and emotional health becomes. If you're asking what does this have to do with you, as a taxpayer you pay huge money for each homeless person on the streets. You may not give to panhandlers but you are giving homeless people your money. On average, housing a homeless person saves $20,000 each homeless person each year. Multiply that by the number of homeless people and the yearly savings is in the billions of dollars. Savings of your tax dollars! Please watch this short video on Housing First http://invisiblepeople.tv/housingfirst Housing homeless people saves lives and saves money! ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Lester lives in his car in Springfield, Missouri. He first experienced homelessness at five years old. I can't even imagine what it must be for a child to be homeless at such a young age. Lester is the second person now that has told me they were first homeless at the age of five. Lester's mother died in her arms when he was 15 years old. Only days after his mother's funeral, Lester's dad wanted to move another woman into their house. When Lester spoke up, his father beat him, and Lester ran away. Lester's third time of experiencing homelessness was after he returned from Vietnam. He says when Vietnam Vets came home nobody wanted them. Overall Lester says he has been homeless around 25 years. Lester receives $770 on Social Security Disability every month. After car payment and insurance, there is not enough money for rent. Lester is one of the many mobile homeless in America sleeping in their vehicles. The good news is that Lester has been approved to go live at Eden Village, a new tiny homes community. I toured Eden Village and I hope to have a vlog up about it soon. It's an amazing place. Lester is excited but also cautious. For most homeless people, moving into housing starts a whole new battle of challenges. I have been off the streets for 23 years and I still struggle sometimes. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Keith has been homeless sleeping rough in or around London since he was 17. He just turned 53. A local homeless service provider was able to get Keith housing, but the landlord wanted more than the housing benefit would pay. All six people living in the house got evicted. Once the sun starts setting and shops begin to close in Central London, the doorways become home to rough sleepers. The amount of homeless people sleeping outside is alarming. The affordable housing crisis is not just an American problem. The cost of housing is skyrocketing in the United Kingdom, Canada, and many other countries. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Reggie grew up in West LA. Like much of the troubled youths in Los Angeles, he ran with the gangs and started to sell drugs. Reggie ended up in prison. When he got out, Reggie tried to stay with his mother but he says because he looks like his father, his mother took out her resentments on him. She eventually threw him out. Reggie has a full-time job working construction. When I asked him what it's like working and then coming back to a tent Reggie said he'd rather stay at the job. The job keeps him sane. More and more people are working full time but cannot afford the cost of an apartment. If we don't fix the affordable housing crisis in America, homelessness is going to continue to get worse. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

If you're offended by real talk straight up raw and unfiltered than please DO NOT watch this video. If you want to watch a young homeless single mom telling the real truth about life on the streets in an attempt to encourage other homeless people this video is for you. This is about as real as it gets! We facilitate an online peer support group for homeless people and formerly homeless people. A few days ago a young man shared that he lost his job and his place to live in a month's time. He continued that it's starting to get cold and he has no place to go. He checked all of the shelters, and they were already full. Sadly, his situation is the norm, not the exception. One of our members likes to use video to communicate. Today, Adalia Flores shared this awesome video of encouragement to help this young homeless man and others who may be going through tough times. Adalia's video is as real as real can be. I found not only what she said but how she said it to be inspirational especially knowing that Adalia is sharing from the heart as a homeless woman trying to help other homeless people. As a rule, we never share content people post outside of the group but I thought this video was so awesome I asked her permission if I could share it with you all. If you'd like to connect with Adalia here is a link to her YouTube channel. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRO1eFDm-h7B7W3HUubcniw ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

The night I met Conrad, it was the second night that he slept in his car. Luckily, Safe Parking LA has a lot on the West Los Angeles Veterans Administration Campus. Conrad told me that he tried to stay with family, but it continued to be a challenge. He said sleeping in his car was the better option. Plus, being right on the VA campus provided easy access to the services he needs. Conrad fought for this country, and now he is fighting bureaucracy just to survive. Conrad did three tours of Iraq. Because of an address change mixup, the Veterans Administration cut his disability benefits. If Conrad didn't have a vehicle, he'd be out on the streets homeless. Safe Parking LA provides a safe place for mobile homeless to park at night. The folks behind Safe Parking LA told me they have been pitching the concept to Los Angeles County politicians for five years but only now is it being adopted. If Los Angeles is ever going to end homelessness the stakeholders that make the decisions need to think outside the box and be open to new ideas that will help save lives and reduce costs. It's fantastic that LA County is now approving safe parking locations, but they should have been implemented when the concept was first presented. Please help support safe parking programs in your community. If you'd like to support Safe Parking LA here is the link to their website https://www.safeparkingla.org ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Gwendolyn is homeless in Gainesville, Florida. She was homeless in Clearwater but relocated because of her fiance going into the hospital. GRACE Marketplace is the homeless shelter Gwendolyne references. Like most cities, Gainesville struggles what do to with the growing number of homeless people and the lack of support to help them. I was not able to visit GRACE Marketplace when I was there this year, but I plan on going back early 2019. From what I was told, GRACE Marketplace used to be a prison. It can possibly sleep 500 people, but they only allow 40 people inside every night and the cherry pick out just the people who have jobs. The rest of the homeless people sleep outside. I am going to assume the reason is lack of funds. Why I have issues with only allowing people who have jobs to be inside is how do the people sleeping outside apply for employment when they are not rested or have access to bathrooms to get clean. Gwendolyn wants people to support homeless services in their communities. She wants people to know that homeless people often dress normal, but their appearance doesn't always tell the full story. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

This past January, I vlogged a tour of Ithaca's infamous tent city called "The Jungle" [https://youtu.be/rZjoHWARvjU]. It was freezing cold outside. So cold it's hard to imagine homeless men and women living outside in a tent yet approximately 40 people call the woods around Ithaca, New York home. For some reason, I imagined a tour of the same tent encampments this time of year a little easier. I imagined homelessness during the summer months somewhat easier as if there is anything about living homeless is easy. The mosquitoes were relentless. You can see welts increase on my face while I vlog. When I got home, there were bites all over my body. The darn things even bit me through my shirt. I am still itching. I cannot imagine the challenge of having to go to the bathroom outside. The vlog I posted before this featured residents of Koreatown stepping up to take tangible actions to help their homeless neighbors [https://youtu.be/t7Ew-RC-n78]. This video is similar in many ways in that it features ordinary citizens assisting homeless people in their own community. The big difference is that Koreatown is in Los Angeles and Ithaca is a rural community that faces the challenges of rural homelessness. Carmen Guidi of Second Wind Cottages is a superhero. He may have the biggest heart of anyone I know. Carmen is also pretty much the only help homeless people living in the tent camps around Ithaca have. Government is not helping. The faith community is not helping. Truth is, there is little support for homeless people to get out of homelessness in Tompkins County, New York. Carmen owns an auto body shop. He is not a social worker. Carmen has no background in professional homeless services. He is not wealthy. Carmen simply cares for people but not with just words, he takes actions to do whatever he can to help his homeless friends in the Jungle. In this video, Carmen shares why he started Second Wind Cottages almost six years ago. He also shares his thought about NIMBY and bunch of other brilliant ideas I hope you'll watch to the end to hear. And yes I said BRILLIANT because to me Carmen is a genius! You'll hear throughout this video Carmen talk about other people who have an academic background. It doesn't take the smartest person to see that homeless people need housing, but only a person with extreme intelligence would actually do something about it. Carmen is the king of YIMBY because he built 15 (soon to be 18) cottages in his backyard. Carmen lives YES IN MY BACKYARD every single day! It's inspirational seeing more regular every day people taking real actions to help fight homelessness. We need everyone to help. EVERYONE! That includes YOU! Please support Second Wind Cottages here https://www.secondwindcottages.org ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People's website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People's Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath's Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they're on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can't ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation's most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America's homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Imagine the impact we'd have in ending homelessness if every community took action to help their homeless neighbors. Well, that's exactly what's happening in Los Angeles's Koreatown, and I hope this video inspires more people to take tangible actions to help homeless people. After protests started against a proposed homeless shelter in Koreatown, a few concerned citizens decided to counter protest. What's impressive is their community action didn't stop there. The group of local Koreatown residents started doing outreach on their own and Shelter For All Koreatown was born [https://www.facebook.com/ShelterKTown]. Some of you already know Oculus selected Invisible People to partner with film and television director Rose Troche to produce a virtual reality film on homelessness [https://www.oculus.com/blog/vr-for-good-introducing-our-2018-creators-lab-participants/]. I was in Los Angeles taking Rose out on the streets as part of the research for the film. This vlog is just a glimpse of the experience we had volunteering with Shelter For All Koreatown. The most important message in this video is that each and every community can take tangible actions to help their homeless neighbors. Homeless service providers are giving their all to help homeless people, but often they are overwhelmed unable to respond. Bureaucracy also gets in the way of homeless services' ability to take quick actions. As you will see in this vlog, you don't have to be a professional outreach worker to help people. Just do it! I hope you notice that Shelter For All Koreatown listened to homeless people and then started to help with their real needs. I cannot stress how essential listening is. Many social workers and homeless service providers don't listen to the people they serve. Listening to homeless people gives valuable insight into how you can genuinely help people. It's also important to note that the people of Los Angeles see homelessness and homeless services system more realistically than many politicians and providers do. In this video, Jane shares how she has tried to connect with social services many times to find help for people, but there is rarely even a response. Angelenos have learned that contacting social services can be frustrating. I found it interesting that Jane reached out to Mel Tillakaratne, the founder of the SheDoes movement to help instead of contacting homeless services. Often when I am out on the streets, I never know if I'll be able to cut it into a vlog or not. As I was reviewing the footage, I realized that what I shot was a real look at Los Angeles homelessness as seen through the eyes of concerned residents. I am not the best cameraman, and I hate to edit video, but I knew I had to get this video up to tell this story. I just hope it motivates others to start helping homeless people! ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

James did one tour of the Middle East while serving in the Army. He told me one tour was enough. Somehow I can understand that. What I mean is that I have huge respect for the men and women who join the military but I can't even imagine what it must be like going to war. My heart goes out to everyone who has seen the madness of wartime. Throughout this video, James became increasingly emotional. When I asked James for his three wishes, he broke down. I could literally feel his pain. It wasn't the question but that he has been holding in a lot of emotions. I sat with James for a long time after this interview and even went back the next night to check on him. I always get messed up when someone for wherever reason cannot come up with three wishes, but James's story really hit me hard. James lives in his car at the Safe Parking LA located on the West Los Angeles Veterans Administration Campus. After his wife asked for a divorce, James decided to leave to keep the peace. He has been living in his car for about a month. James calls people living in their vehicles "car dwellers" and shares in this interview that he is seeing mobile homelessness increasing around Los Angeles. Safe Parking LA provides a safe place for mobile homeless to park at night. The folks behind Safe Parking LA told me they have been pitching the concept to Los Angeles County politicians for five years but only now is it being adopted. If Los Angeles is ever going to end homelessness the stakeholders that make the decisions need to think outside the box and be open to new ideas that will help save lives and reduce costs. It's fantastic that LA County is now approving safe parking locations, but they should have been implemented when the concept was first presented. Please help support safe parking programs in your community. If you'd like to support Safe Parking LA here is the link to their website https://www.safeparkingla.org ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

UPDATE August 26th, 2018: I just got word that Joseph died of a heart attack last week. Joseph used to live in a Koreatown apartment for 11 years, but after being evicted, he now lives in a tent on the sidewalk down the street. Koreatown is a neighborhood in Central Los Angeles, California that has been in the news lately over homeless shelter protests. Because Los Angeles County has such a low apartment vacancy rate, the cost of rents continues to skyrocket. Many landlords are forcing people out and in many cases evicting them so they can raise the rents and make more money. Joseph is disabled and cannot work fulltime employment. He does work odd jobs from time to time and survives on food stamps and the kindness from strangers like Shelter For All Koreatown [https://www.facebook.com/ShelterKTown/] who introduced us to Joesph. Joseph has lived in the streets homeless for some time yet he has never been visited by an outreach worker. That is not a slam against homeless services in any way. Workers are giving their all to help people it's just that there are far too many homeless people and not enough support to help them. Even with Measure H funding, it's still not enough! Plus, as the affordable housing crisis continues to grow, more people will be up on the streets homeless. On July 12th, the police came and removed all of Joseph's belongings including his medications. He lost everything! Then last week shortly after this interview, police came again forcing Joseph to move. Imagine living on the streets being in constant fear of forced displacement by the very city that should be helping you get off the streets? Special thanks to Shelter For All Koreatown [https://www.facebook.com/ShelterKTown/] ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

"Skid Row hurt me in ways I can't ever explain. It made me do things and made see things I wish I would have never seen." ~ Luke Luke story of living homeless on Los Angeles's Skid Row is powerful and heartbreaking. No one should have to live like this. No one should have to fight just to survive for food and shelter and live in constant in fear! Luke came to LA with his wife. Her family invited them to come to live with them, so they jumped on a Greyhound bus. They started calling, and their family never answered. When they arrived in Los Angeles the couple was forced to go to Skid Row where they are now stuck! Skid Row was created by intentional urban design. The decision was made to place most all of the city's homeless services in that one area. The theory was that by having all of the resources in one location that it would contain Los Angeles's homeless crisis. "Skid Row is by the bus station. It's where all the shelters are. It's where all the food is. It's where all the resources are located. But Skid Row is a very nasty place" Luke shares in this interview. He goes on to say "[Skid Row] will make it so you are just constantly worried about what you need to survive because everything is being taken from you." Luke talks about how gangs tax homeless people in Skid Row for living on the sidewalk or in a certain area. If you don't pay, they beat you up or burn down your tent with all of your belongings in it. For those of you that are going to judge Luke for being on drugs, you need to understand that people use drugs to escape pain. It's nearly impossible to stay sober while homeless and if you're stuck in a place like Skid Row, drugs become a way to cope with life. Luke's wife had to resort to prostitution and ended up pregnant. Near the end of her pregnancy, she started having seizures and was diagnosed with brain cancer. Luke was beaten 13 times since living homeless on Skid Row. I pray Luke's story messes you up like it did me. We cannot continue to look the other way and ignore the growing homeless crisis in America. Please watch and share this video with everyone you know and then take real tangible action to fight homelessness in your community.  ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness. #homeless #losangeles #skidrow

"What hurts the most is the friends and family that used to be there, that when you get into this situation, everybody just chucks it up to drug abuse or bad choices...that's not always the case. Sometimes it's just the choice is made for you and you don't have any choice." ~ Dennis "Through an avalanche of unfortunate events" is how Dennis ended up homeless in Los Angeles. Dennis is a working actor. He moved to New York City into an apartment he couldn't afford. After three years his partner split and wiped him out financially. Dennis had to start over. Dennis's elderly mother is in an assisted living home. He tried to live at the facility but that did not work out. He ended up living in a broken-down car for over a year. Dennis says homelessness used to be that person you didn't know. Now, homelessness is your sons or your daughters, your sisters or your fathers. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Please support Invisible People with a $23 donation on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/donate/667093960316779/10157616390421124/ or please help support our important work for as little as $2 a month ($24 a year) https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople August 24th, 1995 was my last day homeless. August 24th of this year will be my 23rd sober birthday. To be honest, when I walked into Hollywood and Vine Recovery Center all those years ago, getting sober for any length of time was not on my mind. Back then, I was the "worst of the worst" on the streets of Los Angeles. If you had seen me walking down the street towards you, you would have crossed to the other side. It's nothing short of a miracle that I even found a moment of sobriety much less 23 years of being completely clean and sober! In 2008, after losing everything except my sobriety when the economy crashed, I grabbed a video camera and start to empower homeless people to share their own stories. Today, Invisible People reaches over 10 million people a week. In the last five years, we have reached 1.6 billion people sharing the true story of homelessness. Most nonprofits share the story of people that have been helped. Invisible People helps share the story of people who still need help. Both are important, but Invisible People is able to humanize and normalize the subject of homelessness and build empathy in the viewer. It’s easy for homeless people to be an ‘other’. Invisible People makes them real people with real stories. Once people are real, normal and sympathetic, it is easier for the general public to take action in support of ending homelessness. PLEASE READ THIS NEXT PARAGRAPH: "The stereotypes of people living in poverty throughout the United States are among the most negative prejudices that we have. And people basically view particularly homeless people as having no redeeming qualities” ~ Susan Fiske, Professor of Psychology. Princeton University Invisible People's work is important! I strongly believe that if the general public viewed our homeless neighbors as being the real people that they are, there wouldn't be such humiliation and violence against people experiencing homelessness! Awareness and education on homelessness can change that, and your support in funding Invisible People is breaking wrong stereotypes and changing how tens of millions of lives view homeless individuals. DID YOU KNOW that Invisible People is one of the only national awareness and educational campaign on homelessness? Just turn on the TV and you'll see anti-smoking ads, don't text and drive videos are all over the internet, and causes from the need to recycle to global warming are everywhere we look, and they should be. But except for Invisible People, there are zero campaigns teaching the general public about homelessness. Our important work cannot continue without your help. For my sober birthday this year I am asking everyone to please donate $23 to help end homelessness. Maybe you can only donate $2. Maybe you can donate $30. Maybe you can help us make our goal of $5,000 in one donation. Please know every and any amount helps to keep Invisible People going and to help end homelessness. Invisible People is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and information. Since its launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America.

Marrisa and her four children live in Union Rescue Mission, a large homeless shelter in Skid Row. Marrisa was abused growing up and went into foster care at age 15. She now works three part-time jobs while living in a homeless shelter trying to make a future for her children. Last night, 245 homeless children slept at Union Rescue Mission. Let that number sink in a little! That's just one shelter. There are thousands of homeless children in Los Angeles County. Where is the uproar and outcry from the public about all of the homeless children in America? Special thanks to URM https://urm.org ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People's website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People's Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath's Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they're on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can't ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation's most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America's homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Gary did six months of jail time for unpaid fines and court costs. He had a job and his own place lost it all. Gary ended up homeless on the streets of Chicago. Gary was staying at a downtown Chicago homeless shelter. They make everyone put their belongings in one room overnight. Gary's backpack was stolen. They while riding the train, Gary was robbed and lost everything including his identification and social security card. Not having ID can make it virtually impossible to escape homelessness. It means being shut out of federal, state and county buildings, where social services agencies that help the homeless are often located. It makes it much harder to get a job, find a place to live, open a bank account, get food stamps and disability benefits -- or in some instances, even stay at a homeless shelter. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

A few years ago you'd only see tents in the Skid Row area of L.A., but these days homeless encampments are all over Los Angeles County. On a recent visit, I asked someone that works for the city where might find homeless people living in tents. They responded just to throw a dart at a map. In other words, you don't have to look to find homeless people in Los Angeles - they are everywhere. Cheryl and Sam live in a tent near downtown Los Angeles. Cheryl has been on the streets for almost a year. She is a victim of domestic violence. Sam has been homeless for nearly two years after a bad divorce. Sam is getting help from a local homeless services provider. He is on a list for housing and should be off the streets and no longer homeless by next month. Cheryl is not getting support. For some reason, she does not qualify. Because they are a homeless couple and not married, they cannot stay together. Cheryl shares about the challenges of living without a bathroom and that there is no trash pickup. The public often complains about homeless camps and trash. The solution is to end homelessness - period. But until that happens, communities need to figure out a way to be able to provide garbage services for homeless people. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

At the time of this interview, Christine had been sleeping outside in a tent since the winter emergency homeless shelter closed. I first met Christine while out on the streets with an outreach team in Traverse City, Michigan. Ryan, one of the best outreach workers I know who I like to call King of the Town, helped Christine get a bicycle. You can watch that video here: https://youtu.be/yq9ihDmjE_g Christine was housed in a building that was infested with bugs. She decided to go back out on the streets because she felt it was healthier. UPDATE: Christine is no longer homeless and was placed in housing! ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Like many people released from prison, Barry found himself with no resources to get back into society and end up homeless. Barry decided to relocate to Washington DC to advocate for prison reform. Upon leaving the criminal justice system, formerly incarcerated men and women have few options to keep them out of the cold. Those without family to take them in must often wait months if not years in the shelter or three-quarter house system before they secure stable, affordable housing. If you've visited the White House anytime in the last several decades, you've seen a tent with protest signs at Lafayette Square directly across from the White House. The White House Peace Vigil is an anti-nuclear weapons peace vigil believed it to be the longest-running uninterrupted anti-war protest in U.S. history. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

I first met Rule in Washington DC a few months back [https://youtu.be/Eod_SNaPRZw]. He was invited by a homeless youth organization to speak to legislators. Rule is actually homeless in Venice, California. After the first interview, we stayed in touch. Since I was visiting Los Angeles, I asked him for an update. Rule has been homeless since the age of 13. He is now 22. Rule has slept outside, in abandoned buildings, on couches, on trains, on buses, and hotel rooms. He says he has experienced every type of homelessness. Rule starts off by sharing he is looking for an apartment. Like many people facing the crisis of homelessness, Rule likes to dream big and to focus on the possibilities. There are a few organizations that may be able to help subsidize the cost of a place to stay, but the lack of affordable housing and the unwillingness of landlords to work with nonprofits and homeless people continue to be a roadblock to housing. Many people commented on Rule's first interview that he just needs to get a job. Please listen to Rule's response when I asked him about this. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

JoJo lives in a tent homeless in Hollywood, California. She has been homeless for over five years. Like many LGBT homeless youth, JoJo's family didn't accept her as she was. JoJo left home at 17 and has been homeless ever since. JoJo's story is heartbreaking. She was abused by her father growing up. JoJo has been kidnapped, raped, gay bashed and abused while on the streets homeless. She also suffers from Lupus. JoJo says she continues to try and get off the streets. When an employer finds out JoJo is trans or homeless, they let her go. JoJo says she has been in and out of the homeless programs in Los Angeles. Homelessness is a critical issue for transgender people, with one in five having experienced homelessness at some time in their lives because of discrimination and family rejection. As a result, an estimated 20-40% of the more than 1.6 million homeless youth in the United States are LGBT. Unfortunately, transgender people facing homelessness also face discrimination from agencies that should be helping them, with nearly one in three (29%) reporting being turned away from a shelter due to their transgender status. "I don't care who you worship or what you believe. I don't care who you sleep with. If you are helping hurting people, you're my friend, and I will support you." ~ Mark Horvath A few years ago I was invited to visit San Francisco by Bevan Dufty, who at the time was in charge of homeless services for the City and the County of San Francisco. Bevan connected me with TRANS:THRIVE, an organization that helps LGBTQ trans homeless people. Here is a link to my visit with TRANS:THRIVE https://invisiblepeople.tv/2012/04/transgender-homelessness-and-my-visit-with-trans-thrive/ My visit with TRANS:THRIVE was not just educational, it changed me. Homelessness is horrible for everyone but often people who identify as LBGT are doubly persecuted. Transgender people have trouble finding and maintaining employment. Often the only choice becomes sex work. NO ONE should be forced into a life of prostitution simply to get some food, and NO ONE should be homeless! Talking to JoJo, I could feel her pain. She's a young homeless woman trying to survive in a crazy messed up world. It's easy to judge people from a distance, but as humans, we need to allow people to be who they want to be. You don't know what that person has lived through. "To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson JoJo's GoFundMe page https://www.gofundme.com/hollywood-homeless-trans-with ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People's website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People's Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath's Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they're on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can't ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation's most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America's homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

I first met Charlie online in our support group for homeless people that Invisible People facilitates. Then a few months back we met in person. At the time, Charlie was living in a tent and working full-time https://youtu.be/ymd7qwNvZDY Working while trying to survive homelessness is extremely challenging. Charlie got sick and went into the hospital in Pasadena. When you live in a tent outside, it's hard to stay healthy or to recover from a sickness. Charlie had to call in sick too many times and lost his job. Charlie is been in the hospital eight or nine times in the last year. It's common for homeless people to be in and out of hospitals. As taxpayers, we pay for that. Housing homeless people not only saves lives it saves taxpayer money. Even though Charlie is still homeless and now without a job, he keeps a positive outlook. Charlie believes he'll get another job. Charlie shares about video blogging and how vlogging is therapeutic to him. What I didn't know until this interview is that Charlie started vlogging because of my work on Invisible People's YouTube channel. You can find Charlies YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/user/1313coffeeguy UPDATE: Since this video was recorded, Charlie found a room to rent to get inside. Charlie moves in July 10th. We need to fix California's affordable housing crisis to prevent homelessness and get every homeless person inside. Charlie's GoFundMe page: https://www.gofundme.com/stopbeinghomeless ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

You may have noticed in the thumbnail that my mom walked through the end of this video. I am thinking mom wanted to get on the thanking action because this Patreon support is making it possible for me to be around her a lot more to help! THANK YOU to each and every person that supports Invisible People's important work! YOU ARE AWESOME! Now that we've reached our third monthly goal on Patreon, I am that much closer to being able to work on Invisible People full time. Up I work freelance marketing jobs to pay for my own rent. This month, I am moving in with my mother because I need to be here to help take care of her BUT part of the plan is by living here I won't have to work for rent money - now that we've reached the 3rd goal - I'll be able to spend more time helping Invisible People to multiply impact in ending homelessness. In this video, I share a few photos to as a hint to one of the two amazing things I am not allowed to talk about - yet. I also share a little about of Oculus is partnering with Invisible People to produce a virtual reality film on homelessness. Last but far from least, I share a little about the new Invisible People that will launch soon. Patron's will get an exclusive first look because if it wasn't for their support, none of this would even be happening. THANK YOU! ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Olga was renting a little house, but the people taking her money were not the owners. She ended up losing everything and eventually became homeless in Los Angeles. After trying to sleep on the streets, Olga eventually got a tent to live in. She would walk all night because homelessness is dangerous. Olga has a part-time job cleaning offices in Northridge, which is an hour or more bus ride each way from where her tent is. Imagine getting off work and your only choice is to come home to a tent in downtown Los Angeles. Olga shares about the challenges for homeless people going to the bathroom and taking showers. She mentions they now have a shower. Olga is referring to a make-shift shower the small tent community made that consists of a large rectangle box for privacy and a water jug at the top. I'll post a photo of it in the community section. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People's website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People's Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath's Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they're on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can't ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation's most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America's homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

This year I cannot make one of my favorite events so I stayed up late last night to edit a vlog I shot at Project Water Survival in 2017. Founded in 1999 by Jody Steinhauer, Project Water was conceived in response to the inexcusable fact that more homeless people die from dehydration in the summer than from exposure in the winter. Safe, clean drinking water is not a luxury, but the human body’s most fundamental need. Unfortunately, it’s a basic need that many homeless individuals in the Greater Toronto area too often go without. Especially during these hot summer months, a bottle of water can save a life. Project Water has distributed over 2.5 million water bottles to those in desperate need, and that number continues to climb! To learn more about Project Water Survival and to donate click here: http://www.engageandchange.org/project-water/our-story/ Jennifer's story I reference in my talk: Jennifer is in a wheelchair disabled and STILL homeless in Toronto. https://youtu.be/1LfksBE2l18 Post about the We Are Visible Mural launch https://invisiblepeople.tv/2011/12/we-are-visible-mural-unveiling-helps-launch-project-winter-survival/ ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Reconnecting with someone I met in the past that is still homeless happens far too often in the United States and Canada. On this trip to the United Kingdom, I happen to run into two rough sleepers in London that I interviewed in the past. I was talking to Mervin, a homeless man I first met in 2017, and happened to glance across the street and I could not believe my eyes. From a distance, I was fairly certain it was Homer and sure enough, it was. I first met Homer in 2014 in almost exactly the same spot [https://youtu.be/8pa1wSZC9F0] at the time, he said he was on the streets sleeping rough for over 20 years. He would go in and out of hostels (UK term for homeless shelters) because he felt like they were prisons. The only thing that has changed is Homer has been sleeping rough for another four years. Homer says he has housing setup soon. He wants to go inside because his dog is getting older. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Ed has lived homeless in the United Kingdom for the last seven years. His ex-partner walked out the door with both of his kids, his best friend, and all of his money. In many cities, anti-homelessness laws such as making it illegal to panhandle continue to increase. In Cardiff, Wales it's illegal to beg for money. Homeless people caught begging for money get arrested and fined. Ed says the fine is around £80 or $107 in USD. It makes little sense to fine homeless people for panhandling when they have zero income to pay for the fine. Ed shares that homeless people get to the point where you question what's life worth. He had a friend that committed suicide over sleeping rough. Homelessness is dangerous. One of Ed's friends was kicked to death by teenagers over a pack of tobacco. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Andy has been sleeping rough in Cardiff, Wales for the last three weeks. Andy's dad is an alcoholic and he feels safer sleeping outside than at home with family. When I first saw Andy is was sleeping. As a rule, I never wake anyone up. Andy shares about how he has been walking around at night and desperate for sleep. Sleep deprivation is common for homeless people sleeping rough. A good nights sleep is rare. Although Andy shares about rough sleeping in the United Kingdom, the challenges of living on the streets homelessness are the same in the United States and Canada. People don't just walk by, they spit on you and call you names. People even with good intentions give an overabundance of food yet refuse to help with money or other basics needs besides Mcdonalds or Burger King meals. Here's a post I wrote about panhandling and people begging for money: “Giving Money to Homeless People Is Okay https://byrslf.co/giving-money-to-homeless-people-is-okay-41361adfe2fa Andy's story is powerful. He's only 21 years old and he's experiencing more pain and suffering than any young adult should. Sadly, Andy's story is far too common among homeless young adults. Instead of giving a sandwich we all must work together to end homelessness. Thanks to all of your support, we got Andy inside tonight. He found me a little while after this interview with all of the change he had made from panhandling in his hand and said "I am going to give this to a charity box." Just by helping him get inside tonight it changed everything. Special thanks to Crisis https://www.crisis.org.uk ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

If you'd like to help support Olivia here is her GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/Break-the-poverty-chain These days, a growing number of families are turning to ‘weekly rate’ hotels as a way to stay off the streets. But don’t let the roof fool you, many of these motels-turned-homes are shoddy, small, and unkempt. Hardly ideal living conditions for any person, nevermind young children. Olivia and her son Alex live in a small hotel room in the San Fernando Valley region of Los Angeles County. The area is filled with miles of weekly rate hotels that provide refuge for low-income families. Prostitution, drug use, and violence often occur in the same hotels. Often called the "hidden homeless', families with children that cannot afford adequate housing call these hotels home. Olivia shares an often too common struggle low-income single moms have to go through on a daily basis just to survive. The strength and resilience Olivia has going from hotel to hotel and job to job are beyond commendable. Olivia is an amazing young mother giving her all to raise her son against all obstacles. Most people hold on to the belief that homelessness is an older man with a cardboard sign begging for money. They also hold on strongly to the false belief that the solution to homelessness is the homeless person just needs to get a job. Olivia and her son living in a hotel are the homelessness you don't see, but you need to see. Olivia also is employed but still cannot afford an apartment. Family homelessness, once viewed as episodic and situational, has become chronic, with families accounting for 37% of the overall homeless population and 50% of the sheltered population. 1 in 30 American children experiences homelessness. They live with or without their families, in shelters, cars and abandoned buildings. Families are the fastest growing segment of the homeless population, accounting for almost 40-50% of the nation’s homeless. Lack of affordable housing is a primary cause of homelessness in families; often one or both parents are working, but not making a livable wage. Additionally, events such as illness, unemployment, accidents, and violence limit the ability to secure stable housing and affordable housing. Olivia is an amazing young mother and an inspiration. She has a dream of going to law school to become a lawyer and eventually, the first African woman to be a Supreme Court Judge. I have a feeling she'll make it happen. Very special thanks to LA Family Housing https://lafh.org ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Thank you to each and every one of you that supports Invisible People's YouTube channel and thank you to YouTube for recognizing our important work. In the world of YouTube, 100,000 subscribers is not a huge number but for a nonprofit channel that's primary focus is educating the public on homelessness this is HUGE! For context, the average nonprofit YouTube channel may have a few thousand YouTube subs. Nonprofits in the homeless sector only a few hundred subs. As of this moment, we have 24,401,565 views and 112,780 subs. Since our focus is the general public receiving recognition from YouTube means we are not only reaching our target audiences outside of the homeless services sector, we're creating a significant impact in educating people about homelessness. THANK YOU for helping to make all this happen! Without you, our important work stops. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Update: Arien Is No Longer Homeless in Los Angeles https://youtu.be/NW8Tu-ZXgqM I first met Arien two years ago while walking around Hollywood giving out socks to homeless people. She shared candidly about the abuse homeless women experience living out on the streets. You can watch that first video here: https://youtu.be/4cgoJl9Rn-w The first two times I connected with Arien happened organically. You can watch her second Invisible People here: https://youtu.be/eF9xBAHs2KA Arien mentioned attempts to kill herself that prompted the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) outreach team to go visit her. They helped her with clothes and hygiene products and placed Arien on a housing list, but there are tens of thousands of homeless people in Los Angeles and not nearly enough housing to get people off the streets. Invisible People facilitates an online support group for homeless people. Arien and I became friends on Facebook. My last visit in February was rearranged. Arien wanted to update her story. In this video, she talks about being raped on her 3rd day of homelessness: https://youtu.be/UJSfQaY1Cyw I never wanted to hit the milestone of a 3rd video with the same homeless person so a 4th interview with a young homeless woman is not something to celebrate. It's disturbing that in a few years time Los Angeles could not get Arien out of homelessness. This time of year communities is release their PIT (point in time) homeless count numbers. Many cities like Los Angeles will add some spin to the information to hopefully give an impression to the general public that some success in fighting homelessness is happening. Truth is, no matter what the PIT number is it's just a number. Only one homeless person sleeping outside is a tragedy. Here is Arien's GoFundMe if you'd like to help support her: https://www.gofundme.com/HumblyHomelessArien ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

****Brenda Update: No Longer Homeless in New York City https://youtu.be/cy8mtI0BkqE Brenda is 60 years-old, she worked for 35 years, she is a college graduate, and she sleeps on the sidewalk of New York City. I was a little shocked when Brenda told me she sleeps right here on the streets of New York City. With all the people walking by and the noise, I cannot imagine finding comfort enough to close my eyes. But for Brenda, that's where she feels safe. When Brenda lived in San Diego, she was entering a bus, and the driver didn't see her got on. When the driver moved the door to take off, Brenda was knocked to the ground. Then when the driver pulled away, her leg slammed into the steel door. Brenda was seriously injured. An ambulance took her to the hospital, but the accident was not reported with the proper protocol. Brenda then started legal proceedings and filed a lawsuit. The lawyer that was recommended to her wasn't honest, and the case never went anywhere. The judge dismissed the case and told Brenda she has every right to sue, but she would have to start all over again. Brenda now receives $720 a month from Social Security, and that's not even close to enough to afford a place to stay. At 9:26 I ask Brenda what she would want people to know about homelessness. She shares about how people are judgmental even about her wearing lipstick. Whenever I post a video with a woman that is trying to take care of herself by wearing makeup, lots of people freak out. They have a hard time understanding that homeless women still have the self-worth and decency to look presentable. Most people that are experiencing homelessness do not look homeless. There is little to no education focused on teaching the general public the true realities of homelessness so people hold on to a lot of misconceptions. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness. #homeless #disabled #newyorkcity

Gina had a stroke and lost her job. She lived with her daughter for a short time but eventually ended up on the streets homeless. Gina relocated to Philadelphia during the Occupy Philly movement. Throughout the country, many homeless people integrated with the Occupy movement in their cities because Occupy provided safe places to pitch a tent and often food and bathrooms. She stays in a homeless shelter. The shelter provides a room for four people but everything else the homeless person has to provide. Programs like this actually create more panhandling. Homeless people can't find employment but they have to pay to stay in the shelter. On the other side, funding for nonprofits continues to be cut so shelters are forced to charge for services. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Anthony says he is a survivor. He is a homeless veteran who did two tours of Vietnam and now lives in the streets of Gainesville, Florida. Anthony is working through the legal system to get support from the Veterans Administration. He feels that it's OK to stay in line to receive the support he needs. No one should have to stand in line to get out of homelessness and it's a disgrace that any veteran ends up homeless. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Roland's wife of 30 years died of cancer. They didn't have any children. Roland says he broke down and ended up in a mental institution for three months. When he got out, Roland says he had trouble holding a job. People kept telling Roland to go to New Orleans to look for work. They said there were plenty of jobs to go around. The problem is that was after Katrina when the city was rebuilding. Roland has lived homeless on the streets of New Orleans for nine months. He was able to pick up some temporary work but nothing permanent. Roland refuses to give up because he says he has God on his side. All Roland has is the four quarters someone just put in his hat while panhandling. He doesn't drink or use drugs. Although Roland again says he'll never give up, you can see the pain of homelessness in his face. The streets are hard and after awhile, learned helplessness sets in. People try and try to get out of homelessness but homeless services do not make it easy for people to get the help they need. The general public believes that homeless people are homeless by choice. They blame homelessness on the person. The truth is most homeless people end up on the streets because of situations beyond their control. Lack of affordable housing or some kind of trauma are the leading causes of homelessness. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

This is an old video highlighting when YouTube allowed Invisible People to curate their homepage for a day and going into the tunnels under Las Vegas to meet homeless people. Also featured are homeless families living in hotels near St Louis. Watch the full documentary here: https://youtu.be/z0wDn9SAWZs ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Eric lives in a homeless shelter in Traverse City, Michigan. He also works full time as a cook in a local restaurant. Over the winter, Eric stayed in the emergency shelter. He talks about the challenges homeless people with jobs face while living in a homeless shelter. Most shelters are not set up for second or third shift workers. The leading cause of homelessness is the lack of affordable housing. Because of that, more people with jobs just cannot afford a place to live and end up becoming working homeless. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People's website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People's Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath's Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they're on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can't ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation's most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America's homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

I am editing the vlog of my day with an outreach team in Traverse City and ran across this statement Ryan Hannon made when talking about a chronic homeless woman. What Ryan says is so spot on and since the vlog is getting a little long I thought I would post it separately to make sure it's heard. There is a movement in the homeless services sector that likes to only focus on the success. They share messaging that they have ended veteran homelessness or have ended chronic homelessness. The external messaging is that we are having a huge impact on ending homelessness. I am out on the streets a lot in many different cities. I also worked as an outreach worker for many years in Los Angeles. I do not know of a single outreach team that goes out on the streets with enough housing or often even shelter beds to offer homeless people. One thing as I travel that is universal is the insane amount of times a homeless man, homeless woman, or homeless family touches homeless services and does not get the help they need. After a while, people give up. Homeless people are not homeless by choice, the homeless system is broken and after years of trying and broken promises from services providers, they just give up. The real truth is the homeless services system is broken. No one goes through the maddening layers of bureaucracy quickly or easily. It can take years and even decades to get someone off the streets. The system is not designed to help people. It's not! Ryan shares about a woman that has been out on the streets for 15 years. She has been on a housing list for almost two years. As Ryan shares, you could consider that a success but the truth is she keeps losing faith in the system. What Ryan says is profound. We could look at her getting on a housing list two years ago as a success because we didn't even have a housing list two years ago, but the reality is while this woman waits for housing she desperately needs, her chances of going into housing get worse. We cannot pat ourselves on the back claiming success unless we look at the whole picture. This woman is dying and she may not make it another year. She is vulnerable. The whole vlog will be up tomorrow. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Last year's vlog: Ryan is King of the Town - a Look at Traverse City's Faith Community Ending Homelessness. https://youtu.be/yq9ihDmjE_g This vlog is a long but since I was cutting it down and dirty without being produced I felt keeping the authenticity was very important and to do that I figured it best to leave most of the day as is. Plus, a lot of the conversation gives insight into the challenges that both homeless people and outreach workers face. I also talk about privacy issues when videotaping homelessness and the protocols we have in place to make sure no homeless person ever gets hurt by our work. This is real homeless outreach in a rural community. Nothing was staged. I captured the day as it unfolded the best I could. The night before was the last night of the winter shelter in Traverse City. Both homeless men and homeless women that were staying at the emergency homeless shelter now had to sleep outside. We started the day taking sleeping bags and tarps to a small tent community. While walking down the path, we came across a homeless man just sleeping on the ground under tarps. We then connected to two homeless couples living in tents. Next, we transported a young homeless woman to a housing appointment. The good news she is moving forward in the housing process. The bad news is that it's now a waiting game. After that, we visited the winter shelter. If you watch last year's vlog, the shelter was still under construction. A highlight for me was seeing cell phone lockers for the first time. The reason we stopped by the shelter was to pick up the belongings of a homeless man that was in the hospital. We then transported the homeless man to a shelter. What Ryan says near the end of this vlog is profound at 45:08 or https://youtu.be/TIINeEJOjlA We could look at her getting on a housing list two years ago as a success because we didn't even have a housing list two years ago, but the reality is while this woman waits for housing she desperately needs, her chances of going into housing get worse. We cannot pat ourselves on the back claiming success unless we look at the whole picture. This woman is dying and she may not make it another year. She is vulnerable. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

I interviewed Michael last year in Traverse City, Michigan. After his five-year-old son died, he lost everything and crashed into homelessness. Here is a link to last year's interview https://youtu.be/ZiUFJuQBJmw This week I was back out on the streets of Traverse City with an outreach team. They told me Michael was still homeless and he wanted to talk to me. They updated me a little on what happened in the last year. My heart broke listening to how Michael has gone through more tragedy. After I interviewed Michael last year, he was able to get inside for around four months. He was living in a house with his fiancée and a group of people. Michael's fiancée passed away, and he could not stay in the house any longer. I was told by people connected to Michael it was very tragic. As if that's not heartbreaking enough, Micheal's other son was killed a few months back by an improvised explosive device (IED) while serving our country. Then a few days later, his brother was murdered. Even worse, Michael was recently diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. He says that cancer has already spread from his pancreas all the way to his right side. Michael says he has a year to live. All though Michael has suffered more tragedy, he claims to be happy. I can't even imagine what he must be going through. The public needs to understand that homeless people are not homeless by choice. If you look past the homelessness, the drug abuse, and the mental illness you'll often find layers of trauma. Everyone deals with pain and suffering differently. When you see that homeless man on the streets, the public needs to know there is a story behind the person. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Here's the link to the more produced vlog I posted after my visit last year: https://youtu.be/wOxU--jhfBA This is William's story: https://youtu.be/0a3zAgsp1r0 This week I was lucky enough to go out on the streets of Detroit with Street Medicine Detroit just like I did last year. I cut this vlog "down and dirty" with limited editing and no color grading to get it up quick. I am months behind on editing vlog content that I have shot. I learned after posting the Ithaca Tent Encampment vlog that you all like that format. I figured I would try to experiment with that format on this trip. Please let me know what you think in the comments below. I joined the medical students on outreach around Detroit looking for homeless people with medical needs. The one important story is the homeless man we met that didn't want to go on camera. He was homeless for two years and was recently placed on a housing list. A generous stranger paid for a few nights hotel stay. Because the homeless man stayed in a hotel, he lost his opportunity to get into housing. He no longer qualified as chronically homeless after spending a night in a hotel room. He now has to wait for another year before being able to qualify again. Neighborhood Service Organization (NSO) gave us a tour of their permanent supportive housing. NSO has 155 one-bedroom permanent supportive housing apartments based on the housing first model. I have toured a lot of housing first buildings and I think what made NSO's stand out is the large amount of living space in each apartment. The place is clean and safe providing dignity for people to heal. If you don't know about housing first and how permanent supportive housing saves lives and taxpayer money please watch this video http://invisiblepeople.tv/housingfirst ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

I met William while out on the streets with Street Medicine Detroit, a student-run nonprofit that provides healthcare to homeless people in Detroit. The medical students and the nurse practitioner were talking to a homeless man at an exit ramp when William walked up pushing his shopping cart. William knew the medical team, saying hello with a big smile on his face as he approached. I talked to William a little bit at the exit ramp. He told me he was in a hurry to get to his spot. William continued that if I walk down to meet him there, he would give me a more extended interview. William has lived homeless in Detroit since July of 2009. A few years's prior, he lost his house to foreclosure. William was one of the millions of people that were sold a bad mortgage that was impossible to pay back. William says that each year he lives on the streets homeless his health keeps deteriorating. William has survived cancer twice. He suffers from COPD, a chronic inflammatory lung disease that causes obstructed airflow from the lungs. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People's website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People's Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath's Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they're on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can't ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation's most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America's homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Most of the people in or around Traverse City, Michigan referred to Jimmy as Three Fingered Jim or Jimmy Three Fingers. Jim was a certified Harley-Davidson mechanic. He got his hand caught in a chain link sprocket and lost two fingers. Because he was no longer able to work, shortly after the accident his home was foreclosed on and he lost everything. That happened in 2007. Jim was homeless for ten years! Jim was on pain medications and could not work. He was turned down for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) five times. He survived without an income because of the support from friends and the grace of God. The day I met Jim we were visiting Kalkaska, Michigan. The winters in Michigan are brutal for anyone living outside. Jim shared that summers can also be dangerous. That last 4th of July, a group of 20-year-old kids came through their camp and beat all the of the homeless people there savagely. UPDATE: Sometimes it can take me months to upload a video. Since this interview, Jim was placed into housing. Three months later Jim died from pneumonia. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Sabrina's death could have been avoided! Eight year's of homelessness is our fault! People abuse drugs to escape pain. That simple. Homeless people use drugs to escape their personal pain AND the pain of homelessness. There is no doubt in my mind that is Sabrina Tate was offered supporitive housing she would alive today! Sabrina's video https://youtu.be/9HwLo3e4EN0 I am NOT saying people are NOT liable for their own actions. What I am saying is we all do dumb stuff consciously and unconsciously, and we all need help! Drug abuse aside, no one should be homeless in the first place, and when someone enters into homelessness, we must get them out of homelessness quickly. Eight years is unacceptable. This video features Lanny. Lanny was dying. He was killing himself with alcohol after his wife died. He could not handle the pain so he drank and drank and drank. He was in and out of the hospital. When I found him, he was living in an abandoned building sitting in his own feces. It was Lanny's choice to drink. It was Lanny's choice to drink so much that alcohol took over his life. It was my choice to help him, and I was lucky to have wonderful co-workers to help me get him into housing! Housing first and permeant supportive housing saves lives and saves taxpayer money. When can end homelessness and we can help people get better. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness. #homeless #housingfirst #losangeles

Kenn is homeless in New Orleans. He survives by playing piano on the streets for money. Kenn was raised in foster care and lived in 17 different foster home placements. Kenn says he was beaten and tortured every day for decades. Children are easy victims. But of all children, perhaps none are as vulnerable as foster children. Fear prevents them from complaining about abuse or mistreatment. Abusive adults, or sexual predators, can easily physically, and psychologically, overpower them. Neglectful foster parents can negligently allow harm to befall them. While almost all foster parents are loving, giving, generous people who should be commended for the charitable social service they provide, it is indisputable that some foster parents abuse, mistreat, neglect or mishandle their foster children. Ask anyone in child welfare about foster youth aging out of the foster care system and you’re sure to hear about everything from high rates of incarceration, early parenting, homelessness, unemployment and discussion about mental health issues. • Approximately 400,000 youth are currently in foster care in the United States. Approximately 20,000 of those youth age-out each year without positive familial supports or any family connection at all. • Within 18 months of emancipation, 40-50% of foster youth become homeless. • Nationally, 50% of the homeless population spent time in foster care. • A history of foster care correlates with becoming homeless at an earlier age and remaining homeless for a longer period of time. • 65% of youth leaving foster care need immediate housing upon discharge. • The National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty estimates that 5,000 unaccompanied youth die each year as a result of assault, illness, or suicide. Kenn says he has PTSD (posttraumatic stress disorder) as a result of the years of abuse. He cannot stay in one place for long. Kenn has been offered housing but the housing was in a bad area with questionable tenants. He didn't feel safe. Kenn says the housing offered to him was similar to the foster homes her was abused in. Kenn only had one wish: to be happy. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Four years ago I met Sabrina under a bridge in Seattle. She had been homeless off and on for years. At the time, she was 23 years old. On April 5th, Sabrina Tate died in an RV. She was still homeless. In eight years time, homeless services was not able to help this young woman get off the streets and out of homelessness. PLEASE DONATE TO HELP OTHERS IN LOVING MEMORY OF SABRINA TATE. Peoples Harm Reduction Alliance donate page: https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/PHRA Thier website for more information: http://www.peoplesharmreductionalliance.org Here is a link to Sabrina's story in Seattle Times: No place for a daughter: Parents of homeless woman who died in RV speak out about Seattle ‘safe https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/homeless/shame-on-seattle-parents-of-homeless-woman-who-died-in-rv-speak-out/ Seattle Time's story on mobile homeless: Seattle still doesn’t know what to do with thousands of people living in vehicles https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/homeless/seattle-still-has-no-strategy-for-thousands-of-people-living-in-vehicles/ My original video interview with Sabrina: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HwLo3e4EN0 ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

When I saw Evis across the street, I could hardly believe what I was seeing. Being this was New Orleans, I thought maybe it was a costume, but as I walked closer, my heart broke seeing a disabled man with a halo ring and vest brace. I am not sure but it looked like the screws go right into his head. I had a hard time putting my thoughts into words and being honest, parts of our conversation I don't remember. Talking to Evis was surreal. Homeless people are prioritized by what's called a vulnerability index and Evis is clearly vulnerable. Evis told me he suffers from degenerative disc disease and he lost three vertebrae. Evis was discharged from a hospital a month ago. He was given the option of a nursing home or the streets. For whatever reason, Evis didn't want to go into a board and care. For those wondering how can this happen, keep in mind there are tens of thousands of disabled homeless people out on the streets. My last trip to NOLA I met Tony, who was just released from the hospital that day [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BRkiO9w5PY]. Edward was missing an arm and has been diagnosed with HIV and hepatitis A, B and C. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cnYLyxf6aw] The fact is that in the richest country in the world we do not have healthcare and housing for the people who need it most. When I posted Evis photo, a few people reached out to me asking who can they call - there is no one to contact to help because there is far too much hurt and not enough help. Everyone deserves healthcare and everyone deserves a home.

There are no words to express how grateful I am to all of you for supporting me, this channel, YouTube, Invisible People, and the fight to end homelessness. Being that we are a nonprofit and our content is on the topic of homelessness it's a miracle we reached 100,000 subscribers on YouTube. It would not have ever happened without YOUR support! THANK YOU! For a little context, nonprofit YouTube channels may have a few thousand subscribers. In the homeless services sector, nonprofit YouTube channels only have a few hundred subs. For this channel to grow to 100,000 subs is HUGE! THANK YOU! We actually grew 80,000 subs since July! For years, I was happy with 20,000 subs and 40,000 views a month. That alone is amazing for a nonprofit channel. Then I started to pay more attention to YouTube. This past July, I made changes, and we now average close to 2 million views every month! THANK YOU! What this says to me is there is a community here on YouTube that will rally around the cause of homelessness to influence positive change. Invisible People may be ten years old, but I feel we are just at the very beginning of growing our YouTube presence to help end homelessness! THANK YOU! ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People's website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People's Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath's Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they're on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can't ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation's most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America's homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Many people blame homelessness on the homeless person, and they believe that the solution to homelessness is each homeless person working hard to get a job. If you are one of those people that believe homeless people should simply get a job then you need to start hiring homeless people. With all seriousness, do you know any employers that are hiring homeless people and providing enough income so that homeless person can get out of homelessness? You don't! The leading cause of homelessness is a lack of affordable housing, and that's OUR fault! Homeless tent encampments are now affordable housing in America. Only 1% of minimum wage workers can afford a one bedroom apartment! There are more truckers than any other profession, and in 10 years trucks will drive themselves. Pharmacist are going to be eliminated by computers. Automation will kill most jobs in this country! The bottom line is homeless people are not homeless by choice. No one chooses to be homeless. Yes, we all make bad decisions, and we all need help along this journey called life. But NO ONE deserves to be without a home. And even if you don't agree with that, YOU pay huge taxes for every homeless person on the street. The smart solution to save lives and save taxpayer money is to get people off the streets and into housing. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People's website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People's Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath's Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they're on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can't ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation's most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America's homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Chantell has been homeless ever since she was discharged from the army. She then bounced between family and friends finally ending up on the streets of Gainesville, Florida sleeping outside of a homeless shelter. Chantell says: "just because they don't have a home doesn't make them any less different." We need to treat everyone with respect. Chantell and her friend were headed to Grace Marketplace which is the largest homeless services in the area. Chantell said homeless people sleep outside in a courtyard and if they conform to obey stringent rules then they can possibly go inside. The model sounds like Grace Marketplace is following Dr. Robert Marbut. The Marbut model is basically a prison with windows. The problem with this model is people are not treated with dignity. It's a soft form of criminalization getting homeless people out of sight into huge shelters. I was not able to spend a lot of time in Gainesville so I didn't have a chance to connect with Grace Marketplace but I did drive by the place. There are several large buildings that could house hundreds of people that are not being used while hundreds of homeless people sleep outside in tents. It makes zero sense. I just did a quick search and looks like the organization that operates Grace Marketplace is being questioned for mismanagement. The sad part is all the drama, and all the bureaucracy hurts the homeless people sleeping outside in Gainesville. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

*** the homeless man that was next to us during this interview listened to Dejaris talk about growing up in foster care. He started to think about his own family and called them. His family said come home. I ran into him at the train station as he was headed home to family. https://youtu.be/IbKxnzAQQww at 16:35 shares his 3rd wish to keep making people happy and shared with us a few impressions and a song. Dejaris has been homeless since he was 21. He is 39 now. That's 18 years sleeping outside without a home. Dejaris grew up in foster homes. Children growing up outside of their natural family often have a hard time adjusting. He talks about going through a lot of experiences including being restrained and forced medication because he was acting out. Compared to other youth in the United States, kids who age out of foster care are more likely to not have completed high school or received a GED, they often suffer from mental health problems, many are unemployed and live in poverty, and nearly 40% become homeless. Approximately 400,000 youth are currently in foster care in the United States. Approximately 20,000 of those youth age-out each year without positive familial supports or any family connection at all. Within 18 months of emancipation, 40-50% of foster youth become homeless. Nationally, 50% of the homeless population spent time in foster care. Dejaris got into some trouble as a youth and ended up in jail. He continued on a path of going from program to program. Dejaris spent most of his young life in the system. Dejaris spent most of his time experiencing homelessness in Washington DC. Dejaris schizophrenia and bipolar and says the mental health service providers are overwhelmed and undertrained. Without housing, Dejaris tries to deal with his mental illness as an outpatient. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Rule has been homeless since the age of 13. He is now 22. Rule has slept outside, in abandoned buildings, on couches, on trains, on buses, and hotel rooms. He says he has experienced every type of homelessness. It's no way for a kid to grow up. Rule says homeless youth get pushed into all sorts of things. He knows where he is going. He just doesn't know how to get there. Rule doesn't know when his homelessness will end. Rule says homeless youth get acclimated to a life of homelessness. That over time, you get used to it. No one and especially no child or teenager should have to get used to homelessness. From that National Network for Youth website [https://www.nn4youth.org/learn/]: The vast majority of youth do not become homeless by choice. Many different factors contribute to youth homelessness, but studies suggest that there are common paths to homelessness for young people. The majority of homeless youth have either run away, been kicked out of unstable home environments, abandoned by their families or caregivers, involved with public systems (foster care, juvenile justice, and mental health), or have a history of residential instability and disconnection. From new research by Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago on understanding and addressing youth homelessness [http://voicesofyouthcount.org/brief/national-estimates-of-youth-homelessness/]: 1 in 10 young adults ages 18-25 experienced a form of homelessness over a 12-month period. That’s 3.5 million young adults. About half of them involved explicitly reported homelessness while the other half involved couch surfing only. 1 in 30 youth ages 13-17 experienced a form of homelessness over a 12-month period. That’s about 700,000 youth. About three-quarters of them involved explicitly reported homelessness (including running away or being kicked out) and one-quarter involved couch surfing only. If you've been following Invisible People you've probably heard me share that I often wonder how many homeless youths end up being homeless adults later in life. If we are ever going to end homelessness, we must look at all demographics of homelessness. Over the recent years, the sector has prioritized chronic homeless adults and we have gotten better at "closing the back door." Although I do support for various reasons getting the most vulnerable off the streets, in many ways we have left the front door wide open. As we have seen these past few weeks how young adults can affect positive change in ways us adults are not able to, homeless youth need the same opportunities to grow up and make our world a better place. We must make ending youth homelessness and family homelessness just has much of a priority as ending all homelessness! ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Last night I met a wonderful homeless man. Bruce is kind and gentle with simple desires. His first wish all he asked for was a warm bed without bedbugs! After Bruce gave permission for the interview, I started to record. It was cold, and snow was coming down. The camera lens and equipment I used is for stationary interviews, so when Bruce began to move, I just followed along the best I could. A bit of this is out of focus, and this production sure is not the best. Bruce's umbrella kept hitting me and the camera. I was worried about him as we crossed the streets a few times positioned myself to block traffic. To keep authenticity and integrity, we never edit interview videos, so anything and everything is there - mistakes and all. I decided to upload this because I really enjoyed talking to Bruce and wanted to share that experience with you. More importantly, Bruce has physical challenges and should be in housing. People see homeless men and women like Bruce and never get to know their stories. Our work is not to show you there is homelessness because we all know there are people living on the streets. Our work is to educate the public that homeless people are humans. They are real people. Bruce was a lawyer for 33 years. After his wife died of brain cancer, he ended up homelessness. He traveled to Washington DC to see his daughter. She would not have anything to do with him. Bruce has lived in a homeless shelter for the last two years. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Anthony's mom was the primary provider. When she died from colon cancer he ended up on the streets homeless. Anthony has been homeless for two years now. He has gone from place to place and has tried most homeless shelters. Anthony didn't feel safe in the shelters so he now sleeps at Union Station in Washington DC. Union Station is a large train station only blocks from the United States Capital. I walked around yesterday handing out socks and I was blown away by how many homeless people use Union Station as a day center. Homelessness is increasing in almost every city while support for homeless people continues to decrease. Public transportation hubs and libraries are now filled with homeless people. For a young homeless man like Anthony, Union Station provides a safe place to get inside. We need to provide safe shelter spaces that offer a path out of homelessness into housing. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

I just ran into a homeless man that was sitting next to a homeless man I interviewed yesterday. He was in tears. Listening to the other man’s story got him thinking and he called his family. They said come home. He was headed to catch a train when I ran into him. More details in this video! WOW! ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

I was crossing the street downtown Los Angeles and noticed a man coming my way with a big orange square bag on his back. I had a feeling he was homeless but I wasn't sure. I asked him if he wanted some socks and we started up a conversation. He told me his name was Dino and started to share about being harassed and abused by the Downtown Business District's Purple Patrol, which Dino called the "Purple Gang." To deal with increasing homelessness and other challenges, many business districts now employ their own security patrol. They provide a service to the public and to local businesses and are probably more cost-effective than hiring more police officers to deal with complaints. I am sure there are some wonderful private security officers that provide a public service but the story of abuse Dino shares I have heard many times in different cities. Dino says twice the DCBID's Safe & Clean team, the "Purple Patrol", took his backpack when he was sleeping with all of his belongings including his cell phone and ID. Once Dino alleges that once when he was sleeping on a beanbag mattress he had placed on a pallet the Purple Patrol picked Dino up off the mattress and dumped him on the ground. Dino says the DCBID's Safe & Clean team has run over his legs on their bikes while he was sleeping. Dino says he has been kicked many times. Dino continues that he has had to seek mental health support because of the Downtown Center Business Improvement District (DCBID)'s patrols. As homeless numbers increase, we will see this type of harassment and abuse increase just like how we are seeing the criminalization of homelessness increase. Dino is currently living in a homeless shelter. He recycles to get a little bit of money. The orange square backpack he uses to carry the cans he collects. This is Dino's second time in the shelter. He lost his job and then was evicted from his apartment. #homeless #losangeles #criminalization ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People's website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People's Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath's Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they're on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can't ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation's most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America's homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

July 3, 2012, was a rainy night in London. I had just arrived from the airport. I was jetlagged with my head pounding. I went for a walk to get some food and there she was. I didn't have a camera with me, so I recorded a short video with my phone. Here is a link to Natasha's first video: https://youtu.be/6TLVgwoqhoc Overnight the video reached over 169,000 views on YouTube and started a conversation about welfare reform in the UK that was just gorgeous. The next day I tried to find Natasha. She was sleeping rough in London. Someone commented that they saw her at London Waterloo station. I could not find her. That started my journey of traveling between London Waterloo station and Embankment tube station every future visit trying to find her. I searched online constantly. I searched Google, and I searched social media. I could not find her. Someone started a fundraising page for Natasha, but they didn't have any connection to her, and I don't think the person they found was the same girl. I was concerned for her, and concerned people were using her video to make money. Over the last six years, I aggressively tried to find Natasha. A week or so ago I received a message request on Facebook. Seems some woman had been trying to get my attention, but I never see the requests. I forget that feature is even there. That woman turned out to be Natasha - the real Natasha - the young homeless girl I had met sleeping rough in London six years ago. She found me. There are no words to describe how happy I was that she reached out to me and how utterly ecstatic I was she was no longer homeless. Natasha is now a young mother. She lives with her partner trying to make the best of it. She works three jobs trying to survive. So often the end of homelessness just starts new challenges. Every single day someone contacts me asking about Natasha and how they can help. I have been messaging with Natasha back and forth, and since so many of you wanted to help her, I suggested she start a GoFundMe page. This is Natasha's GoFundMe page: https://www.gofundme.com/54qyw-no-longer-homeless I have validated it is her. Although I made the suggestion, all donations go directly to her. She set up the page herself. From talking to Natasha, I learned that they don't have a lot of furniture. Like I said, she works three jobs. That's got to be hard on a young family. If you are one of the tens of thousands of people that was moved by Natasha's story, please consider a donation of any size. Natasha has a wonderful spirit even though she has been through so much. Thank you in advance for helping this young family. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

"I'm a human being, but sometimes I don't feel like one anymore," although it's hard to put homelessness into words, that heartbreaking statement made by Michelle comes close. She continued by saying that she doesn't care if she'd go to jail because at least she would have a roof over her head. I met Michelle while walking through Skid Row in downtown Los Angeles. She had just woken up from sleeping under some stairs near a hospital. Michelle said she was so cold the night before that she didn't care if she was trespassing or not. All she owned was the clothes she was wearing. Everything else had been stolen. Homelessness is horrible for everyone but women on the street they face extra challenges to survive. In this video [https://youtu.be/UJSfQaY1Cyw], Arien talks about being raped on her third day homeless. Michelle mentions in this video how men attach to women on the streets and in shelters manipulating them in different ways. As a shelter worker, I have seen this play out over and over again. Most shelter staff are aware when this happens and we try to intervene the best we can but sadly the streets are a dangerous place and women do whatever they can to feel protected and safe. Michelle's story is heartbreaking. She is extremely vulnerable. There are tens of thousands of women just like her homeless on the streets of Los Angeles County. We must do everything we can to get people off the streets and prevent others from becoming homeless. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Update: Charlie Lost His Job and Is Still Homeless in Los Angeles https://youtu.be/G5u3-Wf5dhg Most people blame homelessness on the homeless person. It's their fault. Since it's their fault they are homeless, they can just get a job and work their way out of homelessness. In fact, the most common comment left by people to videos on this channel is "get a job." Well, Charley has a job - a good job, yet he still cannot afford rent in Los Angeles. There is research now that shows homelessness increases at the same rate as rents increase. The leading case of homelessness is lack of affordable housing, and that's not a homeless person's fault - that is our fault for letting it get this bad. Charlie is homeless in Pasadena. He sleeps outside almost every night. Occasionally like tonight when it's raining, he will pay for a hotel room to get inside where it's dry and warm. Imagine waking up every morning homeless. You have to hustle to clean yourself up the best you can to be presentable at work. You stash your bedroll in the bushes hoping it will be there when you get back. You jump on a train and head to work. You spend every moment of every day scared that your employer may find out your secret. Then at the end of your shift, you take a train back to where you left your bedroll and felt safe enough to sleep outside. Now you have to start working on basic survival. Charlie's story is far more common than anyone knows. Most "working homeless," as they are now often called, don't want people to know they are homeless for apparent reasons. It's a personal choice to speak up and talk about your own homelessness, and I give people like Charlie a lot of credit. It's stories like these that the public needs to hear. Charlie is a homeless man with a job. He is not homeless by choice. Charlie's GoFundMe page: https://www.gofundme.com/stopbeinghomeless Charlie video blogs about his homeless and you can find his YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/user/1313coffeeguy ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People's website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People's Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath's Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they're on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can't ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation's most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America's homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Update: Arien Is No Longer Homeless in Los Angeles https://youtu.be/NW8Tu-ZXgqM Several times, I have run into the same homeless person while traveling. It's always great to see a familiar face but also at the same time so very heartbreaking knowing that they have been homeless for that amount of time. It's also very concerning that homeless services has not been able to get that person off the streets. Today, Invisible People reached a milestone that I wished never would have ever happened. Twice before I have interviewed Arien while she was homeless on the streets of Hollywood. I can't believe Arien is still sleeping outside, but then again, Jossayln has been on the streets of Los Angeles for 16 years [https://youtu.be/ItBBLiXUuWU]. This is the video from the first time Arien and I met. https://youtu.be/4cgoJl9Rn-w She talked candidly about the harassment woman go through on the streets. Today she talked about being raped on her third day of homelessness. Last October I happened to run into Adrien again. Her video interview here https://youtu.be/eF9xBAHs2KA where she mentioned attempts to kill herself prompted the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) outreach team to go visit her. They helped her with clothes and hygiene products and placed Arien on a housing list, but there are tens of thousands of homeless people in Los Angeles and not even close to enough housing. In this interview, Arien talks about being handcuffed by police for putting her tent up too soon. Homeless people cannot pitch their tents until after 9pm but because it was cold, Arien started to set her tent up at 5pm and almost got arrested. Arien is not homeless by choice. No one chooses the streets as a lifestyle. She occasionally gets work as a security guard but when her employer finds out she is homeless they let her go. According to the last point in time count homelessness in Los Angeles grew 23%. Arien is just one of tens of thousands of homeless people that are in need of help. Last year, Los Angeles voters said yes to raising taxes to help end homelessness but now the battle is to gain public support. If you live in Los Angeles, please email or share this video on social to every stakeholder and politician you know. If you live outside of Los Angeles, you know people that live here. Share Arien's video with them. We must all work together to end homelessness in Los Angeles. Here is Arien's GoFundMe page: https://www.gofundme.com/HumblyHomelessArien ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

The number one cause of homelessness is lack of affordable housing. There is a direct correlation between the increase in homelessness and rising rents yet a vast majority of people believe people are homeless by choice, that homelessness is their fault, and that the solution to end homelessness is as simple as "getting a job." "Get a job" is probably the most popular phrase posted in the comment section. Even if there were jobs, employers are not hiring homeless people. And it's going to get worse. There are more truckers than any other profession and in 5 to 10 years trucks with drive themselves. Automation will kills jobs in every vocation. Robby is homeless Gainesville, Florida. He relocated looking for work after he was laid off in Miami. He worked for a bit but when that ran out he ended up on the streets. Robby looks for employment and tries to pick up day labor jobs when he can. He says it's challenging to even find tempt jobs anymore. Robby's three wishes: food, shelter, and a job. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Manda's video showing how she lived under a bridge homeless: A HOMELESS WOMAN Shows Us Why It Feels Good to Give https://youtu.be/mQ2RBLLy54w Manda's Invisible People interview: Living under a bridge doesn't stop this homeless woman from staying positive https://youtu.be/xYShiXMGULE In the video description of the vlog where Manda gives us a tour of her homeless camp in Seattle [https://youtu.be/xYShiXMGULE], I wrote that when Manda and I first met online that I never imagined I'd be having coffee with her under that bridge. Fast forward a few weeks, and now I am in awe that I had the honor of taking Manda furniture shopping for her new apartment. We also went out and gave socks to new homeless friends. One of the reasons I love Hanes is they genuinely want to help people. Each homeless person that participated in this years campaign, Hanesbrands Inc. offered additional support above the compensation they received for working with the campaign. David received first months rent and security deposit for his new apartment and additional funds for furniture when he moved out of a homeless shelter. Hanes paid for Mary's college tuition and bought her a laptop. While she was still under the bridge, Hanes paid for Amanda's phone service for a year. It's a miracle that Manda got housing. Manda did all the hard work, and she gets all the credit for getting out of homelessness, but the one tool that helped her the most was the smartphone and mobile services that gave her the ability to contact social services and health services. It's truly amazing that Manda is now in housing, but there are tens of thousands of homeless people that still need help. I hope that you'll be encouraged by this video and get a few smiles, but please know getting someone up off the streets is never easy! DISCLOSURE: Hanesbrands Inc. compensated me for my time traveling to Seattle to take a formerly homeless woman shopping. This video is independent of that agreement, and Hanes did not compensate Invisible People or me for this video. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Laura has lived homeless off and on since the age of 23. She is 46, and half of her life has been on the streets without a home. Laura does not want to be around her family. She had a hard life and was abused as a child. When she first became homeless in New York City she worked in a peep show and then graduated to street prostitution to survive. She met a man and because of that relationship, she stopped sex work. Laura says the relationship only lasted for a few months but she never went back to prostitution. Laura survives by soup kitchens and eats at Hare Krishna Temple that provides free food near the University of Florida. She doesn't like to go to shelters in Gainesville because of all the drama. Laura prefers the outdoors. Laura was overjoyed that someone took the interest and the time to tell her story. After I stopped recording she kept thanking me over and over. Often service providers use privacy as an excuse not to share people's stories. If done right with permission and respect, the benefit to the homeless person sharing is tremendous. Laura is a kind soul that has lived a very hard life. I am always blown away when I meet people who have this natural ability to stay positive even through the horrors of homelessness. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People's website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People's Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath's Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they're on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can't ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation's most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America's homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

After her father passed away, Jessica and her mom lost their apartment and ended up homeless. Jessica's mom was able to get eventually get an apartment so occasionally she travels back to Chicago to stay with her. Jessica says this time coming back to Los Angeles is different. She is working to get her ID and is waiting for her birth certificate. Jessica is working to get off the streets! ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People's website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People's Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath's Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they're on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can't ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation's most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America's homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

LAX has been steadily buying properties in a 20-square-block neighborhood to make space for a centralized rental car facility and a transportation hub. Overgrown and underpopulated, the neighborhood has become a ghost town, attracting people living in RVs and tents. It was an eerie feeling watching through Manchester Square for the first time. RVs and tents were everywhere but unlike the tent communities we see growing on cement sidewalks in Los Angeles, the open fields of green grass made it feel like a suburban Skid Row. Mark lives in a tent in this section of Inglewood near the Los Angeles International Airport. He told me that his girlfriend recently died due to sickness from sleeping outside in a tent. Mark went on to say the man across the street and two other people on the next block also passed away. The number of homeless people who died on Los Angeles County’s streets and shelters doubled in the last five years, rising to 831 deaths in 2017, according to a recent report. Cardiovascular disease, pneumonia, diabetes, cancer, cirrhosis, severe bacterial infections and other treatable conditions were all listed as causes of deaths reported by the Los Angeles County Office of Medical Examiner. Mark shares candidly about living homeless in Los Angeles. He says people have to move their stuff for street sweeping but they don't clean the street, or personal possessions are picked up and thrown away but not the trash. Mark says he has been on a list for Rapid Re-housing for a year and a half. He says his girlfriend filled out paperwork to get into housing four times. According to Mark, she was placed as critical on the housing list yet passed away while waiting. Like in many other cities, homelessness continues to increase in Los Angeles and there are not enough services to help all the homeless people that desperately need help. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

One of the biggest misconceptions about homeless people is the public believes people on the streets are homeless by choice. The leading cause of homelessness is poverty and lack of affordable housing. Erwin sleeps outside in his wheelchair. He has lived on the streets of Dallas for almost a week after a nursing home kicked him out for lack of insurance. The good news is once Erwin gets his next disability check he'll be able to pay for an assisted living and get out of homelessness. The bad news is we live in a country that lacks health insurance, and the cost of both healthcare and housing continue to increase! ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Rosco is homeless in Toronto, Canada. The weather was below zero with a deadly windchill factor. Some of the biggest risks to homeless people outside in the winter are dehydration and frostbite. Rosco is lucky. He has a friend that allows him to sleep on a couch to get out of the freezing cold. Rosco still needs money to survive so he panhandles. Rosco has lived homeless on the streets of Toronto for six years. He says for most of that time he has been on a housing list. Sadly, there is just not enough housing for people. That needs to change if we are ever going to save lives and end homelessness. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Ya, I know. It's a corny title. But not only is it true I needed to get your attention. Right now at this very moment, homeless people are sleeping outside in the freezing cold. In small rural communities like Ithaca, New York there are not enough services for the people that are in need. The cost of housing continues to rise causing more homelessness, but funding for social services continues to be reduced. This past week people started saying a phrase I've never heard before. "Bomb cyclone" hit the Northeast causing areas in Central and Upstate New York to drop below zero degrees, yet even in negative temperatures over 20 people slept outside in a tent encampment known as the "Jungle." Many of the homeless men and women living in the Jungle have jobs, but the Ithaca's high cost of housing leaves them no choice but to live in a tent outside. TJ and Alie lost their jobs a few months back. TJ was able to get another job at a fast food restaurant, but it doesn't pay enough for them to get an apartment. In America today homelessness has become affordable housing. "We can help you, but we can help you stay in this situation" is how Alie describes support services. There is real truth to that. Homeless services never have enough funding, and in rural communities like Ithaca, getting support is much harder because there are fewer services than in urban areas. Added to that the layers of bureaucracy just to help even one person is maddening. The homeless services sector does not make it easy for people to get out of homelessness. Alie's last wish was to marry TJ. Just yesterday TJ asked Alie to marry him, and the couple got engaged. TJ's last wish was to have enough funds to have an awesome wedding. If you'd like to make that wish happen here is a link to a GoFundMe page to help with the cost of their wedding. https://www.gofundme.com/homelesswedding If you'd like to support some of the amazing people trying to help our homeless friends in Ithaca visit https://www.facebook.com/ithacahomeless ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People's website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People's Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath's Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they're on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can't ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation's most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America's homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

I shot and edited this vlog down and dirty to get it up quick. People are dying outside! WE MUST ALL DO SOMETHING! Chris Biehn who is an Ithaca College Student and started an organization to help the homeless people in Ithaca invited me down for a visit. We met up with Carmen Guidi, a local businessman who started building tiny homes to help our homeless neighbors. In 2013, Carmen gave me a tour of Ithaca's tent city known as the Jungle and I wore Google Glass to share more of an immersive experience [https://youtu.be/Oxw94GgVxRI]. While walking with Carmen talking about the tents that are catching fire I remembered the person Carmen introduced me to in this video died the following day after his tent bust into flames! THE NEED IS URGENT! Many of the people that live in this tent city are employed. They just cannot afford rent. Chris explains that Ithaca is the 8th most expensive city in the U.S. and had only a 1% vacancy rate. The cost of housing has skyrocketed to the point living in a tent in the woods is now affordable housing. Ithaca is a rural community in Upstate New York. Although the cost of housing is high the funding for social services you'd see in a larger city is not available. There literally is no place for all of the homeless people to go to get the help they need. Sadly, this is not just an Ithaca problem but a crisis happening all over America. Unless we do something about the increasing lack of affordable housing in this country homelessness will continue to grow! TJ and Alie share their story here https://youtu.be/bpMOH2XHEuY Here is their GoFundMe page https://www.gofundme.com/homelesswedding Please help support the people like Chris that are working to help the homeless men and women in Ithaca's tent encampment https://www.facebook.com/ithacahomeless/ The first video interview I did with Carmen back in 2013 https://youtu.be/YeAWaCVP7AE To learn more about Second Wind Cottages click here http://www.secondwindcottages.org ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

In this video [https://youtu.be/mQ2RBLLy54w], Panda gives us a tour of Seattle's sanctioned Tent City 5 Interbay. He mentions that people don't take the time to find out why people are homeless. Making invisible people visible is the foundation of our work so in this video we get to know a little more about Panda. Panda heard about Seattle's tiny villages, and because he has always wanted to participate in a community, he moved in. "Having a place to call home is important," he adds. Panda wanted to be involved in something good that helps people who suffer from chronic homelessness. Panda is disabled. He cannot work. As a single dad, he raised two children. After they grew up and moved out, Panda no longer qualified for Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher and ended up on the streets. Here is the Facebook page for Tiny Cabins 5 if you'd like to contact Panda and learn more about their community https://www.facebook.com/tinycabins5safeharbor/ ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

UPDATE VIDEO: Hanes Takes Formerly Homeless Woman Shopping for Her New Apartment. https://youtu.be/ICdi6W7TUhw Unlike the majority of fake homeless experiment and social experiment videos popular on YouTube, this video featuring a homeless woman in Seattle is as real as real can be. I have been trying to vlog more and I did my very best to capture the experience of meeting Manda for the first time, touring Seattle's sanctioned homeless tent encampments, and handing out Hanes socks with Manda to homeless people downtown Seattle. Because capturing vlog content is often challenging some of the footage is not the greatest but I selected clips on emotion over quality. I feel it's important to bring you through the experience as authentically as possible. This video is far from perfect but it is real! A few months back Manda posted a selfie on one of my Facebook pages of her drinking coffee from her homeless camp. We became friends online yet I never imagined that I one day I would be at Manda's camp drinking coffee with her. This video starts off with the moment I met Manda in real life for the first time. Manda then takes us on a short tour of her homeless camp. I have huge respect for Manda. It takes a lot of courage to open up your life for the world to see when you live under a bridge homeless. We then meet up with a friend that works for the City of Seattle who takes us on a tour of Tent City 5 Interbay that is run by homeless people Licton Springs Village, a low barrier tent community that is a harm reduction model. The next day folks from Hanes flew out to Seattle to meet Manda and to give socks away to several of Seattle's homeless camps, the Downtown Emergency Service Center (DESC), and homeless people unsheltered downtown. If you want to connect to homeless people you need to listen to homeless people. Manda took control. She was a force of nature handing out socks and hard to keep up with. The passion Manda had to help other people was contagious. This video is an inside look into Seattle's homeless population and how homeless people survive. Throughout this video, Manda shows us why it feels good to give to others. Let's follow her lead and do all we can to help the hurting people in our communities. Manda is living proof we can all make a real positive difference in our world! If you'd like to help support Manda directly this is her GoFundMe page https://www.gofundme.com/4qcfk0o Manda vlogs on her Facebook page you can find here https://www.facebook.com/mandycampmom/ You can also find Manda on Twitter https://twitter.com/RicherAmanda Manda's Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mandajricher/ Manda's photography page https://www.facebook.com/mandajricher/ ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People's website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People's Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath's Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they're on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can't ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation's most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America's homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness. #homeless #seattle #tentcities

Jennifer lost her house in the recession. If it weren't for Tent City 5, Jennifer would be out on the streets homeless. Tent City 5 Interbay is the first city-sanctioned encampment to open in Seattle. Roughly around 50 homeless people call TC5 home. At the moment, Tent City 5 has large tents set up as dorms for men and women coming in to see if they are a fit for the community and 27 cabins or tiny home cottages for homeless people to have privacy and security. There are six or so porta potty bathrooms just outside the camp and a large tent used as a pantry to store food. Tent City 5 was just able to get electricity to the food tent but they did not have refrigeration to keep the donated food from going bad. Thanks to all the wonderful people who support our work we were able to buy two refrigerators from Best Buy that were delivered to the tent camp yesterday https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv/posts/10157022564876038. As an old hippie, I love the tent city model but they should not even exist. I am grateful that Seattle allows tent communities and support the residents with case management and other services but they are nothing more than a band-aid. When I asked Jennifer what she would like people to know about homelessness that they don't know Jennifer responded: "don't judge the people." Jennifer has never touched drugs or alcohol in her life. She is disabled and cannot work. She lost her house when the economy crashed. She is not homeless by choice.

UPDATED update video: UPDATE VIDEO: Hanes Takes Formerly Homeless Woman Shopping for Her New Apartment. https://youtu.be/ICdi6W7TUhw UPDATE: New vlog Manda shows us her camp and why it feels good to give https://youtu.be/mQ2RBLLy54w A few months back I logged onto Facebook and was greeted by a smiling homeless woman's selfie in front of a tent holding up a cup of coffee. It was captioned "good morning." Today, I met Manda at her homeless encampment where she made me a cup of coffee! Most of the time I meet homeless people in person on the streets or in a homeless shelter. Then we often connect online and become friends. Manda and I became friends online first. I got to know her a little before seeing how she survives homelessness. I am having a hard time processing it all. Lots of emotions both good and bad right now! Manda is an amazing woman. She is disabled from severe brain trauma, yet because she is high functioning, she falls through the gaps in the safety net. I have been working with her trying to help find a path out of homelessness, but the walls bureaucracy are impossible to break through. For all the people that believe homeless people are lazy, I wish they could just spend an hour in Manda's shoes! She works hard to keep her tent camp clean. She works hard getting to treatment and therapy. She works hard every single day trying to survive. And she works extremely hard to stay positive while facing the madness of homelessness each and every day! We must get Manda out from under that bridge into housing. Because of her health and being a woman out on the streets, she is extremely vulnerable living outside. If you are connected to social services in Seattle or know anyone that is, please reach out to them and forward Manda's story. I have talked to her social worker. Her health issues are severe, and we need to get this woman inside! Manda vlogs on her Facebook page you can find here https://www.facebook.com/mandycampmom/ You can also find Manda on Twitter https://twitter.com/RicherAmanda More interviews from homeless people: Los Angeles Homeless Man Shares the Harsh Reality of Skid Row https://youtu.be/T_c5ff0EEcA Homeless Man Lost Millions Now Lives in a Oakland Tent City https://youtu.be/XZComkkxeEI Homeless man talks openly about being addicted to heroin. We have an opioid crisis in America. https://youtu.be/H6ZFzEW7_Q4 #homeless #seattle #homelessencampments ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Gino and Erica have been on the streets of Hollywood for six months. Before becoming homeless, they were living with Gino's sister but when she was evicted their only choice was sleeping outside. Gina has been on and off the streets for the last eight years. When I asked him why Gino responded he didn't know. The issue is we (homeless services) don't make it easy for homeless people to get out of homelessness. Gino and Erica survive by panhandling begging for money from the kindness of strangers. Gina says many of the homeless services don't help much and for the others, they are too old to qualify for support. When I asked Gino and Erika how do people treat them Gino responded that the majority of normal people hate homeless people. Erica added it's not easy to get out of homelessness. Most people believe that homeless people can just easily get a job, Erika added: "no one wants to hire anyone without an address." ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

My friends over at DoSomething.org have research that shows homelessness is the third most important cause to young adults. I believe it! From my experience, kids from the very young to college age genuinely care about homeless people! It's a sharp contrast to what the majority of adults feel about people experiencing homelessness! Every month or so I get asked but a group of youth adults to speak about homelessness via Skype or Zoom. Each time it is a real highlight, but this video chat I had with the Princess Warriors last night was extra special. For every 10-week Princess Warriors program, the girls choose a cause they want to help. It was their choice to help their homeless neighbors this Fall. They decided to get donations, sort them into care packages and include the notes of friendship in order to make it more personal for them. After this video chat yesterday, the created 40 care packages. Turns out, they also watched my sock video and went a little crazy on the sock purchase https://youtu.be/RVHaf4FtsfE, but I am sure we'll figure out a good place to donate all the extra socks. The girls asked the most wonderful questions like "what do homeless people eat?" and "how did homeless people stay warm?" and "what do homeless people do when they are sick?" I am so glad they recorded it. This is a fun video and educational too! We need more educational training for youth on all of the social issues affecting our county and the world. If you'd like to learn more about the Princess Warriors visit their website https://www.princesswarriors.org or their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/princesswarriorcircles ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

CAUTION: Some content may be offensive. Our hope is you'll get mad enough to do something. The reason we post that disclaimer is for stories like this. Amanda's story is not an easy story to watch. But it's an important story that must be shared. Why? Because the reality is often harder to accept than fiction. Media shares a story about homelessness and nonprofits share another when the truth is often overlooked. Homelessness is complicated just like people are complicated. The real stories of people experiencing homelessness don't always fit into the paradigms we have been taught, or they show that homelessness is much worse than we imagined. Please try to have some compassion when viewing Amanda's story. It's easy to judge others, but each and every one of us has made bad choices or reacted wrong to choices made for us because if the environment we were in. You never really know the reasons behind a person’s actions until you have made similar experiences. Amanda is a pregnant homeless woman on the streets of Philadelphia. Just typing that made me upset. Not at her. Judging Amanda is easy. I am mad at the generational cycles of poverty and homelessness that continue in this country. Children often mirror what they learned from their parent's behavior. I can tell you as someone who has been connected to homelessness on many levels for the last two decades that more often than not people in some state of poverty or addiction and homelessness were born into it. We have a crisis in this country. 1 child in every 7 will be born into poverty in the United States. Amanda is trying to stay clean. She is in a methadone program and connected to other social services. She services by food stamps and begging for food and money! I have huge respect for Amanda for having the courage to share her story. It's an important story that needs to be told because there are many homeless girls and women on the streets trying to survive any way they can. Whenever I tour a program that offers homeless prenatal services, I am overjoyed someone is there to help and upset that such services even have to exist! No one should be on the streets homeless, and especially no expecting mother should have to sleep on a sidewalk! ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

I'm pretty sure I wasn’t the first guy to give socks to homeless people. But I can almost guarantee no one has handed out socks to as many homeless people in as many cities and countries as I have. In the last ten years, I have traveled to over 300 cities and eight different countries handing out socks and making new homeless friends. I thought it would be a good idea to put together a “How-to” guide on handing out socks to people experiencing homelessness. But, before I begin with the “how”, let’s first discuss the “why”. There are reasons handing out socks is so important. First, socks are a real need to homeless people. Imagine you have to store all your clothes and belongings in a backpack carried with you all day. Maybe you’ve got two pairs of jeans, a couple of shirts, a couple of pairs of underwear, and some socks. And, socks get dirty. They get dirty fast. What happens is homeless people wash their feet, but often they have to put dirty socks back on. While surprisingly simple, new socks are gold to homeless people because they feel good and help defend from several health problems. As one woman put it, brand new socks are “snuggly and comfy.” Another reason to give out socks is it feels good helping somebody else. Sometimes when I’m feeling down or a little depressed, I will fill my backpack with a couple of bags of socks and go hand them out to homeless people and make some new friends. My problems don’t go away, but I gain a new perspective that helps me deal with life. I guarantee when you’re giving other people the gift of brand new fresh socks, you’re going to get all kinds of amazing responses back . There’s a lot of different ways that you can hand out socks. You can, like me, carry socks in your backpack. Maybe carry a couple of pairs in your purse or in your briefcase. You can keep a couple of pairs in your glove box for when you’re at that exit ramp, and there’s a homeless person, and maybe the light turns red and it’s a little awkward. Take that awkward moment and turn it into something beautiful by handing the homeless person some socks. The number one question I get is, “What kind of socks do I give away?” The only style of sock you should buy is men’s white crew socks. Don’t buy the “no-shows.” Don’t buy tube socks. Don’t buy ankle socks. And don’t buy black socks. People prefer white socks over black socks. Occasionally I will take black socks and white socks with me and give people a choice; 99 out of 100 times a homeless person will choose, “White socks.” I also recommend Hanes socks. Hanes is a wonderful, comfortable sock at a fantastic price. There’s a lot of buy one give one brands out there. But for the cost of one sock from one of the buy one give one brands, you can buy 12 pairs of Hanes socks. That means you can give out six pairs of socks and keep six pairs if you wanted. Or you can give out all 12 pairs of socks for the price of 1 pair of the BOGO socks. In full disclosure, Hanes occasionally hires me as a consultant and Hanes donates socks to Invisible People, but I am not being compensated for this post in any way. I am doing this because Hanes is the best sock for you to buy to give to homeless people. I want homeless people to have socks. I want them to have quality socks, so that’s why I recommend Hanes. My next tip is safety first — If you don’t feel safe, don’t engage with someone. Now, this is not just homelessness. We live in a really scary world. If you don’t feel comfortable, don’t go down that street. If you don’t feel comfortable when somebody tries to panhandle, don’t engage and give them socks. You have to feel safe and comfortable wherever you are. I try to give every homeless person two pairs of socks. Sometimes that’s not possible. If I walk into a group that’s rather large, then maybe I’ll go down to one pair of socks. If the group is way too big, I may not even give socks at all, because when I went to school the teacher said, “If you don’t have enough gum to give to everybody in the class, don’t bring it out.” I go by that rule. Last, but far from least is have fun. Some of the most amazing moments of my adult life have been out on the streets with a backpack full of socks making new homeless friends. Helping somebody in crisis with something so simple as a pair of new socks makes you feel grateful for what you have because when you hand them new socks, you’re going to see an amazing smile, shouts for joy, and you’re just going to go, “Wow. My life. I was upset about this today, and this person is happy just because they got new socks?” ________________________________________________ Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople #homeless #socks #charity

I am always blown away at how homeless people respond when I give them new socks. It goes without saying that homelessness is exceptionally challenging. That means people are not always in the best of moods. However, when presented with fresh new socks, more often than not recipients give me an enthusiastic smile. One homeless youth even yelled out "White Gold" when I handed him two pairs of Hanes socks. When I first noticed Richard, he was helping two women who looked like tourists with directions in downtown Dallas, Texas. It was kind of neat to see because you could tell Richard was going out of his way to be helpful. When I handed him new socks, I was not prepared for his emotional reaction. His feet were hurting from not wearing socks and having new socks almost brought him to tears. Me too! Richard is an Army veteran. He became homeless after Katrina. He and his wife lived in FEMA camps before moving to Dallas. Richard panhandles to get into a shelter at night. Shelters in Dallas charge between $7.50 and $10 a night. He is in a work therapy program at the VA that pays him $1 an hour for the 24 hours he works every week! Even though he is on the streets, homeless, Richard chooses to stay happy. His smile glows. I believe part of that is his helpful spirit trying to give back to others whatever he can. It makes me happy that I brightened his day by giving him a simple pair of socks. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Brad and his wife relocated to Winnipeg after they lost everything in British Columbia. For the last 16 years, they lived on the streets homeless while trying to get assistance. They were finally approved for Social Assistance and rented a duplex. Because in many situations welfare does not provide enough money for people to pay for rent, utilities, food, and basic needs, Brad and his wife found themselves having trouble being able to survive. They then had another couple move in to help with the cost of living. Most public welfare programs have ridiculous rules. Because Brad and his wife allowed people to live with them, regardless of the necessity of needing the extra income to cover rent and utilities, the couple was cutoff from Social Assistance for one year! In case you didn't get all that, Brad and his wife were on the streets of Canada living outside homeless for 16 years! They finally got approved for Social Assistance and got off the streets. Because of the high cost of living, they allowed another couple to move in. When Canadian welfare found out, Social Assistance was cut for one year causing Brad and his wife to become homeless again! In four more months, Brad and his wife will be back on Social Assistance. Until then, they sleep outside. The weather report says it will be 10°F tonight! Brad and his wife are not homeless by choice. They are homeless because of system failure and bureaucracy! ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

When I asked Anthony about homelessness his response kind of took me by surprise. Anthony wanted to talk about he felt Boston is a beautiful city. I could instantly tell Anthony was a kind soul trying to look at the positive in life rather than the madness of his life on the streets! Anthony survives by panhandling. During this interview, someone gave him their leftover food. I asked Anthony about the amount of food people give to homeless people. "I can't go hungry," Anthony says it's a lot of food sometimes. Please try to remember that a sandwich cannot end homelessness! Homeless people need housing! ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Jeff has been sleeping on the streets of Hollywood, California for a year. Jeff was devastated by the death of his cousin. He lost his job. Then lost his apartment. Jeff says after that he could not get back on his feet. Jeff survives by panhandling. He says everyone thinks panhandlers make a lot of money but they don't. One day, Jeff just made $2 and that was not even enough to get something to eat. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

@home began as a film following the work of e-activist Mark Horvath. Mark has experienced the highs and lows of the American dream, from a successful career in television to barely surviving, homeless and addicted, on Hollywood Boulevard. But he found his voice again when he hit the streets, armed with a digital camera and a smartphone, to talk to homeless people about their own experiences. Today, he's the online voice of his cause, and he's bringing their stories to millions on Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube. The @home documentary follows him on a road trip across the country, from Los Angeles to Arkansas to Pittsburgh, as he makes homelessness in America visible. Mark’s story, and the stories of the many faces of homelessness we meet in @home, have the power to engage communities in talking about homelessness — its causes and solutions — and to create a renewed sense of empowerment to tackle this crisis. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness. outreach

My heart broke when I read in the Los Angeles Times that Orange County workers will actively start enforcing public hours along the Santa Ana River Trail starting tomorrow. This means that the over 500 homeless people living in tents near Angel Stadium of Anaheim will be pushed on once again with nowhere else to go. Sher says homelessness is a hard life. She says there are a lot of people that don't like homeless people living along the Santa Ana River Trail. This past August, 11,000 Anaheim residents signed a petition to have the homeless camps cleared. "We can be in the parks in your neighborhood, or we can be in the parks down here" is a powerful statement made my Sher in this interview. Homelessness is criminalized in 33 of the 34 cities in Orange County. Homeless people have migrated to this area in Anaheim literally because they have nowhere else to go, and now they are going to be forced to move! But to where? This tent city is similar to any suburban neighborhood except the big difference is people live in tents, and there are no bathrooms. She said the homeless community made a shower, but someone put a fence around the water making it unusable. Sher tells the story that she once had a seizure and was down on the ground when a passing I bike rider yelled at her "get out of the way." That pretty much sums up how much compassion Anaheim and Orange County has for people experiencing homelessness! Starting tomorrow, Sher and everyone else will be forced to move on with nowhere else to go! ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Ever since I met Katie, I cannot stop thinking about what a beautiful mature young woman she is and how cruel our world is that she is sleeping outside homeless! It was down to 42°f last night in Winnipeg. With the wind, I am sure it felt much colder. Katie said she didn't sleep much. She mostly walked around to stay warm. As a result of a few bad situations and flawed relationships, Katie has been living on the streets since last March. I can't even imagine what life is like for this young homeless woman. Yet Katie looks at life through a positive lens. The good news is Katie was in the right place at the right time. She was walking by the convention center where this year's Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness Conference is being set up. Someone who works with local homeless people in Winnipeg saw Katie outside in the cold and invited her in for a cup of coffee and a sandwich. Katie was being introduced to people that can help get her the support she needs. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness. canada

At the age of 35 and caring for her 9-year-old son, Mary Baxter found herself without a place to live last summer. Forced from her apartment because of unlivable conditions and her landlord facing foreclosure, Baxter knew she needed to go back to school. “For me, it wasn’t an option,” says Baxter, who received a two-year art and design degree from Community College of Philadelphia in May 2016. Unable to afford the art schools she had been accepted to, like NYU and the University of Chicago, she returned to Community College of Philadelphia in Fall 2016. Baxter wanted to further her education for a better job that would allow her to escape poverty. “How can you feed yourself on $8 an hour with a kid and pay rent?” Baxter says. “There’s no way.” Baxter’s predicaments are not uncommon among community college students. A new study by Wisconsin HOPE Lab founder Sara Goldrick-Rab and two co-authors found that thousands of community college students nationwide are homeless or on the verge of homelessness. The Wisconsin HOPE Lab says it’s “the nation’s first laboratory for translational research aimed at improving equitable outcomes in postsecondary education.” The study surveyed more than 30,000 students at 70 community colleges in 24 states. It found that 13-14% of students were homeless and about half were housing insecure, meaning they’ve missed rent payments or couch-surf from place to place. The survey also found that two-thirds of community college students are food insecure, meaning they lack the resources to properly feed themselves. If you'd like to help support Mary she has a GoFundMe page https://www.gofundme.com/barriersarebuildingblocks The Wisconsin HOPE Lab is the nation’s first laboratory for translational research aimed at improving equitable outcomes in postsecondary education. The Lab will help to make findings from basic science useful for practical applications that enhance college attainment and human well being throughout the state, and in turn, the nation. http://wihopelab.com Sara Goldrick-Rab is Professor of Higher Education Policy & Sociology at Temple University, and Founder of the Wisconsin HOPE Lab, the nation’s only translational research laboratory seeking ways to make college more affordable. http://saragoldrickrab.com ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible.

Update: Arien Is No Longer Homeless in Los Angeles https://youtu.be/NW8Tu-ZXgqM Probably the biggest request I get is to update stories. That is not easy to do for many reasons. As Invisible People grows, I do want to make updates more intentional. Until then, every now and then I run into someone I interviewed in the past. I love being able to reconnect with someone I know, but I HATE that the person is still experiencing homelessness. While walking around Hollywood, I saw a young woman in the distance. She was sitting on the ground and apparently homeless. As I got closer, she started to look familiar. It was Arien, a homeless woman I interviewed a year and a half ago. Here is Arien's original interview https://youtu.be/4cgoJl9Rn-w Arien recognized me first. She was more than happy to record an update video but asked if she could finish putting on her makeup first. Whenever I interview a woman, and she doesn't "look homeless" the comment section fills with questions like: "how can she afford makeup if she is homeless?" What people need to understand is both men and woman in any situation including homelessness try their best to keep some kind of dignity and self-esteem. For women, this often includes putting on makeup to look and feel better! I asked Arien to explain how she gets her makeup and why it's important for homeless women to look her best even when living homeless on the streets of Los Angeles. Once again Arien shares the harsh realities of what homeless women have to go through. Please watch and share this important video. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness. awareness woman abuse homeless by choice

When I first met Joseph, he was hard at work filling up large plastic jugs with water. People gathered around a public water source just like the images you see of people in Africa gathered around a well. The big difference is this is happening right here in America. Over 400 homeless people are living along the Santa Ana River in Anaheim, California. Orange County’s largest homeless camp is massive. Young people and old people and families and every type person you can imagine are now living in makeshift tents doing whatever they can to survive. Mohammed Aly, a lawyer, and homeless advocate told me that the main reason this homeless camp is growing is that in 33 of the 34 cities in Orange County homelessness has been criminalized. Homeless people have nowhere else to go but the Santa Ana River trail near Angel Stadium. Just like in Third World Countries, people that stay in Joseph's camp take turns making the daily trek to fill up jugs of water for drinking and cleaning! It's almost inconceivable this is taking place in one of the wealthiest counties in the United States. Joseph was hurt really bad at work. He was on workers comp for many years. Joseph says he cannot qualify for SSI because he can still get around. Joseph worked as a bank janitor while still living in the homeless camp. Joseph's backpack was stolen along with his work keys, and he lost his job. Joseph says that not every homeless person does drugs yet the city treats everyone on the river bank as criminals. There literally is nowhere else for people to go! After this interview, Joseph told me he goes once a week to the local church that gives everyone a bag of powdered milk, a box of instant mashed potatoes, two cans of vegetables and a pair of socks. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

When I met Freddie, he was making a bed on the steps of a church in Hollywood. He moved to Los Angeles from Chicago to make it as a comedian. Freddie said he did really good, but then he got sick and lost the strength to perform. Because he didn't have health insurance, it took Freddie several years to get the help he needed. Freddie finally got the medical care he needed and says he is just now bouncing back. Freddie says it's hard because California is one of the most expensive places in the world to live. Freddie claims he is too old to do anything else and he doesn't want to go back to Chicago. Freddie sometimes works as a tour guide on busses. Because he was not able to work his money ran out. Welfare only pays $196 a month, and that's not enough to live on much less pay for an apartment or even a room to rent. Freddie's only wish is that everyone has a bed to sleep in. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

William is homeless in Chicago. He is trying to pick himself back up. William takes full responsibility for his situation, but I can tell you point blank honest that no matter what the reason someone ends up on the streets the homeless services sector does not make it easy for anyone to get off the streets! The amount of bureaucracy is maddening! We must all take responsibly for the continued increase in homelessness! William didn't sleep the night before. His eyes are filled with sleep deprivation and pain. Before any of you starts commenting that William is on drugs let me give a little perspective. Maybe he is but SO WHAT! Homeless is hard to do sober. If you're going to the bathroom behind a McDonald's dumpster, you might as well have a beer. Please know I have 22 years sober and I am not advocating for alcohol or drug use. The soccer moms hit the bottle to get through the day, lawyer hits the crack pipe or does lines, and postal workers take pills. You probably have someone in your circle of family or friends that drink too much! People use and abuse drugs! Homeless people are trying to escape the pain of homelessness! Homeless SUCKS! I was one of the worst drug abusers you can imagine. I was able to change my life but I would still be on the streets or dead if I didn't get the help I needed to affect that change! If a homeless person is doing drugs we need to be able to help them get into housing and then work to help them with their addiction! Just leaving them on the streets is not a solution! ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Ray is a homeless man in Boston flying a sign that reads "Homeless Sober Man Seeking Human Kindness." He is waiting for a homeless certificate which he explains is a Section 8 voucher. Ray has serious medical problems that are a result of many years of drinking. Ray says he went from homeowner to homeless in a very short time because of his drinking. He is now sober! ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

I pray I never get used to watching a homeless person make a bed for the night in front of some storefront or building overhang. It's very sad that in most urban areas after stores close homeless people lay out cardboard and try their best to create a place to sleep. Genevieve on the streets of Philadelphia. She is a 59 year-old grandmother sleeping on a sidewalk because she feels it's safer than going into a shelter! Genevieve told me before this interview that she had everything she owned stollen while sleeping in a homeless shelter. Genevieve has four daughters. She hopes to reconnect with one of them and get inside before the come weather comes! I know many people will comment asking where their family is. Truth is, in many cases, relatives are having trouble of their own trying to make ends meet. Taking on another dependant is not possible. My work is not scientific in the least. I can only share what I observe. I was here not even two months ago, and tonight I saw far more homelessness than I did my previous visit! The thing is, this is not just Philly. Homelessness is getting worse everywhere! Because of the lack of affordable housing functional zero is actually functional fiction! Don't fool yourself - homeless services have gotten much better at looking at data and housing people but the affordable housing crisis is everywhere, and I am gravely concerned the homelessness we are soon to see will tax the social services system more than it always is. ***functional zero is when a community claims they have ended homelessness on the theory that they have enough support services to help the number of homeless people counted in the last point in time count. They actually didn't end homelessness. They just have enough beds for the homeless people on the streets! It doesn't mean that the services are actually something that people want or need. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

When I asked Wvlf if he is on Facebook, he pulled out his phone and added me right one the spot and to message me. This interview is a little old. I found a hard drive that I must have misplaced. Interesting that just this week, Wvlf messaged me on Facebook asking when I will be returning to St Louis. The memory I cherish about first meeting Wvlf was a Facebook exchange we had while I was shopping in Walmart. It had rained really bad and of few of the tents in their tent camp were in really bad condition with many holes. Via social media and all of your help, we raised money to buy new tents and campaign gear. I would send a photo of a tent or a camping stove to Wvlf for approval. He would often instruct me not to purchase the most expensive items and just get what they need. Wvlf did get into an apartment but he is back outside. It's really awesome when a homeless person gets's placed into housing but in many communities, there is a high percentage of people to go back to the streets! ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

I first learned about the Homeless World Cup while attending the West Coast Cup back in 2013. Ever since I could only dream about attending. Each year, I watched on social media. I never thought I'd be able to attend! The Homeless World Cup was a bucket list event for me! Bring Dialog invited me to speak on storytelling at Dialogkonferansen, the largest conference in digital marketing in Scandinavia. The nearest airport just happened to be Olso. I always ask for a few extra days hotel stay to connect with local services. Bring Dialog was very kind to help make that happen. What I didn't know at the time is that the Homeless World Cup 2017 would be held in Oslo at the same time! There are no words to express or describe how amazing the Homeless World Cup is. 72 teams of homeless people from 50 different countries come together to play football. Each individual is either homeless or was homeless in the last 12 months! Homelessness and street soccer is what they all have in common! I also met Mel Young for the very first time. Mel co-founded the Homeless World Cup. Interesting is that the week before Mel blogged about Invisible People. For more information visit: https://homelessworldcup.org Very special thanks to Bring Dialog and Dialogkonferansen https://www.dialogkonferansen.no/2017/ ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People's website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People's Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath's Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they're on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can't ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation's most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America's homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

As Invisible People approaches its 10th anniversary, it seems fitting to flashback to the beginning. To a time when I began empowering homeless people to share their stories. It was also a time of uncertainty – I was unemployed with no income, facing homelessness for a second time. Should my limited resources be invested in Invisible People? Would anyone watch these videos? Would my crazy gamble make an impact? One tweet from @LAFDtalk changed everything and inspired me to continue my work. One man gave me the encouragement and support I needed to forge forward with Invisible People. That man is Brian Humphrey. It wasn’t until recently that I was finally able to meet the man behind the tweet. As the public information officer at Los Angeles Fire Department, Brian is the epitome of a public servant. During our historic meeting, Brian joined me for this fantastic interview. Your experience in marketing and social media doesn’t matter – everyone can learn something from Brian, and the LAFD as a whole. Take, for example, the department’s SLIM philosophy: “The best relationships are the ones with the people who are living in your neighborhood around the clock every day of the year,” Brian says. “I think that's where social media is going – we like to call it our SLIM philosophy. We want social media to be Social, Local, Instant and Mobile friendly. So if we can have that SLIM relationship, and emphasis on the local, I think that's where we want to be headed.” Another lead the LAFD takes is an open communications policy. In the homeless services sector, communication departments often worry about privacy. The LAFD manages to maintain privacy while sharing their stories of heroic efforts through social media — often times in real time and during a crisis. While monitoring the freeways, streets, skies, and ports, they provide Angelenos important, useful information that can be life-saving. All of this they do with a touch of class and a great sense of humor. Here’s Brian sharing another nugget of wisdom (what I like to call a Brian-ism): “The greatest challenge to Los Angeles and its fire department are not train wrecks or terrorism – our greatest challenge is mediocrity and complacency. And that's being mediocre and complacent about the fear, the uncertainty, and the doubts, or the FUD, that people can experience in daily life,” Brian says. “It’s our job to get out there, and social media's been a great opportunity for us to reach out and connect with people closer and more frequently than ever.” Grab a pen and paper – this is an interview you want to watch and take notes. It is truly one of my favorites! Not just because Brian is a hero of mine and an expert at social media. In it, he shares from the heart about the Los Angeles Fire Department. It's also full of leadership nuggets and Brian-isms! There are no words to express how wonderful it was to finally meet Brian. He is a true example of a public servant and I cannot express how much I respect this man and the Los Angeles Fire Department. They are true heroes. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

The night before this interview it rained in Austin, and all of Crystal's belongings in their tent got wet. She has strong faith in God and believes He provided the rain as a way for her to wash some of her clothes. Homelessness is hard. Looking at life with a positive attitude makes a world of difference. Crystal survives by "flying a sign" panhandling on an exit ramp. She feels she is being run off by other homeless people who are on drugs and alcohol. Crystal says her and her partner panhandled 2 hours each day for 3 days and only raised $50 between the two of them. Crystal says she has a gluten issue and there are only three warm meals served every week unless they raise money to buy food. This is not Crystal's first time homeless, but this time she has been sleeping outside for two and half years! I believe strongly that we need to be open and honest about homelessness and not just cherry pick stories to share. Homelessness is as complex as humans are. The point of our work is not getting a viewer to like or dislike anyone but to educate the general public on the realities of homelessness. Everyone deserves respect and grace no matter their personality or situation! Housing homeless people saves lives and saves taxpayer money! ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

What are the chances that I meet a homeless man in Oslo, Norway wearing a Donald Trump Make America Great Again hat? Once Börje learned I was from America he asked me if he could take my photo. I said of course but asked if he would like to record an interview. He agreed! I met a few people sleeping rough in Oslo. Some did not speak English making it a fun challenge explaining that I wanted to give them new socks. Others were on heroin, and I will never post a video of someone wasted out of respect to the person! A few spoke at least a little English, but they didn't want to be on video or maybe didn't understand what a video blog is. I still enjoyed connecting with them and learned about homelessness in Norway! There are a few minutes before this video where Börje tried to tell me how to spell his name. It was an enjoyable moment, but I still had to send a clip to a friend in Oslo to get the correct spelling. As much as I love to share stories outside of North American and the UK, there is a huge communication gap in language and culture. One thing that I have learned in my travels is homelessness is horrible everywhere! There may be a little difference in how people sleep rough because of the weather and often different in the available drugs people use to escape the trauma that caused their homelessness or homelessness itself, but the experience of homelessness and how governments deal with the homelessness is similar. Börje sleeps on the streets. When the weather gets wet he finds something to sleep under that will keep him dry. Börje is from Sweden so he does not qualify to get support services in Norway! This is very common. In the States, many cities want to just provide services to people who were born or have direct connections to a zip code. Börje likes Donald Trump. Please do not fill the comments with Trump drama. I try to keep the only political statements here on ending homelessness and nothing else. This was a fun moment between me and a nice homeless man in Norway. That is all! Börje says he played bass saxophone on a 78rpm record back in the day. I know you all are great at finding stuff and if any of you can find a link or more information about Börje music career please share in the comments. Special thanks to Bring Dialog [http://www.bring.no/radgivning/kundedialog/bring-dialog] for inviting me to speak at Dialogkonferansen [https://www.dialogkonferansen.no/2017/] ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Simon has been sleeping rough homeless in Central London for about a year. He lost some work but slowly he is getting a few jobs back. Simon sleeps outside unless it rains. If the weather is bad, he will sleep on a train for the night. The good news is Simon will be in housing soon. he's seen the place but the construction is not finished yet. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

August 24th, 1995 was my last day homeless. It was also my last day wasted! Today I celebrate 22 years of sobriety completely clean and sober. Every year on my sober birthday I call my mom. Over the last 22 years, there were times when the thought of having to call my mom or not calling my mom because I drank or used kept me sober! We also hit our second goal on Patreon today thanks to all of you! As I was prepping to make a thank you video to everyone that donated to support Invisible People the thought hit me that maybe I should call my mom and share the moment with all of you! HUGE THANKS to everyone who helped make this year special by supporting Invisible People's important work to end homelessness! ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

In this great country of ours, there are homeless people that sleep in a park directly across the street from the White House. The irony of that I hope is disturbing to more people than just me. At least for Leonard, he has found a purpose. Leonard worked as a medic for 22 years. He says he started to talk about the wrong things and lost his job. He started to travel doing activism and occasionally working temp jobs. Leonard sometimes will sleep on a friends couch but most of the time he lived on the streets homeless. Leonard is using his time to educate people on the Fukushima crisis. He says Fukushima is the most devastating nuclear accident in the history of our planet. For the last six years, 300 to 700 metric tons of contaminated wastewater continues to flow into the Pacific Ocean. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People's website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People's Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath's Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they're on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can't ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation's most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America's homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

I found it hard to come up with a title that can express all the important points this video touches. From faith-based organizations using housing first and having medical clinics for our homeless transgender friends to the realities of living in a homeless tent city and how when governments close down a tent camp doing so does not solve homelessness! There is a lot of information in this video! On a recent trip to Dallas, CitySquare invited me to join them as they provided outreach services to homeless people in tent camps! What I did not know is that CitySquare is a Christian ministry that...wait for it...uses housing first! In fact, recently CitySquare helped 75 people out of the camps directly into housing in just 89 days using the housing first model. That is amazing! I visited two tent communities in Dallas with CitySquare's outreach team. In the last bunch of years, I have toured many tent camps, but for some reason, this experience messed me up more than usual. We then traveled to visit the Stewpot which is another Christian ministry working to help homeless people in Dallas. The Stewpot provides identification and birth certificate services. I learned that n Dallas if a police officer asks for ID it's the law that you provide it. The Stewpot as has a new dental clinic and a medical clinic that one day a week turns into a clinic for transgender folks! Yup, a church helping our LGBTQ friends! Really AWESOME! But that's not all! The Stewpot also has an art program that is beyond any similar program I have visited. Like my visit with the faith community in Traverse City a few weeks prior, this visit with CitySquare and the Stewpot greatly encouraged me. As homelessness gets worse and government support keeps being reduced, I strongly believe that the burden to help people will fall on the faith-based community. Special thanks to: CitySquare https://www.citysquare.org The Stewpot http://thestewpot.org ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People's website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People's Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath's Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they're on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can't ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation's most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America's homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

UPDATE: Robert now has a GoFundMe https://www.gofundme.com/s65k2s-no-place-like-home Whenever you think about homelessness and panhandling, you need to think of Robert. Please share this powerful story with everyone you know. I was walking in Philadelphia at night and saw a sheet tacked to a wall and a wheelchair. Next to the wheelchair was a sign that read "Disabled, Homeless, Denied Disability! I assumed a person was sleeping on the other side of the sheet, but I have a rule never to wake anyone up. The moment messed me up. I generally do not share this type of photo, but this is the homelessness people don't see but need to see! The next day I just happened to see the sign again, but this time, Robert was in his wheelchair. A plastic cup was placed in his prosthetic leg to collect change from people as they passed by. Robert was volunteering for Habitat for Humanity and fell off a roof. Someone moved a ladder and didn't set it back right. The fall shattered both of Robert's wrists, and he ended up losing a leg. Robert has been on the streets homeless for a year now. During that time, he keeps getting denied disability benefits. He has found a lawyer to take his case, but the process takes time. Robert's only means to survive is panhandling. He says begging is demeaning but he does not have another choice. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People's website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People's Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath's Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they're on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can't ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation's most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America's homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

It's been a privilege to spend the last few days with an amazing young woman but introducing her and all of her titles can be a challenge. Mary is a single mom, a homeless college student, an aspiring filmmaker, a felon, a hip hop artist, and an entrepreneur. Most of all, Mary is a fighter with a positive attitude making a future for her and her son. Mary grew up in the system. From age 11 to 17 she lived in foster care and grew up in group homes. At 17, she was dropped off at Penn State with all of her belongings in a garbage bag. Mary then found herself in a little trouble dealing drugs. She ended up pregnant and relocated back to Philadelphia. The day she turned 9 months pregnant she was arrested on a bench warrant and thrown into jail. 3 days later, Mary gave birth to her son while still handcuffed. Mary went back to college and graduated with a degree in art and design. She was accepted into several prestigious 4-year universities, but even with some financial support, there was not enough money to make it work. During this time Mary's living situation in a rundown apartment kept getting worse. Water leaked from the ceiling and there was mold everywhere. She had to leave but didn't have the funds for another apartment and is couch surfing with her son. Mary is still in college working on her future and has a GoFundMe page set up to raise support to help with a place to stay and tuition. I can verify Mary's story is real and she is amazing. I also donated myself. https://www.gofundme.com/barriersarebuildingblocks If you'd like to hear more of her music click here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWJWCPv17zs

Michelle is doing her best to stay sober. She is in recovery but where she was living people continued to use drugs. Michelle had to get away. Her only choice is the streets of Philadelphia and homelessness. Michelle has 3 and a half months sober. That is amazing! I have a lot of respect for her. Staying sober is hard enough. Staying sober while on the streets is nearly impossible! Michelle is going to outpatient treatment every day. She is putting effort into her recovery. In a week or so, she will be in a sober living home and off the streets. Michelle's story highlights a serious issue in how recovery services are often disconnected from homeless services. Often someone will go into detox only to exit back to the streets. Homelessness is hard to do sober so even with a few months of sobriety, people go back to drinking and drugs to escape the pain. We've coordinated entry into the system. Now we need to coordinate services better. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People's website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People's Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath's Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they're on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can't ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation's most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America's homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Wilfred, his wife Rose and their son Kobe live in an RV near South Los Angeles. This is the second RV they have lived in during their three years of homelessness. Rose shares the living in an RV is hard. She says it's unsanitary and they have to keep moving from one side of the streets to the next to avoid parking tickets. You can hear the desperation in Rose's voice as she shares there is nowhere to turn to get help. Wilfred is disabled and has trouble standing. He has heart problems and complications from a recent stroke. He wants to work, but physically he is unable. Through it all, Kobe is going to school. I can't even imagine the emotions homeless children must go through. Very special thanks to LAHSA https://www.lahsa.org ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Stephanie was medically discharged from the Royal Army Medical Corps after being injured in Afghanistan. She now sleeps rough on the cold streets of Central London. Stephanie says you lose everything on the streets and no one seems to care. By the medical bandages around Stephanie's abdomen, it was evident that she was recently in the hospital. She said he appendix burst and the hospital discharged her back to the streets. A few weeks ago I interviewed John in a London hospital [https://youtu.be/alrdamxFi8k]. Since that time, John has been released back to the streets, then went back into the hospital and now back sleeping rough! Stephanie has to wait almost two weeks before being allowed into a night hostel, or what we in the U.S. call an emergency shelter. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Support Invisible People’s important work for as little as $2 a month ($24 a year) https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople For one time donations visit https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate August 24th, 1995 was my last day homeless. It was also my last day drinking and using. I was one of the worst of the worst. I was severely addicted to drugs, homeless and hopeless. If you saw me back on the streets when I was homeless, you would have walked over to the other side. I was really bad. It's a miracle that I am even talking to you today. It's a huge miracle that on August 24th of this year I will celebrate 22 years of sobriety. Another miracle is the nonprofit I founded. Invisible People has reached over 1.5 billion people in the last five years, and thanks to people just like you, we reach millions of people every month, educating them about homelessness and solutions to end it. Why that's so important is we are never going to end homelessness unless we have the support of the general public. Yet most people will not support homeless services or support ending homelessness because they believe the homeless person deserves it. That it's their fault. That the homeless person causes their own homelessness. Most people blame homelessness on the person instead of on the lack of affordable housing, a lack of a living wage, childhood trauma or all the many reasons that are actually out of a person's control that can cause homelessness. We need to teach the general public the real truths about homelessness because they are reacting out of fear. Most people, outside of the homeless services sector, hate homeless people. We need to change that. Invisible People is the only education-based nonprofit working to end homelessness on a national level, and it's all thanks to you. Without your support, our important work stops. This year I'm asking everybody to help celebrate my sober birthday, by visiting our Patreon campaign [https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople] and pledging $2 a month to support Invisible People's important work. $2 a month or $24 a year, my sober birthday is on the 24th, August 24th, 24th of 24. Over the years, Invisible People has proven that we can do a lot with a little. Imagine the impact if we had the adequate support to reach our potential. If you can pledge more than $2 a month, please, we need your help. If you like to just make a one-time donation, here is a link https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate, and there is a link on our website. The last couple of years, I've done traditional fund raising campaigns on my sober birthday, this year, I'm hoping that we can reach a number of our goals on Patreon. Patreon has given me new hope that some day, very soon, I'll be able to dedicate 100% of my time and energy and effort to Invisible People and ending homelessness. With your help, that can happen. Please visit our Patreon campaign and pledge $2 a month, $24 a year to help celebrate my sober birthday on August 24th. Thank you so very much for helping me celebrate 22 years of sobriety in supporting Invisible People's important work. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

For the last few years, I was thrilled with the performance of Invisible People's YouTube channel. With a focus on homelessness education, an average of 40,000 monthly views was a miracle, or so I thought. After joining Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople] a few months back, I began paying more attention to YouTube video SEO. The lightbulb really went off when I typed "homeless" into the YouTube search bar. All that came up was prank videos and other awful content so far from the truth about homelessness. Invisible People undoubtedly has more videos from homeless people than any other content creator. Yet none of my videos were showing in search with the keyword "homeless." That was a problem! Inspired and armed with TubeBuddy [https://www.tubebuddy.com/invisiblepeople], I began implementing changes to my existing catalog of 876 YouTube videos. I updated 20 videos every morning while drinking my first cups of coffee. If I had a moment of time throughout the day, I would update more. It took YouTube's algorithm a few weeks to catch up to my changes, but the results have been dramatic. From 40,000 views every month to now more than 4 million views every month! And that isn't even the most amazing part. Our average view duration is 2:41 – almost 3 minutes! That means more than four million people watch at least 3 minutes of our videos EVERY MONTH! Our channel has generated high views before, but traffic was always just a spike after a media hit. The biggest was on August 22, 2010. YouTube allowed Invisible People to curate the content for their homepage on that day. Approximately 1.6 million people had a positive interaction with homelessness that day, people who may never have rolled down their window at an exit ramp to ask a homeless person their story. With the changes I implemented, we now reach millions of people every month instead of just an occasional spike. Put in the Effort The irony is the changes that influenced this dramatic growth are things I have been telling other nonprofits to do for years. Here's what I know. For success on YouTube, you need to produce quality content that your audience actually wants to watch. This is above everything else. Then comes your video title and thumbnail – these are extremely important if you want your videos to get noticed. Next step, add a description and the proper tags to help YouTube's algorithm feed your videos to the right folks. Nonprofits (and I am sure for-profits too) often upload a video and put zero effort into the title, thumbnail, description, and tags. Many will spend thousands of dollars on producing a video yet do little to make sure people find the video online. The secret to YouTube growth is really no secret. You just have to put in a little effort in. OK, a lot of effort, but it's worth it! Invisible People's focus is education and awareness, so the added growth increases impact. However, online donations have also increased behind the scenes. In June, Invisible People received more funding from private donors than we have in the last five years combined! A Final Note In my research to improve, I ran across a few YouTubers that had a dramatic influence on me. Roberto Blake's channel [https://www.youtube.com/user/robertoblake2] got me thinking differently about creativity, production, and distribution. Derral Eves's channel [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3pV6eELigzhTjzBUPmT6_A] started me thinking about the mechanics behind the YouTube algorithm. Sara Dietschy's channel [https://www.youtube.com/user/saradietschy] gave me the inspiration to start vlogging. Vlogging has helped to bring people along with me as I travel working to end homelessness. I am still experimenting with a format, but I have come to believe the YouTube and vlogging is always a work in progress. You can see some of my recent vlogs here [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL51CPD51hq2QOLksO-8j83SNVCTKOto2q] ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People's website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People's Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath's Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can't ignore. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Please forgive this late posting of an interview recorded last year focusing on youth and family homelessness. Last September, I was invited to visit the Saint Louis Public Schools. It was my honor! This interview features Ms. Deidra Thomas-Murray, LMSW, Homeless Coordinator & Foster Care Liaison with the district. Deidra helps homeless students and families walk through their crisis. It's a sad reflection of the world we live in that schools have a homeless liaison. But these positions are vital in addressing youth and family homelessness, an increasingly serious topic! Deidra starts off sharing a staggering statistic. In her seven years holding this position, the number of homeless children almost tripled from 1,700 to more than 5,000! Keep in mind homeless individuals – especially homeless children – are nearly impossible to accurately track. That means the number of children experiencing homelessness is far greater. Deidra offers insight into the lives of these families in this interview: “Homelessness has no respect of person. You can be the doctor and you can help heal, or you can be the judge and give a life sentence. And homelessness is not a life sentence.” ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Jackie is one amazing woman. She has a story that makes you want to jump for joy and cry at the same time. Jackie is homeless in Washington DC. In fact, this interview was recorded just a few blocks away from 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW. Jackie has lived in the streets for over a decade, but she retains a positive glow and energy about her. Speaking with Jackie, you cannot help but smile with her. You almost forget she is sleeping outside! I saw Jackie from a distance. All of her belongings were scattered all over the sidewalk, and she was busy doing something. As I walked closer, it was hard to see what she was doing. I didn't even think she would speak to me. Jackie came to Washington DC because of the growing criminalization of homeless people in her home town. She says, homeless people in Columbia, South Carolina were given a choice to either go into the shelter, leave town, work in FEMA camps or get arrested and go to jail. I just did a search on Google and found several news stories that confirm Jackie's story [https://thinkprogress.org/south-carolina-city-approves-plan-to-exile-its-homeless-a73e3ac3806f] Jackie doesn't believe she'll ever be able to afford an apartment, so she is making a home of her own! She also doesn't believe anyone is going to ever help her out of homelessness. Jackie is making the best of a bad situation. With the housing crisis getting worse, all she wants is a little land where she can build four walls and a roof! As amazing as Jackie's strength is, I am heartbroken that anyone has to make choices like this to live without adequate housing. It's upsetting that she has grown so used to her own homelessness. We must take tangible actions to create more affordable housing and to get people like Jackie off the streets into a real home! ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People's website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People's Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath's Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they're on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can't ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation's most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America's homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

The company Byron was working for moved to Canada and he lost his job. Right around that time, Byron had a couple of heart attacks, and he ended up homeless in Detriot. At one time Byron was in housing. He was getting a Social Security Disability Insurance income, but they started to cut his check in half, and he could no longer afford rent. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People's website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People's Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath's Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they're on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can't ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation's most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America's homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

I am so very grateful! WE DID IT! Invisible People reached its first monthly goal on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople The financial support is fantastic but probably more important is I have hope again! I have a renewed hope that there will be enough support for Invisible People to create more impact and reach it's potential! I founded Invisible People almost ten years ago. Educating the general public on homelessness is more important than ever. Invisible People's impact has always been incredible, but it's nearly impossible to get the needed funding to cover even minimal expenses. Through most of the last decade, I worked another job and then gave what time I could to Invisible People. Now, thanks to Patreon and people like you supporting our work on social media, there is hope that some day soon I'll have the resources to work on Invisible People full time. Why this matters is we are never going to end homelessness until we educate the general public, yet Invisible People remains the only education-based non-profit working on a national level to end homelessness. Up to this point, our work has been mostly organic meaning our storytelling was based around trips where I was asked to speak or consult on marketing. Thanks to Patreon and the growth on YouTube that has also increased donations on our website, once we reach a few more monthly goals not only will I be able to put all of my efforts into this work, we will have the resources to make out storytelling intentional. Messaging is important. The general public holds deep-rooted visions of homelessness that is just not the truth and hinders the ability to get public support! To change those wrong paradigms, we need intentionally go to locations that are "hot spots" and help share the right stories that will influence positive change! Our recent work for the City of Los Angeles and the County of L.A. is a good example. We were able to use intentional storytelling with the right messaging to help pass Prop HHH and Measure H! For Prop HHH, 7 of the top 10 most popular posts came from Invisible People. Our reach was far above the LA Times or other media channels with much larger networks. Part of Invisible People's power is we are independent of the homeless services sector, and that allows us to be truly honest about system failures. Homeless services is broken, we don't make it easy for people to get out of homelessness, but most service providers are too scared to say anything out of the genuine fear they'll lose funding! With Invisible People's main funding coming from Patreon and other private donors, we can continue to tell it like it is - and for us - that means allowing homeless people to share their stories raw and unfiltered. I can't remember ever being so excited about Invisible People's future as I am right now! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People's website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People's Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath's Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can't ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation's most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America's homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Trouble never planned on ending up homeless. She says no one ever plans on being homeless. Trouble has been traveling and hopping trains for 5 years. Both Trouble and her boyfriend, now her husband, started traveling to political protests around the country. Trouble says that the two of them kicked drugs while protesting police violence in different cities. "Fighting cops" as she calls it, gave them purpose and motivate to "kick dope." They took a break from traveling and to get married in New Orleans. They got involved with an art and political advocacy organization, but when the drama started they both starting drinking again and it all fell apart! Trouble says they became functioning addicts. They had their own apartment and held down jobs, but the drinking and drugs continued. They decided to leave their apartment and go back to squatting, which is basically sleeping in any space they can find. It all went downhill from there! Trouble says the world of partying homeless youth travelers was like a magnet keeping them in New Orleans. She says the NOLA street kid scene is like a theme park ride on steroids. Trouble goes on rambling about their journeys and then around 7 minutes 7:00 into this video she admits that it's no way to live. Not all, but most travelers are homeless youth that finds security, community, and purpose with other travelers. Many come from abusive families! A large percentage of traveling homeless young people are throwaways and never reported missing by their parents. Helping traveling homeless youth is a unique challenge for homeless youth service providers. Just by the nature of always being transient makes it hard to provide case management and other support services. I knew a few homeless youth organizations that are set up to allow young travelers just to show up to grab a shower and a meal. The theory is just to love on them while they are there with the hope that compassion has a lasting affect. The general public views traveling youth as lawbreakers, drug addicts and rebels going around causing mayhem. If people would just stop for a moment to hear some of the stories. The trauma most of this kids have gone through is heartbreaking! Many have been raised by other traveling youth and are simply trying to survive the best they can. I am not sure what you see, but when I look at Trouble and hear her talk, I see an intelligent young woman that has had a very hard life growing up. I can literally feel the pain she is holding back! I also see an intelligent young woman just needs someone to believe in her and give her a chance. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

On a very few occasions I have run into someone on the streets a year or two after their first interview and recorded an update video, but this is the first time I have interviewed a homeless person twice in a few days time posting both videos back to back. Unlike John's first video [https://youtu.be/rcAn69lb4As] where I worked hard to find a normal thumbnail photo, this video I used one of the many silly poses John made for the camera! John has been sleeping rough in the U.K. off an on for 30 years. You could tell by his cough in the first video he was having health troubles. What we didn't know at that time was how bad John's health was. The very next morning John went into the hospital. I wasn't sure how well John's first video came out. There was a lot going on when I started to record the interview. John and I decided to record a second interview with him in the hospital just in case the first one was not usable. After review, I felt what John said in the first video was so important that it needed to be uploaded. I also feel this interview of John in the hospital needed to be told. Rough sleeping in the U.K. or anywhere is deadly! The longer John was on the streets, the worse his health deteriorated. You can find John on Twitter as @BullRingBash [https://twitter.com/bullringbash]. This morning John messaged me that after his hospital stay they are moving him to a 32-bed hostel that I assume is respite care. Now let's hope and pray this path out of homelessness and rough sleeping continues to where John has his own place soon! ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People's website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People's Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath's Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they're on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can't ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation's most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America's homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

It was very challenging to pick a photo thumbnail of John for this video. The reason is John made it challenging. He stuck his tongue out or made a funny face for most of the photos. But that's the thing about John. He is challenging but in a good and lovable way. And let's be honest - sleeping rough is horrible. If a person that lives on the streets can find a way to laugh and smile they have found a healthy way to deal with all the madness! I met John on Twitter over 5 years ago. Online he goes by @BullRingBash [https://twitter.com/bullringbash]. His use of social media is legendary, to say the least. John probably won't be asked to speak at a social media conference although he would be the highlight of any event. He is not Twitter famous the way most people think of social media influencers, but to chief executives and communication departments in the U.K.'s homeless services sector the Twitter handle @BullRingBash is infamous! We tried to connect in person my last visit to the U.K., but that never happened. This time I am so glad it did. Getting to know John in person is a moment I will forever cherish! John shares candidly about sleeping rough in London. He has been on and off the streets for over 30 years! John talks about his first night homeless and how he walked so much he ended up in the hospital. At the end, John shares some wisdom all homeless service providers need to hear. People sleeping rough are people. They are not a statistic. They are human beings! John has serious health issues. The day after this video he went into the hospital. I have another interview with John from his hospital bed that I will post shortly! My hope and prayer is being in the hospital will be a path for John to get back into housing! ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People's website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People's Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath's Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they're on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can't ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation's most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America's homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Mervin is sleeping rough on the streets of London. He says he has been homeless ever since he was 15 years-old and lost his family to cancer. Mervin says because he has no local connection he is not eligible for services to help him get off the streets. Probably because of an ever increasing lack of funds in social services, more communities are trying to restrict access to services to people who have a local connection. That's not just here in the U.K. but all over America too. I somewhat understand the reasons but just by the nature of homelessness laws or policies that limit people experiencing homelessness to being able to get help are just not practical. Mervin wants to work. He is a trained baker and has worked landscaping before. He says it's nearly impossible to find employment. Added to that he is sleeping rough, finding a job is even harder. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People's website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People's Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath's Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they're on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can't ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation's most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America's homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

It was an extremely hot day in Washington D.C. You could not miss Roman sitting on the sidewalk with close to a dozen full bottles of water in front of him. What's interesting is even though it was very obvious Roman had plenty of water, people still kept putting bottles of water at his feet and not the worm medicine he needed to help his dog! One of the big issues in homeless services is people feel they know what homeless people need without even asking them, and in this situation, clearly ignoring what the homeless person needs to preserve their own wrong paradigms about homelessness. Most people just want to feed homeless people a meal, but a sandwich is never going to help them get out of homelessness and better their lives. Roman's parents kicked him out of the house on his 16th birthday during a snowstorm. He went and squatted in an abandoned house. The police came. Roman was arrested. When he was released, Roman hitched a ride to Florida to a Rainbow Gathering and was introduced to the traveling scene. He then started hopping trains! Roman talks candidly about the traveling lifestyle and hopping trains including run-ins with the law for shoplifting. His story is important because it shows how the general public literally ignores a homeless person's real needs. Roman's story also highlights how homeless youth find community with other traveling homeless youth and it turns into a lifestyle. If we are ever going to end homelessness we need to listen to people experiencing homelessness and have better support for youth in trouble! Before all you animal lovers start commenting, I left Roman with enough money to help his dog and to get himself something he actually needs. Clearly, he had enough water! ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People's website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People's Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath's Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they're on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can't ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation's most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America's homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

The Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance partnered with the Dallas Public Library to bring me in for an afternoon to present on homelessness and digital inclusion. I really was not sure I would be able to make this vlog happen but I am pleased with how it turned out. A few of the key points made in this video that are so important I am reinforcing here: - turn problems into opportunities - create community - listen to learn what homeless people really need - trust and respect creates trust and respect - a smartphone is a tool that people use to better their lives Libraries in most every community have become day centers for people experiencing homelessness. Often, homeless shelters kick people out during the daytime so when faced with no place to go, homeless people migrate to any safe environment that provides bathrooms and an escape from bad weather. In this video, Jo Giudice, the Director of the Dallas Public Libraries shares candidly about the problem the library was facing and how they made simple changes to turn those problems into opportunities. The Dallas Public Library now offers specialized services and events that include a help desk and a designated area for homeless people to engage with library staff. You can learn more here: https://dallaslibrary2.org/homeless/ I also interview Heather Lowe, Adult Services Administrator at J. Erik Jonsson Central Library about the services they offer and the importance of Internet access to homeless people. Digital inclusion is now this big sexy term people use to describe the challenges people with low or no income experience trying to access the internet. It's an important conversation but often homeless people are not included. How can one better your life if you cannot get access to the internet? Special thanks to David Gruber from Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance [http://www.mdhadallas.org] Very special thanks to Andrew Olsen from Russ Reid Agency for bringing me to Dallas [https://russreid.com] ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

I really don't know how Jennifer stays positive. She is disabled in a wheelchair, and she is homeless and has been for many years! It was winter and cold when I first met Jennifer. It took me a moment to remember, but Jennifer remembered right away. Two years ago I met Jennifer and interviewed her for Invisible People. You can watch that interview here: https://youtu.be/3l448tUmNXo I happened to connect with Jennifer last summer too, but she was not in the mood to go on camera. We talked for a bit. I love catching up with people I know but HATE that they are still on the streets homeless. It really messed me up seeing her still on the streets last year. This year I am wrecked. I am not a medical professional, but you don't have to be an expert to know she is vulnerable. She is dying on the streets of Toronto! She needs housing and support services NOW! This last winter was the 5th winter that Jennifer slept outside in Toronto. In a wheelchair! Part of the reason is the lack of wheelchair accessible shelters and support services for her to go inside. The other reason is homeless services is broken! If a city as wonderful as Toronto cannot house one young disabled woman in a few years time - something is broken! Very broken! I am sure some people reading this who work in homeless services may say Jennifer is "service resistant." But that is just an excuse because there is no such thing! Services are people resistant is the real truth! The reason some homeless people do not accept the help being offered is that what we may perceive as help may not be what they need or want! Instead of blaming the person experiencing homelessness we should listen to them to learn and then provide services that actually fit their needs and wants! I am far from an expert when it comes to homeless services, but I know enough to say with all confidence that someone like Jennifer, who is disabled and chronically homeless, should be targeted and housed using any means necessary! Besides being the right moral thing to do - housing Jennifer will save Toronto taxpayers money! Please watch and share this video and Jennifer's video from two years ago https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3l448tUmNXo If enough people share it then hopefully the right people will see it. People who will get mad enough that a young disabled woman remains on the streets of Toronto and will do something to get her off the streets! ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

As Invisible People travels amplifying the voice of people experiencing homelessness to educate and inspire, there are so many other important stories of homeless people and service providers not being told. Part of the transition to a new Invisible People is I want to create more educational content. I am trying to figure out a way to bring you all along with me to experience those stories. Because it's just me and I can only use the resources I have now, I am trying to use a vlog format. This video is the second episode that will be an ongoing behind the scenes look at my work and adventures! Here is a link to the first episode: https://youtu.be/wOxU--jhfBA Creating more educational content and figuring out some way to bring you all along with me is the reason I started a Patreon page [https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople]. I have never been able to give 100% of my time to help Invisible People reach it's potential in ending homelessness, but once we succeed in achieving a few goals my hope and prayer is that I will be able to do this full time! Who knows, maybe even hire production crews to help capture more stories and make better videos. When I started the day with Ryan driving around Traverse City meeting homeless people, I did not know what to expect. I just hit the record button on the camera along the way. I also didn't plan on making such a long video. There is so much information that came up about homelessness and housing homeless people I felt it was important to include. The biggest highlight of the day and this video is how the faith-based community in Traverse City has stepped up to provide services to homeless people. We visited a church that provides a morning meal and showers. Then we visited a church-run day center that is probably the nicest rural day center I have ever visited. They even provide a storage solution, which is so important to homeless people yet offering storage is rare in secular homeless services! Ryan takes me to visit a homeless woman newly placed in housing! She was sleeping outside for 38 years! It's a powerful segment. Antoinette shares candidly about after spending so much time homeless that now being indoors makes her uncomfortable. Her story highlights the importance housing and that we much never give up on people! We then meet a group of homeless people in the local library. Ryan does an intake with a homeless woman who fell and broke her back. Whitey helps a homeless man with her phone take an employment test online to hopefully get a job. It's a powerful digital inclusion story! Everything these days is online yet homeless people or people in poverty do not have access to the internet. We end the day touring the new shelter being built by 24 area churches. The church used to host homeless people in a rotating shelter model. That's where people experiencing homelessness have to travel between the churches. It is so amazing seeing churches collaborate to build a facility so now the churches will rotate and the homeless people will always go to one place! Because of automation, we will soon see massive layoffs. Homeless service budgets will continue to shrink because there will be less funding! The only way we will end homelessness or even see a significant reduction is through the faith-based community working with each other and their community to provide real solutions to homeless people. My visit to Traverse City left me inspired that churches can and will work together to end homelessness. If you work or volunteer in homeless services or a faith-based ministry, I hope you'll watch this entire video and share it with your network. More people need to hear this message of dignity, love collaboration, housing, and providing real tangible solutions to people experiencing homelessness. Special thanks to: Ryan Hannon and Goodwill Northern Michigan's Street Outreach http://www.goodwillnmi.org/homeless-housing/street-outreach Central United Methodist Church Outreach http://www.tccentralumc.org/outreach Jubilee House http://www.gracetraversecity.org/serve/service-groups/jubilee-house Safe Harbor of Grand Traverse, Inc http://www.gtsafeharbor.org ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

A homeless woman new to living in her car and suffering from Lyme disease finds our online support group and asks for help. She was new to homelessness and terrified! I reached out on social media, and thanks to connections, a street doctor provides her phone number. I message the doctor's phone number to the homeless woman. She calls. The doctor messages me the homeless woman happens to be parked one block from her house. The doctor's message to me started with "this is a God thing." The doctor then walked over to connect with the homeless woman. I wish it always happened like this! Very special thanks to everyone who helped share on social media and Maria Long of Doctors Without Walls - Santa Barbara Street Medicine http://sbdww.org The post I reference in the video: "Who Do We Call When a Homeless Person Needs help?" https://medium.com/@hardlynormal/who-do-we-call-when-a-homeless-person-needs-help-cbe00ba818a2 The following is the rant I left on Facebook last night: When a homeless person has the first contact with a service provider, they more often than not give the homeless person referrals to other organizations for a variety of reasons. Those referrals give more referrals to other providers. Most providers will have the homeless person fill out intake forms (got to have the data because that's how nonprofits get paid. It's all about getting paid...oh I mean the data!) Often, like this woman who just reached out to me, the homeless person is in crisis and scared. They are not thinking right, but THE BEST WE CAN DO FOR THEM IS PROVIDE A LIST OF REFERRALS for them to contact on their own. Keep in mind that not only is this person in crisis but they probably do not have transportation and very possibly do not have access to a reliable phone. ADDED TO THAT nonprofits are horrible at keeping up referral data. I once had a homeless mom in NYC contact me. She was in crisis. I reached out to providers I know and trust. They gave me a list of referrals. This mom was in a bad way, so I decided to call. ONE THIRD OF THE NUMBERS ON THE LIST WERE CHANGED OR DISCONNECTED! Oh...let's keep in mind that the homeless person in desperate need of help can only contact providers during business hours of 9-5 Mon - Fri and never on Holidays! Last but far from least, most services are at capacity. They are overburdened. I know of a wonderful older homeless woman living in a tent downtown Los Angeles who keeps leaving messages for her case manager, but the worker NEVER responds to her! When a homeless person contacts me online like this woman did tonight, the best I can tell them is that the homeless support system is broken. Their ONLY hope is if they work their ass off trying to contact everyone they can. Then repeat! The system is not set up to help people. Even when I worked outreach or was answering the phone at a shelter, I could not provide real tangible solutions to people. NEVER! We don't make it easy for anyone to get out of homelessness! ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People's website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People's Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath's Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can't ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation's most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America's homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Michael is a homeless man in Traverse City, Michigan. After Michael's five-year-old son had died, he lost everything and crashed into homelessness. Michael has been sleeping outside for over ten years now. He says he finds work when he can, but finding a place to stay is hard. Listening to Michael share his story is heartbreaking. You can feel his pain! Relationships play a significant role in the cause homelessness. When someone goes through trauma, we need to be there to provide support. Special thanks to Ryan Hannon and Goodwill Northern Michigan's Street Outreach http://www.goodwillnmi.org/homeless-housing/street-outreach/ ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People's website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People's Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath's Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they're on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can't ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation's most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America's homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Kelly approached me at a forum about fighting the increase in the criminalization of homelessness this week. She walked up and asked, "are you Mark of Invisible People?" Kelly then asked if I can help her tell her story. I didn't think she was currently homeless so I responded that Invisible People empowers people still in some state of homelessness to share their stories. Kelly then enlightened me that not only is she still homeless she is sleeping outside in an alley. Since May of 2016, Kelly has slept in this alley in Washington D.C. She goes through a dumpster each night to find cardboard to sleep on. Kelly shares candidly about how homeless women need to wear a skirt at night to urinate, however, doing so increases the risk of being sexually assaulted. Kelly has two master degrees; she is intelligent and articulate. She says her homelessness is a result of her search for justice after ongoing legal battles. She came to D.C. to continue her fight for justice but ended up in a women's shelter. When that shelter was closed last year, she had no place to go but the streets. I have to give huge props to the National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty (NLCHP) for including Kelly and several other people currently in some state of homelessness. Even more, people still experiencing homelessness were not just scholarshiped into the event, they were at the table and included in every conversation. People still homeless are by far the most important voice that service providers and governments need to be listening to. Some homeless conferences just bring in homeless people as a form of tokenism, so it's very refreshing when organizations like the National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty and the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness include homeless people in the event and treat them as equals! ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Jerry was carrying a blanket under his arm, and the look on his face was that of hopelessness! The moment I saw Jerry I knew he was homeless. Jerry told me that family conflict caused him to leave where he was staying. Jerry thought he could make it but admits that homelessness takes more than you think it does! We have a Silver Tsunami coming as the boomer generation enters their senior years. The 2008 recession has destroyed the possibility of a comfortable retirement for many, and once seniors are no longer able to work or are employable, there is no safety net to keep the boomer generation out of homelessness. In the next 10 years, maybe sooner, the “Silver Tsunami” will tax our already hurting social services system to the point of collapse. I don't think we can say any one demographic of homelessness is worse or better than another. All homelessness is horrible. Not sure if it's because I am getting older or that there is a very good chance I will face my own homelessness again as I get older, but stories like Jerry's mess me up! ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

When Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness invited me to speak at their event, it started into motion a mini road trip around Michigan. It's been a few years since I traveled through Detroit so I posted on social media asking folks what organizations I should visit. Dr. Jim Whithers, my friend and true hero (just ask CNN) who makes house calls to Pittsburgh's homeless and founder of the Street Medicine Institute, connected me to Dean Carpenter and Street Medicine Detroit. My day with Street Medicine Detroit started at the Neighborhood Service Organization’s Tumani Center. After meeting all the students we went to a homeless shelter for women and children. While the students we're meeting with clients I went for a walk. A homeless man I met flying a sign shared with me a nugget of wisdom on life that really puts things in perspective. Dean then gave me a Narcan kit and training how to use it in case I happen to run into someone overdosing on opioids. After that, we take off driving around Detroit looking for homeless people to help, which is where we met Greg and Latisha [https://youtu.be/L3vFZ5kirH8]. I could not help but add a few of the fun moments of Latisha picking on me. There is a very serious lack of education and awareness on the topic of homelessness and solutions to end it. People these days consume video more than any other content. It's always been my goal to produce more educational content like this webisode on Housing First http://invisiblepeople.tv/housingfirst, but finding support continues to be a challenge. I have been running Invisible People for almost a decade now. Although the lack of funding limits our potential and impact in ending homelessness, not having money has never stopped me. These stories need to be told, so I am making a commitment to start vlogging more. I am not sure how far I can take this production just by myself, but my hope and prayer is people will continue to support our important work on Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople] and I'll be able to travel more, do more, reach more, and have more impact in ending homelessness. For more information on Street Medicine Detroit visit: http://streetmedicinedetroit.org ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Percy's family moved out of Chicago. He decided to stay and see if he can make it on his own but ended up homeless. Percy has been on the streets for two years. He just passed the drug test to get into housing! I personally have issues with drug testing a homeless person as a prerequisite to getting off the streets into some form of housing! People should not have to earn the right to be inside! People use drugs to forget the pain. Homelessness is painful! The theory that a person that uses drugs be left outside until they sober up or die, not only is cruel, it's proven not to be effective in reducing homelessness, and I believe -- stupid! I know for me, there was a time when I needed drugs more than I needed air. I wanted to stop but I could not! We need to get people into housing - period! Doing so saves lives and taxpayer money! Percy's three wishes: his own place, a car, and a job! ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

After a broken marriage, Roshad "lost it". He found it hard to deal with the emotions and started to drink. His car broke down. Roshad ran into the wrong people at the wrong time and was robbed. He lost everything and ended up homeless. Roshad is homeless in Traverse City, Michigan. He has been off and on the streets for the last eight years. Last night he was lucky to sleep on a friends floor. Roshad's first wish is that homelessness would end. He feels that the money our government spends on war is unnecessary and better use would be to take care of our people here. Special thanks to Ryan Hannon and Goodwill Northern Michigan's Street Outreach http://www.goodwillnmi.org/homeless-housing/street-outreach/ ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People's website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People's Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath's Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they're on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can't ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation's most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America's homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Greg and Latisha met a little over 4 years ago and fell in love. They have lived together and supported each other ever since. Greg and Latisha are homeless on the streets of Detroit. They have slept outside without shelter even in the coldest winters. That's a very special kind of love. Greg has been homeless for around eight years. He was locked up for eleven years and the streets were his only choice after being released. Except for a year that Greg did on misdemeanor charges for failure to appear in court, he has lived on the streets homeless. Latisha has been on the streets for five years. Prior to this interview, Latisha was picking on me. She started calling me "Tom Cruise's grandfather", which I took as a compliment and kinda not. We had a good time laughing. Even in the harsh realities of homelessness, Greg and Latisha do their best to smile and stay positive. I can't imagine how cold it get's in Detriot during the winter. I was shocked when Greg and Latisha told me they still sleep outside all year! One of the reasons is most homeless services do not allow couples to stay in their shelters. For Greg and Latisha, splitting up is not an option! Special thanks to Street Medicine Detroit http://streetmedicinedetroit.org ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Delilah is young and homeless. She says that previously she worked in a Beverly Hills hair salon and that homelessness is much better than cutting hair for angry, mean rich ladies! Delilah says she is enjoying her freedom while she is young enough and healthy enough to have it. She wants to live a minimalistic and nomadic lifestyle. Delilah relocated to Los Angeles three years ago and has been on the streets for six months. She had various living arrangments. Delilah's last roommate throughout all her stuff and now she is just trying to make the best of it. Delilah's boyfriend has been homeless for many years and she started to live with him on the streets. She was already spending weekends with him in his tent, so homelessness did not come as much of a shock. Delilah plans on traveling and then if she wants to change her lifestyle she says she will. One of the foundations of Invisible People's work is to present stories of people experiencing homelessness raw and unedited. Delilah's story is a little different than most because from the outside it looks like she is choosing to be homeless. The last few years I have seen more people deciding to live a minimalistic and nomadic lifestyle. Van dwelling is now a thing and becoming more popular. I think part of the reason is the high cost of housing and the lack of good paying jobs. I used to think no one wants to be homeless, and that is the truth for the vast majority of people sleeping outside. Even the ones who tell you that want to be homeless, at one time they tried to get out of homelessness, but after hitting so many barriers, they just give up. It’s called “learned helplessness.” I think Delilah's story is important because so often homeless youth choose this lifestyle and then it's nearly impossible to get out of it. The streets in any city are very dangerous, especially for young women. Although Delilah says she wants to be homeless there is a sadness about her. I do believe she is making the best of it and that love probably played the biggest role in her current situation. I just pray she gets off the streets while she still can. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Cody met a girl. They fell in love. He relocated to live with her. Everything was going fine until Cody left for a three day trip for work. When he returned, Cody says he walked in on his girlfriend cheating on him with his boss's son. Cody reacted out of anger and passion with the end result of him ending up on the streets of Chicago homeless. Cody tries to sell his artwork to get enough money to get a room for a night or two. When he can get a room he can clean up enough to look for work, but he keeps getting denied employment because he is homeless. Cody says that on weekends, a lot of people come around and give out food but there is no help to get off the streets and out of homelessness. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People's website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People's Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath's Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they're on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can't ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation's most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America's homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Mark is a homeless, disabled veteran. He doesn't have ID nor is he able to get the records of his service. Mark says there was a fire in the VA's main hall of records that destroyed most of his military history. Mark survives by panhandling and playing a harmonica. He says that it's challenging to keep anything when you live on the streets. The morning of this interview his bike was stolen. Mark has been on the streets for 18 years! He says it's getting harder to find places to sleep at night. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People's website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People's Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath's Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they're on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can't ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation's most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America's homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Eight years ago David was buying a two-story house. It took six months for his life to fall apart. David is now homeless in Boston. David has slept outside in a tent for four years even in the winter that covered Boston with eight feet of snow. David panhandles to survive. He says you do what you have to do. David is on a housing waiting list, but so far nothing has happened! David says people should treat homeless people on an individual basis. He doesn't drink or use drugs, but people wrongly believe every homeless person does. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People's website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People's Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath's Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they're on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can't ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation's most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America's homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople I’ve seen amazingly good things happen when people who are homeless get the chance to tell their stories. You should see someone’s face when they realize another person actually wants to listen to them. It should not be unusual for any of us to be seen, acknowledged, heard, or helped. But for people used to being invisible, it can be a big, big deal. We can never predict what happens next. There may be a change in someone’s circumstances. They might reconnect with family members. Or get a roof over their head. Engage with the local community. Realize they are not alone. Discover that people care. If you support us, you’ll change too. You’ll see that you can really improve people’s lives. And beyond all this, Invisible People is changing the whole conversation about homeless people. We’re influencing the policies and programs that can make a huge difference way beyond individuals. It starts with you. It starts with me. It starts with someone who is homeless. Together we can change lives for the better. Thank you for all you can give today. _______________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Jared is homeless in Austin, Texas. He says homeless is depressing and causes a mental breakdown. Jared says that people can die of they don't find food or shelter. Jared says that for some homelessness is a result of not making good choices. He goes on to say that getting out of homelessness is not easy, but it's a blessing to get your life back and it makes you grateful. Jared has been homeless for two years. He had a nice job and messed up. He then got sick. Jared went back to college and currently has a job, but he is still sleeping outside. He is one of the thousands of working homeless in America. Jared wishes that everyone could have the experience of homelessness so they would value the things they have. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People's website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People's Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath's Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Daniel was homeless in New Jersey but relocated to Philadelphia because he says people are nicer in Philly. Daniel is celebrating 49 days clean and sober today. It's not easy being sober on the streets! Daniel sleeps sometimes at his daughters or at the train station. He is working to better his life to be there for his family! Good luck, Daniel! You can do it! ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

This video features Corporation for Supportive Housing CSH's Speak Up! Advocates in Sacramento and Washington DC advocating for permanent supportive housing. CSH Speak Up! Community Advocates know first-hand the desperation of homelessness and the transformation of their lives once they have stable housing and access to services addressing their medical, mental health and skill needs. Through individualized coaching and active participation, CSH "Speak Up!" invests in supportive housing residents and gives them the platform and tools to share their personal stories with the general public, local officials, state legislators, members of Congress and in corporate boardrooms. CSH Speak Up! empowers the formerly homeless to be a force for good in public dialogue and policy. Its success has spurred replication of the program from its origins in Los Angeles to the City of Chicago and now many more places across the country. Support for CSH Speak Up Advocates comes from United Way of Greater Los Angeles and the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Amber posts two videos in response to YouTube comments https://invisiblepeople.tv/2017/07/amber-posts-two-videos-in-response-to-youtube-comments/ Monday, July 24th, 2017 Amber just recorded and posted this video to all the people leaving hurtful comments: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykYgSwJ9SrI A little while later Amber posted a 2nd video thanking the people who encouraged her: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=niH3TsmrYlc Walking down Hollywood Blvd, I stopped to talk to a new homeless friend I had met a week before. While we were talking, I noticed a young woman on the sidewalk doing what looked like school work. Sure enough, Amber had a physics textbook out and was doing her homework right there on the streets while flying a sign. Amber is homeless and putting herself through Los Angeles City College on just GR (general relief) income, which is $220 a month in California. Amber says one of the biggest challenges is finding an abandoned building at night to sleep in so she can get up early to make her morning classes. I can't imagine the courage and strength it must take to go to school and be around other young adults while not having a place to sleep or shower. Amber wants to go into the forensic science field, but I have a feeling this strong young woman can do anything she puts her mind to. I just hope and pray the streets don't distract her from her dreams. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Chris is living on the streets of Austin, Texas. Chris says he lived in over 35 boarding homes. I asked Chris what the difference is between foster homes and boarding homes. He said a foster home is more like a true family, and a boarding home is just a place to stay. It's not uncommon to meet homeless youth that has been placed in a high number of foster homes or boarding homes. How can any child grow up normal when they are being tossed around the system like that?!! Chris says there are a lot of jobs and opportunities for people experiencing homelessness. Often people on the streets do not see homelessness as it really is. It's a defense mechanism helping to reduce some of the pain of being homeless. Chris's third wish: "get a family who will love me"! ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People's website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People's Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath's Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they're on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can't ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation's most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America's homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Gerald was sitting on a bus bench in Hollywood listening to a jazz station on his radio. I asked him what homelessness is like and his response was poetic: It educates you. It gives you calluses on your soul. You really have to taste of it because some things aren't in the dictionary to explain. There's no age limit, no qualifications, no certification. One day you might think you are between the haves and the have-not's and then caput - you find out you're not even a good category for the haves or the have-nots. You're down to the bare essence of the butt nakedism of having to accept that when you are at your best you are at your worst. And when you have nothing at all, you are like, how should I say it...have faith will travel and faith make a way. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Video is part of this post: https://medium.com/@hardlynormal/c3-is-proof-la-county-can-end-homelessness-de4219ef6438#.do1d8sq6v Watch the C3 Team on Skid Row in action. This video includes a tour of Skid Row Sobering Center, another city and county collaboration aiming to end homelessness. In addition to helping patients get sober, restart their lives and find transitional housing, the sobering center provides appropriate care for inebriated individuals who would otherwise be brought to emergency care facilities. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

C3 Is Proof LA County Can End Homelessness. Video is part of this post: https://medium.com/@hardlynormal/c3-is-proof-la-county-can-end-homelessness-de4219ef6438#.do1d8sq6v I recently joined the original C3 team on Skid Row. It is very exciting to see the model in action and experience the community collaboration. Learn more about how the C3 team effects change in this short interview with Sara Shortt, Director of the C3 Program on Skid Row. Being able to deliver all services a homeless person may need rather than having them travel to different offices is invaluable. And it is producing results. In 2016, the C3 team on Skid Row was able to house 158 people and connected 326 more people to housing who will be getting indoors soon. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Imagine raising a family in a small confined space with one child having cerebral palsy. Add to that little to no income. I honestly can't even begin to understand how this family still smiles after living in an RV in South Los Angeles for the last two years! Homelessness was the only choice Barnabas, Asia, and their three children had after losing their apartment. Barnabas worked at the airport. While moving bags, his supervisor stopped the cart to take a measurement at the wrong time causing Barnabas's shoulder to be severely dislocated. Barnabas had to have surgery that placed three metal screws in his shoulder, and now he is not able to work. Shortly after that Barnabas's mother died. The family traveled to the funeral, and upon return, they were greeted with an eviction notice. With no job and no income and now no place to stay, the family moved into an RV. Their son Zachariah has cerebral palsy and requires a lot of extra care. Because of the limited living space, it's extremely hard to provide adequate therapy for Zachariah. I love how this family all shared their wishes at the end. The good news is that part of the reason I was there was because Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority outreach workers are in the process of helping the family connect to a 3 bedroom apartment and other services. Angelenos can help end homelessness this March 7th. Vote YES on Measure H to help end homelessness for 45,000 families and individuals across Los Angeles County within the next five years. It will also prevent homelessness for 30,000 families and individuals over the same time period, including women and children, veterans, seniors, foster youth, and survivors of domestic violence. More more information, please visit http://voteyesonh.com Very special thanks to LAHSA https://www.lahsa.org ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People's website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People's Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath's Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they're on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can't ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation's most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America's homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Lanette is a homeless veteran living in her car in Inglewood. When she got out of the military, Lanette returned to Compton to reconnect with her family. The structure that Lanette learned in the military made it hard for her to adjust to civilian life. Lanette has PTSD serving in two tours in Iraq. She was a hospital corpsman and believed that Marines couldn't die. Lanette says witnessing the death of Marines does something to a soldier's soul. She started to smoke Spice to help deal with the PTSD, but eventually, her family asked her to leave because she was using the drug. Her only choice was to live in her car. Lanette is full of life yet because of PTSD and a drug addiction, she is vulnerable out on the streets. The back window of her car was missing she says as a result of a gang shooting. Somewhere along the way we failed Lanette. We must be able to provide veterans with the support they need before they end up living in a car or worse. Angelenos can help end homelessness this March 7th. Vote YES on Measure H to help end homelessness for 45,000 families and individuals across Los Angeles County within the next five years. It will also prevent homelessness for 30,000 families and individuals over the same time period, including women and children, veterans, seniors, foster youth, and survivors of domestic violence. More more information, please visit http://voteyesonh.com ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Danya lives in a tent in Los Angeles. She says she was evicted illegally, which is happening all too often anymore. Danya is 65 years old. I love how even though she is homeless she maintains her sense of style. Dayna talks about the challenge of keeping clean every day. She has a bucket and two coolers. One cooler she uses for wash water and the other she uses for her food. Danya says the 2nd biggest challenge of homelessness is staying fed. Ice will only last a little while in a cooler, so she has to constantly be purchasing food. Dayna thanks God for the people who come around to give food, clothes, and blankets. Dayna's three wishes are 1) more affordable housing 2) for the homeless people to be allowed to camp on the hillside where it's safe 3) and no more budget cuts! ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People's website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People's Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath's Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they're on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can't ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation's most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America's homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Miranda is homeless in West Los Angeles. She says she has pneumonia from living outdoors. It's cold at night, and this winter L.A. County has received a record amount of rain. Miranda has to carry everything she owns around all day. She says the police has moved her camp seven times within the last six weeks. Right after the interview, a man in a BMW pulled up and started yelling at her to leave, but where is she going to go? If you're new to Invisible People's videos, at the end of each video I ask everyone if they had three wishes what would they be. Miranda's response after she shared her three wishes messed me up. Miranda has been on the streets far too long. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Tamara was sitting on a bench with a group of homeless people. As I was walking up to introduce myself, I saw Tamara with a big mischevious smile on her face playfully hitting the person sitting next to her. Although living on the streets of Santa Monica for six years, Tamara still maintains a playful spirit. When I lived in a homeless shelter in Hollywood, a church bus used to pick me up on Sunday mornings. The bus was filled with Russian Armenians who went to church for the free food being offered. Each Sunday I asked them to teach me a little Russian. I can say hello, good day, good morning and a few other short phrases. After meeting Tamara, I wish I had learned more because I would really like to know more about her story. It's horrible that anyone sleeps on the streets homeless, but when I see a woman like Tamara that reminds me of my own grandmother my heart breaks. She told me she immigrated here twenty years ago. I walked around for about another hour after this interview. Night was coming, and it was starting to rain. I saw Tamara heading to an overhang to what I assumed was to find a dry place to sleep. There was another older man already next to the building who I had talked to earlier. He had extreme mental illness and was intoxicated. I cannot know for sure, but it looked like the both slept in the same area and probably took care of each other. At least that's what my heart wanted to think. Although this video is really short and it does not share a lot of details about her story, I felt it was important to post because I wanted you all to see this wonderful and amazing woman who is surviving the streets of Los Angeles County while maintaining a positive and playful spirit. I felt it was also important that you all see the face of homelessness in America, which is not a drug addict holding a cardboard sign but a strong woman who could be anyone grandmother. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

I first saw Lisa sitting alone on the top of the stairs. There were piles of black plastic bags around her, so I was pretty sure she was homeless. We started to make small talk. I asked her if she wanted to share her story. She agreed but told me that I needed to ask her husband. I didn't see anyone around, and then all of a sudden a man comes running up the stairs carrying a shopping cart. Frank and I started to talk. He agreed to the interview but told me he first had to carry all of their belongings up from the beach area below. If you've never been to Santa Monica, imagine a stairway going up the side of a cliff that's probably several stories high. Frank made several trips each time letting me know a little more about their story and what he was carrying. At one point he showed me the little stove they use to cook on. It's been raining in Los Angeles, and the night before, they got soaking wet. They could not sleep and went to McDonolds to get dry, where Lisa says they were treated like dogs. Both Lisa and Frank say people treat them like they are a disease. We can no longer ignore people experiencing homelessness. Lisa and Frank are good people. They told me they lost their house in a fire, which caused their homelessness. That could happen to anybody. That could happen to you. On March 7th, voters in L.A. County have the opportunity to help 45,000 people currently experiencing homelessness and prevent homelessness for thousands more. Please vote YES on Measure H. To learn more visit: http://voteyesonh.com ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

"Cold, ruthless, used," are the three words Riley used to describe life on the streets of Toronto, Canada. Riley says with the help of Suboxone, a treatment for opioid addiction, she was able to stop using heroin, here she still ending up homeless! Riley is only 24 years old and you can feel her pain. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People's website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People's Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath's Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they're on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can't ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation's most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America's homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Samuel is homeless in Los Angeles. What caught my attention is Samuel had laid out a bunch of rocks and plants creating a zen garden next to his tent. Samuel is educated, intelligent and he has skills, but because Samuel has a hard time stabilizing his emotions, it's hard for him to work for someone else. When I asked Samuel about his future, he told me he has potential and hope, and because of those to things Samuel believes he can still accomplish his dreams. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

It breaks my heart that a kind and gentle man like Johnny lives on the streets of Los Angeles homeless. Johnny moved to L.A. over 30 years ago. He has been homeless for over 5 years. He'd like to go back to school as soon as he gets into housing. Johnny is a simple man with simple wishes; to get better finances and housing, a few clothes, and to make sure he eats well. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

This video is part of this post: https://invisiblepeople.tv/who-do-we-call-when-a-homeless-person-needs-help/ Homelessness Is a Nationwide Epidemic That Must Be Addressed.  A lot can happen in 15 years: You attend college. You get a new job. You rent your first apartment. You get married, start a family, buy a house. For Jossalyn [https://invisiblepeople.tv/2016/11/jossalyn-homeless-woman-los-angeles/], little has happened. She has spent the past 15 years homeless.   Like many others I meet on the streets, Jossalyn has fallen through the gaps in the safety net. She is surviving now, but how long will it be before Jossalyn becomes critically vulnerable?   I’m reminded of a question Nancy Lublin and her daughter asked me repeatedly on a recent tour of Skid Row. Besides 911, who can people call when they see a homeless person needing help? And there are people in dire need of homeless services everywhere.   An elderly gentleman lies on a park bench with a head injury. You ask if he is alright; he slurs that he is fine and waves you on. It becomes clear that he is intoxicated, most likely homeless and in need of medical help.    In another city, a man asks if you can spare some money. You notice he has severe, deep sores on his arms that require medical attention.  Using cardboard as flooring, a woman sits on a city street. You can clearly see a large tumor growing on her abdomen as she struggles. She needs urgent help.    These are actual people suffering in cities across the country. Any decent person wants to call a professional to help. But who do you call?   More Support Needed for Homeless Services Some municipalities have homeless response teams providing outreach to those in need. In Philadelphia, for example, the city partners with Project Home offering a 24-Hour Homeless Outreach Hotline and an emergency response team will be dispatched. [https://projecthome.org/our-work/outreach-coordination-center] In Pittsburgh, one can call Jim Withers, a doctor that goes out on the streets to help homeless people. The Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program is another amazing service. Of course, Massachusetts has healthcare funding for chronic homeless.   In LA, they have started C3 teams in different areas of the city that have mental health, nurses, housing and other stakeholders going out on the streets together. This is a huge step in the right direction, but services still need to be expanded significantly. In other cities, emergency response numbers are provided for people to call. But the cities lack resources to send an outreach team to help. You can call the number, but no help will be provided. Not to mention an outreach worker is powerless without support services to plug people into.   Most cities don’t offer emergency response at all. There is simply not enough money to provide needed support for homeless people in cities big and small. More funding is needed for homeless services.   Existing services also need to be extended. Many homeless services only operate from 9a to 5p Monday through Friday. However, the majority of homeless crises happen at night.   I support the shift over the last few years of targeting the most vulnerable with the limited resources available. But if we are ever going to truly end homelessness, we need to figure out how to get everyone off the streets. The longer a person remains homeless, the more vulnerable they become. This leads to a greater need, which far outweighs the resources. Not to mention an outreach worker is powerless without support services to plug people into. Real Solutions Needed for People Like Jossalyn I have been in a few conversations trying to find a solution for Jossalyn.   While she receives general relief (welfare), which is not enough to pay any rent, she most likely does not qualify for supportive housing. Rapid Rehousing funds, if available, are only temporary. And, the theory behind Radpid Rehousing programs is a person will be able to support themselves in a given amount of time.   Jossalyn is smart and articulate; she is not on drugs, she is not disabled or on SSI, nor does she have a visible mental illness. She does have a felony on her record and therefore has run into obstacles trying to get a job. In addition, she is a senior and she is black. She has also lived in the streets far too long. I believe she'd be a great worker after a little time and healing, but who is going to hire her with a wage that she can support herself?   In every community, we need an emergency response for people to call when they see a homeless person who needs help. We also need better programs for people like Jossalyn to get everyone off the streets before they become vulnerable. Nationwide, we need real solutions to homelessness, not more shelter programs. We need housing and support services.    Funding is the issue. Support for homeless services must be a priority.

"Most days it's pretty bad. Some days it's a little better, but it's never good", is how Joe describes homelessness in Philadelphia. The day we met it was 30 degrees outside. Joe says sleeping outside is not the worst part. The isolation and being invisible to people is what makes homelessness so hard. #Philadelphia #homeless #homelessness ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Thomas lives in a homeless shelter with his wife and four daughters. This is the first time they been in this situation. After a bad slumlord situation last April, the family ended up couch surfing going from place to place. They eventually found a family shelter that would take them, but not until they slept in their car for a period of time. Being the protective father, Thomas says he can't let his girls out of his sight. During the evenings, he enjoys driving for the ridesharing company Lyft so he can be with his family during the day! US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)'s definition of homelessness does not include individuals and families who are couch surfing or paying for a hotel room on their own. Before a homeless services organization can provide help, families have to go sleep in their car or outside! As a former family case manager in Los Angeles, this family's story brings back awful memories of when I would have to tell families with kids I could not help them until they "qualified as homeless". The good news is Thomas and his family will soon be in housing thanks to the support they receive from LA Family Housing [http://lafh.org]. Very special thanks to LA Family Housing [http://lafh.org]. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

It was 30 degrees last night in Philadelphia, yet Mike sleeps in a doorway of a pizza shop downtown. Mike broke his leg on the job. He went into a nursing home and had to relearn to walk. He lost his employment and soon after his apartment. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Jonathan is 22 years old and living on the streets of Boston. He is originally from Puerto Rico. Jonathan does not have any family in the area. Jonathan says he is homeless because he is addicted to drugs. He's tried to stop, but it's nearly impossible to get sober while still experiencing homelessness. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

When I met Katina, she had lived homeless with her children for three months. Katina got behind on rent and the family ended up in a shelter in St Louis. I was introduced to Katrina through Saint Louis Public Schools. During our first phone call, Katrina was so positive that her energy made me glow! I was very impressed by Saint Louis Public Schools and the services they provide to homeless families, but the just the fact that school districts have to provide homeless services always messes me up. I was told that in St Louis Public Schools, the number of children experiencing homelessness has risen in the last five years from 1,700 to over an alarming 5,068 students. Very special thanks to Saint Louis Public Schools http://www.slps.org ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

While I was interviewing Jossalyn, I looked over and saw a homeless man on a bicycle in the alley patiently waiting for me to finish. Morris just happened to be riding by and stopped because he wanted to share his story of homelessness in Los Angeles! Morris has been on the streets for over 17 years. He says it's a dangerous place. Sometimes people experiencing homelessness have to eat things they don't want to eat. Sometimes people experiencing homelessness have to do things they don't want to do just to survive. Morris goes on to say that after all the hard living, a person starts to think "that's life" and begins getting used to homelessness! Morris shares a very real story of homelessness. When I ask him about his future, he starts to smile and tells me that he'd like to be a mechanic. Even after all that time on the streets, there is still hope in people's hearts! Now it's up to use to give them a helping hand to get off the streets and better their lives! We can end homelessness! *Watch Jossalyn's video here http://bit.ly/2gugjDg Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

UPDATE: 17 Years Homeless: Jossalyn Is Now in Housing https://youtu.be/FTPj2_Xxowo Jossalyn has lived on the streets of Los Angeles for 15 years. She sleeps any place that's safe. Jossalyn can't afford to pay for rent in Los Angeles with the income she gets. Jossalyn survives by panhandling and picking through garbage! The day I first met Jossalyn, she was a little upset. While she was "dumpster diving", someone stole the hand truck she uses to carry all of her belongings. Jossalyn told me that she needed $10 for a new hand truck. I gave her $20. A few days later I happened to run into Jossalyn again. This time with a new hand truck and a smile! #losangeles #homeless #homelessness ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

I was handing out Hanes socks to a woman next to Justin when he speaks up and asks me for socks stating he's also on the streets! "I may be the part, but I don't want to look the part," Justin says to me after I mention he doesn't look homeless. Most people believe that individuals who are experiencing homelessness look dirty and unkempt. Much of that misinformation comes from nonprofit fundraising materials and wrong stereotypes reinforced in the media that portray homeless people as bums and helpless! The truth is, the majority of homeless people do not look any different than you or me. Justin has been homeless off and on for the last ten years! He was in foster care, but when he turned 18 he didn't want to transition from the system for kids to the system for adults. He tried to make it on his own, but that resulted in periods of homelessness! Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

I was walking down a back street in Hollywood and ran into a small group of men and women setting up their tents for the night. Cushan and I started to talk. He was telling me that he is moving on up because he has the big tent. Cushan is homeless in Los Angeles. One of the sights that always messes me up is when I happen to witness a person experiencing homelessness setting up an area to sleep for the night. In this great country of ours, people should not be sleeping on the streets - ever! Cushan used to live in Detroit, but after 9/11, he lost his job at the airport and faced many challenges that resulted in him living on the streets! Even though he has been homeless for three years, he believes he has a bright future in front of him. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Tera and her children have lived without a home in Los Angeles for the last three years. When they first became homeless, the family stayed with whoever would let them. "Couch surfing" is never easy. The kids always sleep on the floor. You never know when you'll be asked to leave. Freedom or privacy is rare. It's stressful for everyone! For the last year, Tera and her children have been staying in shelters. Navigating the social support system is not easy, but the biggest roadblock for families and individuals experiencing homelessness is the lack of housing! Very special thanks to LA Family Housing http://lafh.org ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Jana slept on the sidewalk in Los Angeles last night. She has been homeless a little over three months now. Jana's husband of twenty-two years was shot and killed. She was the housewife and shortly after her husband's death, she lost their home! The good news is Jana is soon to go into housing! The trouble is, last night roughly 28,000 people in the City of Los Angeles were in some state of homelessness and we need more housing! ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

The Venice CS team ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

"It was bad during the war, and it's bad now," says Leonardo, a Vietnam veteran talking about living homeless in Los Angeles. Leonardo says he was once in VASH (Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing) housing, but he made a mistake and got a roommate to save money. The roommate created a lot of trouble, which caused Leonardo's current state of homelessness! Leonardo is a soldier. He's going to keep fighting, but what bothers him the most is that people treat him like he's nothing, not knowing that Leonardo fought for this country with his own life! "I'm 68 years old. I'm a Vietnam veteran. I fought in the war, and I am fighting now for my very life" ~ Leonardo Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Michael is homeless in Toronto, Canada. He has walking pneumonia. Michael has been in and out of the hospital. The night we met, it was cold and damp. I can tell you first hand, living on the streets with a cold is horrible. You can never find the rest needed to get better! Michael ended up homeless because of a relationship gone bad. He lost his place to stay and ending up on the streets with his two dogs. For people experiencing homelessness with pets, it's nearly impossible to access support services. Before you judge, would you give up your pets? If you live in Canada, please click on this link [http://www.20khomes.ca/campaign/write-your-mp/] to write your Member of Parliament today and tell them that you think ending homelessness should be a top priority in the new National Housing Strategy. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Roy is homeless in London, a Canadian city in southwestern Ontario, located just north of Lake Erie and the U.S. border. He says he has been on the streets for ten years now. Roy worked for 21 years at the General Motors until the factory was closed down and the work sent overseas. When we first started to talk, I noticed we were standing in front of a no trespassing sign. Roy went on to explain the music being pumped outside is to keep homeless people from standing around on the corner. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Jeffery is homeless in Toronto, Canada. "You're cold. You get soaking wet. You never know where you're going to sleep," Jeffery said about homelessness. He also went on to say that the one thing you don't have to worry about is food when you are homeless. There is an overabundance of people giving food to people experiencing homelessness, but there is an extreme lack of housing to end homelessness! It's time to change that! If you live in Canada, please click on this link [http://www.20khomes.ca/campaign/write-your-mp/] to write your Member of Parliament today and tell them that you think ending homelessness should be a top priority in the new National Housing Strategy. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

The crisis is everywhere in Los Angeles. People are living on the corner, under the freeway, in vacant lots near your home. Homelessness is a problem that connects almost every mile of the city. Prop HHH is the solution. Also known as the Homelessness Reduction and Prevention, Housing and Facilities Bond, Prop HHH is a $1.2 billion bond measure that will provide the funding and infrastructure necessary to end and prevent chronic homelessness in the City of Los Angeles. I recently conducted a video interview with Marqueece Harris-Dawson, a Los Angeles City Councilmember, District 8. As Chair Councilmember of the Homelessness & Poverty Committee (H&P), Harris-Dawson co-authored Prop HHH with Vice-Chair Councilmember José Huizar. According to Harris-Dawson, the city of Los Angeles has never dealt with homelessness in a strategic fashion. With Prop HHH, the city council now has a plan to end homelessness, not just manage it. Prop HHH will provide funding for 10,000 units of Permanent Supportive Housing. These units will provide housing for all chronically homeless residents in the city. Homeless people are brought indoors and offered services including long-term mental healthcare and opportunities to become self-sufficient. In addition, there are projects already in the pipeline waiting for funding. If voters support the bond on Nov. 8, these units can be completed within 18 to 24 months. Rehab projects such as converting old motels into housing will take roughly 90 days to complete. “We will get new units on right away in almost every part of the city,” Harris-Dawson said. Prop HHH will result in roughly a $9 increase in property taxes for every $100,000 of assessed value. The average Los Angeles homeowner will have an increase of approximately $30 per year in property tax. While Prop HHH does require an investment, there are also savings to be obtained. “Voters should know: we spend $857 million a year on homeless people now. If HHH passes, we believe we can cut that in half, maybe even more,” Harris-Dawson said. Please VOTE YES on Proposition HHH to help create 10,000 supportive housing units for our homeless neighbors. Let’s implement this solution to end chronic homelessness in L.A. When you go to vote, find Prop HHH on page 29, which is the last page of the ballot. To learn more about the Los Angeles homeless crisis and Prop HHH, follow #YesOnHHH on social media. For more information on Housing First and how supportive housing saves lives, please watch this short video http://invisiblepeople.tv/housingfirst. The video explains how supportive housing can save taxpayers money in the long run. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Robert worked all of his life. When he reached sixty-two, he had to retire on only partial Social Security. Robert received the full amount at sixty-five. He's now sixty-eight and living on the streets of Los Angeles homeless! Robert says that on the fixed income he receives that he can either pay for food or pay rent, but there is never enough money to do both. Robert has tried to live in SRO (single room occupancy) hotels, but with rent at $500 a month, he didn't have enough left over and decided to make a go of it homeless. That was a little over three years ago! We have a “Silver Tsunami” coming. The Baby Boomer generation is now entering into what should be their comfortable retirement years. Instead, because this last recession wiped out a lot more than hopes and dreams, seniors will enter into homelessness at an alarming rate. Los Angeles County is projected to become increasingly old in the very near future. By 2020, the county’s age-50-or-older population is expected to increase by 27 percent, and the population age 65 or older by 43 percent. Sadly, many will end up on the streets experiencing homelessness unless we take serious action now! ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Tiffany lives in a tent in Encino, a neighborhood in the San Fernando Valley region of Los Angeles. This time, she says she has been homeless for six months but Tiffany has been on and off homeless for the last fifteen years. Tiffany says she does good for a while, but something happens and she ends up back experiencing homelessness. No one should have to get used to the routine of homelessness! Special thanks to LAHSA's outreach team https://www.lahsa.org ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

This Video is for this post: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mark-horvath/vote-yes-on-prop-hhh-to-s_b_12587040.html Beverly is homeless in Los Angeles. She doesn't even have a tent. Beverly sleeps on a mattress on a sidewalk in Los Angeles! Beverly moved to Los Angeles after Hurricane Katrina eleven years ago. I don't know her whole story, but what I do know is Beverly is vulnerable and she is dying on the streets of Los Angeles. WE CAN HELP BEVERLY AND OTHER PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS LIKE HER. VOTE YES ON PROP HHH! Proposition HHH, The “Homelessness Reduction and Prevention, Housing, and Facilities Bond” is a $1.2 billion bond measure that will provide the funding and infrastructure necessary to end and prevent chronic homelessness in the City of Los Angeles. Prop HHH will help finance a significant increase in L.A.’s Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH), a proven strategy to end chronic homelessness already in place in cities across the country. L.A. needs an additional 10,000 units of Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) in order to house all of the City’s chronically homeless residents, including women and children, veterans, seniors, foster youth, and the disabled. Without the bond, the City is only able to finance 3,000 units over the next 10 years. With Proposition HHH, the City will be able to finance 8,000-10,000 units to end chronic homelessness in LA. In addition to permanent supportive housing, Prop HHH provides funding to construct facilities that provide emergency relief for those experiencing homelessness and affordable housing for those at risk of it. Proceeds of the bond allows for the following uses: • Supportive housing specifically designed for homeless and chronically homeless households • Affordable housing for very low-income Angelenos at risk of homelessness • Temporary shelters, storage, and shower facilities • Associated infrastructure for constructed facilities such as sidewalks and utilities ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

This video is for this post: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mark-horvath/vote-yes-on-prop-hhh-to-s_b_12587040.html If you follow me on social media, I am sure you've noticed I'm sharing a lot about homelessness in Los Angeles and Proposition HHH. You probably also know that I was once experienced homelessness on the streets of Los Angeles myself! That was a little over 21 years ago and my passion for ending homelessness in Los Angeles has never been stronger than it is right now! Last year homelessness in Los Angeles increased by 11%. The number of tent encampments and people living in their vehicles has increased by 20% this year. It used to be you'd only see tents on sidewalks near downtown. Now tents can be seen all over the city! I was honored to join Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority's outreach team today where we met a chronically homeless woman living under a bridge. Beverly sleeps on a mattress on the sidewalk. She doesn't even have a tent. Beverly moved to Los Angeles 11 years ago after Hurricane Katrina. She is vulnerable and she is dying on the streets of Los Angeles! When I asked Beverly if I could take her photo, she said yes but only after she fixed herself up. For the next half hour so, I waited as she looked through the few bags of possessions she has left to find a brush and a mirror. She grabbed a plastic jug of water and proceeded to wash her face. She then went and found a few things to place in her hair. You could tell being asked to have her photo taken made her day so she gathered up as much self-worth and dignity as she could. As awesome as the experience was, Beverly is still dying on the streets of Los Angeles and she needs our help. The number one reason I support Proposition HHH is because it will save lives! Please VOTE YES on Prop HHH to help create 10,000 supportive housing units for our homeless neighbors! Prop HHH, The “Homelessness Reduction and Prevention, Housing, and Facilities Bond” is a $1.2 billion bond measure that will provide the funding and infrastructure necessary to end and prevent chronic homelessness in the City of Los Angeles. Prop HHH will help finance a significant increase in L.A.’s Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH), a proven strategy to end chronic homelessness. If you're not aware of Housing First and how supportive housing saves lives and in the long run taxpayer money, please watch this short video http://invisiblepeople.tv/housingfirst. L.A. needs an additional 10,000 units of Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) in order to house all of the City’s chronically homeless residents, including women and children, veterans, seniors, foster youth, and the disabled. The bond will be paid for with a roughly $9 increase in property taxes for every $100,000 assessed value. The average homeowner in Los Angeles will have an increase of approvemently $30 per year in property tax. $30 a year to save lives! Can I be honest for a second - ya can't bitch about homelessness unless you're willing to pay to end homelessness! Homelessness is not going to disappear on it's own and the longer Angelenos wait to take action, the worse and more expensive it will get! Please VOTE YES on Proposition HHH! Remember, Prop HHH is on page 29, which is the last page of the ballot. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Kevin shares about being homeless in Los Angeles when it rains! Kevin’s three wishes: housing, clothing, food! ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Luke is a Vietnam combat veteran who has lived homeless in Los Angeles for a little over 7 months now. After a recent major surgery, he was not able to work or pay rent. Luke doesn't plan on staying homeless. Even at 61, Luke wants to continue his education at Los Angeles City College where he holds a 3.0 GPA (grade point average). ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

David is a gentle man with a positive attitude. David is also deaf and homeless in Los Angeles. He was overjoyed to share that one of his stepdad's relatives has a star on the Walk of Fame. It's hard to imagine he's sleeping on the streets near Santa Monica Blvd. Before CHP started moving people out of encampments near the freeway, David and his trusty companion camped there. Now the duo sleeps near a park in Hollywood or close to David's storage locker. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Robert lives in a tent under a bridge near downtown Los Angeles. He doesn't get enough money from disability to pay for rent so his only choice was sleeping outside! It used to be you'd only see people living in tents in certain confined areas of Los Angeles, but now the sight of tents on a sidewalk or overpass is alarmingly far too common throughout the City of Angles. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Randy is a homeless veteran living in a tent near Columbus, Ohio. He keeps trying to work with the Department of Veteran Affairs, but they informed him that he is not "homeless enough". Randy's downward spiral to homelessness started to happen after a divorce. He relocated to Ohio and found a good job, but then he became disabled and was not able to work. When I asked Randy what his future is like he responded:" "flip a coin". Please watch this short video to the end to hear Randy's three wishes. Special thanks to Maryhaven https://maryhaven.com ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness. #homeless #veteran #homelessveteran

"What we do not say often enough or loudly enough is that racism and homelessness are inextricably linked. Yes, racism. It is time to speak truth. It is time to call it what it is." ~ Jeff Olivet The first time I met Jeff Olivet was back in 2010 when we shared the stage speaking at a homeless conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I am not the best public speaker, but I can typically hold my own. Jeff’s talk on the history of homelessness [http://bit.ly/1rHLUCE]completely blew me off stage. Fast forward to 2015. Jeff and I were once again keynoting a homeless services conference. I was fully prepared for Jeff to educate the audience on the crisis of homelessness. However, when this middle-aged white man opened his presentation with the statement, “Homelessness is a symptom of racism”, he once again blew me away. While Jeff's talk was spot on, the subject of homelessness and racism is a difficult and painful topic. As is the nature of conversations like this, they often seem to disappear, never to be brought up again. I didn't think it would gain traction. The good news is I was wrong and this conversation continues to take center stage. Jeff, who is CEO of the Center for Social Innovation, and Marc Done, Associate of Equity Initiatives & Diversity, regularly speak about homelessness and racism around the country. In fact, Jeff and Marc were invited to the White House Policy Briefing on Ending Youth Homelessness this past June. Read the “transcript of their talk” here: [http://us.thinkt3.com/blog/racism-and-youth-homelessness]. Here is a short excerpt: "More than 40 percent of people using shelter in the U.S. each year are African American, nearly three times their portion of the general population. A 2011 study by George Carter from the Census Bureau found that even when controlling for poverty, African Americans were dramatically more likely than Whites to become homeless, and there is some evidence that they stay homeless longer. It is more than a coincidence that Black children under 5 years old are 29 times more likely than their White counterparts to end up in the shelters of New York and Philadelphia—data reported by Culhane and Metraux. The only other racial group that comes close to these rates of homelessness is Native Americans. Again, no accident." Marc Dones added: "There is a deep and abiding problem inside the picture of American homelessness that unequivocally points towards our racialized and racist policy history. For the adult population, the systematic exclusion of people of color, and specifically black people, from the housing market via redlining and housing covenants functionally meant that black people were largely excluded from home ownership until roughly 1970 after the passing and partial implementation of the Fair Housing Act." Please watch and share this important video interview with Jeff Olivet and Marc Dones. It's an important conversation we need to keep front and center. If we are ever going to end homelessness, we need to address racism head on! For more information here are a few links: Homelessness Is a Symptom of Racism http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jeff-olivet/homelessness-is-a-symptom_b_8409582.html Homelessness, Racism and Social Justice http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jeff-olivet/homelessness-racism-and-s_b_8312898.html Racism and Homelessness by Jeff Olivet [PDF] http://www.endhomelessness.org/page/-/files/Racism%20and%20Homelessness%20by%20Jeff%20Olivet.pdf From: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mark-horvath/homelessness-is-a-symptom_b_12217894.html ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Linda worked as a dental hygienist but started to lose her vision and lost her job a little over four years ago. She is now homeless and sleeps on the streets of Boston. Linda had her wallet stolen and with it all of her ID. She just received her birth certificate and she is working on getting the documents needed to get into housing! Linda does not like shelters. She will stay outside until it gets extremely cold. Last year Linda says she got frostbite because she waiting too long to go inside! After each video, I ask everyone to smile for a photo that I post on Instagram. It's my way of combating the wrong perceptions given by needs-based images used in most nonprofit fundraising. When I asked Linda to smile she said she can't smile because she has no teeth. She went on to share that two men had wrapped duck tape around her arms and she lost her teeth trying to rip the tape off to escape. We must do everything we can to get these precious people off the streets and into housing! ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Life on the streets is hard. Far too often people experiencing homeless die on the streets. It's horrible when anyone dies homeless, yet it's even worse that most of the deaths can be avoided. Homeless people are often thought of as being survivors, but what I learned from Dr. Jim O'Connell, the death rate of people experiencing homelessness is higher than any other subgroup in America. A few months back I was honored to be able to visit Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program, which is one place I have been trying to visit ever since I first met Dr. Jim O'Connell. Many years ago we were invited to be on the leadership team when 100,000 Homes Campaign was just starting. Although I was once homeless myself, I was just learning about homeless service models, and Dr. Jim, besides being a really nice guy, he quickly rose to my hero list. A tour of the Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program was on my bucket list. Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program's integrated care model unites physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, nurses, case managers and behavioral health professionals to provide healthcare services and support to people experiencing homelessness. At the time of this interview, BHCHP had over 25 physicians, 40 nurse practitioners, and 100 nurses providing services both out on the streets and in over 60 locations including shelters and hospitals. While touring Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program's facilities, I could not help but notice it was at a whole different level than other homeless health care services I have visited. It was as if I was walking through a real hospital. I turned to Dr. Munson to ask how is this even possible, and he informed me that in Massachusetts people who are chronically homeless are covered by Medicaid. That's simply amazing! I as I travel, there is not a lot of difference between what homelessness looks like except when traveling to countries that provide health care to everyone! In the UK for example, you do not see people with disabilities and mental illness on the streets like you do here. Either heath care engages so a person is never homeless or someone ends up on the streets health care helps them get the support they need to get out of homelessness. Yesterday while walking around Boston I met an older homeless man. Jim told me that just last week he had a tumor removed. I asked him if he knew of Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program. He informed me Dr. Jim O'Connell and Dr. David Munson are his doctors and went on to say he is on a list for housing to get off the streets! No one should die out on the streets homeless! Please support the health care for the homeless programs in your community. Video for this post: https://invisiblepeople.tv/blog/2016/09/boston-health-care-homeless-program-saving-lives/ ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

I met Tommy at Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program. Tommy ended up in the hospital for pneumonia as a result of him sleeping outside. Sometimes he tries to get a few hours inside at train stations. He doesn't like to go to shelters. "Are you homeless because you are drinking or are you drinking because you are homelessness?", Tommy says it's a little of both. Tommy is aware that he has a substance abuse problem, but it's extremely hard to stop drinking while on the streets. Special thanks to Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program https://www.bhchp.org/ _________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Nicolas has been homeless in San Jose for about a year. He doesn't have ID, which makes it challenging to find work or support. Nicolas doesn't want to talk about homelessness because he says bees are more important. Nicolas wants to get into school to help fix the dwindling bee population. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Shanni and her children live in a homeless shelter in Salt Lake City, Utah. She says the shelter is scary. They mix single men and women with the families. Although separated by dividers, the children witness drug use and worse. Shanni shared she felt safer on the streets than she did living with the children's father, which is how they ended up homeless. At the time of this interview, Shanni was looking for work. She said she has a computer, she just didn't have a home. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

The night before, Russ and his wife were ticketed in Santa Monica for sleeping on the sidewalk. Criminalization of people experiencing homelessness is growing. It's the fastest way to get homeless people out of sight, but the cost of criminalization is the most expensive and it does nothing to help people get off the streets. Giving tickets to people who have little or no income makes zero sense. Russ and his wife are disabled. They both receive Supplemental Security Income, but their landlord raised their rent causing them to be out on the streets. Russ says they are not alone and that many people receiving disability income are having a hard time keeping a roof over their head. Russ is a veteran. They were placed into supportive housing through the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) Program, but Russ says the housing situations they were placed in were not healthy for them to live. Russ's three wishes: a job, a normal house, and no Trump for president. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Rita is a kind and gentle woman who has a strong faith in her God. She has lived on the streets of Los Angeles for a few months now. The night before she slept on a bus. As I was walking up, I noticed Rita and a man in a conversation. What I didn't know until I asked them both if they wanted socks is that the man was trying to sell socks to Rita. Obviously, this man didn't make a sale. He looked a little upset so I gave him a pair of socks, too. Rita ended her third wish asking that everyone treat her as a human! ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

I was walking downtown Los Angeles and happened to meet Kat in the Hat, which is the name this gentle homeless man prefers to go by. One of the saddest things to witness is a homeless person making their bed for the night in a doorway, sidewalk or some other place unfit for a human to sleep. I never wake anyone up, but Kat in the Hat was still awake and he wanted to share his story. Kat in the Hat you may think is a funny name, but the streets can quickly change a person and many people adapt to using their street name. Kat in the Hat has lived homeless in downtown Los Angeles for eight years. He receives Supplemental Security Income (SSI), which is often a requisite to get into housing. Kat in the Hat told me that he is on a waiting list and he should be in housing soon. Being candid, Kat in the Hat should have been in housing a long time ago, but even when a person is ready and has the qualifying disability income, there is zero housing to be found! Los Angeles, like many big and even small cities these days, is facing a serious housing crisis. The vacancy rate (available apartments) in Los Angeles right now is only 2%. Kat in the Hat is a kind person. I could sit and talk to him for hours. But there's the thing - he should have been housed years ago. I know it was a different time when Kat in the Hat first became homeless. The supportive housing models we have today may not have been around then, yet I cannot help but wonder how housing may have changed his life for the better! We really must all start taking tangible action to support getting people off the streets and into homes! ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Video goes with this post: http://www.nonprofitmarketingguide.com/blog/2016/08/18/repurpose-your-content-for-consistent-storytelling/ After I had posted a little rave about repurposing content on Facebook, Kivi asked me to write a guest post. I am so very honored. Many years ago, I was executive producer for a network TV show on a Christian broadcasting network for a very large ministry. The show aired on Friday nights in primetime. It was a big deal. I produced one show about their Christian school, which I thought was an amazing program that people would get behind. The show aired, and the next day, the agency that we worked with sent us an eleven-page report on why they felt the show was really bad. The show, like most all nonprofit marketing, was a campaign for “new names”. It was a good show, but obviously, it didn’t do that well, or so we thought. Right around six months later, we were in a bind and I had to rerun a show. I don’t remember the exact reasons why, but I do remember that I was left with little choice but to rerun that same show. Interestingly enough, the next day I received an email from that very same agency that wrote eleven pages of why I should never air that show ever again with just one line that read, “I don’t know what you did last night, but keep doing it”. True story! It was the exact same show. We didn’t edit it. We didn’t change a thing. It was just a different moment in time each time the show aired. That repurposed content, or rerun because it was a television show, actually had a great response when it aired the second time. With Invisible People, I have over 450 blog posts. Over the years I kind of got in the habit of only posting new content. A few months ago I was listening one of my favorite marketing podcasts called This Old Marketing. I highly recommend it. They were talking about repurposing content. It made sense! At the time, I was Chief Marketing Officer for a large non-profit with services in four cities along with a large chain of fourteen thrift stores. On the retail side, we developed a content marketing strategy using consumer generated content that greatly reduced our dependence on paid media. We had about a year’s worth of material to work with. Erin, the marketing coordinator for the retail side, started to experiment by reposting content. We immediately saw an increase in traffic. Repurposing content also helped reduce some of the pressure to create new content. So I was like, oh my gosh, I’ve got to try this with Invisible People. The first thing I did was to setup an account on Meet Edgar. I am a "one man band" and Meet Edgar allows me to build libraries and then schedule out posts as if I was paying a community manager to look after Invisible People's social media. Now, remember if you’re scheduling content, if something happens in the world, either really good or really bad, pull down your scheduled posts. You don’t want to be "that non-profit" that's posting about a volunteer campaign when the world is all collectively communicating about a current event. For a few reasons, mostly because I was not able to be consistent in my storytelling, the traffic Invisible People generated had taken a slump. By using Meet Edgar (they have nonprofit pricing) and repurposing Invisible People posts, I was able to bring traffic back from 5 million to 10 million impressions a week. I must stop for a second to emphasize the importance of consistent storytelling. If you're not sharing your story and the story of the people you help on a regular basis, you will find it extremely challenging to build a loyal online audience. If you're looking at your digital presence and wondering why you're not getting the desired results, take a look at the consistency of your messaging. Repurposing content can help. It may be an old post or an old video to you, but to someone else - it's brand new. Like with the TV show I wrote about earlier that became a huge success on it's second airing, repurposing content can help you test your messaging and distribution to connect with the right audience at the right time. You can also take an in-person talk and make it into a blog post. Turn a blog post into a video. Turn that video into a keynote speech! Freshen up an old post with an infographic. Be creative! There are endless ways to take something that's old and make it new again to reach a different audience! I’d love to hear your feedback on how repurposing has worked for you and any tips or tricks that you may be able to pass on.

Dion is living in a small tent community near downtown Chicago. To me, it's really shocking that Chicago now has tent cities popping up. I am not sure why I'm shocked since most inner-city streets are now lined with tents. As far as I know, tent cities in Chicago are rather new. I have talked to support workers who are also shocked! Dion was in some kind of housing where he was assigned a payee that controlled his finances. He says they were stealing his money. After rent and basic needs like laundry, Dion says he didn't have enough money left for food and that his payee instructed him to go to food banks. I have heard similar stories of people choosing the streets over living without any disposable income. Dion says they survive by people bringing them food and clothes. He says advocates also visit to help with what they call a "police watch" because they have to deal with police harassment. Dion is well-informed on the issues of homelessness and lack of housing. He says there was housing available for 75 people, but because there are far more than that who need housing, they live on the streets the best they can. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Click here to donate: https://www.crowdrise.com/celebrate-21-years-sober-by-ending-homelessness August 24th, 1995 was my last day homeless. August 24th of this year will be my 21st sober birthday. To be honest, when I walked into Hollywood and Vine Recovery Center all those years ago, getting sober for any length of time was not on my mind. Back then, I was the "worst of the worst" on the streets of Los Angeles. If you had seen me walking down the street towards you, you would have crossed to the other side. It's nothing short of a miracle that I even found a moment of sobriety much less 21 years of being completely clean and sober!  In 2008, after losing everything except my sobriety when the economy crashed, I grabbed a video camera and start to empower homeless people to share their own stories. Today, Invisible People reaches over 10 million people a week. In the last five years, we have reached 1.2 billion people sharing the true story of homelessness.  Most nonprofits share the story of people that have been helped. Invisible People helps share the story of people who still need help. Both are important, but Invisible People is able to humanize and normalize the subject of homelessness and build empathy in the viewer.  It’s easy for homeless people to be an ‘other’. Invisible People makes them real people with real stories. Once people are real, normal and sympathetic, it is easier for the general public to take action in support of ending homelessness.  Our important work cannot continue without your help. For my sober birthday this year I am asking everyone to please donate $21 to help end homelessness. Maybe you can only donate $2. Maybe you can donate $30. Maybe you can help us make our goal of $5,000 in one donation. Please know every and any amount helps to keep Invisible People going and to help end homelessness.  ​ ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Anastasia is 22. She has been on and off the streets since she was 18. Her fiance has been on the streets for about ten years. Anastasia tries to go home, but her mom cannot afford it, and Anastasia says it is just too much. Anastasia is sober. She used to use heroin when she was first on the streets. Her fiance drinks far too much. Anastasia says he is cutting back, but it's hard to detox on the streets. Her fiance is going through Delirium tremens and throwing up every morning. It sounds very serious. He needs some help. Anastasia also said Her fiance goes to the methadone clinic, which is partly why they stay downtown. Anastasia is a vibrant young soul with a wonderful future in front of her. At least that's what I see. That's what I want to see! I made it off the streets of Los Angeles so I know it's possible! Homelessness is also very scary. Lots of things can happen to a young person on the streets. My hope and prayer is that Anastasia and her fiance find the help they need. The odds are against them, but the odds were against me too! ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Brian says life on Skid Row is no different than any other life. On Skid Row good things happen and bad things happen! Brian has lived on Skid Row since 1999. He won a bet that he could stay in a tent for a month and never left. Brian says he doesn't regret one moment of it! Brian survives by fixing bikes for people. In the time I was on the corner visiting with Brian all different types of people stopped by for bike repair. Brian's only wish is that all the homeless people in Skid Row would have somewhere to lay their head. I sure hope that happens soon! Special thanks to Skid Robot [http://skid-robot.com] for introducing me to Brian on Skid Row and Paul from Pauly's Project [http://www.paulysproject.org]. The art you see behind Brian is a collaboration between The Embellisher [https://www.instagram.com/the.embellisher] and Skid Robot. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

I first became aware of Skid Robot from a story in the LA Times [http://lat.ms/1RWHEfx]. Having lived and worked in Echo Park for many years, I was always intrigued by "Birdman", a homeless man who befriended all the pigeons in the area. It blew me away to learn that after many years of homelessness, Birdman asked for help to get off the streets simply because Skid Robot's living art provided much-needed dignity. My last visit Skid Robot and I tried to connect, but it just didn't happen. This trip, not only did we connect, Skid introduced me to his friend Paul, who goes around giving people the gift of music. Learn more about Pauly's Project here http://www.paulysproject.org and you can kind find out more about Skid Robot here http://skid-robot.com. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Michelle was in an abuse relationship for 30 years. She left to Chicago to get away, but without an income, she ended up on the streets homeless. Michelle's granddaughter also left an abusive relationship. They are both homeless. Michelle never thought she would be on the streets panhandling to survive. She says you just never know. It can happen to anybody. _____ This important work cannot continue without YOUR help. Telling each story — reaching out in each city– helping each person we can, takes donations from people who will give what they can to make a difference — will you please help us continue this essential work. Please consider a monthly gift of $10 or a donation of any amount https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate THANK YOU! ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Update: Arien Is No Longer Homeless in Los Angeles https://youtu.be/NW8Tu-ZXgqM Arien is homeless on the streets of Hollywood. She says homelessness is rough. That a lot of people look down on her. That guys proposition her with money to go home with them. She's had soda thrown on her while sleeping. Although graphic, Arien shares the realities of what women have to endure while living on the streets. People yell at her to "sell her pussy" until she can get a job because to them that's better than sleeping on the ground. Arien says she's lucky to wake up without being robbed overnight. Her phone gets getting stolen. Along with not being able to shower, Arien says not having a regular phone makes it hard to find a job. To make matters worse, she says the shelters are even worse than the streets. It's amazing that this young woman can still smile! This important work cannot continue without YOUR help. Telling each story — reaching out in each city– helping each person we can, takes donations from people who will give what they can to make a difference — will you please help us continue this essential work. Please consider a monthly gift of $10 or a donation of any amount https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate THANK YOU! ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Augustine has lived on the streets of Chicago ever since she got out of prison. She says there is no support for people after being released. It's nearly impossible for anyone with a record to get a job so many are left with the choice of homelessness or going back to prison! ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

This is Charlie's first day homeless. Charlie had an apartment on Staten Island, but he lost everything in a fire. The night before Charlie slept in an abandoned building. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

When I asked Shannon about homelessness in San Jose, she responded it is cold and very rough. "People steal from you when you're sleeping" Shannon continued. Bob, her father, goes on to say there is not enough housing. Bob say the only place available to them it the local shelter and it's too crowded. Shannon and her father Bob have been homeless since 1994! I can't even imagine what they must have gone through. I also can't imagine why as a society we have not provided them with the help they need to get out of homelessness. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

The night I met Joseph it was 21 (°F) outside. He has lived outside in Toronto for over ten years now. Joseph said last year he spent the whole winter outside with temperatures as low as -40. He went on to say "it's not like I am doing it on purpose. I have been waiting for a decent place to stay". At one time Joseph was in housing, but the housing was so bad he didn't feel safe and he walked away from it. When I asked Joseph how services can help someone like himself he simply responded by getting him a place to live where he feels safe and doesn't have to fear others. I know some people think that any housing is better than the streets. I also know that most every community has challenges in finding affordable housing and good landlords that will accept housing vouchers. But putting people into situations that are dangerous to a person's health or safety has to stop! WE can do better. We must do better! Special thanks to Ve’ahavta’s Mobile Jewish Response to the Homeless. http://www.veahavta.org/programs/mjrh/ ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

WARNING: This post contains adult language and disturbing content! It's disturbing that anyone has to live on the streets. It's heartbreaking the amount of childhood trauma and abuse that people go through. The lack of mental health support is this country offensive! Bam Bam is a transgender woman homeless on the streets of Sacramento. She is sleeping in the doorway of a church. My heart breaks for her. The years of abuse show in her eyes. Bam Bam was molested by several members of her family. She shares about her mom separating from her father and throwing a mattress in the back of a station wagon for seven people to live. The pain and suffering Bam Bam experienced in life no one should have to go through. Sadly, the suffering continues on the streets of Sacramento. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Just a fun short video with CSH​'s SpeakUp Advocates and Conrad N. Hilton Foundation​ in Sacramento for Housing California​ Conference and Lobby Day 2016. We had some much fun last year making this video https://youtu.be/Ti-VGPexZ7M Ann asked to make one for this year, too! ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Walt is a displaced tech worker living on the streets of San Jose. He worked in the electronic industry for thirty years. Then around ten years ago, his job "went away", and soon after he ended up homeless. Walt claims to be "comfortably homeless." He manages to stay warm. He manages to stay clean. Get gets off the streets into a hotel a few times a month. Although some might think this is OK, homelessness is never a way for people to live. Add to that Walt is a homeless veteran and a senior, he should not be on the streets of Silicon Valley. Walt refuses to accept any kind of public assistance. He believes that type of support should go to women and families who need it. Instead, Walt plays his flute to raise the money he needs. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Terry is a 65 year-old veteran homeless in Austin, Texas. He says Social Security made a mistake and for the last few months his payments stopped. That "blooper" as Terry calls it, caused him to lose his housing and end up on the streets. When I asked Terry how he survives, he responded that if a person goes hungry in Austin there is something wrong. He added that there are plenty of places to eat. Please watch this short video to the end. Terry's three wishes are important and people need to hear them. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

I had just connected with a large group of "travelers" handing out Hanes socks before meeting Jon and Brenda. Travelers are a subculture of the homeless population often known for hopping trains. You’ve seen them hanging out in your city. They almost have a uniform wearing brown clothes and often have dogs and musical instruments. Many are kids that have been "thrown away" by their families and find community traveling with others. I used to think no one wants to be homeless, and that is the truth for the vast majority of people sleeping outside. Even the ones who tell you that want to be homeless, at one time tried to get out of homelessness, but after hitting so many barriers, they just give up. It's called "learned helplessness." But now, after meeting a few people like Jon and Brenda, I have changed. There are a few people that want to live a nomadic lifestyle. Jon and Brenda are a married couple that travels by choice. They normally go up and down California, but this time, they decided to head east a little and visit Austin during SXSW. They start by telling a story of joining up with a group of hippies. A fun moment is when we chat a little about what's the difference between a hippie and a traveler. You'll have to watch for the answer. While passing through San Antonio, police picked them up and placed them in detox for smoking marijuana. That's insane! I love that their three wishes were so simple, but that's the traveling lifestyle. Jon and Brenda are great kids. I wish them safe travels on all of their journeys. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Patrick has been homeless in Austin for seven years. He likes to stand out on 6th Street and make people smile. Patrick says it's cold and it's wet, but he calls himself an old country boy and he makes the best of it. While I was recording this, a waitress from one of the clubs came outside to see what I was up to. She told me Patrick is a good person. She sees him helping people every day. She said he's helped her a few times. Patrick was panhandling. Once he got a few dollars, he went to a store and bought himself a sandwich. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

David has been on the streets of New York City for about a year. After his girlfriend had died in his arms, David ended up in a psychiatric hospital, and his landlord evicted him because of it. This is not David's first time homeless. He says the reason is he is in and out of prison. Having a criminal record makes it extremely hard to find employment, and there is little support anymore for people reentering society. David is working with the city hoping to get his housing back. Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

June, 2017 - I happened to connect with Jennifer again. Here is an update to Jennifer's video https://youtu.be/1LfksBE2l18 Jennifer is a young woman in a wheelchair and homeless in Toronto. Watching Jennifer's video, I get emotional - and then I get mad. Jennifer has spent much of her young life on the streets. In her teens, she spent six years outside. This is now the second winter outside since Jennifer has had a wheelchair. Homelessness is hard. Now imagine being disabled and most homeless services are not wheelchair user accessible. Jennifer can get into the lobby of the nearest shelter, but after that the stairs prevent her from further access. Please take a few moments and watch Jennifer say her three wishes at the end, and then please share this video with everyone you know. Stories like Jennifers need to be seen and never forgotten. Special thanks to Ve'ahavta's Mobile Jewish Response to the Homeless [http://www.veahavta.org/programs/mjrh/] ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Ron is a disabled Vietnam veteran homeless in Boston. This time, he has been without a home for five months. Ron was in transitional housing, but he says they were not helping and only taking his money. Ron says he's living moment to moment while hoping for the best, yet he says that never happens. Ron's story breaks my heart. No one should have to live on the streets homeless, and especially not the men and women who bravely served our country. It's interesting that cities around the U.S. are claiming they have put an end to veteran homelessness, and there has been a lot of progress, but the real truth is many veterans are still without a home and we still have a lot of work to do. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

It was not hard to notice Alexander was living homeless in Boston. He was carrying most everything he owned on his back. Before I started the camera, I asked Alexander how long he was on the streets. He responded: "seven years as a woman, and now two years as a man". What I didn't see from a distance is Alexander is a transgender male. Alexander's story is important because homelessness is a critical issue for transgender people, with one in five having experienced homelessness at some time in their lives because of discrimination and family rejection. To me, Alexander's story is heartbreaking, and I so admire his courage to be so open. Because Alexander is still in transition going from a woman to a man, homeless shelters will not provide services, leaving his only choice to be sleeping outside. Also, he is caught in the housing bureaucracy madness. Alexander has been on a housing waiting list since 2012! This interview is a little longer than most, but it's an important conversation, and I hope you'll watch to the end. Alexander has been caught in a perpetual cycle of frustration for eight and a half years now, and he says if it continues for another eight years it will be "twenty years waiting to be housed. Twenty years waiting to be me, and twenty years at the same income level". *For more please visit: Transgender Homelessness and My Visit with TRANS: THRIVE http://invisiblepeople.tv/blog/2012/04/transgender-homelessness-and-my-visit-with-trans-thrive/ ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

* this is a 360 video and will only play correctly in Chrome or in YouTube app. Heather has cancer. When she found out she started to use drugs and quickly became addicted to crack cocaine. Soon afterward she lost her children and the apartment they were living in. Heather currently is in a rehab program and has some sobriety, but it is really hard to stay sober while experiencing homelessness. Mark is 39 and has lived on the streets off and on since he was 10 years-old. He is disabled and can't work. While we were talking I could see he was shaking from the cold. No one should be living outside, especially in cold weather. Together they panhandle to get a hotel room each night. But not for them. Heather will do whatever it takes to get her dog "Lucky" inside. Heather shares about criminalization, which is growing in U.S. and Canada. She explains how they get tickets for being homelessness and do not have the money to pay the fines. Ironically few years ago I met Billy just a few blocks away who shared a similar story http://invisiblepeople.tv/blog/2011/09/billy-homeless-panhandling-toronto-canada/ ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Jessica was panhandling near downtown Boston. If she hadn't approached me and asked for money, I would have never known she was homeless. The night before Jessica washed her hair in a bus station bathroom. Jessica says she had five years sober, but then she lost her job and started to drink and use again. She eventually ended back out on the streets. Jessica explains trying to stay sober while experiencing homelessness is difficult, but she is trying! ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Joseph has a different story to tell, but sadly it's a story that is becoming far too common. Joseph's life was destroyed from smoking what's known as Spice, K2, fake weed, Yucatan Fire, Moon Rocks, and Skunk. Joseph lives in a tent near Los Angeles's Skid Row district. Joseph says Spice is his drug of choice and that he doesn't use any other drugs. He goes on to say Spice is a drug no one can handle. A recent Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) report revealed that emergency department visits resulting from synthetic marijuana more than doubled in just one year. Not for Human Consumption: Spice and Bath Salts The herb is often marketed as herbal incense and potpourri and labeled “not for human consumption,” making it legal to sell and for minors to purchase the drug. Manufacturers sometimes include “organic” in the product name to give the appearance of a natural product that does not harm health. Similar to how cigarettes were once marketed, Spice packaging often features cartoons and images appealing to the 12 to 18 age group, and the product can easily be purchased online, or in convenience stores or head shops. What makes Spice so dangerous? Spice (synthetic cannabinoid) is a designer drug that is made with analogs or a chemical structure similar to commonly used illicit drugs. The composition of these products changes constantly, as manufacturers create new variations to remain under the radar. The manmade chemicals are typically sprayed on a plant or herb (not marijuana) that is most commonly smoked, and mimics the effects of the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. Because it is marked as “not for human consumption,” the intended use is masked and it is not subject to any quality control in manufacturing procedures or oversight that would be applied to other drugs. Because there is no oversight of the product or its production, what makes its way into the hands of teens may contain substances that can have serious health consequences. With no warning labels, young people are not aware that using these products can be harmful or even deadly. A year had passed since I visited Los Angeles. Not just homelessness, but the condition of people living in the streets has become progressively worse in that time. I believe Spice may have played a big role in the human deterioration. While walking Skid Row I saw dealers sitting openly in public with a box of Spice in their lap rolling joints to sell for $1. Sadly, I am seeing the destruction of Spice in every community I visit. I am glad Joseph had the courage to be honest in this interview. We need to do something about the Spice epidemic growing in in our country. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Douglas is a disabled veteran living on the streets of Hollywood. He sleeps on the sidewalk every night. Douglas says wherever he lays his head is home. There is a big push in this country to end veteran homelessness, and there should be. Douglas is disabled and confined to a wheelchair. He is missing one leg. Clearly there is something wrong if Douglas is calling a sidewalk home. Service providers have offered Douglas a bed in a shelter, but he finds the streets to be safer. During my Los Angeles trip, I ran into a few people who should not be homeless on Hollywood Blvd, and they were also only offered shelter, yet returned to the streets. I know the folks in Hollywood working to end homelessness and they are giving their all, but obviously, they are not being provided the tools or housing needed to help these people. All of the folks I met received disability income and qualify for housing, but of course, there has to be housing available. Douglas says he loves our country, but he feels our government sucks. Knowing Douglas slept outside the night of this interview, I have to agree with him. What do you think? ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

This year's Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness Conference was held in Montreal. As I always do when traveling, I grabbed some socks and took to the streets. I happened to be walking through Montreal's China Town and noticed a few aboriginal men sitting next to a pile of cardboard. I offered some new socks and instant friendships were made. Mark and another aboriginal man named Donald insisted I follow them to a local aboriginal shelter close by. Both men were so nice I followed, but being honest, I do admit having second thoughts when going down a dark ally in a strange city. The experience was wonderful. I was able to hook up a bunch of folks with new socks, and the staff of the shelter invited me inside for a tour. After traveling to 24 cities in Canada in 2011, I genuinely love and respect the aboriginal culture. Mark says he has been homeless off and on for 40 years now. He shares about how putting cardboard on the ground keep the cold from getting in your bones. Mark seems like he is down on life. Homelessness is far from easy. Like many people on the streets, Mark is trying to forget past abuse and his current situation by drinking. Although negative in this interview I found Mark to be an extremely kind and helpful person. I cannot imagine the pain he has gone through, which is probably why he only wished to have is life back. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Super grateful that Robyn Andrews made this happen. This video is from a Periscope live feed. The quality is not the best, but the content is beyond awesome. Iain De Jong hits it out of the park a few times. If I had known this was going to be so amazing I would have taped it, but being honest, this is the first time Iain and I have shared a stage and I was a weeeee bit concerned about having a permanent record of our conversation. I was wrong. Very wrong. This is kind of a long video, but it gets better as it goes on. In case you don't have the time or desire to watch the whole thing, here is a 3 minute clip where Iain drops the mic: What's Wrong (with Homeless Services) and How Do We Fix It! https://youtu.be/b3fXXz7uzj0 Again - huge thanks to Robyn Andrews and Florida Institute on Homelessness & Supportive Housing Conference. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

This is a short clip from Q&A session with Iain De Jong and myself at Florida Institute on Homelessness & Supportive Housing Conference. I agree with Iain De Jong so much so I felt what he says in this short clip needs to be amplified. The rest of the Q&A I'll post ASAP. Iain De Jong can be reached at @OrgCode http://www.orgcode.com Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Victor is homeless in Chicago. He says panhandling is the better of other options to survive homelessness. To Victor, a person has to be strong to panhandle. Victor shows us the scar he has from someone stabbing him while sleeping on a train. Many people feel safer and are able to get out of bad weather by sleeping on public transportation. Victor lived with his brother until his brother passed away from a heart attack. He then tired living in shelters, but found he felt safer on the streets. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

I was working as an outreach case manager when Glendale Police called about a homeless man they found in an abandoned building. Upon arrival I found a scared older man huddled in a corner in the worst possible condition a human being can be. I took Lanny back to our facility and offered him a shower and some clean clothes. Over the next few years Lanny and I became close friends. I would look for him almost every day when I was working outreach, and when I was traveling with Invisible People, Lanny would inquire with my co-workers asking for information about my return. I committed to getting Lanny off the streets. It took 3 and a half years to get him into housing, but once he had his own place that provided personal dignity, the transformation for the better was immediate. This video on Housing First helps share that part of the story http://invisiblepeople.tv/housingfirst Lanny passed away this week. Last time I hung out with Lanny was last January. I stopped by his apartment and took him to dinner. Although I am saddened by Lanny's death, I know he had a good life in his very own apartment the last few years. Lanny is proof we can end homelessness. There are a lot more Lanny's still on the street. We MUST do everything we can to end homelessness for EVERYONE! Lanny changed my life in ways. I am grateful for the bond we developed. Lanny will be missed. Good-bye Lanny. I love you! Mark _ ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Arthur is a Vietnam era veteran who lives in the woods near Ithaca, New York. A relationship gone bad and the high cost of housing left him no choice but to make a home outside. Something as simple as making a cup of coffee in the morning takes Arthur 45 minutes. Think about that for a moment. Would you wait in line at Starbucks even 15 minutes for a Caramel Macchiato? It really hit me when I was helping Arthur work his cart down the trail. While Arthur pushed I had to lift up the front so the wheels wouldn't dig into where the trail was soft. It was challenging to say the least, and I could not stop thinking that he makes this journey several times a day every single day! President Obama has mandated that we will end veteran homelessness by the end of this year. That's a very good thing. Many communities are claiming that they have ended veteran homelessness. I really want to believe them, but the real truth is there are many still experiencing homelessness and soldiers from Middle East hitting the streets every day. There has been noticeable progress, but stories like Arthur's only prove we will need to do more! ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Shelly is homeless in Hollywood, but she refers to herself as a "canner that sleeps outside". Shelly survives by recycling cans. She says it's just a band-aide until the economy gets better. Thing is, Shelly has been doing this for far too long, and the longer someone is on the street, the harder it is to transition back into a normal life. Shelly has done a lot of traveling looking for work. At the time of this interview, she was sleeping in an ally. Shelly uses cardboard to sleep on. She says Amazon must be doing really well because she find so many boxes with the Amazon logo. I have sat here for a bit looking at Shelly's photo. I can't image what she goes through on the streets of Los Angeles just to survive. Although she exudes a smile, that small layer of happiness is covering years of pain. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Carroll is one of the nicest people I have ever met. He made me feel so good just by having a simple conversation with him. A trait I wish more people would put into practice. Carroll is homeless in Washington, DC. This is not the first time he has lived in the streets. He says this time, he was placed into housing that was not safe so he decided just get up and leave. Carroll says he was so desperate he would have taken any kind of housing. Carroll is a man of faith. He relies on God to help him make it through the day. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Click here: https://www.crowdrise.com/sober20years This August 24th I will have 20 years sober. It's nothing short of a miracle that I have even 1 day sober - much less coming up on 20 years. I was one of the "worst of the worst" drug addicts you will ever find. But...I am also proof that when given a chance people's lives can and will change for the better. To help celebrate my 20th sober birthday I am asking everyone to please help Invisible People fight homelessness by donating $20. If just 500 people give $20 we will raise our goal of $10,000. I know that's not an awful lot, but Invisible People continues to do a lot with a little. Our impact is directly proportionate to the support we raise. PLEASE READ THIS NEXT PARAGRAPH: "The stereotypes of people living in poverty throughout the United States are among the most negative prejudices that we have. And people basically view particularly homeless people as having no redeeming qualities” ~ Susan Fiske, Professor of Psychology. Princeton University Invisible People's work is important! I strongly believe that if the general public viewed our homeless neighbors as being the real people that they are, there wouldn't be such humiliation and violence against people experiencing homelessness! Awareness and education on homelessness can change that, and your support in funding Invisible People is breaking wrong stereotypes and changing how tens of millions of lives view homeless individuals. DID YOU KNOW that Invisible People is one of the only national awareness and educational campaign on homelessness? Just turn on the TV and you'll see anti-smoking ads, don't text and drive videos are all over the internet, and causes from the need to recycle to global warming are everywhere we look, and they should be. But except for Invisible People, there are zero campaigns teaching the general public about homelessness. Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

The first thing you notice about Lee Lee and William is how nice they are. We met while I was visiting Tent City 3 in Seattle. The first day I visited Lee Lee was working security and gave me a tour of the camp. Lee Lee and William were living in a low income apartment when the rent assistance stopped and they could no longer afford a place to live. If it wasn't for Tent City 3 they literally would still be sleeping on the streets. Here is a link to HuffPo on Tent City 3: Using Tent Cities to Fill a Gap in Services http://huff.to/1H3IXoV ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

When I landed in Seattle last month, I received an email from Daniel Malone, who at the time was Deputy Director of DESC and is now Executive Director. In the email, Daniel asked me what I wanted to see during my visit. While still on the plane typing with my thumbs I responded "wet housing", but as soon as I hit send I felt a little uncomfortable that I used that term. I quickly followed up with another email requesting to see their "low barrier services". I am not sure why I corrected myself; it was probably out of my own insecurity trying to sound more professional. "We don't use the term 'wet housing.' We use the term 'housing', because in housing people get to do what they want to do." ~ Daniel Malone As many of you know I love and support the harm reduction model and strongly believe the United States needs to add more harm reduction solutions if we are ever going to end homelessness. Over the year's you've heard me use the term "wet housing" to reference services that allow alcohol. At the same time you've also heard me scream real loud that we need to provide people with dignity, and that the housing first model (when done right), is by far the best solution to get people out of homelessness. When Daniel Malone said to me: "We don't use the term 'wet housing.' We use the term 'housing', because in housing people get to do what they want to do." something just clicked it made so much sense! Harm reduction saves lives and saves taxpayer money! I understand some of you have issues with harm reduction. Keep in mind that this morning you (hopefully) brushed your teeth - that's harm reduction. Using seat belts in a car is harm reduction. Harm reduction simply put is a strategy to present negative consequences. In the housing first model, and what I love so much about DESC's view, it's about allowing people to be people! The most expensive solution to end homelessness is criminalization, and it doesn't actually end homelessness. If you support criminalization, you might as well just give the government your access to your bank account for easy withdrawal. For example, New York City's average annual cost per inmate in 2012 was $167,731. The second most expensive is just leaving people on the streets. As Daniel shares in the video below, people experiencing homelessness often go through a lot of crises that can increase the cost of public services. University of Washington's research showed year over year savings to the community was $4 million. Here is a link to DESC's research page http://desc.org/research.html My friend Bevan Dufty says that the housing and harm reduction model at DESC should be replicated in every city in America. I have to agree. But don't take my word for it, check out the research, and if you can - go visit to see for yourself! ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Los Angeles Times reported transient encampments and car camping grew 85% countywide in the last two years. This week the Los Angeles City Council voted to make it easier for authorities to clean up homeless camps, but Seattle has found another solution by embracing tent communities. With the lack of affordable housing continuing to be a crisis along with the growing amount of people who cannot find employment with a livable wage, tent encampments are increasing across America. There is no community rural or urban that is immune from homelessness and tent encampments. Directly and indirectly tent cities effect you! Over the last few years I have visited several tent communities. Most are just a group of people who have come together for social and survival needs. Occasionally a tent encampment will grow, and if there is the right leadership, the group can evolve into well-organized community. My first experience was when I visited Seattle’s Nickelsville back in 2009, and being an old hippie at heart, I fell in love the self-governed tent community model. I have visited Nickelsville a few times over the years. Dignity Village in Portland is another wonderful community. In the feature film @home, the film makers follow me into Ann Arbor’s “Camp Take Notice”, but sadly, the community no longer exists. This video is of my visit to Tent City 3 in Seattle last year. Seattle is the one city that I am aware of that embraces tent communities and incorporates the model into their homeless services. Although tent encampments are not the best solution, when housing and shelter beds are not available, adding tent cities to the continuum is a smart move. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Carolyn and her sister Linda [ http://bit.ly/1JDhycn] live on Hollywood Blvd. They became homeless because they cannot afford the high cost of rent in Los Angeles. The two sisters are sleeping in a store front. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Association of Gospel Rescue Missions asked me to ride along with Seattle's UGM Search and Rescue and produce a quick video to be played before a keynote. Franks story is so powerful, given the time and resources I would have loved to produce a testimony package, but it is what it is and I thought I'd share with you all. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Walking down Hollywood Blvd I noticed two homeless women sitting on a bench across the street. It looked as though they had been sitting there for some time because of all the "stuff" they had with them. Maybe they were even living there. Linda and her sister became homeless because they don't have enough money to pay for rent. Linda gets social security but says it's not enough. KPCC produced a story recently claiming LA residents need to make $33 an hour to afford the average apartment [http://www.scpr.org/blogs/economy/2015/01/15/17806/la-residents-need-to-make-34-an-hour-to-afford-ave/] It's amazing that Linda can keep a smile on her face. She and her sister live literally on Hollywood Blvd, and I can tell you first hand the streets of Los Angeles are no place to be! ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Empowering homeless people and those who were formerly homeless by sharing their individual stories encompasses the majority of the work I do through Invisible People. This type of work is critical primarily because people who are currently experiencing or have experienced homelessness are grossly underrepresented at every level from social services to political policy. So, when Hilton Foundation asked me to meet with the Corporation of Supportive Housing Community Advocates and help amplify their story, to say I was excited would be an understatement. This was an extraordinary opportunity to provide representation to those who typically don’t have a voice. From the initial meetings it seemed like an awesome project, but little did I know how truly incredible the CSH's Community Advocates program is. I don’t think anyone knew what to expect from our first in-person meeting as oftentimes there can be some stress from allowing a story to happen organically. That was not the case here. I walked into a room of a few formerly homeless people and a facilitator working on developing a program to help case managers. Immediately everything flowed as if it was all meant to be. I had never heard of such a thing as formerly homeless people helping to train case managers, but it makes so much sense. Programs like this should be much more common. We produced a few short Instagram videos that you can watch here: https://instagram.com/csh_innovate. The next day I met with a different group of advocates, and again this group of formerly homeless people embraced my presence with kindness. In a few days, I would be joining most of these new friends during a trip to Sacramento, so we took a little time to get to know each other. Everyone had such compelling stories. One woman shared about living with schizophrenia and surviving homelessness, and it was so powerful, I used my phone and uploaded to YouTube immediately: https://youtu.be/b1Eagwfm5Qc The following Monday, I met a small group of CSH's Community Activists at LAX at 5:00am to fly to Sacramento. I bring this up to provide a glimpse “behind the scenes”: some of the very best moments of this journey was witnessing how this project gave formerly homeless people a purpose. This small group of individuals, now in supportive housing, were overjoyed by simply being on a shared-ride driving through downtown Sacramento. I'm sure speaking to state legislators was an experience they'll never forget, but the whole CSH Community Advocate program provides them all with something to look forward to and to be excited about. Having a purpose in life can never be overstated. People need to have a reason to get up in the morning. When someone goes from the streets to housing, it's often a very scary experience. Obviously, the advocacy aspect of a “lived-experience” peer support program is invaluable, but equally important is the worth and boost in self-esteem such programs give to the people involved. Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

“How can you rebuild a life you’ve never had” ~ Mike Mike has been on the streets since he was 13 years-old. The powerful quote from Mike validates why we need to focus on ending street homelessness and youth homelessness at the same time, and not just one or the other. The night before we met, someone stole his backpack with everything he had for his dog. This is a very powerful video. Mike talks about how people judge him for being homeless, and then judge that he can't take care of his dog. Honestly, most of the general population care more about pets then to do homeless people. Time and time again I've seen people literally freak out over a homeless dog completely ignoring the homeless person. Mike also shares about how lines outside a store are celebrated, yet homeless people just cannot sit on a sidewalk. Listen to Mike's second wish. It's very powerful! ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

I was blown away when Vikki told us her story today. She stated by saying "I have schizophrenia" and when on to share about the nearly 5 years she lived homeless in Santa Monica. Vikki is a CSH Community Advocate! ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Every now and then when I walk down Hollywood Blvd I run into someone who remembers me when I was homeless on the streets of Hollywood. Before I could say more than a few words to Sebastian, he recognized me as "Lizard Man", which was a name street folks and LAPD gave me for selling photos of my iguana to tourists in front of the Chinese Theater. I was homeless in 1995, so Sebastian has been on the streets for 20 years or so. Sebastian says it get's cold and rains and ya get wet, but right when you think you're falling apart at the seems someone comes along and makes your day better. I actually went and bought a hat for Sebastian immediately after this interview. Sebastian says when you don't make enough money for rent a person has to do what they can to survive. Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Shaun has lived on the streets of Philadelphia for 6 months now. When he first became homeless it was warm outside. The day of this interview it was deadly cold, yet Shaun is sleeping in a doorway laying on cardboard. Special thanks to Charlie https://www.flickr.com/photos/7204187@N03/ ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

The day we met Daniel on the streets of Philadelphia, the weather was freezing cold. The night before Daniel slept in an emergency shelter, but normally he sleeps outside in a doorway. Panhandling is a horrible and dehumanizing experience. Daniel has been spit on. People have thrown stuff at him, swear at him and kick his cup down the street. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

John is sleeping outside in Philadelphia. He tried shelters, but someone stabbed John trying to steal his boots, so he feels safer sleeping on the streets, even though the overnight wind chill is reported to be a deadly -11° or worse. John had a great job in the telecommunications industry fixing police and fire communication systems. He fell on the job, which resulted in serious injuries. John was in a coma for some time, and he claims his homelessness is a result of insurance industry abuse. Clearly, John is disabled, yet has not been approved for disability benefits. John is vulnerable, and he should not be on the streets - period! Moments before we met John, a woman spit on him simply because John asked her for a cigarette. Like most urban centers anymore, downtown Philadelphia is filled with large groups of homeless people nestled up alongside fancy restaurants, pricey shopping, and executive offices. This mixture of two extremely different socioeconomic classes can be volatile at times. I don't agree with this woman's actions, but something in the past, aggressive panhandling or an intoxicated homeless person verbally assaulting her could have influenced such awful behaviors. We must get people experiencing homelessness the help they need, and we need more funding for educational and awareness campaigns to change public perceptions about homelessness. #Philadelphia #homeless #homelessness ================================== Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness. This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you. However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

Panel discussion during Ketchum's Respect The Internet one day conference in 2011. On the panel Marty Cooke, Kristen Engberg and Mark Horvath. Moderated by Ben Foster. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Cynthia is going to school. She has a job. But what Cynthia doesn't have, is a home. At only 19 years old, Cynthia has been couch surfing for the last three years. Her mom and dad just got up and left, which is sadly very common. I have heard several stories of parents leaving without telling their children. Cynthia shares about the stress of never knowing when a family member will say it's time to leave. She says it's happened to her in the middle of the night. Cynthia is also a very brave young woman. Today she spoke at a meeting for congressional staffers about the need to support the Homeless Children Youth Act. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

When I worked as an outreach case manager in Los Angeles nothing was more heartbreaking than when I would have to turn a homeless family away because U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development didn't feel the family was "homeless enough". Denying services to homeless families and unaccompanied homeless children and youth happens because HUD doesn't count them as actually being homeless. I literally have had to tell numerous families that paid for a hotel room the night before, they need to sleep in their car with their children or sleep outside on the ground before we can help them. HUD's definition of homelessness does not include families living in weekly rate hotels or doubling up, nor does it include unaccompanied adults, children or youth who are living couch to couch. Often the condition of low-end hotels are unfit for kids. Today I listened as Stephenie Van Housen, a school liaison from Iowa City, talked about the hotel where most of their families are staying. She said the hotel is also home to seven registered sex offenders because offenders don't have any place else to live. This last year the hotel received 407 police calls. In HUD's 2013 point-in-time survey, HUD counted 222,197 households that included at least one child as homeless. However, data from the Department of Education show that more than 1.2 million children nationwide are homeless. I would bet younger siblings who have not enrolled in school are under-represented in the data, so the number homeless children is much higher. Basically, our government is saying over 900,000 homeless kids do not exist! Sadly, we are seeing a drastic increase in school-aged children who are experiencing homelessness. But without being able to access federal services, families cannot get the support they need to get out of their horrible situations. Due to the narrow HUD definition, only one in 10 homeless children in California is eligible for federal housing programs. Ohio reported 23,748 children experienced homelessness last year, while HUD counted only 4,714 households that includes at least one child as homeless. Only one in five homeless children in Ohio is eligible for federal housing programs. That's just unacceptable! WE CAN CHANGE THAT! “No child should ever be without a home, let alone be forced to navigate bureaucratic red tape just to prove that they are actually homeless” ~ Rep. Steve Stivers The Homeless Children and Youth Act has been re-introduced in the Senate by Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Rob Portman (R-Ohio) and in the House by Rep. Steve Stivers (R-OH) and Rep. Dave Loebsack (D-IA). The bill will expand the definition of homelessness used by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The change would allow more than 1 million homeless children and families nationwide to access federal housing assistance programs. We have an opportunity to help homeless families and homeless children in a tremendous way, and your involvement will make a world of difference. Contact your U.S. Senator and U.S. Representatives and ask them to support the Homeless Children and Youth Act. You can find more information including a link to take action on http://helphomelesskidsnow.org. I cannot stress how important this is and how much we need you to take action. Please share this post with all of your network and let’s help over 900,000 homeless kids become visible! ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Founder of Invisible People captures stories of the homeless for social change, using only social media and iPhone. Mark Horvath refers to himself as “Invisible People Founder, Chief Evangelistic Officer, Do-Gooder and Loud Mouth”. Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. A former Hollywood producer, Mark took to the streets to give the homeless a voice, after becoming homeless himself. Mark was a featured panelist at a UCLA presentation on Transmedia Storytelling for Good on September 23, 2013. He is an inspiring, dynamic, and larger-than-life character who interviews homeless people and captures them on video. He likes to ask: What would your three wishes be? If he gets into an interesting conversation with someone online, he invites them to coffee to build the conversation and develop some trust before asking permission to film them. He says that photo releases don’t help build relationships. After he meets with people, he gives them a business card and promises them that at any point if they want their video removed, he will remove it. Mark captured such a compelling interview with a homeless woman in Great Britain (where she explains that she can’t find work because of homeless-related medical condition but she doesn’t qualify for assistance because she isn’t pregnant and so forth) that attracted so many viewers that it ultimately led to a revamping of British homeless policy. He says that when he walks the streets, real homeless people will take his socks, gladly. According to Mark, we over-think stuff when it comes to capturing stories on film; that we think we need special equipment to do the job. He launched his successful campaign with $45, a laptop and an iphone. “Just do it.,” he says. He calls this kind of work “life casting” or “reality twittering” and believes that authenticity replaces production values. Tumblr syncs to Twitter and Facebook, and so on. That is the concept behind Transmedia storytelling. He uses Instagram to link to all the other social media platforms. He says to post where your people use the media. He thinks that social media will turn into cable TV and suggests purchasing all possible user names as soon as possible. His website allows homeless people to post comments and have a voice. For more information, see: http://invisiblepeople.tv/blog/ – This link has clips of his interviews with homeless people. To see some of his other blog posts, go to http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mark-horvath/. Transmedia Storytelling for Good, was an innovative panel presentation at UCLA on 9/23/13 that demonstrated ways to promote health, create social change, and educate through storytelling via multiple social media channels. The event was sponsored by the UCLA Department of Community Health Sciences and MPH for Health Professionals Program, UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, Weinreich Communications, and Transmedia for Good SoCal29. From: http://uclartsandhealing.wordpress.com/2013/10/23/founder-of-invisible-people-captures-stories-of-the-homeless-for-social-change-using-only-social-media-and-iphone/ Natasha's video: http://invisiblepeople.tv/blog/2012/07/natasha-homeless-youth-london-england/ ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Bonny is homeless in Chicago. The night before he slept on the train. He says sleeping on the train is safer than sleeping outside. He has been doing this for 4 years! Every morning he tried to get day labor work. If get's a gig he can get into a hotel for the night. If he doesn't, he panhandles for food and train fare ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Michael had a breakdown. He is an alcoholic and used to do drugs. The effects were devastating. His family didn't want him around, and he ended up living in a tent near Columbus, Ohio. A few times in Michael's life seemed almost normal. He's held a few jobs and even fathered a daughter, but the booze kept bringing him down to the streets. I could feel Michael's pain. I hope his last wish comes true. .________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

I first visited Insite in summer of 2011. At the time, I didn't know what I was walking into. I never heard of a "supervised injection facility" before, which is how most people describe Insite. I think Insite is much more than that because Insite loves on everyone right where they are at to help save their life! One of the most common phrases homeless services nonprofits or faith based ministries say is: "we build relationships", and many do just that, but often there is a catch or an agenda that at the relationship's foundation - the person is expected to change in some way! I find Insite to be about unconditional love. Insite does provide detox and recovery services, but they are simply being present with people at often the worst time of their lives. You have to understand that the people who walk into the front door of Insite are some of the most amazing people in the world who just happen to be at the lowest point in life a human being can exist. Most everyone who uses Insite's services would not be allowed or accepted at other services or ministries. You must also understand that the Downtown Eastside (DTES) of Vancouver is one of the poorest communities in Canada. Los Angele's Skid Row district is only area that compares in North America, yet for some reason DTES seems to mess me up more. Seeing people living outside in the cold and rain always wrecks me. DTES was in a crisis. HIV and HepC rates along with related deaths were skyrocketing. People were literally fixing their needles out of urine puddles. Something had to be done! The results are dramatic. From Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insite A 2008 cost-benefit analysis of the site in the Canadian Medical Association Journal observed net-savings of $18 million and an increase of 1175 life-years over ten years. Another cost-benefit analysis published in the International Journal of Drug Policy in 2010 determined that the site prevents 35 cases of HIV and about 3 deaths per year, indicating a yearly net-societal benefit of more than $6 million. A 2011 study in The Lancet found overdose deaths have dropped 35% in the Insite area since it opened, much more than 9% drop elsewhere in Vancouver. An editorial in the Canadian Medical Association Journal noted that after three years of research "a remarkable consensus that the facility reduces harm to users and the public developed among scientists, criminologists, and even the Vancouver Police Department." During my first visit I was not able to record an video interview at Insite, so for the last few years I have been rehearsing in my mind how perfect the video would be if I ever get a second chance. It would be in a perfect location. Perfect lights and audio. It would be with the perfect person - maybe a doctor or a nurse wearing a lab coat. Just perfect in every way. But life is not perfect, and as I thought about it - that's why Insite exists. So although this interview is in an awkward location and Darwin is not dressed as a medical professional - it actually is a perfect video because what Darwin talks about you need to hear! Please watch and share this important video interview with Darwin Fisher, who is now at the top of my hero list. Not everyone can be present with the most vulnerable, but Darwin does so with grace and love. In this video we talk about Insite's flat management style, which I wish more nonprofits would adopt. At one point just before this video, a nurse saw me and put me to work. A moment I will cherish and it showed me first hand how Insite operates. We also talk about the importance not having a bunch of dumb protocols that end up being road blocks in getting people the support they need. For my faith based friends that may have a problem with this please read/watch: Why I help addicts shoot up: Interview w/ Meera Bai, Christian nurse & harm reduction advocate https://invisiblepeople.tv/why-i-help-addicts-shoot-up-interview-with-meera-bai-christian-nurse-harm-reduction-advocate/ ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

When I started out walking today in the Vancouver rain, I didn't think I would run into anyone sleeping rough. Normally people experiencing homelessness get out from the wet and stay inside at mall locations or fast food restaurant. Tony grew up far north of Vancouver and says this weather is not that bad here. To me, homelessness is horrible no matter the climate, yet I can't fathom surviving out in this cold. Tony was inside a building complex that didn't have electricity or water. The place was what Tony and another man told me worse than homelessness. Tony's three wishes: good music all of the time, happiness and laughter. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Recently I was honored to be flown to the Netherlands to present at the 2014 International Fundraising Congress. As part of my honorarium I asked for two nights hotel in Amsterdam. As I normally do on most speaking trips, I fill my luggage with Hanes socks and plan on spending some time on the streets meeting new homeless friends. What happened this trip still blows my mind. Over the last few years I have interacted with Luc Tanja several times. Luc is a street pastor in Amsterdam and we mostly connect when I am in the UK and on the same time zone. It wasn't until the first night in Netherlands that I truly understood what @Straatvogels was, and how I - and then even YOU are connected to the project. A few years back I started We Are Visible, which at the time was built to empower homeless people to get online. You can find the original website here: http://old.wearevisible.com. The strategy of empowerment has changed to a peer network, but the basic theory that the more we can give people in poverty a voice, the more we will affect real change and the more they will be able to better their own lives. Around three years ago a few interns from creative agency BBH, inspired by my We Are Visible work, gave four homeless people staying at the New York City Rescue Mission cell phones and twitter accounts. The project was called "Underheard in New York" and was simply brilliant. The project received a lot of media in a very short period of time and one gentleman was even reunited with his daughter. Where this project could have done further is continue support for the homeless men, but as I have said publicly, BBH is an agency - they are not support services. Their job was to make a splash of attention, and they did that good. Although I would have loved to see more being done on this project, BBH was probably not able to provide more! My hope was and always has been that homeless services would see how impactful social media is and how social media can help with support, isolation and other challenges street people face. Well, Luc Tanja was paying attention and he did see the benefit of social media and started @Straatvogels [translation: street birds]. The project is now in four Netherlands cities and they're growing. Luc states what is interesting is that each group of @Straatvogels is different and the movement is happening organically. @Straatvogels not only is a direct-contact awareness campaign, it gives our friends sleeping rough a purpose and tangible social interactions. It's also not a huge budget campaign and even the smallest nonprofit could start empowering homeless people with mobile tech and social media. I love this short video interview with Luc. Luc shares about how a school girl interacted with one of (our cameraman) Peter's (@PeterStr_vogel) tweets showing where he was sleeping rough after a rain. NONPROFITS LISTEN UP: Luc goes on to talk about how empowering consumer's voices can be scary. He goes on to say "it is scary because they have strange voices and they give a lot of critique. They have a lot of critique and if you do something wrong they'll put it right in your face. If you do something right they'll put it right in your face too. But if you trust you are doing a good job, then why not let people show it" As someone who has been in nonprofit communications for some time, and I am seeing this more everyday, there is a lot of good and bad being said about every single topic. If someone likes your work there will be someone who doesn't. That's how it is anymore! My point is don't freak out if there is something bad written or said about you. Critique is good. Maybe there is some merit to what's being said, and you need to make adjustments, and if there isn't - just ignore it! But don't above anything else stop empowering your staff, volunteers and clients from talking about you! That's the only marketing that works anymore! Luc goes on in this interview how both he and Peter would publicly disagree online. Some people would agree with Luc and some with Peter, but in the end they are still friends and still working together to help others. As Luc says, "if you know you are doing good - have confidence in that". ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Last year at SXSW I was put on the spot to talk about cause video. Off the top of my head I started to talk about how we'll soon have to give people something more than video because video will be everywhere, as it is now. I went on to say we'll have to give people experiences and started to talk about virtual reality, which is something I don't know much about. My friend Dan Pacheco, Chair & Professor of Journalism Innovation at S.I. Newhouse School at Syracuse University, is who I would consider an expert on the subject of anything that's happening in the VR space. Tonight, using an iPad and a $300 scanner, Dan scanned the room we were in and then scanned me. The future is here people, and I find it incredibly exciting. Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Kelsey lives in a hotel room along with two newborn twins and two other adults. Without income, they never know when their hotel stay will end. They live day-by-day trying to get funds for another nights stay and food. Kelsey said she became homeless because of the lack of jobs in St Louis area. Broke my heart when she said she doesn't think about her future. Special thanks to Paul Kruse http://firststepbackhome.net ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

While walking with James to Best Buy on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, my heart broke seeing Leeza sitting on the sidewalk "flying a sign". Leeza is 22 years-old and has been homeless in New York City for two months. Leeza panhandles to survive. She is trying to save up her money to get back to the West Coast. The night before she slept outside in the front of a church. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness. #homeless #homelessyouth #newyorkcity

Read full post here: http://invisiblepeople.tv/blog/2014/09/james-homeless-new-york-city-apple-store/ Over the years several people experiencing homelessness have reached out to me online. Each experience in itself was unique and always beyond amazing. Ann Marie was the first and she taught me so much about homeless people using the internet. Rd was another, and both women are now off the streets in a large part due to social media. James is homeless in New York City and he was recording his video blog and posting on YouTube out of an Apple Store. He recorded a vlog thanking Invisible People [http://youtu.be/nYC_f0f5Luo] and We Are Visible, so I just had to meet him. As luck would have it, Marcia Stepanek invited me to NYC to record a new podcast Chronicles of Philanthropy is producing on cause video, and once that was over, I started to walk to meet James at the Apple Store. I have to say walking into the Apple Store itself was kind of intimidating. It’s one of the biggest I have visited and that afternoon it was packed. I only know James by his closeup face in the camera and started to walk around the store looking for someone that may look like him. After walking around a little there he was recording into a Macbook Pro with all kinds of people around him. My first question to James after some small talk was about the Apple Store allowing him to spend time on their computers. James said he is respectful and for the most part they just leave him be. He said a few security people know he is homeless, and occasionally he’ll be asked to move on if he’s been there too long, but he said everyone is very kind. Interesting, that particular Apple Store is open 24 hours so James spends a good amount of time there. James said libraries often give an hour or less. I want to thank Apple Stores for being so awesome! The issue with marginalized people is not always the hardware, but the ability to access the internet. Starbucks is also good about allowing our homeless friends to use their WiFi. Other fast food places do or don’t depending on the management. This really is an important issue, which I’ll address more in a bit, but how are people to better their lives or just find the help they need if they cannot get access to the internet?!! We left the Apple Store and I asked James if he was hungry and if I could buy him lunch at a place of his choosing. We walked a few blocks and James picked out a fancy Asian restaurant that had the most delicious soup dumplings. I take homeless friends to eat in restaurants often, and I normally don’t share much about it, but this experience was a little different. As most places in NYC are, this restaurant was very small. James sat across from me and a young well-dressed woman was seated to my left. We all were so close it was as if the three of us were together. Of course, James and I mostly talked about homelessness and how he survives in NYC. We didn’t speak to the girl nor did she speak to us, but she heard clearly every word we said. I wanted to say something, but didn’t quiet feel it was the right place or time to do so. As soon as we left James turns to me and says: “that girl just got an education in homelessness”, which really blew me away. Our conversation was respectful and honest. James is intelligent and very much aware. It was a meal I will never forget! James has zero income. He does not have a phone. Because of his past, it’s nearly impossible for him to find a “normal” job. The shelters in New York City are overcrowded so he would rather sleep outside. His only escape is the few hours he spends at an Apple Stores connecting to all of us online. It really hit me how liberating that was for him, and how limiting at the same time. Most all of us take the internet everywhere we go these days, but for James, he is dependent on a retail stores’s computer and WiFi. I figured we could change that a little. After we recorded this video I sent out a tweet asking if anyone would like to help me get James a tablet. Two wonderful people responded and off we went to Best Buy. I let ... ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Homer has been sleeping rough in London for the last 20 years. Homer has tried staying in hostels, but he feels it's like being in prison. Homer basically has been in the system all his life. At the age of 3 months he was in a children's home and then transitioned into a boy's hostel when he got older. Near the end of this video Homer shares about the realities of life and death on the streets. It's very powerful and I hope you watch to the end. This video was recorded on the last night of my stay, but I actually met Homer on the day I arrived. When we first met he didn't want to be on video and I always respect everyone's wishes. Over the next week or so I stopped and talked to him, gave him socks, and just made general conversation every time I saw him. When I stopped to say good-bye he requested that I video his story. It was an amazing moment and I am honored to have spent enough time with Homer to call him friend. Special thanks to St Mungo's Broadway http://www.mungosbroadway.org.uk and Mencap http://www.mencap.org.uk ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Seems like it's only been a moment since Alan Graham first invited me to Austin to see the amazing work he is doing. Since then, I have visited Mobile Loaves & Fishes more than any other nonprofit homeless services. The reason for that is simple: Alan and his team place people first! Over the years I have helped share the story of his mobile food trucks going out giving our homeless friends the dignity of choice. I help share about his Street Treats program that give our homeless friends a viable way to make some real money as street vendors. But from day one I probably talked more about Alan's work in rapid housing people in RVs, so it is so amazing to see his Community First! Village vision become a reality. Like Housing First, the topic of Tiny Homes has become sexy, but neither will work without support services and positive tangible social interactions. Community and social networks often play the biggest role in any of our lives, and that's especially true when people are going through a drastic life change like street to home. This week I was honored to be invited to Mobile Loaves & Fishes Community First! Village's ground breaking. I have known Alan for 5 years now and this vision has been in his heart for over a decide. Each year when I visited Alan would show me a new map or a new model home and tell me all the progress and struggles he's had trying to make this vision happen. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

The night I met Scott, he was making a bedding out of cardboard in a doorway. He says he has been sleeping rough in Central London for 6 weeks now. Scott lost everything in a matter of days. Nowhere to live. No Money. His clothes. Everything! Special thanks to St Mungo's Broadway http://www.mungosbroadway.org.uk and Mencap http://www.mencap.org.uk ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

"it just get's into your bones. It wears you down. It's a killer in the end" is how Steve describes sleeping rough. I met Steve in Chippenham, a rural town situated in Wiltshire, England. You can just feel the sadness in Steve's eyes. He came to the area because his ex-wife and daughter have health challenges. The night before he slept outside near a bus station. Good news is Steve is being helped by Lisa Lewis from Doorway and I know of no better advocate helping people that are sleeping rough. Shortly after this interview Steve grabbed a guitar and I sat behind a set of drums. Along with a few others we played Rolling Stones songs in rural England, and for a moment, music was all that mattered! Special thanks to Doorway http://www.doorwayproject.org.uk ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Reuel is sleeping rough in Central London. Reuel is from Bulgaria and relocated to United Kingdom because he felt it would be safer. It was hard to communicate with Reuel, but from what I gather, Reuel believed that Western Europe would be more LGBT friendly than his home county. A report from last year reveled that around ten percent of London's homeless are from Bulgaria or Romania. Immigration from Eastern European countries is a huge issue in the United Kingdom, and it's very similar to the immigration challenges we face with Central America. My last visit to UK I met two American's sleeping rough in London [Carl http://bit.ly/Sxv1Zk and Wesley http://bit.ly/UAwMWj] Only one qualified for benefits and was able to receive help. Here in the States we may think that's a horrible way to treat someone, yet I once had a couple from Guatemala with newborn twins that I could not find help for. If it wasn't for a church being able to help, they did not qualify for any government support and the family would have been left on the streets of Los Angeles. I met Reuel on my first night arriving in London. I give everyone I met a card with my name and contact info on it. On my last night in London I could see Reuel smiling from a distance when he noticed me. As I got closer he said in a excited voice "I found you in Facebook". Special thanks to St Mungo's Broadway http://www.mungosbroadway.org.uk and Mencap http://www.mencap.org.uk ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Barry is the type of colorful character I could sit and talk to for hours. He is smart, and funny, and a bit brash, with a lifetime of interesting experiences to share. I was invited to speak to a group of rough sleepers living in a homeless hostel. Meeting Barry and the rest of his mates was an experience I'll never forget. When I walked in they were playing Invisible People videos on the wall. I was honored and grateful beyond words. But get this, my new rough sleeping mates were all drinking "cider" or beer and slightly buzzed. Some of them had other physical or mental challenges from being on the streets. They were all sitting around having a good time and being a little rambunctious, which the staff navigated with grace. It was a fun few hours. The hostel we were in is a "wet hostel", meaning clients are allowed to drink. There is an area for people who don't want to be around alcohol, and there is an area for people who want to drink. I truly love this model of homeless services because an abstinence based model doesn't for people like Barry. Barry and his mates would be out on the streets, often in unsafe conditions and situations. Instead, chronic homeless people are inside and surrounded by staff who can intervene and help whenever needed. It also helps people who are chronic alcoholics slow down their drinking and often stop. When you’re outside going to the bathroom behind a rubbish bin, might as well drink to forget. In a “wet shelter model” there is dignity and far more hope that the person will stop than being left sleeping rough. Barry starts off talking about how when a person is rough sleeping the cycle of drinking is nonstop. He goes on and shares about once when he was sleeping rough, he was urinated on, shit on, and then his sleeping bag was set on fire. My heart broke when Barry first shared that story. Sadly, violence against rough sleepers and people experiencing homelessness is increasing. Barry is also a client representative for the hostel. Barry says 9 times out of 10 when he brings up an issue about support services and the condition of the hostel they listen. I really wish all homeless services would listen to the people we serve! Special thanks to St Mungo's Broadway http://www.mungosbroadway.org.uk and Mencap http://www.mencap.org.uk ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Alan has been sleeping rough in Ireland since he was 15. Alan came to London to get away from the drug scene in Dublin. He is waiting to get benefits so he can get off the streets and into a homeless hostel. Alan hopes to get his life back and then to give back to others by becoming a drug and alcohol support worker. I am proof that even the worst of the worst street person can do just that! Alan's three wishes: "have a family, a job, and a house." Special thanks to St Mungo's Broadway http://www.mungosbroadway.org.uk and Mencap http://www.mencap.org.uk _________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

This week I am in London helping St Mungo's Broadway Recovery College develop a video program for their clients. When I arrived, I was met by Andy Williams, Head of Client Involvement and Personalization. Being from Hollywood, I am pretty used to hearing some interesting job titles, but the words "client" and then "involvement" don't normally go together, so I asked Andy to explain. Andy's job is to make sure their clients are integrated into every level of the charity. Andy explains that clients are included in the hiring and the performance review of staff. That alone is a game changer! He told me they are working on a new building and clients are even involved with the architectural planning! By including clients in every aspect of a charity, the organization is transformed immediately into a nonprofit that can adopt to the real needs of the people they serve. ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Chris and his pregnant wife are sleeping rough in Central London. Chris says the couple were living in a hostel that was closed down. Another hostel then wanted £300 for them to move into a cockroach invested room, and although they were willing to loan the couple £300, without benefits or income there was no way to pay it back. From my understanding in the UK, "hostel" is a term used for some form of subsidized social housing. In the U.S. we would say "shelters", but here, facilities are more like SRO (single room occupancy) and not the dormitory '100 people in one room on cots' style like we see in America. The interesting part here is that each city's council is responsible for the people who are born or have ties to that area. So if you are not from that area, you are not able to receive benefits or housing. This is happening in the U.S. too. Cities only want to use the funding they have on local folks. Most every community at some point has talked about asking homeless people for IDs to make sure they are from that area. People who cannot prove that they are born, live, or have ties to an area like work, would then be moved on and not given support. I cannot speak for the UK, but I do understand why that is happening in America - although I completely disagree with it. Governments are receiving less funds to help people while the need for help is increasing. The thinking is by only helping "our own", we will have more impact with the funds we have. THE PROBLEM IS by nature of their situation most homeless people are transient. People go to where they think they will be able to find support, here that is often London. The other problem is most every homeless person has had their identification lost or stolen. Requiring homeless people to prove they are from a specific area is ridicules. Chris says outreach teams have been trying to help them, but they want to split them up into different hostels, which is a very similar problem we have in the States. Couples do not want to separate, and more often than not will remain on the streets instead of going into different shelters. Special thanks to St Mungo's Broadway http://www.mungosbroadway.org.uk and Mencap http://www.mencap.org.uk ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

I met Paddy while walking around Central London last night. It was obvious he was sleeping rough because of the sleeping bag under his arm. It was Paddy's first night back in London, although he has been homeless in the UK for some time. Even though he does not qualify for services in London, something keeps drawing him back. A gas cooker exploded next to Paddy when he was sleeping rough. His body is scarred from the burns, and he says he spent 3 years in the hospital. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Click here: http://invppl.tv/sober19years - August 24th, 1995 was my last day living homeless on the streets of Hollywood. That was also the day I "got it" and I haven't drank or used since. I was lucky. I am not sure why, but I continue to receive a lot of grace in life that has helped me make it through some crazy hard times. This August 24th I will have 19 years sober. Just typing that out humbled me. See, I was one of the "worst of the worst" drug addicts you will ever find. But...I am also proof that when given a chance people's lives can and will change for the better. To help celebrate my 19th sober birthday I am asking everyone to please help Invisible People fight homelessness by donating $19. If just 106 people give $19 we will raise a little over $2,000. I know that's not an awful lot, but Invisible People continues to do a lot with a little. PLEASE READ THIS NEXT PARAGRAPH: "The stereotypes of people living in poverty throughout the United States are among the most negative prejudices that we have. And people basically view particularly homeless people as having no redeeming qualities” ~ Susan Fiske, Professor of Psychology. Princeton University News headlines this week shared the story of the new teen trend of taking "selfies" with homeless people. I won't give the story any more traffic by linking to it here. Teens are also the number one perpetrators of violence against homeless people. Invisible People's work is important! I strongly believe that if the general public viewed our homeless neighbors as being the real people that they are, there wouldn't be such humiliation and violence against people experiencing homelessness! Awareness and education on homelessness can change that, and your support in funding Invisible People is breaking wrong stereotypes and changing how tens of millions of lives view homeless individuals. DID YOU KNOW that Invisible People is the only national awareness and educational campaign on homelessness? Just turn on the TV and you'll see anti-smoking ads, don't text and drive videos are all over the internet, and causes from the need to recycle to global warming are everywhere we look, and they should be. But except for Invisible People, there are zero campaigns teaching the general public about homelessness. Thank you in advance for your time and support, Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Christine works at McDonalds overnight and her daughter works there during the day. They are working homeless living in a weekly rate hotel and splitting shifts so one of them is there to take care of the younger children. It's a vicious cycle. Minimum wage does not allow them enough money to afford first and last months rent to move out of the hotel, nor does it allow for them to afford babysitters. If they stop working or get sick, they end up on the streets or a homeless shelter. 5 people living in one small hotel room is now the new American Dream because in many ways... it's now the new middle class! If you haven't noticed watching the videos on this site, the interviews that mess me up the most you can tell by the space between my questions. Plus, that I just can't concentrate enough to ask questions. This story messed me up and I almost forget to ask Christine about her 3 wishes. My heart goes out to every family trying to survive in poverty. I wish I could simply take all their pain away. Special thanks to Paul Kruse http://firststepbackhome.net Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

First thing Cheri said to me as I walked into her weekly-rate hotel room was "I never thought I'd be homeless at 58". Sadly, as the boomer generation is approaching their retirement years, and so many lost their house and savings in this past recession, more and more seniors will end up without adequate housing! Even though Cheri is disabled, she says she has to find work because disability income is not enough to survive. Finding work even for a young college graduate is hard these days. Older folks have extreme challenges because without working they don't have enough money to survive and who hires people close to their senior years anymore? ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Greg lived in the suburbs, but after a bad relationship, he started drinking and then lost his job and apartment. Greg says his drinking got really bad when he started going to homeless shelters. Greg is still homeless on the streets of Chicago and has over a year sober. Staying sober while homeless is nearly impossible. Greg slept outside this past winter and when the cold became unbearable he would go into the local mission. Sadly, the mission kicks everyone out - every day - even in the freezing cold - unless you agreed to sit through preaching or Bible studies. When I posted Greg's photo on Facebook a friend shared this blog post from another (formerly) homeless friend that stayed at that mission "What a day in the Pacific Garden Mission is like." [http://chihomelessguy.wordpress.com/2013/11/17/what-a-day-in-the-pacific-garden-mission-is-like/] Withholding basic needs so people will attend religious programming is NOT evangelism - it coercion - and it's WRONG! The good news is there is a movement within the faith-based community to end such practices. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Emily and her husband live in a hotel near St Louis with their 4 kids and another one on the way. When we walked in Emily was giving her son a "time out" by sending him to the bathroom. There is no other room. There is no privacy. My heart broke while visiting with Emily and her children. You can feel the nonstop stress this young mother must experience. Emily's husband lost his job. They then bounced around family until their car broke down and they ended up at this hotel. That was almost a year ago. Living in weekly rate hotels often becomes a strap. It's $1,000 a month to live there, which is often just most people's paycheck. Emily's husband is now back working and they have been lucky enough to save up some money, yet with an eviction on their record - finding a house or apartment to rent can be challenging. Special thanks to Paul Kruse http://firststepbackhome.net ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

The heavy rain just stopped. The tent Christine and two other people are living in near St Louis was almost collapsed and in desperate need a repair. Christine got out of the tent and we started to talk. She said her dream was to get her poems published. I asked her to recite one and her poem "I Am From" was so beautiful I asked her if she'd share it with all of us. Christine is only 21 years-old and has been homeless in St Louis since aging out of foster care. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Moon sleeps in an abandoned building someplace near New Orleans. Earlier today, he had to take his pup to the veterinarian, and that took every cent he had. When I met him, he told me he had raised $2 in the last hour. Moon had a job but hurt his back. He was not able to go on disability because they said it was his fault. Without income, it was only a matter of time before he became homeless. Earlier today I had a chat with a local outreach team that focuses on abandoned buildings. When I asked the person if he knew what I did he responded: "ya we have housed a few people in your videos". My hope is Moon will be one of them soon! ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Update on Russ: NO LONGER HOMELESS in Ottawa https://youtu.be/0hm7OSg4nKc Russ lost his job in Winnipeg working with the Mental Health Commission of Canada. For 4 years Russ helped people on the streets get the help they need. At the time of this interview, he was sleeping rough in Ottawa, where he relocated to look for work. Very special thanks to Ottawa Salvation Army and Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness. _________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Rodger is 83 years-old and lives in van near Seattle. He says it's not that bad. He doesn't have to pay rent, and that leaves him with enough money to get a good meal or go to a movie. Rodger says that if he was paying $700 or $800 a months rent, he would not have enough money leftover to pay his car insurance or to simply have any quality of life. Rodger says he hasn't given much effort to getting off the streets, but when I asked him if he could afford an apartment would he get off the streets...Rodger responded he would. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

No matter what size of the city or community where you live, homelessness is a crisis everywhere. Rural homelessness, however, greatly differs from urban homelessness. Seeing people sleeping on the streets, is much less common in rural America, yet just because poverty and homelessness may be more hidden, it doesn't mean homelessness is not a problem. In fact, because of the geographic vastness and lack of centralized services, rural homelessness has unique challenges that often don't receive the support needed to help the hurting people in their communities. I once was told the story of a mailman in rural Arkansas who was having trouble delivering mail because so many multiple families are now living in single family homes. Often you'll find people living in trailers or shacks that don't have bathrooms, electricity or water, or people just "camping" out in the woods -- hidden from normal view! This past November I happened to tour Ithaca's infamous tent community known as The Jungle with Carmen Guidi, founder of Second Wind Cottages. It was my first time using Google Glass to help bring you all vicariously with me as we experience homelessness in America. In that video we met Richard Sherman. Neither Carmen, myself or anyone could have any way of knowing that Richard's tent would catch on fire the following week and he would die in a hospital the following day. Just typing this I get emotional. No one should die homelessness! After Richard's death last November, Mayor Svante Myrick strengthened on-going work with local stakeholders to get people the help they need. One step in that process was the Rescue Mission Alliance of Syracuse assuming operations of the local emergency shelter. The Rescue Mission started overseeing the new Ithaca Rescue Mission on March 1st, and on April 16th celebrated a grand opening. My travels have taken me through most every large shelter in North America, and I always get a smile when I first walk into rural services. In contrast to spaces in large shelters, the "Friendship Center" in the Ithaca Rescue Mission, is more like a living room. In this video interview Mayor Myrick candidly talks about rural homelessness and even his own homelessness as a child. Alan Thornton speaks about the Ithaca Rescue Mission and how they are already reaching capacity. Alan also talks about how rescue missions need to engage with mainstream housing options to help get people out of homelessness. The Ithaca Rescue Mission is a great example of how faith based organizations can step up to work right along side other service providers and stakeholders to strengthen community support in ending homelessness. _________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

I met Ron in Columbus, Ohio. He has lived on the streets for 4 years. Ron relocated from Orlando for family and then found himself in trouble. After doing some prison time, Ron says when he got out that he "couldn't find anything". I like Ron. He seems like a gentle man that fell on some bad times. He has kept a positive attitude. I hope the housing list he is on opens up soon. Special thanks to Maryhaven ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Tammy has been "jumped" twice by kids and adults going on a rampage setting fires and abusing homeless people, but that's not the least of her worries. She has lived in the tent you see behind her for a few years and soon the city will be bulldozing the land because of new construction. For Tammy, even with the dangers she feels safer living in a tent community than at a shelter. She calls the community her family and in many ways they become one. I was with an outreach team in Columbus, Ohio checking on all the "campers" to see if everyone had any needs and to place people on a housing list. Their goal is to get everyone the support they need before the tent community is eradicated. I hope and pray Tammy makes it into a housing program. Special thanks to Maryhaven https://www.maryhaven.com ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Sex offenders are at increased risk for committing another sex offense if they are homeless. If you get nothing else from this interview with David, please remember that first sentence! Some people actually believe that sex offenders should be homeless as a punishment, but the truth is - by keeping sex offenders on the streets without adequate housing - we are putting kids at risk! This was a hard interview for me. I have a lot of mixed feelings. I even have mixed feelings about David, who actually requested we do this interview on this topic - a topic that most people and nonprofits avoid! That took a lot of courage in itself! After this interview I spoke to the outreach team that has been working with him for the past couple of years, and they validated David has turned his life around and tries hard to help others and do the right thing. David is a tier 3 sex offender. He even stated he was "the worst of the worse". He spent 13 years in prison and was released on parole. His crimes were horrible, but no matter what you think of this man, he had served his debt to society and was adhering to the terms of his punishment. Trouble is, finding employment and a place to live is nearly impossible. For the last few years David has lived in a tent community near downtown Columbus. Because he is homeless, David has to register with the sheriff's department every day Monday through Friday. Here again I am torn. I believe strongly that sex offenders should register, but at the same time we should be helping them to get some kind of life back. Showing up on a daily basis to register as homeless you'd think someone would help them get out of homelessness! David talks candidly about not wanting a second chance out of fear of "offending" again. Instead he wants a life with the potential he's always had but was afraid to live. There is research that some sex offender laws, Jessica's Law for example, has greatly increased homelessness among sex offenders. Sexually abusing anyone is horrible and should be punished, but keeping sex offenders on the streets puts people at greater risk. We must do something. Homeless services that actually take in sex offenders and try to get them off the streets are often criticized, when the reality is we should be supporting those nonprofits for protecting our neighborhoods. David's story and this topic is important and we cannot continue to keep our heads in the sand pretending nothing is wrong. My hope it you'll watch this video and we can engage in a healthy conversation about solutions. The fact that a vast majority of sex offenders were actually abused themselves as a child leads me to believe we must seriously work on prevention and fix families for best results. What do you think? ***I know this is a hot topic and emotions get heated. Open communication is encouraged, but personal attacks will not be allowed. Special thanks to MaryHaven https://www.maryhaven.com ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Many of you know me as a follower of Jesus and those of you that have been paying attention also know me as a "straight ally". To me, I actually believe both of those descriptions of me are connected. I know many faith based organizations are frantically scrambling to come up with a LGBT position, which I think is silly because as Christians we should be extending unconditional love and compassion to everyone - EVERYONE! My journey over the last few years has provided me with many experiences, but probably the most life-changing was when I spent a few hours with 20 or so new transgender friends at TRANS: THRIVE. Homosexuality is not a "lifestyle"! People are born gay! It freaks me out and actually pisses me off that families kick their kids out for "coming out" and being honest about who they really are! Imagine you're a young teenager and for as long as you remember you feel different than everyone around you. After years of trying to "fit in" and playing pretend, you finally decide to be open and honest about your sexual preference or gender identity with the people closest to you. Then, when you tell your parents, they kick you out of the house and out into the streets. More than 1 in 4 children and youth are thrown out of their homes making family conflict the biggest issue causing youth homelessness today. The numbers are staggering. Each year, between 500,000 and 1.6 million youth in the U.S. are homeless or runaways. [1] A few years back Cyndi Lauper co-founded The True Colors Fund to help raise awareness and bring an end to LGBT youth homelessness. From that the Forty to None Project was created and I especially love their Give Damn Campaign. I have been following @FortytoNone on twitter for some time, and then at this years SXSW I saw a tweet that Forty to None Project Director, Jama Shelton, was speaking and jumped at the chance to met her. As luck would have it, Jama and I connected for some coffee and this short video interview: ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

When I met Patrick he was living in a van with his wife and dog. They went from a 4-bedroom house to mobile homelessness, and at the time of this interview they were living in Safe Parking program near San Diego. Special thanks to Homelessness News San Diego https://www.facebook.com/HomelessNewsandEvents ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

This actually is a hard post to start because there is so much to say about Alan Graham and his amazing work helping our homeless friends. Back in July of 2009, Alan was partly responsible for talking me into taking the risk of the traveling around the U.S. to document homelessness for the first time. We had just connected on social media and he kept inviting me, even offering to cover some of the expenses. Thing was, Alan knew exactly how amazing his vision was and once I arrived, he knew I'd become an evangelist for his work. Seems like just yesterday that I taped this video of Alan showing me around one of his catering trucks (http://youtu.be/YpNq7lCVSP4). Although having a small army of food trucks to help build relationships is pretty amazing, it's giving our homeless friends real dignity and the power of choice that is the lesson Alan's work taught me. During that first visit Alan showed me the master plans for a plot of land he had the vision of transforming into what he calls "Community First Village". At the time, it was all on paper and in Alan's heart. He had already been using a variation of a rapid rehousing model to get our chronic homeless friends off the streets into their own RV, but acquiring a large parcel of land had yet to happen. As I type this, I remembered Alan pitching Lee Leffingwell, Austin's Mayor, who joined us out on the streets. Each year as I visit SXSW in Austin I always make it a point to spend some time with Alan, and each year he has something new and amazing going on. Last year I posted this story: At SXSW Helping Homeless People Is Delicious With Street Treats http://huff.to/13Oj3AH that highlighted Alan's continued creating social enterprise ways for our friends on the street to generate revenue. This year, Alan was able to tour me around the beginnings of "Community First Village"! There really no words to describe how happy I am for him and our homeless friends, who will soon be calling the place "home". I know this vision has been in Alan's heart for years and there has been a few setbacks in trying to make it all happen, but there is no stopping now what may be the coolest model in fighting homelessness I have ever seen. One might call this a Tiny Home community, but Alan was quick to correct me that tiny homes have been around for a very long time and are nothing new. Ten years ago Alan housed a homeless man in an RV and he started to dream about a place where people could not only get a roof over their head and a meal, but find healing. That vision has now grown to a 27 acre master-planned community that will provide affordable, sustainable housing and a supportive community for the disabled, chronically homeless in Central Texas. While I was visiting, a church youth group was building a chapel for the community. You only have to spend a moment with Alan to know he is a Follower of Jesus. To me, this is the model more faith based services should follow. Each and every person, no matter of religious beliefs or sexual orientations, can become part of the Community First Village. Church services and places for healing are offered, but are never mandated. Everyone still is allowed the dignity of choice! ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Instagram video produced by Meagan Cignoli for Hanes in New York City. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Three years ago Randy walked out of a relationship and has been living outside homeless ever since. Syracuse winter's are bitter cold, and this winter has been one of the worst. No one should be without adequate housing , especially in extreme climates. Randy's hand is frostbitten. When he talked about the black falling off my heart stopped. I can't even imagine the fear and powerlessness Randy must feel. I happened to be with John Tumino, who runs a local ministry reaching out to chronic homeless people, and John told me he had taken Randy to an emergency room in the recent past. Sadly, frostbite is not the worst of Randy's health issues. He has a serious heart condition, yet the first he can get in to see a doctor is over a month and a half away. Randy survives by recycling and panhandling. He told me he was recently arrested for panhandling and given 30 days in jail. Criminalization of homelessness is on the rise and it's also the most expensive way to deal with homeless crisis. If your community supports passing laws that put homeless people in jail, just open your bank account up to pay more taxes. Plus, after jail people are just placed back on the streets so the problem gets worse not better! Special thanks to In My Father's Kitchen ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Imagine working all your life and then in your senior years the only option for retirement is living in a park. When we recorded this interview, Dennis was a few months shy of turning 60 years-old and had been experiencing homelessness for a little less than 5 months. Dennis said, "I used to make fun of the homeless until I became one", which should stand out as a reminder to all of us that homelessness can happen to anyone. A divorce changed his living situation. Dennis then developed health issues and stayed in a board and care until the high cost forced him to transition to a winter shelter program. When the winter shelter closed, Dennis had no other options except to sleep outside. We have a "Silver Tsunami" coming. Boomer generation is now entering into what should be their comfortable retirement years. Instead, because this last recession wiped out a lot more than hopes and dreams, seniors will enter into homelessness at an alarming rate. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Click here: http://invisiblepeople.tv/birthday It's that time again. The time of year where Facebook lets you all know I am now a year older on March 13th. Well, up until the last few years I hated my birthday. Thanks to all of your generous hearts my birthday has turned into a real miracle. Over the last three years you've helped raise $27,000 to help fight homelessness. PLEASE READ THIS NEXT PARAGRAPH: "The stereotypes of people living in poverty throughout the United States are among the most negative prejudices that we have. And people basically view particularly homeless people as having no redeeming qualities" ~ Susan Fiske, Professor of Psychology. Princeton University News headlines this week shared the story of the new teen trend of taking "selfies" with homeless people. I won't give the story any more traffic by linking to it here. Teens are also the number one perpetrators of violence against homeless people. Invisible People's work is important! I strongly believe that if the general public viewed our homeless neighbors as being the real people that they are, there wouldn't be such humiliation and violence against people experiencing homelessness! Awareness and education on homelessness can change that, and your support in funding Invisible People is breaking wrong stereotypes and changing how tens of millions of lives view homeless individuals. DID YOU KNOW that Invisible People is the only national awareness and educational campaign on homelessness? Just turn on the TV and you'll see anti-smoking ads, don't text and drive videos are all over the internet, and causes from the need to recycle to global warming are everywhere we look, and they should be. But except for Invisible People, there are zero campaigns teaching the general public about homelessness. This year I turn 53 years-old. 53 is kind of a weird number and most birthday campaigns ask for donations based on the age. I get that, but if you would like to donate $53 million or $53,000, or even $5,300 please do. Of course I am being a little funny. The truth is $5, $10, $25, $53 - any and every amount counts. This is the one campaign that fuels Invisible People throughout the year and we desperately need your support to help end homelessness. Thank you in advance for your time and support, Mark Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

It was snowing pretty bad when I met Bill in Syracuse. I must have had some snow on my face because when I walked up to say hello, Bill took out some Kleenex and started to wipe my face dry. I stood there in the cold overwhelmed by this kind gesture from a gentle homeless man. Bill only knew me for a moment, yet he was concerned enough about a complete stranger to clean off my face. Bill has been on the streets for some time. He suffers from PTSD because of a violent attack many years ago. He sleeps in an abandoned loft he claims was one used by an artist. The last time Bill stayed in a homeless shelter someone stole his dentures while he was sleeping. The Housing First model may be a fit for someone like Bill. He's never going to go back to gainful employment and no one should stay in the shelter system without a direct pass to housing. Bill broke my heart. I tried to talk him into walking to a shelter with me, but he said he knows how to wrap up at night. Someday soon I hope we'll have a system where an outreach worker can walk up to a person like Bill and give him a key to an apartment. Until then, all I can do is open my wallet to help make Bill's night a little easier. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Francisco is homeless in San Francisco. He was in a shelter for a year and a half, but didn't feel safe sleeping there. Francisco decided to try and night outside, which has now turned into six months. He views sleeping outside compared to a shelter the lessor of two evils. Francisco was incarcerated years ago, and he says the difference there is he committed a crime. Although most every shelter is doing the best they can, providing dignity to people is often missing! ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

The majority of homeless people I know, if you saw them walking down the street, you'd never even suspect that they are experiencing homelessness. Kathryn is one of them. When we were first introduced I actually thought she may be a staff person. I met Kathryn on Skid Row. She came to the Los Angeles Mission from Las Vegas for their women's recovery program. Kathryn says on Skid Row you see a lot of misfortunate people and it's very sad. Kathryn ended up on the streets after losing a job. She tried working while being homeless, and that never seemed to work out. Kathryn relocated to LA because of the resources, and she says she sees food everywhere! Special thanks to the LA Mission http://losangelesmission.org ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

This video was produced for this blog post: http://invisiblepeople.tv/blog/2014/02/lapd-officer-deon-joseph-speaks-about-public-feedings-on-skid-row/ I first became aware of LAPD Senior Lead Officer Deon Joseph a few years back when two Christian documentary filmmakers featured his amazing work on Skid Row. I literally was blown away by this strong Christian man's love for a community that is in desperate need for genuine love. Since then our paths have crossed a few times, but it was only recently that I connected with Deon Joseph on Facebook. His candid and emotionally honest accounts of his day-to-day life working with the Skid Row community are encouraging and heartbreaking, often at the same time. About a week before Christmas, a time on Skid Row where faith based groups ascend into Skid Row by the droves, Deon posted an update that messed me up. It was pretty much a "play-by-play" account of a war zone of madness created by faith based groups, who have good intentions, but are completely unaware of the reality of their actions. My heart broke for Officer Joseph and for the people on Skid Row. NO ONE IS SAYING STOP GIVING! Whenever a community is pushed against a wall and has to pass laws to get faith based organizations to work together, my social media channels go off. People tweet news links to me and email me stories expecting me to be outraged, but although I am not for punishing people who want to do good - I have seen the harm churches can do a homeless community. Since most faith based groups are very territorial and refuse to work with their communities, regulating public feedings become the only solution to a very serious problem. About a year ago I wrote a post: Why You Should Support Regulating the Public Feeding of Homeless People http://huff.to/SeiZ7F, which opened some eyes and upset others. Please hear me...no one is saying stop helping people or stop giving out food. What we are trying to say is WORK WITH OTHERS TO HAVE MORE IMPACT IN ENDING HOMELESSNESS! The Missions based on Skid Row feed 9,000 meals every day. They work together as a coordinated effort to make sure no one goes hungry on Skid Row. In the two decades I have been visiting Skid Row, I have yet to meet a single person who is in need of food, and as as Officer Joseph points out, you don't see anyone in this interview running around naked and in need of clothes. Yet 20 - 30 churches come down to Skid Row every day randomly feeding people and creating a mess. They are creating far more harm than good. THERE ARE LOTS OF WAYS CHURCHES CAN HELP! Partner with one of the missions: During this interview Deon said LA Mission is in need of bread and Union Rescue Mission is in need of peanut butter and jelly. Come clean up the streets: Deon mentioned the Los Angeles Dream Center as a good example of a faith based group that helps clean up the streets. If your church wants to help but really does not know what to do, contact the Dream Center and I am sure they'd be happy to train your staff. Provide tangible social interaction to people in housing: Good news is lots of people are being placed into housing. They need positive interactions with good people. Yes, you have to leave your bible in your car, but if you're "fishing for souls" on Skid Row, you should note that pretty much everyone has already said the sinners prayer dozens of times. It's time to start being an answer to prayers instead of trying to get people to say a prayer. Seniors need food: the one area we will see growing food insecurity is seniors. They may have their rent paid, but very little money for anything else. Throughout Los Angeles there are seniors in need of food. IF CHURCHES WOULD WORK TOGETHER THERE WOULD BE NO NEED TO REGULATE! I am so very saddened whenever this conversation comes up by the amount of energy faith based organizations will put into a message of fear, instead of simply reaching out to other churches to work together. The simple solution for all is to communicate and coordinate, but most churches are very territorial. When a law has to be passed to get churches to work together it really says a lot about the church world today. Oh, please note, there are amazing churches out there actually working with the community and partnering with homeless services for more impact. My point is no community should ever get to the point where public feeding has to be regulated, and if it does, it our fault as Christians that it got this far. All food is regulated. Sidewalk cafe's have to have a permit, hot dog vendors have to be licensed, restaurants are zoned - all for public safety! Why faith based groups start ranting about about regulation really says more about them than the regulation itself.

I met Bill and Tree this past summer in San Francisco. Because their story is so different, and possibly the most unique homeless story I have ever come across, I waited until the right time to share. Often I hear stories that are hard to imagine. Most of them are filled with pain and suffering. Bill and Tree's story is not like that at all. It's more of a happy story of two people who met each other and now are world-travelers. Occasionally I'll hear a story that seems like a "tall tale", yet I must always keep in mind my own story: when I was on the streets of Hollywood and told people I worked in television, they probably didn't believe me, but I did play a direct role in making sure the world received Jeopardy, Wheel of Fortune and many others syndicated TV shows. Let's see if you can follow along! Bill and Tree have a house in Mexico, but had to travel north for a social security appointment. They cannot afford decent hotels, and low-cost hotels are nasty, so they live out on the streets instead. Tree was married for many years, but then ending up on the streets. She met Bill in Miami, where Bill and a congresswoman helped Tree get her passport, and the two have been traveling ever since. This really is a wonderful love story of two people who met while homeless, and give their all to make their life as best as it can be. When you hear Tree's response to Bill's third wish you just cannot help but smile. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

I met Keith while driving around in an outreach van during subzero weather. Keith wonders how he didn't freeze to death sleeping outside during what is now called the "Polar Vortex". He continues that he has been sleeping under one bridge or another for over 20 years now. We offered to help, but Keith didn't want the help we had to offer. Keith drank 3 beers that day so he would not be allowed into an abstinence based program, and he did not feel safe sleeping at the local low-barrier shelter. Plus, and this is a big one, Keith didn't want to get a few hours of sleep just to be kicked out the next morning into the freezing cold. He said that going into a shelter just to be kicked out every morning is like having "only half of a house". I am still in Upstate New York, and the weather report is forecasting subzero weather again. Most of our homeless friends like Keith, who have been on the streets for a long time, have adopted ways of surviving. NO ONE should have to sleep outside, especially when doing so is life-threatening. We must change our systems so people who end up homeless do so for only a short period of time. It's unacceptable that Keith has been on the streets for over 20 years. Communities must also work together to provide the right services at the right time. Keith wanted help to get out of the cold, we just were not able to provide the help he needed. The saying in homeless services is homeless people like Keith are "service resistant". I think that's crap because if homeless services would simply listen to folks like Keith, and then PROVIDE THE SERVICES PEOPLE REALLY NEED, we could actually end homelessness. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

I'll admit it: I was wrong! Very wrong! Up until I connected with the Rescue Mission in Central New York I pretty much thought giving directly to people was the best way to give out gently used clothing. Often people contact me and say: "we have clothing we'd like to donate, but we don't want it to be sold". I would then connect them to shelters or actually pickup their donations and then drive around to distribute the clothing out of the back of my SUV. Part of the reason I did that is most every ministry and shelter I worked at, if anything of real value came in, staff and volunteers get "first dibs" on the good stuff. My paradigm about clothing donations and thrift stores started to change when I first visited Rescue Mission Alliance of Syracuse. In fact, I was literally blown away by their 3fifteen store located near Syracuse University. In the past, I've seen some pretty amazing for-profit recycle and vintage clothing stores like the Buffalo Exchange, but the not-for-profit stories always seemed to be a little grungy. The 3fifteen store takes thrifty shopping to a whole new level. They partnered with Café Kubal to create a comfortable, modern and cool shopping and hangout experience. But that spirit of excellence can be seen in all of the Rescue Mission's Thrifty Shopper stores, even the store on their campus that gives clothing to homeless and low-income men, women and families. So here's the deal. Right now money is tight. Less people are donating badly-needed funds simply because so many people today are facing their own financial crisis. Added to that, government support to fight homelessness continues to be cut. This is happening all while need for support services keeps increasing! Government reports may be saying there is less homelessness, but everywhere I travel I see more people on the streets than ever before. Sadly, there is a large group of hidden homeless that most of us don't see and our government refuses to count. Add all this up and we have a serious crisis that will continue to get worse unless we find a way to fuel services that are getting people out of the shelter system and back into society or in permanent supportive housing! Thrifty Shopper stores make up 60% of Rescue Mission's budget here in Central New York. That means the people who donated clothes and furniture last year helped house 324 of the 540 people the Mission placed into housing. They also helped provide 175,933 of the 293,223 meals given to those in need. That's AWESOME! Ladies We Need You! Let's be real. Guys wear their jeans until the literally fall apart. Cleaning out a closet is not on most men's radar. Because of this, jeans in normal men's sizes are a desperate need at most homeless services. We often get a lot of women's clothes, but there is always a huge need for men's clothing and items like belts. Ladies, please grab a large bag or a pillow sack and walk into your mans closet and start packing up all the stuff you know he'll never wear again. You may hear him cry: "I'll be a size 36 again so I am saving them", but we all know that's never going to happen. Now ladies, you don't save clothes like that do you?!! I am not sure where you live, but I am pretty sure there is a thrift store that supports homeless services near you. If you're in Central New York I strongly recommend you give those unused items to Thrifty Shoppers. They take everything and can recycle what can't be sold reducing our footprint in landfills, so just give it all. If you're in another part of the country, do a little research and find an organization that is working hard to end homelessness and uses the thrift store model. If you were like me or know someone who has the wrong idea about clothing donations please share this post with them. Yes, there are some for-profit thrift stores that sell your donations just to make a buck, but if you take a moment to look at you'll find organizations that will your donations and give them to those in need and sell the rest to help better your community. From now on, I'll be giving my clothes to a thrift store that helps fight homelessness. How about you? ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

After returning from tours of Iraq and Afghanistan, Michael found himself back in America with a drug and alcohol addiction, which quickly led to job loss and then homelessness. Michael is homeless in Syracuse "flying a sign" on a subzero winter day just to get a few dollars to survive. Weather report at the time of this interview was around minus 15 °F. I had to take my gloves off just for a moment to setup the camera, and the tips of my fingers burned like they were on fire for the next half hour. Michael said he had been standing there for two hours. Luckily, Catholic Charities is providing shelter for him at night, but the day before on the same corner I gave socks and gloves to a man who is sleeping outside during this weather. When I asked Michael what he wanted the world to know about being a homeless veteran he responded: " for a person to be homeless it's a shame, for a veteran to be homeless it's a tragedy." ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Miguel says he was taken away from his mother at 8 years old. Over the next few years Miguel was placed in over 10 foster homes. I can't even begin to comprehend how that must affect a child's development. Miguel tried to return to his mother, but the living situation was volatile, so Miguel eventually ran away. He moved around some and tried to live with relatives. Miguel ended up back in New York, and his mother had him locked up in the juvenile correctional system. Luckily, now as a homeless youth only 18 years-old, Miguel was able to connect with Covenant House, and he was able to go directly from jail to a support system and new family. I really like Miguel, and I have always loved the work of Covenant House. The few hours I spent in New York City talking to Miguel and a few other young adults is a memory I'll always cherish. No one can predict the future, but I have a feeling that even though Miguel didn't have a good childhood, his future will be nothing short of amazing! Special thanks to Hanes and Covenant House. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

We have a problem. A very serious problem that is getting worse. A problem that we created! A problem that is polarizing homeless services in communities when we ALL need to be working together to end homelessness. The problem is that the only conversation these days is Housing First, and people who have given their lives to setup and run shelters feel left out and offended. Because of this, the Housing First folks are creating their own opposition. I get it. I do. When I first heard about Housing First I considered Housing First a miracle sent to us from the heavens. Housing First is the new shinny tool in our arsenal for fighting homelessness. It makes sense, and now that we have a few years of data to look at - Housing First is a proven method that helps save lives and taxpayer money. For a little while I was all about Housing First, and the fact that I lived in a shelter based program for over 7 years just reinforced my new-found love of the Housing First model. Then a colleague opened my eyes to how shelters are needed to help create a system to get people off the streets into housing! In fact, shelters may be the most important first step of support, assessment and then placement. It's not Housing First or shelters. It's Housing First AND shelters! I have been working with homeless services for some time now and with a fair bit of traveling - I have yet to see anyone go directly from the streets into housing that would be defined as Housing First. There is normally a transitional (yup, I know "transitional" is a bad word these days) component of some kind while housing that actually fits the client is being found. I must stress that finding the right housing is extremely important. I have seen people placed in the wrong situations simply because it was the available opening, and that never ends good! The other reason shelters are so very important is data shows that the majority of people experiencing homelessness do so temporally. Either from natural disasters or economic crisis or relationship problems, a large percentage of homeless people will not be needing services that long. Housing First works for the chronic homeless person, but for the people who are only in the state of homelessness for a short time - we still need shelters! Michael McConnell once said to me: "we have a lot of pillars and no systems", which is spot on. For us to end homelessness we need everyone to work together. That also means we all have to change. Let's be real: most shelters are horrible places, and there are a lot of agencies claiming they do Housing First but are just throwing people into apartments without the needed support services! Shelters need to be a place that provide people with dignity. Housing First agencies should not be placing people into housing unless the placement is a good fit, the apartment is actually furnished like a home should be, and most importantly - provide the client with services and tangible social interaction. At the last NAEH conference this growing division of Housing First and shelters really became evident. The conversation by the people attending was all exclusive and not inclusive. I talked to a few people who run shelters and they were emotionally hurt. My suggestion to the Housing First supporters is to include shelters in the conversation. By excluding shelters we are creating our own enemy. My suggestion to the shelter folks is to keep an open mind and to be willing to change from a one-stop model to a community based system that quickly gets people out of homelessness. In this short video I interview Jenny Niklaus, CEO of EHC LifeBuilders, a leading provider of services and shelter beds in Santa Clara County, about how they repositioned their shelter model to support Housing First. _________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

I was honored to be asked by Google+ and Mashable to host part of the very first hangout-a-thon for charity. Joining me was Barbara Poppe, the Executive Director of the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness, and Tina Kelley from Covenant House. It started the launch of a campaign by Hanes to give away 500,000 socks and help with homeless awareness. Here is a short video recap of the online event produced by Google http://youtu.be/U0xfG9sBoI0 ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Yogi is 69 years-old and sleeping outside in San Jose, one of the wealthiest regions of our great country. Yogi became homeless after her first husband died. Remarkably, Yogi is still in positive spirits even after being homeless for 25 years. No one should be homeless for even a day, but for 25 years living outside in Silicon Valley - this is a tragedy. Yogi says they do everything they can to make money, but they just cannot afford the high cost of rents in the area. The week before this visit, 5 people froze to death in the area. Knowing this sweat woman is sleeping out in the deadly cold every night I hope messes you up as it does me. Special thanks to EHC Life Builders ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

When a homeless person dies in Los Angeles and no relative claims the body, the person's body is cremated. Once a year, all the remains of bodies that are unclaimed, are then buried together in an unmarked grave. How I know is because I I researched after a friend of mine died. My friends name was Joseph, and if you've heard me speak, you've seen me end my presentation with his story. Joseph was lucky. We were able to get him into housing, so he didn't die on the streets. But when I heard that he was going to be buried in an unmarked grave ,I decided to honor Joseph by telling, now tens of thousands of people - about his life. Around December 20th of each year, National Homeless Persons' Memorial Day is celebrated at churches and homeless shelters all around the country. Some places just light a candle and say a prayer, and others go all out to honor the lives of people who died on the streets of their community. I'm not sure how National Homeless Persons' Memorial Day started, and to be candid - I don't really care! I believe it's a good thing, and I completely support National Homeless Persons' Memorial Day with honor and respect, as every community should. But it's a day that SHOULD NOT EVEN EXIST! NO ONE should died homeless. NO ONE! The truth: we can end homelessness! The trouble is, and this even makes me more frustrated - it's not drug addiction - not mental illness - it's not even the lack of affordable housing - the biggest challenge to ending homelessness is getting people communicate, collaborate, and work together on comment goals. We have learned that what worked 10 years ago, and even 5 years ago, does not work so well today. Homelessness has changed. Everything has changed. We have learned that keeping a family in their apartment, instead of that family hitting the shelter system, tremendously helps the family (especially kids) and saves taxpayer money. We have learned that placing people in bunk beds in one large room, and then running them though a "program", is not nearly as effective as helping the person get their own apartment, and then working on whatever issues the person may have. I could go on and on about what we've learned, yet we all see homelessness increasing. Why? People are scared of change, and in many communities - stakeholders would rather fight than coordinate with others for more impact. Today I was invited by EHC Life Builders and Destination: Home to a memorial honoring those who died in homelessness in Santa Clara County. I have visited before, and each time I see the gorgeous memorial outside of their shelter, with all our homeless friends names listed, but this time is the first time I have attended their service. 48 people died while experiencing homelessness in 2013 in Santa Clara County, which is one of the wealthiest regions in America. The oldest person was 80, and the youngest person just 19 years-old. To me, that is unacceptable. When I asked Jennifer Loving, executive director of Destination: Home and champion of Housing 1000, about the 5 people who died last week she respond "That's just it. You can't live outside. You can't live outside for long periods of time, and if you do--it's going to kill you", which is the very real truth and why every community needs to make the single most important priority. Homeless Persons' Memorial Day messes me up like you will never know. I had two friends die this year. Both would be alive today if they were in housing. Catherine should have never been placed into winter shelter because that was a death sentence for her, and the agency knew it. Trouble was, the agency could not place her, which was a problem in homeless services system that eventually caused her death. Meet Catherine here: http://youtu.be/lPfO7oFj20U Please join us for a moment silence to honor the lives of people who never should have died while experiencing homelessness. When you're done, I hope that your sadness slowly turns into anger and you'll make a commitment to work with your community to end homelessness! ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

San Jose and the surrounding rejoin is one of the wealthiest areas in America, yet just last week 4 homeless people died outside. I know homelessness is everywhere, but here - home to the tech industries most influential companies - it just seems out of place. I was visiting EHC Life Builders, a shelter in San Jose, for a homeless memorial honoring the lives that were lost this past year. 48 people died on the streets. Oldest was 80 and the youngest was 19. It's hard to imagine Yogi has lived outside of the past 25 years. This current spot, it right next to a freeway. Being the sun was out it wasn't too bad, but tonight weather will be down in the 20s, and it just breaks my heart that this wonderful woman is sleeping outside! WE NEED TO END HOMELESSNESS NOW! A group from Angel Hack joined me today and I am grateful to now call their friends. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Charmain has been in and out of the New York City's shelter system since 2005. One would think, that in that amount of time, homeless services could have helped Charmain out of homelessness. But as Charmain shares in this very important interview - NYC's shelter system is just warehousing people with little or no support to better their lives. Charmain is currently working part-time. She had a full-time job, but had to drop hours because of the way shelter systems are setup. In New York City, they kick people out at 5am - even in freezing weather. Here in Los Angeles, it's a similar setup at emergency shelters - people are kicked out early in the morning. But since it's first come first served to get back in, you have to start lining up at 3pm or earlier to save your spot - otherwise you're out in the cold! Ever try and sleep on a cot in an open room with 40 - 100 other people? Sleep is rare, so along with being kicked out and waiting in lines to get back in - looking for work is nearly impossible! Charmin is amazing woman struggling to survive. Homelessness is hard on everyone, but females are constantly abused or worse. It is absolutely tragic that a city as great as New York cannot get people off the streets. I do believe there is a use for shelters, but they must only be short-term and interrogated into a support system that actually gets people out of homelessness. Most shelters are horrible places that do not provide human dignity to those who need help the most. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Norman says when he first hit the streets of New York City he didn't know anything about homelessness. He didn't know where to go. He didn't know where to sleep. He didn't know where his next meal would come from. The night before this interview, Norman slept in a subway station. Even now, after a few years being on the streets, Norman shares about how unsafe it is just trying to get a nights rest. Norman tried the shelter system, but because of conflict as a result of the person next to him using drugs, he was asked to leave and was told he had to wait for an extended period to come back. Norman says the NYC shelter system basically just warehouses people and offers little or no help to better their lives. When I asked Norman for his 3 wishes he responded, "Get out of homelessness. Get out of homelessness. Get out of homelessness." Very special thanks to Hanes [http://www.hanes.com] ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Carmen Guidi, from Second Wind Cottages, was nice enough to give me a tour of one of this countries most infamous tent cities known as the Jungle. The Jungle is in Ithaca, New York. Watch a 2-minute preview clip here http://youtu.be/2Ql3Pi4pKFs For post: http://invisiblepeople.tv/blog/2013/11/amazing-look-thru-google-glass-of-a-tent-city-in-rural-america/ ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Carmen Guidi has an incredibly huge heart As he showed me around Second Wind Cottages, and told the stories of the men who will soon call the place home, it became clear that Carmen is one of the most humble and caring men I have ever met. Carmen donated the land and started building small cottages in rural Upstate NY after one of his homeless friends committed suicide. Later in the day, Carmen took me on a short tour of the tent community where is friend and several others died http://youtu.be/Oxw94GgVxRI After experiencing first hand how broken homeless services system is, Carmen just decided to take action and now 18 people will have a small cottage to call home. I really love this model of creating small communities for our homeless friends. My friend Alan Graham, a personal hero of mine, likes to call his "Community First". http://www.buzzfeed.com/summeranne/an-inspired-community-village-for-the-chronically-homeless. Homeless people have created tiny house communities, and maybe my favorite is Dignity Village in Portland http://invisiblepeople.tv/blog/2010/11/interview-with-bradford-powell-of-dignity-village/ and someone posted on Facebook a link to tiny house community for normal people http://boneyardstudios.com/houses/ With lack of affordable housing increasing and homelessness increasing, I think tiny house communities are brilliant. If you'd like to learn more about Carmen's Second Wind Cottages click here: http://secondwindcottages.org ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Carmen Guidi, from Second Wind Cottages, was nice enough to give me a tour of one of this countries most infamous tent cities known as the Jungle. The Jungle is in Ithaca, New York. Please watch this short clip of Carmen telling the story of a man who was set on fire before he could receive services, and his frustration of trying to get a family with young baby help. I will get the entire walk-through up in a few days. Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

It was probably about 40 degrees when I met Alisa. This week, the weather in Syracuse, New York will be dropping into the teens at night. Hard to imagine anyone sleeping outside, but that's the reality of homelessness for people like Alisa. Alisa says she has been homeless a few times, but this is her first time being street homeless. Prior to this situation, she couch surfed and was able to stay out of the cold. Not this time, and she says Syracuse is her home town. Life has not been easy for Alisa, but the good side is she says homelessness makes you appreciate the little things. I hope Alisa finds the support and a job to get out of homelessness. She has a positive attitude for all she has been though, and left on the streets too long I'd hate to see that go away! Today I saw a billboard for an ad campaign asking people to share the tag: #DearSyracuseWithLove to help promote the city. Let's borrow that idea and share the tag: #DearSyracuseEndHomelessness so Alisa and those in similar situations get the help needed to get out of homelessness. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Imagine the weather being 20 or 30 below, yet you'd rather sleep outside than go into the shelter system. Well, that's a very real reality for many Canadian's I meet that are sleeping rough. I met Joe in Ottawa, Canada. He has been homeless for a few years, and says he won't go into shelters because he doesn't feel safe. After Joe lost his income, and then his apartment, sleeping outside became his only choice. Very special thanks to Ottawa Salvation Army and Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Imagine a system where thousands upon thousands of stakeholders pretty much did their own thing without communicating or coordinating with other stakeholders in the system. Well, in simple terms, that's exactly how homeless service's Continuum of Care has evolved. Continuum of Care (often referred to as CoC) is mandated by Housing and Urban Development and is supposed to be an integrated system of care that guides and tracks homeless people through an array of services designed to prevent and end homelessness. Well, that does sound good, but in the real world, the Continuum of Care is made up of separate nonprofits all fighting each other for the same scraps of funding. Each nonprofit has their own personality and their own way of doing things, and these days, everyone has far too much need while resources are being cut, so there is rarely any manpower to try something new. If you've heard me speak at an event or have been following me for any time, you already know how much I love United Way's Home For Good. Whenever the question of solutions or best practices come up I go on a rant about how Home For Good is bringing all the different stakeholders to the table to influence real positive change, which is what was happening here the day of the coordinated entry launch for Los Angeles. I remember years ago the conversation started just to have a coordinated intake form here in Los Angeles, and that never went anywhere because no one could agree, or even compromise, on what data should be collected. I continue to be amazed at how Home For Good has been able to break down wall and build bridges with service providers in Los Angeles, and I'm encouraged by the service providers who are embracing this change. You'll often find me ranting about how much I hate HMIS. I agree in collecting data, but HMIS is about funders and not really built to help people, although one could argue the money helps (of course it does. My point is people needs should come before funding requirements when collecting data). The good news is HMIS is also changing, and this coordinated entry will hopefully lead to where availability is tracked in real-time. That way, a homeless person can find the support they need with one phone call or web visit, and is not given the perpetual runaround the Continuum of Care gives people now. When you look at services through the lens of a homeless person, we actually make it hard for people to get out of homelessness. Daniel Manitsky from Rapid Results Institute and Chris Ko from United Way of Greater Los Angeles take a moment to speak with me about coordinated entry and how it will help Los Angeles fight homelessness. As Chris says, there is a group of housing and a group of homeless people needing housing, and the two groups were made for each other. The new coordinated entry creates a system so the two groups can easily find each other. This is a huge step in the right direction. Coordinated entry is now being started in communities all over America. Has your community started this process and if so, what successes and challenges have you encountered so far? ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Last week while visiting Ottawa, Canada we met Donna. http://invisiblepeople.tv/blog/2013/10/donna-homeless-ottawa-canada-caeh13 Thanks to all of your generous hearts, we raised enough money to get Donna's RV repaired and gas/food so they 1) would no longer be homeless 2) be able to relocate to where they wanted to live Basically, thanks to you, we made Donna's wish come true THANK YOU EVERYONE! ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

While exploring the streets of Ottawa with Judy Graves, one of Canada's most famous homeless advocates, we happened to meet an adorable mother and son living in a homeless shelter. Annie and Matto are very proud that they are Inuit. They are from Nunavut, which is pretty much on the top of the world. Matto helped explain it to me letting me know it's next to Greenland. During my Canadian road trip in 2011 I fell in love with the aboriginal culture. Such wonderful people with a gorgeous culture that must be respected and can never be forgotten. Annie and Matto speak their original language and share with us a few phrases. Many of you know how much I hate cold weather, but I would visit up North in a heart beat just to learn more about the Inuit people. Aboriginal people come to Canada's urban cities for various reasons. Sadly, once here, it's often hard for them to find a way to survive. As Cassien told us in Yellowknife [http://bit.ly/H3uCGi], going back home can also be a problem. Annie and Matto have lived in a homeless shelter for over a year. They are on a housing list, but that often takes time. If we are ever going to end homelessness in Canada we must seriously focus on listening to our aboriginal neighbors. Very special thanks to Ottawa Salvation Army and Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Zach is 20 years-old sleeping rough in Ottawa, Canada. The night before he slept in a parking garage. He says he has been homeless since 12. UPDATE: Zach passed away from an overdose in May of 2018. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

UPDATE: Donna is no longer homeless https://youtu.be/F5xtf7-_BhE Donna's story is a perfect example of why we need to listen to our homeless friends. Donna is homeless in Ottawa, Canada. She has serious health issues, yet manages to travel over 7 kilometers every day with her boyfriend collecting cans to raise money to eat, and to fix her RV to get off the streets. One thing I have learned, is people often connect to geographic locations and that's where they want to live. Donna was raised in the Maritimes, a region of Eastern Canada. Her and her boyfriend ended up in Ontario because that's where their RV broke down and they could also get health benefits. As you'll see in this video, Donna pretty much only had one wish: to get back home to look after her mom's grave. Here's the issue: services in Ottawa will never house Donna simply because she doesn't want to live here. In her mind, although it's been some time, she is just passing through. The other challenge is there is no grant funding to help Donna with the repairs on her RV, even though it's not that much money. This type situation is what is often called "gaps in the safety net", but I think it's really because we don't listen or use common sense. To me, it's pretty simple - help Donna and her boyfriend get their RV fixed and get to the Maritimes = two really happy people who....now wait for it...ARE NO LONGER HOMELESS! We did this before you may remember. Thanks to all of you we helped a disabled veteran get his RV out of impound http://invisiblepeople.tv/blog/2010/08/thanks-to-social-media-johnny-will-get-his-home-back/ Local Salvation Army told me it'd be around $500cdn and a few tanks of gas to get Donna's RV repaired and out of the lot (were they are being charged daily) and back to the Maritimes. We are guessing around $800cdn will do it. Ottawa Salvation Army has graciously offered to facilitate logistics if we raise the funds. That means they'll make sure the RV gets fixed the Donna gets off safely, and they'll make sure they are connected on the other end of this journey. Here is the link to our donate page http://invppl.tv/donate. If 8 people give $100 each it's done. If 16 people give $50 each game over. If just 32 of you give $25 we can help make Donna's wish come true and get an elderly homeless woman out of the cold. Please give generously and let's make this happen for Donna. UPDATE: Last night. THANKS TO YOUR BIG HEARTS, we raised $834 to help Donna make her wish come true. The money will be given to the Ottawa Salvation Army, who will help Donna make sure the RV get's fixed and they get on the road. THANK YOU EVERYONE! You messed me up (in a good way) WATCH THIS VIDEO FROM DONNA: https://youtu.be/F5xtf7-_BhE Very special thanks to Ottawa Salvation Army and Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

I am pissed! I am so mad right now! I just hate ignorance! More on that in a moment. I met Lars in San Diego a few months ago. Lars was laid off from his job of 5 years, and when unemployment extensions ran out, he had no choice but to live in his car. Lars was lucky that he found Dreams for Change, a nonprofit that helps support people living in their vehicles. I wrote about the program here: http://invisiblepeople.tv/blog/2013/08/people-living-in-vehicles-need-safe-places-to-park-not-fines-or-jail/ While traveling this last month I saw that Vista, California was trying to shut down one of Dreams for Change parking lot programs at a local church. I did happen to visit that church, but all the stories, except for the interview with Teresa Smith, CEO of Dreams for Change, were recorded at another church parking lot outside of Vista. Why I am so mad is I just learned that they did have to shut down the program at the church in Vista. Neighbors started yelling obscenities at the homeless and volunteers and made angry phone calls to the church, which made the situation unsafe. I just wrote and than backspaced a bunch of obscenities myself. Neighbors of Cornerstone Church in Vista - YOU SUCK! Homelessness is getting worse, and the best way to fight homelessness is to support programs like Dreams for Change that are helping people get out of homelessness. Special thanks to Homelessness News San Diego ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Read post here: http://invisiblepeople.tv/blog/2013/10/a-new-and-improved-rescue-mission-rescue-mission-alliance-of-syracuse/ As I was driving into downtown Syracuse, I noticed a traffic sign pointing to The Mission District, which is home to the Rescue Mission Alliance of Syracuse. The sign was an official NYDOT traffic sign, so that spoke volumes to me on how the Rescue Mission Alliance of Syracuse works with the local community. Being candid, normally the first thing you'll notice about a rescue mission or faith based program is how little they work with their local community. I know in my last sentence I painted with a big brush grouping most faith based missions together. The truth is most still follow outdated models and build themselves into huge ivory towers because they follow Jesus, and by following Jesus they can stay blind to any real change. There are, however, a few faith based organizations that are blazing a trail of change to be able to better help their communities. I love seeing the Calgary Dream Center at homeless conferences, learning and growing how to end homelessness in Canada. I have huge respect for Jeff Lilley and the change he has been able to bring to Seattle's Union Gospel Mission. Most missions have layers of century-old traditions that make real change nearly impossible, so when leaders like Jeff step in, you know they have to face walls of opposition just to take off the neck-tie. I love how Los Angeles Mission is working with Home For Good, and others stakeholders in Skid Row are working on a coordinated entry. I am blown away how my friend Murray Soroka was able to get a group of local churches to 400 people in apartments using the housing first model. Yes, there is change coming, but for every one of the great stories I know, I can share hundreds more of faith based programs that will not work with their community and use the bible to validate outdated models that no longer work. Please know I love rescue missions, and please know if it sounds like I am coming down hard, it's only because I honestly believe that the faith based community could end homelessness tomorrow if they decided to. I used to work in church marketing and church growth. For me, the rescue mission model was the model American churches should adopt. Tony Morgan, a church leadership consultant asked, "if your church closed tomorrow, would your community notice"? That one sentence should be the foundation of all church marketing. Forget the elaborate worship experience that leads to dynamic preaching - feed people - clothe people - help people get out of homelessness - work with the community including other churches - do those things and people will want to visit your church. If you're a church leader and you're having trouble filling seats on Sunday, chances are you're not really helping your community FILL THEIR NEEDS. I was sitting having lunch with Alan Thornton and a few leaders at Rescue Mission Alliance of Syracuse, and I could not get "New and Improved Rescue Mission" out of my head. Like I said, I do love the rescue mission model, but I hate that because so many missions are resistant to change, the impact of most faith based programs are far from what they should be, and what their community needs. Old mission model was to make Jesus disciples, but memory scriptures plus forced bible study and work times just adds structure, and when that structure is gone, most people go back to their old ways. I can feel some of you getting mad at me because you can share the names of graduates from your program who are now sober, but do you measure your failures? Do you measure the people who refused to go into your program because they didn't want to be forced to pray at 5:30am? For every person you celebrate as a success, how many failures of people who left your program because you simply refuse to adapt to the world as it is today? Do you keep track of how many "graduates" are still sober and doing good 1 - 3 - 5 years later? The new and improved mission model collects data on failures to adjust programs for better outcomes. Old mission model runs programs of 30 to 120 days, sometimes a year or two year program they call transitional. Often, the people who need help the most, chronic homeless who have been on the streets far too long are passed up. New and improved mission model embraces permanent supportive housing and tries to create programs that will help everyone in their community - and not just believers. __________________________________________ http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Kevin is a homeless youth living in a Chicago youth shelter. Kevin's mother kicked him out when he was 15 years-old, and he spent the next few years couch surfing. At 17, Kevin went and moved in with his dad, where he says they both put a lot of their feelings in a bottle. When that relationship exploded, Kevin found himself back out in the streets. Kevin shares a candid story of sleeping outside and the realities of being a homeless youth. When I asked Kevin what his future was like, he responded that he had been in so many places the last 3 years - that he didn't know, but at 18 Kevin is a young man with a world of experience. You only have to listen to him for a short time to know he's on a good path now, and if he stays the course, Kevin will do just fine. Special thanks to the Night Ministry http://www.thenightministry.org ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Denise spends her days with her family in a Salt Lake City park. They once had stable housing, but when the building they were in was foreclosed on, Denise had to move her family into a homeless shelter. If you are wondering what they are doing in a park everyday, the typical homeless shelter model kicks families out during daytime hours, even with young kids, even in freezing weather. They will tell you it's to motivate them to go look for work or something. But let's get real, a mom with young kids cannot look for work without childcare, so kids end up hanging outside often in the bad parts of town getting all the wrong influences. When I taped this interview, Denise had 12 days to find an apartment before she would lose her section 8. I had a wonderful time getting to know Denise and the other families in the park that night. I do hope she was able to find adequate housing. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Lisa and her daughter Lexus are the face of homelessness you don't normally see, but you need to see! After trying to stay with family, Lisa had to return to Missouri for medical reasons. Pregnant and unable to work, after resources ran out, Lisa and Lexus ended up in a weekly rate hotel in Wentzville, just outside of St Louis. Low and no income families living in weekly-rate hotels are a serious crisis. Lisa and Lexus were lucky to find a good hotel through the support of Paul Kruze, but even though this hotel is a little better than most, it's still no place to raise kids. Special thanks to Paul Kruse, who helps these families every single day of the year http://www.firststepbackhome.net ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

I am so excited about being able to share this story. Not only have I been wanting to visit the House that FreeFest built ever since I heard about it, I actually drove from Los Angeles to the Virgin Mobile RE*Generation House. What made this road trip so amazing, is I did the very best I could to highlight the crisis of youth homelessness in our country along the way. The RE*Generation House is a partnership with the Sasha Bruce Youthworks, one of the largest and most experienced providers of services to youth in Washington, DC. Young adults going through the transitional program receive the support needed to rebuild their lives. FreeFest is kind of like a concert created through Virgin Mobile's RE*Generation program, but I consider it more of a movement to help homeless youth. As a result of the last four FreeFests, nearly $800,000 has been raised and nearly 75,000 volunteer hours and 25,000 hygiene kits have been donated. FreeFest fans actually funded the development of "The RE*Generation House by Virgin Mobile," where Andrea and several other young people now call home! Now thanks to a partnership with Sevenly and Virgin Mobile, an additional $60,000 and growing has been raised to help fight youth homelessness. The campaign started September 16th and runs until Monday morning at 9:59am PST. That means you still have time to visit http://sevenly.org and for every purchase, $7 will go to fight youth homelessness. ONLY A FEW DAYS LEFT to look good and do good helping kids who need some extra love, so please visit sevenly.org and let's raise another $25,000 before this campaign ends. Another highlight of this trip was being about to meet and interview Deborah Shore, the founder of Sasha Bruce Youthworks, Deborah has been helping troubled and "at risk" youth for over three decides, and I could not help and be in awe of her wealth of compassion and knowledge. This Invisible People road trip is made possible by Sevenly and Virgin Mobile USA, who are partnering to end youth homelessness through Virgin Mobile USA's initiative, RE*Generation. For more information please click here http://invppl.tv/regen. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

DeShay was in college, and because a freak accident and all his stuff being stolen, he moved back in with his mom. That living situation was 15 people living in a one-bedroom apartment. DeShay then started to go house to house couch surfing. DeShay was lucky. The RE*Generation House was being remodeled and Sasha Bruce Youthworks had some space in another program until it was finished. The RE*Generation House is a partnership with the Sasha Bruce Youthworks, one of the largest and most experienced providers of services to youth in Washington, DC. Young adults going through the transitional program receive the support needed to rebuild their lives. DeShay dreams of becoming a bio-medial engineer, and because of your support of Virgin Mobile's RE*Generation House, DeShay may be the person that cures AIDS. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

"I don't really have that homeless feeling because I actually feel like I'm at home" Andrea tells me as she points to the house that FreeFest built! FreeFest is kind of like a concert created through Virgin Mobile's RE*Generation program, but I consider it more of a movement to help homeless youth. As a result of the last four FreeFests, nearly $800,000 has been raised and nearly 75,000 volunteer hours and 25,000 hygiene kits have been donated. FreeFest fans actually funded the development of "The RE*Generation House by Virgin Mobile," where Andrea and several other young people now call home! The RE*Generation House is a partnership with the Sasha Bruce Youthworks, one of the largest and most experienced providers of services to youth in Washington, DC. Young adults going through the transitional program receive the support needed to rebuild their lives. Families will always have conflict, and programs like The RE*Generation House can play a huge role in homelessness prevention, by helping to make sure no child spends even one night on the streets. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

James is a young person, homeless in Chicago. He was living with his mom until drugs and other family conflicts forced him out. He then couch surfed with relatives and even relocated out of town for a bit. When James returned to Chicago he was sleeping outside. He then found a second family at La Case Norte, a youth organization in Chicago. James has dreams of being a business owner and a professional dancer. You can just feel the positive energy when you are around this young man. James is just one many many reasons we need to support services that help young people. Very special thanks to La Casa Norte This Invisible People road trip is made possible by Sevenly and Virgin Mobile USA, who are partnering to end youth homelessness through Virgin Mobile USA's initiative, RE*Generation. For more information please click here http://invppl.tv/regen ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

It's pretty much common sense that a bad economy will influence youth homelessness both in the present and in the future, but I never thought about that 18 to 21 year-old's today were entering this world around the same time crack cocaine was becoming popular. Crack literally destroyed families then and continues to destroy families today. Yesterday, I learned that the political differences in families around the Vietnam War also created an increase in youth homelessness. These days, it's sexuality! As we learned in my first interview on this road trip, our current economic crisis caused families to "downsize" and kick out their older kids, which influences youth homelessness now, and because homelessness can often be generational, it will influence homelessness in the future. Meet Lenny Prewitt, program manager for Family Links, a youth and family services organization in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Lenny has been working with youth time and has been lots of changes that were a result of both national and local social and economic changes. Very special thanks to Family Links http://www.familylinks.org This Invisible People road trip is made possible by Sevenly and Virgin Mobile USA, who are partnering to end youth homelessness through Virgin Mobile USA's initiative, RE*Generation. For more information please click here. http://invppl.tv/regen ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Last year while visiting Chicago I met a young man who was 19 years-old at the time. Jermire had been homeless since the age of 13, but thanks to the support from La Casa Norte, Jermire was soon to graduate from high school. You can watch Jermire's powerful story here http://bit.ly/JcxUeB. I started this visit to La Casa Notre at their transitional housing program called Solid Ground. After a brief introduction with staff, they opened the door and allowed me to hang in the kitchen with all the young men. Little did I know, that later in the evening I would also be allowed to freely hang out in their youth emergency shelter. Both experiences I will never forget. If you've never spent time in a youth shelter it's really not what you'd expect. The feeling is more like a very large extended family. If you didn't know it was a homeless shelter you'd never know these kids are homeless. While visiting with La Case Norte, Barbara Poppe, Executive Director of the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness, tweet to me that La Casa Norte was recognized by the White House for being a Champion of Change http://www.whitehouse.gov/champions/fighting-youth-homelessness/sol-flores I haven't talk about it much, but on this road trip I have seen more homelessness than I have in years past. That said, I was happy to learn the City of Chicago is proactive in funding youth emergency shelters throughout the area. In this video Shawn Melissa Deck, program coordinator for La Casa Norte's Solid Ground program, talks about youth homelessness in Chicago, and more specifically the need for transitional programs. This Invisible People road trip is made possible by Sevenly and Virgin Mobile USA, who are partnering to end youth homelessness through Virgin Mobile USA's initiative, RE*Generation. For more information please click here. http://invppl.tv/regen ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Not sure there is anything that gets me more upset than when I hear about a family kicking a child out because they are gay, yet that's one of the major causes of youth homelessness in America. Jaleel is a homeless youth that I met accessing a emergency shelter in Chicago. He says that being homeless is better than the awkward situation of staying with family or friends. Jaleel is a strong young man with the dream of becoming a social worker who gives back to the community. Very special thanks to La Casa Norte ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Scotty has been homeless in Denver since he was 13 years-old. He's 23 now and still homeless, and says he's kind of gotten used to to being on the streets. At 13, Scotty's mother kicked him out into the streets. He survived with the support of older homeless kids in the downtown area of Denver. I cannot even imagine what goes through a child's mind when they forced into homelessness by being thrown away. Sadly, a huge percentage of homeless kids are never even reported as missing! Very special thanks to Sox Place. This Invisible People road trip is made possible by Sevenly and Virgin Mobile USA, who are partnering to end youth homelessness through Virgin Mobile USA's initiative, RE*Generation. For more information please click here. http://invppl.tv/regen ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

This video you MUST watch to the end. Normally, after I ask someone for their 3 wishes - we end. But Brion didn't want any wishes, and when he started to explain why, he opened up about his childhood and growing up in foster care. Brion got back from the Army after being discharged for health reasons. His mom asked him for his money so she could buy drugs. When Brion said no, his mother went to the police to have him removed from her apartment. Brion is a homeless youth in Pittsburgh. Some nights it was safer to stay up all night then to fall asleep and become vulnerable. At around 3 minutes into this video, Brion shares candidly about the problem of putting a child into different foster care placements. Brion was placed into his first foster home at 9, and says he was in 13 placements until he aged out at 18. Now at age 20, Brion says everyone who grows up with that much inconsistency becomes a product of the "system"! Sadly, Brion's story is very common. According to California Progress Report, 65% of youth in foster care emancipate without a place to live. 40% of persons living in homeless shelters are former foster children. A similarly disproportionate percentage of the nation's prison population is comprised of former foster youth. Less than 3% go to college and 51% are unemployed. The good news is that although the story of a broken foster care system is common, young men like Brion are not. I cannot predict the future, but I can almost guarantee Brion is going to put all the madness behind him and have an amazing life! Very special thanks to Family Links http://www.familylinks.org This Invisible People road trip is made possible by Sevenly and Virgin Mobile USA, who are partnering to end youth homelessness through Virgin Mobile USA's initiative, RE*Generation. For more information please click here. http://invppl.tv/regen ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

For young adults, it's all about name brand clothing, but most homeless youth cannot afford the cost or don't have the 'closet space'! That doesn't stop Mike from rock'n homelessness in style. Mike is 20 years-old and has been street homeless for the last two years. Mike started couch surfing, but living at the mercy of other people can be challenging, and Mike ended up sleeping outside. I get the strong feeling homelessness is not in Mike's future. Even while on the streets he's finishing up his GED and looking at college. Mike is all about style and he even designed a dress for a charity event. Special thanks to Urban Peak. This Invisible People road trip is made possible by Sevenly and Virgin Mobile USA, who are partnering to end youth homelessness through Virgin Mobile USA's initiative, RE*Generation. For more information please click here. http://invppl.tv/regen ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

My very first interaction with a Covenant House was years ago when I was going to college to be a drug and alcohol counselor. I applied at Covenant House Hollywood and was accepted to be an intern, but I ended up interning at an adult recovery program. I actually remember that first tour of their facilities in Hollywood with adjoining apartments. I was extremely impressed. Since I started traveling to fight homelessness I have visited a few Covenant House locations across the country, and I can honestly say that each one has a spirit of excellence and feels like home! I am always very impressed! I have also become internet friends with their CEO, Kevin Ryan, who is tops on my hero list. Kevin is not one of those sit-behind-a-deck executives and is always traveling someplace to help people. I think as I type this Kevin is in South America. For the last few years, we just miss each other in cities as we both travel, and someday soon I hope to be able to spend some time with Kevin in real life. Until then, I admire his work, especially when disaster strikes [Power of Social Media Helping Homeless Services After Hurricane Sandy http://huff.to/QYP4h7] Covenant House has 'homes' in 6 different countries, with the majority of them being right here in the United States. As far as I know, Covenant House is the only national provider of services to homeless youth and youth that are 'at risk' of being homeless. I started off the day traveling downtown St Louis with Covenant House Missouri's outreach team. Having once lived and worked in St Louis, I know the area. I have to say, I was so very impressed with the two women running their outreach team and how they interacted with homeless youth. In this video, Suzanne Wagener, Executive Director of Covenant House Missouri, explains that the number one cause of homelessness in the youth they see is family dysfunction, which means someone in the family has a substance abuse issue or mental health issue, and the youth either run away or are thrown away. It's always messed me up knowing that a large percentage of homeless youth are never even reported missing. Please support Covenant House as they continue to homeless youth get off the streets. Read post here: http://invisiblepeople.tv/blog/2013/09/covenant-house-missouri-feels-like-home/ ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. _

Danni says "it's complicated, it's hard, and homelessness is not fun".Danni first ended up on the streets of Denver when her mom was evicted. She tired staying with family, but when that didn't work out she had to face the horrible reality of homelessness. For the first few days Danni was literally sleeping outside, which for a young woman, or any woman for that matter, can be extremely dangerous. Good news, Danni's future is bright. She has a job and she's going to have her first apartment soon, thanks to the help she receives from Urban Peak. Please support the local organizations that are helping homeless youth get off the streets. Special thanks to Urban Peak. This Invisible People road trip is made possible by Sevenly and Virgin Mobile USA, who are partnering to end youth homelessness through Virgin Mobile USA's initiative, RE*Generation. For more information please click here. http://invppl.tv/regen ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

"How do you help young people? listen to them! It really is that simple. Sandwiches are sandwiches, a shower is a shower, a bed's a bed! But for too long as a society we've not empowered young people enough to give us their voice and tell us what they need, and if we listen to young people, they'll tell us how to help them." ~ Chris Nelson This video on homeless youth and youth homelessness in Boulder, Colorado gets a little long, and Chris Nelson, program director at Attention Homes, said something near the end so important that I not only started this post with it - I made it the title! If you've never had to access homeless services you're lucky. It's a broken system. Programs are funding driven, not people driven, and rarely are homeless people treated like consumers. No homeless family ever said: "Please separate our family by gender and put us all into one room with all the other homeless people. Please only have bathrooms with two stalls. Please kick everyone out in the morning, even the young babies, and even in bad weather.", but that's the typical model for a family homeless shelter. If we are ever going to end homelessness, we must start designing programs based on what people actually need - that means listening to them. Young, old, middle-aged - people are people and they will tell you what they need if you are willing to listen. Brands figured this out a long time ago, yet homeless services still does not consider a homeless person a consumer, mainly because a homeless person has little choice in what, where and who they receive services from. I do believe that will change soon! This road trip trip didn't have a lot of time so Boulder was not part of the plan, yet I kept getting tweets from @attnhomes asking me to visit. I actually hit the Denver area on a holiday, and holiday's normally are a wash, but the leadership team from Attention Homes, a runaway and homeless youth organization in Boulder, all came in to meet with me and talk about homelessness. I was impressed they came in on a holiday and impressed with their services! Boulder attracts travelers like no place else I have seen. Travelers are a subculture of homeless youth that are known for hopping trains. You've seen them hanging out in your city. They almost have a uniform wearing brown clothes and often have dogs and musical instruments. Most of the kids seem happy, and the hippie lifestyle looks attractive. Truth is, many of these kids are "throwaways" often running from horrible family situations. They find community with each other, but as young adults this lifestyle does not come with any professional or even social development. One youth leader once told me she was concerned because these kids don't get the nutrition they need. As fun as the traveling lifestyle may look, I have often wondered how many of these kids end up as chronic homeless in their adult years. I will say this, in Boulder I did hang out with a few travelers that I believe were living this lifestyle by choice. One kid I met, probably had a few years of college in before he decided to go off on an adventure. Others were after a minimalist life, claiming freedom was their driving force. Boulder has so many travelers, even the travelers complain there are too many. One girl with a cat said she normally does good panhandling, but in Boulder there is too much competition. This is not just a panhandling issue, but so many travelers come to the area in the summer resources are taxed. Boulder is famous for being a choice destination for hippies in the 60s, and it's impossible to change that history. Boulder is always going to draw travelers. My concern is that at some point, if they haven't already, the city will start criminalizing homelessness as a band-aid solution, which will not work. What I suggest the city and residents of Boulder do is support services like Attention Homes, that offer help and a safe place to hang out. I really enjoyed meeting everyone at Attention Homes, and Chris Nelson is not only brilliant, he's a lot of fun. Yes, we had a few laughs during this video interview, but there are some very important topics covered about helping homeless youth. Please remember that the views expressed in this and other videos are not necessarily the views of anyone I am connected to professionally. It's just simply two new friends talking about helping people! Are you listening? Read full post here: http://invisiblepeople.tv/blog/2013/09/how-do-you-help-young-people-listen-to-them/ ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv

Charles is 22 and living on the streets of Denver. Charles says homelessness is hard and homeless youth do the best they can, but he continues that the community often works against them. When I first walked up on Charles he was writing out his sign to panhandle. Being a marketer by trade I was curious and asked him what works. Charles responded "the truth", which is a brilliant lesson for all of us. Charles has been homeless since 16 years-old. He was in foster care and says he was in well over 25 placements before he decided to run away. As I travel focusing on homeless youth, I keep hearing horrible stories of foster care being repeated. Our broken foster care system plays a huge role in both youth and adult homelessness. This Invisible People road trip is made possible by Sevenly and Virgin Mobile USA, who are partnering to end youth homelessness through Virgin Mobile USA's initiative, RE*Generation. For more information please click here. http://invppl.tv/regen ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

"Children and youth victimized in human trafficking are not social outcasts or criminals. Rather, they are our neighbors and friends, our nieces and nephews, and our children and grandchildren who have been or who are currently being mentally, physically, and sexually abused. And they don't need us standing around clicking our ruby red slippers or dreaming of Oz" ~ Karen Countryman-Roswurm. The only thing that gets me more upset about the domestic labor and sex trafficking of homeless youth in America, is the fact that most people don't even care that homeless boys and girls in this country are being bought and then forced to do horrible things. As many of you know, I have been working with homeless people in some form for the last 19 years, but it wasn't until my trip in 2010 that I learned about labor trafficking and how rampant domestic sex trafficking is. To me, this is a crisis and should be front page news, but I bet for most of you, this is the first time you've even heard about the trafficking of homeless youth. Most of the attention and the resources go to fight international trafficking, and all human trafficking is horrible, but domestic trafficking is our kids. OUR KIDS! What happens to trafficked children in the U.S. when they are discovered by the police? Often they are arrested on prostitution charges, thrown into jail and treated like criminals, even though they are minors. But not in Kansas anymore thanks to Karen Countryman-Roswurm, who is near the top on my hero list. Dr Karen Countryman-Roswurm worked hard to get the words "prostitution" removed from state laws. This change made it now possible for trafficking victims to get the proper help they need. Other states have also made changes to help minors who have been caught up in trafficking, but it should be every state! I first interviewed Karen Countryman-Roswurm in 2010 and you can watch that interview here http://bit.ly/dz5bdL. I have mad respect for Karen and consider her a close friend, although we rarely find time to connect. Karen was also a homeless youth, beating impossible odds, and is now HAS a Ph.D. and is the director of the Center for Combating Human Trafficking at Wichita State University [http://www.wichita.edu/thisis/home/?u=humantrafficking] Karen likes to call those of use that came up from the streets "survivor/leaders" I like that! Every time I talk to Karen I learn so much, and this video interview with her is filled with information that you need to hear. I really like how Karen shares about the fight against human trafficking starts at home. Words every parent needs to hear! Read full post here: http://invisiblepeople.tv/blog/2013/09/the-domestic-labor-and-sex-trafficking-of-homeless-youth/ This Invisible People road trip is made possible by Sevenly and Virgin Mobile USA, who are partnering to end youth homelessness through Virgin Mobile USA's initiative, RE*Generation. For more information please click here. http://invppl.tv/regen __________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

WARNING: This video will mess you up! Being on a road trip focusing on homeless youth it was important to tell the story of the homelessness you don't see -- the millions of American families living in weekly rate hotels just barley one step from street homelessness. In fact, when I met this wonderful family today, they were packing up to leave and live in their car. The hotel had given them one day's grace, but they were completely out of money with no place to go. I am still emotional thinking about it even hours later. Truth is, thousands upon thousands of families face being evicted from a hotel to the streets every single day! This family was lucky. I tweet out what I call a "Hail Mary" and a generous heart stepped up and donated a weeks stay. That too messed me up! Michael, Danielle, and their six children live in one hotel room near St Louis. Michael works a full time job, and they used to rent a house, but their landlord didn't pay the mortgage. After the bank took the property back, Michael, Danielle, and their six children were evicted with no place to go. Hotel homelessness becomes a trap. Hotel's cost more than an apartment, but you can move right in without deposit, and a hotel room is far better than the streets. Once in, people who are considered the working poor, have an impossible time trying to save up enough money to afford adequate housing. Often these hotels are not a good place for kids to grow up. There is a lot of emotion in this video. I get messed up throughout, but when the parents start talking about having to run in to the bathroom to cry so the kids don't see -- I'm done! I am pissed that families have to live like this and heartbroken because I can literally feel their pain. I don't speak about this much, but I was raised by my mother and we went through some hard years when I was young. If I could get you to watch just one video all the way to the end, and then share, this would be that video. This family is filled with strength and love, and has the courage to share their very real story about the homeless you don't see, but need to see! Special thanks to Paul Kruse, who helps these families every single day of the year http://www.firststepbackhome.net This Invisible People road trip is made possible by Sevenly and Virgin Mobile USA, who are partnering to end youth homelessness through Virgin Mobile USA's initiative, RE*Generation. For more information please click here. http://invppl.tv/regen Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Lexsis breaks my heart. This adorable young woman has been hardened by the system and homelessness. Only 19, Lexsis has grown up most of her life on the streets. I met Lexsis in Denver, Colorado. She says every day is a struggle for food and safe place to sleep. Lexsis says people should look at homeless youth through their eyes, that they are not after money but acceptance and security. Lexsis went into foster care as a little girl. When I asked how many placements she responded "57". That number seemed a little high to me so I asked a social worker who specializes in youth and was told high numbers of placements like that are not uncommon. How can any child grow up normal when they are being tossed around the system like that?!! The night before this interview Lexsis slept in a park and says someone poured water on her while she was sleeping! This Invisible People road trip is made possible by Sevenly and Virgin Mobile USA, who are partnering to end youth homelessness through Virgin Mobile USA's initiative, RE*Generation. For more information please click here. http://invppl.tv/regen ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Created for this post: http://invisiblepeople.tv/blog/2013/09/what-would-jesus-do-to-help-homeless-youth/ My hope in writing this post is that we can all enter into a healthy conversation about faith based organizations and homeless services. I strongly believe that if the faith based community worked as a team with others in their local communities, and opened up to share resources, we could end homelessness tomorrow. Please note that the views in this post are all mine and are not the views of anyone I am connected to professionally. If you have issues with what I am about to say, the place to respond is in the comment section below. I simply ask that we all keep this conversation civil. Emotions run wild every time the word "Jesus" is used. I get that. Please keep in mind that through healthy discussion real change is possible, and we desperately need change! The first time I was in Denver walking the 16th Street Mall a homeless man stopped me and asked if I would pray with him. I was honored! As we were praying, an older woman with a bible in her hand came up trying to "win us to Jesus". I'll admit, to her I am sure we looked like to homeless men, but we were already praying, so right from the start it was a little funky. The homeless man asked her if she'd like to join us in prayer. She noticed the cigarette in the homeless man's hand and started to condemn him for smoking. She would not pray with us because he smoked. She then started to throw scriptures at him because she felt smoking is a sin. The homeless man was well versed in scripture, as most homeless people are (just to eat, often several times a day, homeless people are forced to listen to preaching and know more bible than most pastors), and the two started off into a scripture battle. To me, this woman not being willing to pray with this homeless man spoke volumes. She wasn't there to help this man, she just wanted him to say the 'sinners prayer' so she could add another check mark in her bible. Please know it's not that this woman is bad, she is just repeating what she and millions like her have been programmed to do. This week I was again walking down 16th Street Mall in Denver and I saw several people with bibles under their arms out on the hunt for homeless people. I looked around and saw people of all different walks of life, and I started to wonder why Christians just target our homeless friends. I then tweet this: Question: I see a bunch of Christians with bibles in hand targeting homeless people. Why don't they target the people shopping? Meet Doyle Robinson, the founder of Sox Place, a drop in center near downtown Denver. Doyle is a former youth pastor who started to hand out socks to homeless youth. Of course, Doyle is faith based and loves God. Having worked for a church he knows the bible, yet he was just building relationships with the simple act of handing a homeless youth some "freshies". He wasn't asking the kids to say a prayer or for anything in return. He was just loving on the kids the best way he knew how - giving out socks! That simple act of intentional kindness grew into a drop in center for street youth that now provides meals, clothes, crisis intervention, and referral services. When you walk into Sox Place, you won't see a bible anywhere, unless one of the kids brings it out. See, the reason Sox Place exists is to provide real love to kids who have been at war with love. As Doyle says in this video, everything that we talk about being love - family - church - school - has been bad to them. Yes, homeless youth face serious problems every day, but the real problem is what happened to them back then - when they were beaten - abused - neglected - and situations that are unthinkable. I'll tell you what, we need more places for homeless youth like Sox Place. Heck, imagine if the church was a place where we could all just go as we truly are - to be loved on without judgment! I'd may even start going to church again!!! Faith based organizations in this country have an army of workers and lots of resources that could be used to end homelessness, and probably help fix a lot of other social problems. Instead of sending out millions of people to get other people to say a prayer, imagine if all those people started to be an answer to other people's prayers! And maybe you're not faith based, funding a drop in center to get kids off the streets is much more cost effective then passing laws to arrest them. If you have a homeless problem in your community, the solution is ending homelessness not filling jails! So, what do you think Jesus would do to help homeless youth? . ________________________________________________ Support Invisible People’s important work for as little as $2 a month https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople

Back in 2010, during Invisible People's 2nd national road trip, I was introduced to Urban Peak's work fighting youth homelessness in Denver. To be honest, it was a life-changing moment for me. Thanks to Urban Peak allowing me to tag along for a few days, I learned about labor trafficking of homeless youth in America. Here is the story from that 2010 visit of Jeremy and Alicia [http://bit.ly/H2muGS] two youth I met during that visit who has been stranded by a sales crew. I also learned about domestic sex trafficking of homeless youth, which really opened my eyes and heart to a such a horrible crisis. You can watch that interview here: Homeless Youth Labor and Sex Trafficking in America http://bit.ly/9H8JWl This week I revisited Urban Peak and I was so very happy to see the growth of their facility and programs. Their drop in center was awesome before, but the new improvements are very noticeable. What stuck out the most, to me, was that the top floor had been transformed into an education and learning center. I love walking through seeing homeless youth working to better their lives through education. Each stop on this road trip I am trying to pick out a topic that relates to fighting youth homelessness and is different than what has already been highlighted. In the following video Charlie Annerino, employment services specialist at Urban Peak, speaks about the joys and challenges of using employment and education to fight youth homelessness. I have a lot of respect for social service workers like Charlie who work with broken youth. Teenagers are hard as is, now add teenagers who have grown up on the streets and have probably experienced more trauma than most adults see in a lifetime. Although challenging, helping kids learn life skills through employment and education is very important. Please support services in your community like Urban Peak. This Invisible People road trip is made possible by Sevenly and Virgin Mobile USA, who are partnering to end youth homelessness through Virgin Mobile USA's initiative, RE*Generation. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

"Kid Prisons" is what Jacob calls the foster homes he lived in. Jacob is 21 now, and has been homeless ever since he aged out of foster care. Just imagine it's your 18th birthday and that is the day you are kicked out into the streets with only the clothes on your back. Well, according to California Progress Report, 65% of youth in foster care emancipate without a place to live. 40% of persons living in homeless shelters are former foster children. A similarly disproportionate percentage of the nation's prison population is comprised of former foster youth. Less than 3% go to college and 51% are unemployed. I met Jacob in Salt Lake City, Utah. Jacob is a smart young man, yet he says he was never taught the life skills needed to step into adulthood. We will never end homelessness until we fix our broken foster care system. This Invisible People road trip is made possible by Sevenly and Virgin Mobile USA, who are partnering to end youth homelessness through Virgin Mobile USA's initiative, RE*Generation. For more information please click here. http://invppl.tv/regen ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Ditsy is 19 years-old and homeless in Salt Lake City, Utah. As you'll quickly see, Ditsy loves kids. He told me that helping and playing with the homeless kids in the park makes him feel better about his younger years. Although this was a fun interview, the fact that every kid in this video is homeless is a serious tragedy. Ditsy says being a homeless youth is not the hardest thing he has done, but it's also not the easiest. He says he struggles for food, and has to worry about police when sleeping. As hard as homelessness is, Ditsy says if you can stay optimistic, it becomes a little easier. Smart words for such a young man. When I started to talk to Ditsy about sharing his story the kids were not really around. Before I knew it the kids became part of this story so I just ran with it. While recording, I kept thinking about the challenges of finding all the parents to get their permission. This was a public park at dusk, and who knows where everyone is. Ditsy took me to the first mother and I handed her a business card. I give everyone a business card with my email and cell number. The mother didn't really say much when another woman, surrounded by a group of people, started to yell at me to come to her. The first mother ran to this woman and handed her my business card. My first thoughts were that I was in trouble. My second thought was that no way was I going to get permission and this whole thing is about to go bad. To my shock, the woman asked me to take photos of all their kids and family portraits of everyone. There were probably 3 or maybe 4 homeless families hanging out, and they all wanted portraits. I am not a still photographer and my gear is all setup for video. It was dark, I didn't have lights, and I had the wrong lens. I only say that because I wish I could have done better for all of them. I told them I would let me friends at Help Portrait [http://help-portrait.com] know what shelter they are in so they can get photos done right. For the next 45 minutes I had so much fun, and so did all of them posing for photos. It was as if the world was alright and none of them were experimenting homelessness. Here is a link to a few of the family portraits I took tonight http://hardlynormal.tumblr.com/post/59928558609/just-a-few-of-the-homeless-family-photos-i-took-in So obviously, not only did I get every parents permission I made a bunch of new friends in the process. It's a night I'll never forget that's for sure. This Invisible People road trip is made possible by Sevenly and Virgin Mobile USA, who are partnering to end youth homelessness through Virgin Mobile USA's initiative, RE*Generation. For more information please click here. http://invppl.tv/regen Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

At only 14 years old, Elaina made the decision to leave home rather than live with her mother's drug abuse. That's a pretty hard call for a young child to make, yet today I met a few homeless youth in Salt Lake City, Utah that felt the streets were better than home. For the last 6 years, Elaina has been on her own and in some state of homelessness. At one point she had an apartment, but it's really hard for kids to be mature enough to maintain housing. Plus, at 16 or so, the only income a youth can find is at best part-time, and that's not enough money to live off. Elaina is a new mother. She says now having a son helps motivate her to do better. Soon, she'll be in her own apartment thanks to rapid rehousing program that's aimed at homeless youth. Very special thanks to Volunteers of America for allowing me to join their streets outreach today. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

In 2009, on my very first road trip, the State of Utah contacted me and asked me to visit Salt Lake City. Invisible People is not your conventional homeless services, so I was a little shocked and greatly honored that a state government was validating my work. It was during a visit here in 2010 that I met Sergei on his first night homeless, it was also his 18th birthday [http://bit.ly/H31pQc] Meeting Sergei messed me up. I opened my wallet and gave him every penny I had, but the few $20s were not enough to get him the help he needed. For a few years after meeting Sergei, I wore a wristband with National Safe Places's TXT 4 Help information [http://nationalsafeplace.org/text-4-help/] so I would have referral information when I meet the next homeless kid on the streets needing help Yesterday I was lucky enough to be able to join the Volunteers of America homeless youth outreach team in Salt Lake City, Utah. We met at their Homeless Youth Resource Center, which is kind of a home base for homeless youth to get physical and social support. I was really impressed with everything I saw, and was so happy to see them use the harm reduction model by distributing 'bleach kits' and 'crack kits'. I have harm reduction used in youth outreach in Canada, but this is the first time (for me) seeing it used in the states. During the morning and afternoon we all walked nearly 10 miles meeting and engaging with homeless youth. I was exhausted and had to sit down (us LA folks are known for not walking much) and this wonderful woman sat across from me and we started to talk. Turns out Tanya Ray is the 'youth clinician' for the center. I had just witnessed her helping a very young teenage mother with baby, and with police intervention. I am not sure what was going on, I just know watching it messed me up, and I am sure the emotions of it all had to get to Tanya. She has an extremely important job that I am sure is very rewarding, but also very taxing at times. Being someone who knows enough about psychology to be dangerous, I just started asking Tanya all kinds of questions. I think what really got my attention most is when Tanya said she is seeing an increase of schizophrenia in homeless youth. I find this interesting because schizophrenia is organic and first signs start showing at around age 15. Schizophrenia is not brought on by trauma or drug abuse, but it is often generational. Now I am not the smartest person, but this may give some insight as to why some families self-destruct. It also, at least to me, gives hope because if we had better and more mental health services maybe, just maybe we could fix families! Please watch and share this important video. Tanya shares a lot of insight on the psychology of youth homelessness. I think my favorite is when she says "youth homelessness should not be punished". What are your thoughts about the information Tanya shares and youth homelessness? This Invisible People road trip is made possible by Sevenly and Virgin Mobile USA, who are partnering to end youth homelessness through Virgin Mobile USA's initiative, RE*Generation. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

In 2009, the first stop on my very first road trip, thanks to an introduction made by National Safe Place, was at Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth. It just seems almost perfect that my first stop, on my very first road trip to help fight youth homelessness, was also Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth. In 2009 Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth was located in a store front in a little strip mall. Words cannot express how happy I was to see the new William Fry Drop-In Center. These days, I am seeing so many homeless services close their doors because lack of funds, especially since need is growing. It was really awesome to see NPHY with a new facility. During my first visit I learned about "families downsizing" during a live stream interview. That was new to me and I really could not grasp the term so I asked them to repeat. Nevada was one of the hardest hit by the economic crisis. Families were moving from three-bedroom homes to small apartments and kicking out their oldest kids. I wrote about it on Huffington Post [http://huff.to/kcoR8F]. In this interview I asked Vincent Pollard, Outreach Coordinator for Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth, if families were still downsizing. His response will mess you up! Please watch and share this important interview, and please support Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth. They list their immediate needs right on their home page. Very special thanks to Virgin Mobile and Sevenly for genuinely caring about homeless youth. Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Read full post here: http://invisiblepeople.tv/blog/2013/08/road-trip-to-fight-youth-homelessness-with-virgin-mobile-sevenly-and-ford/ If you've been following me for any amount of time you already know I am a huge Virgin Mobile fanboy! In the past, Virgin Mobile in the U.S. and in Canada has supported Invisible People. It's probably not news to you that Virgin Mobile has taken on the cause of youth homelessness. That alone is AWESOME! But what you might not know is that Virgin Mobile has actually funded their own Virgin Mobile RE*Generation House, a transitional living facility for homeless youth in Washington, D.C. Some facts about youth homelessness: Getting an accurate count of any homeless demographic is nearly impossible, and with youth homelessness it's even harder. In some cities you'll see groups of "travelers" with almost uniform-type brown clothes and pit bulls, but the vast majority of homeless youth you'll never see. They are couch surfing, often in horrible situations doing whatever they have to just to survive. This year was the first official point-in-time count that looked at homeless youth, but they count according to what HUD (Housing and Urban Development) defines has homeless, which omits lots of people that should be counted. Although I do support counts and believe we need good data, I spent several hours the last two days just trying to come up with a simple number to share with you all. The end result is a headache and the conclusion that no one really knows. I did find this old data that, at last for me, the numbers are closer to what I see on the streets. According to National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty in 2007, approximately 3.5 million people, 1.35 million of them children, are likely to experience homelessness in a given year. This study was done before our current economic crisis so numbers, especially with family homelessness and children are much higher today. 39% of the national homeless population are children 42% of homeless children are under 5 years of age Of the 42%, only 15% are enrolled in pre-school 38% of the homeless population have less than a high school degree by age 18 50% of the homeless population report dropping out of school during the course of their education. What are WE going to do about it? A few months back I went to an event. At that event a friend said I needed to connect with this other person and introduced me. This new friend and I exchanged contact information, and after some serious time past, we found ourselves on the phone. Neither of us knew why our mutual friend connected us, we just started to talk. Pretty much, that is how this road trip started and I was introduced to Sevenly. Severly is a lifestyle brand that helps nonprofits and charities with fundraising and awareness. I drove to their offices today to record this video and I have to tell you - the more I learn about Sevenly - the more I am impressed! Make sure to visit Sevenly.org and sign up for their email list so you don't miss the big announcement on Sept 16th. So a road trip to help fight homeless youth and to support Virgin Mobile's RE*Generation House just made sense. Starting today I am going...wait...WE ARE GOING to 7 cities in the U.S. to help share the story of youth homelessness. With the help of national and local homeless service providers, and all of you following along making sure the story gets shared, we are going to give our all to fight youth homelessness Invisible People style. Along the way, we will also be sharing the amazing stories of those who have given their loves to help homeless youth, ending at the RE*Generation House, which we will then highlight Virgin Mobile's great work. A really big thanks to Ford Motor Company for helping with a really cool ride that will help us cut costs. Ford is lending us a C-Max Energi, and I can honestly say, it's the coolest ride I have ever driven. I strongly believe we we can change our world tomorrow simply by what we purchase today. The more we all support brands that genuinely give back, the more positive change we will see. Please share this post and let's get some momentum going. You can follow along in real time by following @HardlyNormal. If I get too chatty for you follow @invisiblepeople, which is all homelessness and I like to call "hardly normal lite". Make sure you're following @VirginMobileUS, @Sevenly, and @Ford. Plus, the tag #FreeFest is already on fire building momentum for Free Fest on Sept 21st. Seriously, if we scream loud enough over the next 26 days about the homeless youth crisis in America, nonprofits in your own neighborhoods may find the support they need and Virgin Mobile will be able to continue their great work, and - and this is a big and - we'll show other brands that is cool to support fighting homelessness.

Robert and Elizabeth are homeless in San Francisco. Elizabeth says it's better than Oakland because there are more services. Robert and Elizabeth have been sleeping on the streets for about four months. They had housing, but the building owner remodeled making everyone move out. Robert says there are shelters, but he doesn't want to be split up from Elizabeth. Their three wishes...housing, housing, housing! ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

When I think homelessness and government what comes to mind is Housing and Urban Development, Interagency Council on Homelessness, and local governments. It wasn't until I sat down with Assemblymember Toni Atkins on a recent trip to San Diego, that the conversation of state governments and homelessness came up, at least in my circles anyway. Assemblymember Toni Atkins represents the 78th district and is the Majority Leader of the California State Assembly, and she is leading the way by advocating for new solutions to help out homeless friends and neighbors. According to Assemblymember Atkins, there are approximately 135,000 people experiencing homelessness in California. What I learned from this interview is at the state level, most assistance is in funding healthcare and affordable housing, but that funding is drying up. I could not agree with Assemblymember Atkins more when she said we need to find a permanent way to fund affordable housing. For me, I've never understood politics. It all just seems too complicated. What I do know, is that homelessness is, more often than not, a topic most politics avoid. You can really tell if a politician genuinely cares if helping people out of homelessness is part of their agenda. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Kimberly's story will wreck the hardest of hearts. Kimberly has lived on the streets since the age of 7, which is when her father murdered Kimberly's mother for being a heroin addict. I met Kimberly in San Diego. She has terminal cancer and has to wear a colostomy bag. Because of that, there are no services to help get her off the streets. Kimberly only has four months left to live. Kimberly hopes to come into some money so she and her husband can buy a small RV and travel for what little time she has left. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

I met Donald while walking around in San Diego. Donald has been homeless ever since he got out of prison two years ago. Interesting that Donald says he was also homeless before he went into prison. Donald is on social security, but he keeps getting denied housing because of his past. Donald needs to have back surgery, but because he does not have a place to stay to recover, they won't do the surgery. Donald says he is on parole and they don't have a solution. He went to jail for a small infraction and was just released, and by the way, he tells the story I get the feeling Donald would have rather stayed in jail. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Full post here: http://invisiblepeople.tv/blog/2013/08/my-story/ Back years ago when I worked for Los Angeles Dream Center producing their weekly television show, I was asked to produce my own story. Although this is my story, in many ways it's my story spun for a hidden agenda. This 'testimony package' was produced to raise money to purchase more buses. Please note, I am not saying that's a bad thing. Nonprofits have to raise money to fuel impact of their mission. My point is simply that more often than not, nonprofits use media to raise money or some other agenda, and the story itself may not actually be authentic. Please also note I was the producer. I pride myself on how well it was produced to tell a compelling story for the hidden agenda of buying buses. At the time, the broadcasting network had these insane rules about length of time a show could make an 'appeal'. All of the TV ministries played games attempting to trick the network's "bean counters" in the hopes of getting more donations. Sometimes it worked. Sometimes it didn't. I actually became very good spinning stories around a hidden agenda. My story as an example. If I didn't tell you it was produced to raise money for buses you would have never known, but now that I have told you, you'll see the bus story line a few times and images of buses throughout. Again, story manipulation is not bad if done with integrity, and most every business and nonprofit spins stories to fit their needs. This video, however, is at the foundation of why I work very hard so that every story on Invisible People is real and authentic. I do love seeing my father in this video, and seeing the Dream Center and Pastor Matthew as they were back in the day. In the upcoming feature film about my work I share how the Dream Center saved my life. Over the last 15 years, and after working in full time ministry for much of that time, my views on church have greatly changed, but I still believe the Dream Center model is still a huge step in the right direction ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

For post: http://invisiblepeople.tv/blog/2013/08/people-living-in-vehicles-need-safe-places-to-park-not-fines-or-jail/ This week, Palo Alto, California passed a vehicle dwelling ban. People found living in their vehicles will charged with a misdemeanor and face a maximum penalty of six months in county jail, a $1,000 fine or both. The criminalization of homelessness with laws like this actually creates more homelessness and greatly increases taxpayer costs. When a person just loses their job and apartment, they often will sleep in their car, or find a old RV on Craigslist to live in. Obviously, they are extremely low-income, so they do not have the ability to pay a fine. If they don't pay the fine they go to jail, or they may go directly to jail, which taxpayers pay for. Either way, their car or RV is impounded causing them to be sheltered homeless, which then causes a different and more tragic issue, and taxpayers pay for that too. I first learned about mobile homelessness from Sandy [http://bit.ly/GXapl7], a woman I met who sleeps next to her car because she was arrested for sleeping in her car. Since then, I have met many people who call their vehicles home. http://invisiblepeople.tv/blog/category/mobile-homeless/ As an outreach worker, I have been in several meetings where business owners and church leaders say they have compassion for vehicle residents, but then in the same breath say they cannot their parking lots. COME ON FOLKS! Most church parking lots are used only twice a week, but most churches won't open their unused parking lots to people who need a safe place to park!!! Although there should be services so no one has to sleep in a vehicle, I am glad that there are safe parking programs like I found on a recent trip to San Diego. Dreams for Change [http://www.dreamsforchange.org] operates out of three parking lots around the city. I have to give a huge thanks to the churches that are not only allowing use of their parking lots, but also use of showers and bathrooms. That may seem like only a little, yet it is rare for a church to allow homeless people to use their facilities. If you work at or attend a faith based group that has a building and parking lot, I hope you will consider opening a safe parking program. In the following video I interview Teresa L Smith, Ph.D., who co-founded Dreams for Change. Safe parking programs like this are actually very rare, so I am grateful for the opportunity to learn more and share their story. Passing laws to fine people, and sending them to jail for living in their vehicle is ridiculous. Criminalization increases taxpayer costs and creates more problems while solving nothing. Ideally, I hope we'll have adequate services so people will not have to live in any state of homelessness, but until then, please support safe parking programs in your community. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Sheryl, James and Kalynn are brand new to homelessness. Luckily, the family has a vehicle to sleep in and found a safe parking program in San Diego. The day I met this family, the mom went on an interview and was hired for a better job. My hope is this family will only spend a short amount of time living mobile homeless. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

I was walking around San Diego wearing Google Glass when Charlie, a man who has been homeless for over a decade, stopped and started a conversation with me. When I started the interview and asked Michelle, Charlie's wife, what it was like to be homeless in San Diego, she immediately started to share how police officers constantly harass them. Michelle says that it was not until she moved to California that she became aware of homelessness. Now she has lived on the streets over eight years! This is the last interview that I will 'intentionally' record with Google Glass. People have requested I stop using them for interviews mainly because of the audio issues. Wearable technology is here to stay, and I am honored Google picked Invisible People, and even more honored people donated so we could be the first trying to document homelessness through Glass. This has been an experiment that will continue, and I do hope to be able to record more walk-throughs of poverty areas like Skid Row, however, as an interview tool, Glass needs to handle audio better. Thank you, everyone, for all the feedback! ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Tina and Shealynn live in a van in San Diego. Sadly, they were able to get out of homelessness two years ago, but because of the lack of affordable housing, they are now once again vehicle residents. Tina is disabled. With social security alone she cannot afford an apartment. Tina has been on the section 8 housing list for 8 years now. She says there is no help. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Andre has been living on the streets of San Diego for six months. Andre is in a wheelchair, and when I asked him where he slept last night, his response messed me up. Andre says he survives by the goodness of God and treating others as he would want to be treated. He also gets food and clothes from local homeless services. Andre is a senior adult, and sadly, the streets are no place for anyone to spend their retirement years. If you live or work near the East Village of San Diego, an area otherwise known as "the Bottoms", I hope you'll never get used to seeing disabled seniors and families with young children out on the streets. I pray seeing these older adults and young kids homeless messes you up like it did me! ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Read full post here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mark-horvath/huffpost-super-user-elija_b_3667867.html During my very first ever U.S. road trip, I was kind of taken back by all the homeless people living near the White House. The TV producer in me was attracted to the irony of homeless people living only feet away from the Obama's front door. Well, if you have ever walked through Lafayette Square in Washington D.C. on a summers day, chances are you at least noticed Elijah "NatureBoy" Alexander, Jr. How could you not! I taped Elijah "NatureBoy" Alexander, Jr's story, which you can watch here [http://bit.ly/Hnkrdm] Almost immediately people started to leave comments on Youtube and InvisiblePeople.tv that they knew Elijah, or that Elijah told them to find his video on the internet. Then something even stranger started to happen; Elijah started to comment when I blogged on Huffington Post. If you have followed me at all, a big part of my work and vision is to empower people experiencing homelessness with access to the internet and social media, so when I started to receive comments from Elijah, who was homeless at the time (Elijah prefers the term "houseless") I was ecstatic. To this very day, when Elijah comments, I get this overwhelming feeling of happiness because I am so happy he approves of my work, and that I know he is OK . In the summer of 2010, I happened to be passing through Lafayette Square, and there he was again. This time, Elijah shared a link to his Facebook profile. I just love seeing all the photos people post taken with Elijah. He has become an icon of Lafayette Square that's for sure. This past week I happened to be in D.C. and connect with Elijah via Facebook. He told me he was no longer homeless, and that Pathways to Housing was able to get him inside, which was probably nothing short of a miracle for their outreach team. Elijah has been on the streets for a very long time, and in all of my travels, Elijah is the only person who I have ever met that I actually believe enjoyed homelessness. I recorded this video interview update of Elijah in his "office" using Google Glass. I love his first expressions as I set Glass to record. I really adore Elijah and consider him a friend. Yes, he is colorful and different, but he is harmless and, from what I can see, lives to give other people smiles. If you're a Huffington Post blogger and you get comments from Elijah consider yourself to be lucky. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Joesph is completely blind in one eye and partially blind in the other. Watching him try to navigate a San Diego street with a white cane while pushing a shopping cart broke my heart. Joesph is 75 years-old and homeless. He says he ended up on the streets because someone "cleaned him out", yet Joesph still maintains his serenity. Joesph's story is one of the many stories you hear on the streets that seems hard to believe. I always try and remember that when I was homeless, and I told people I worked in television, they probably didn't believe me either, but I was telling the truth. In 1983, Joesph says he was shot in the head by a 14 year-old boy. The boy was walking through a parking lot and found a 357 magnum laying on the ground. The boy picked up the gun and it accidentally went off hitting Joesph in the head. The boy then called the police and the paramedics. Joesph says the boy was an honor student and received 20 years in prison for the shooting. Joesph then worked for 16 months to get the boy out of prison. Joesph says the person responsible was not the boy that accidentally fired the gun, but the person who "misplaced" the gun, who Joesph claims was a parole officer. As crazy as this story may sound, I have to remember miracle stories like Lydia Bardak, who after being brutally raped, saved the life of her attacker [http://bit.ly/r88dd9] Joesph's amazing story doesn't end there, but you're just going to have to watch it yourself for the rest. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Recycling has a become a way of life as we all start becoming more conscious of the environment. Many low-income people and people experiencing homelessness survive by recycling. I think we can all agree that recycling is good. Well, a nonprofit recycling center that employs homeless people and helps them get their lives back is GREAT! On a recent trip to San Diego I found myself standing in a recycling yard. I was introduced to Chad McKinney, one of the founders of Aware Recycling, but really I just thought it was like all the other recycling centers I have visited. Then chad started telling me their story, and since I was sporting Google Glass, only a short "OK Glass" later I started to record this interview. What started as just an idea turned into going around in a old pic up truck picking up recyclables from businesses and nightclubs. Today, Aware Recycling has a center in downtown San Diego along with a work program that hires homeless people along with a big-brother-type mentor program for youth. One of the people I met while I was visiting still lived homeless, but thanks to the help of Aware Recycling, he just enrolled in college with dreams of going to law school! How cool is that!!! ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Karen lives in a car with her dog in San Diego. She says the hardest thing about being homeless is the loneliness. Karen says she feels invisible. At one time she had an important job and lots of social interaction, but now she says it's rare to have a conversation with another person. Earlier, Karen was parked near a public park and was cleaning out her car. She was feeling invisible and hadn't talked to anyone, then a dog came into the park and caught everyone's attention making Karen feel even more invisible. I know each Invisible People story is different and each story relates to people differently. Karen's story messed me up because I remember like it was yesterday, when I was homeless, watching 'normal' people with their families play in a park. The feeling of depression was often overwhelming as I wondered if I'd ever have a normal life again. I am even getting emotional typing this. Karen is happy she has a car and feels it will help her get a job. I'm happy there are places like Dreams for Change's safe parking program so people living in their car have a safe place to park and help getting back in to housing! ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Anyone and everyone connected to homelessness in San Diego knows "Waterman Dave". Dave Ross, who most people call Waterman Dave, spends his days handing out bottles of water to people experiencing homelessness. Dave also advocates for our homeless friends in big ways. A few years past he successfully sued the city over people's belonging. That lawsuit created temporary storage facility. Dave was also instrumental in getting the seasonal emergency shelter extended, and he is currently battling to keep a few portable bathrooms open. Dave is almost larger-than-life. As he walks and drives though San Diego's worst neighborhoods, Dave almost has a draft effect of smiles. People who are down on their luck, living in small tent communities all over downtown, see Dave and know that for at least a moment they'll get a bottle of water and friendly conversation. Dave had a rough life growing up in Detroit, which he credits as a foundation for giving back. He then managed car dealerships in Los Angeles, but after a heart attack and a stroke, he relocated to San Diego and started to volunteer at a local homeless services agency. It was while working at that agency as a case manager that David gave out his first bottle of water to a woman on he streets, and the rest his history. This interview was recorded with Google Glass. Google picked Invisible People for their Explorer program, so we are still trying to figure out the best use to bring you the story of homelessness. It does give a different "point of view" feel. We would love to hear your feedback on how we can make better use of Google Glass. Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Johnny is homeless in San Diego. His former boss retired and Johnny lost his job. Then the recession hit and he could not find employment. Johnny has been assaulted and robbed several times, yet he says at the same time he has met a lot of great people. Johnny was interviewed via Google Glass. Google picked Invisible People for their Explorer program, so we are still trying to figure out the best use to bring you the story of homelessness. It does give a different "point of view" feel. We would love to hear your feedback on how we can make better use of Google Glass. Distributed by OneLoad.com ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

David is homeless in San Diego. He relocated for employment, but when that didn't work out he ended up on the streets. David does not drink or do drugs. Unless you knew him and his story, you probably would not even know he was living on the streets. David says that there are resources, but most are focused on drug addiction or mental illness, so he is having a hard time finding the help that he needs. David is the first person I interviewed wearing Google Glass. Google picked Invisible People for their Explorer program, so we are still trying to figure out the best use to bring you the story of homelessness. It does give a different "point of voice" feel. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Phil is a retired Navy veteran living in a broken-down RV parked on the streets of San Diego. He worked most of his life, but because of health issues is spending his retirement years as a vehicle resident, which is the fastest growing demographic of homelessness. San Diego is about to ban RVs from parking on city streets. I hope they come up with a safe alternative for people to park. Ticketing people like Phil, who have a small fixed income, will greatly increase taxpayer costs. Phil simply wants to get his RV fixed so they can all drive to Arkansas to be with family. If you would like to help Phil get his RV repaired please contact Homelessness News San Diego https://www.facebook.com/HomelessNewsandEvents ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

T.J. has been homeless in San Francisco for the last three years. After getting sick he was not able to keep his job, and with no family or friends ended up on the streets. Because T.J. is disabled, he gets $900 a month, but that is not enough for housing and food. He tried the shelter system, but he says the insane standing while waiting in line makes it not worth it. T.J. is just of many older American's who are not able to work, yet benefits do not support housing! ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Angela and her children are just one of over two hundred families on San Francisco's waiting list for support services. Right now, they live in a hotel in the Tenderloin thanks to Compass Connecting Point, another homeless services provider that helps with emergency housing. Angela lost her job and soon after her place to live. She says homelessness just kind of "crashed on me!" Angela was lucky to find Compass Connecting Point to help her navigate to find the services she needs but is still in need of more transitional and stable housing ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

For this post: http://invisiblepeople.tv/blog/2013/06/finding-hope-in-san-franciscos-homeless-count/ On a recent trip to San Francisco, Bevan Dufty, the city's Director of HOPE, invited me to a hearing on family homelessness. The hearing was about adding a residency requirement for families to be able to access services. This was the second time this year I was in San Francisco's City Hall listening to Board of Supervisors engage on the issues of homelessness, and both times Supervisor Jane Kim impressed me with her knowledge and compassion. Without going into the politics of this particular hearing, one thing Supervisor Kim said that I wish all communities would listen to is "we need to make it easier for homeless people to access services, not harder!" Supervisor Kim also went on to say that we need to spend our energies on solutions to ending homelessness. I actually found it hard a few times not to applaud after Supervisor Kim spoke. I think what impresses me the most about Supervisor Kim is she really speaks for her people, and being that the Tenderloin is in her district, she is representing thousands of people in some stage of homelessness and poverty. I've visited over 200 cities in the last 4 years and Supervisor Kim is the very first politician (that I know of) that addresses how the homeless services system is nearly impossible to navigate. I started off this video interview by thanking Supervisor Kim for sleeping in a homeless shelter one night last year. Supervisor Kim actually went through the actual process that a homeless person would have to go through to have a place inside for the night. That intake process is often lengthy and more painful than a root canal. At the time, Supervisor Kim was acting mayor, which is even more impressive. For years now I have invited members of Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority executive team and governing commission to spend a night on Skid Row, and I honestly believe that every politician should have experiences that will show the realities of street life and our broken support systems. I am truly honored that Supervisor Kim took a moment out of her busy day to record this interview. Supervisor Kim mentions how she was a little taken back by all the seniors now facing homelessness, and we talked a little about the "Silver Tsunami" headed our way. We also talked about how the city is actively working on preventing and ending homelessness. Please watch this important interview and forward to your network. We need more people with influence like Supervisor Kim helping those with little influence! ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Shane's story is a very candid interview on the connection between incarceration and homelessness. I was walking down Market Street in San Francisco and Shane and I started a conversation. He asked why I had a camera in my hand, so I told him about my work. He then asked why I hadn't asked him to record an interview. I explained I never interview people who are intoxicated out of respect and he seemed to have been partying. He laughed and said "I always look like this and I have only had one beer today. You should see me when I am wasted!" After his first 7 years in prison, Shane went to the Union Rescue Mission in Los Angeles. Shane says he was doing good working the program. He was sober and even quit smoking for close to 9 months. Then one day he got a jaywalking ticket, and because any contact with police is a violation of his parole, Shane went back to jail for 6 months. 6 months jail time for jaywalking?!! After that Shane just gave up. When he was let out he just ran, and each time he got busted again he asked for maximum time. Shane used his time inside wisely. He learned 6 languages and earned 43 college credits, and studied about the cost of incarceration. Shane said the last report he read the federal government pays $340 in housing per day to the prison. When a prisoner is moved inside the prison gets paid $50 per move. When a prisoner is transported to court it's $75 each way. Shane says that the prison system says they spend $486k per year per inmate, yet in reality, actual cost is $134k per inmate. I am not sure where Shane got his figures from, but according to Versa, prisons in California cost taxpayers over $7 billion in 2010. The United States makes up just 5% of the global population but accounts for 25% of the global prison population. You do all know private prisons are a growth industry and their stocks are traded on Wall Street? There is little to no incentive for people like Shane to get back to a normal life, and as a taxpayer - we are footing the bills! I like Shane. He is a good guy that has just given up. He has spent so much time in jail that homelessness is where he feels comfortable, and that's just wrong! ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

One might say Daniel has a purpose. He spends his days filling up a shopping cart with "items" he thinks may sound good. When his musical percussion kit is ready, he finds a spot near the Union Square area of San Francisco to set up and entertain himself and anyone who just happens to be walking by. Daniel is a convicted felon, and because of his past and going to prison, he cannot get a job or collect public assistance. 60 present of prisons and jails are filled with non-violent drug offenders. When they are released back into society it's almost impossible to find employment and they are not even allowed food stamps. Without any normal means to survive many go back to committing crimes. Daniel has found a simple way to keep busy and to make a few bucks. He has 10 years off heroin and also kicked cocaine, but because of his felonies, his only choice was to adapt to homelessness. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Read post here: http://invisiblepeople.tv/blog/2013/06/street-soccer-for-social-change-ending-homelessness-through-sports/ Ever since I heard about the Homeless World Cup it has been a dream of mine to attend the event one day. I've always supported via social media, but there is nothing like being there and helping to share the stories of homeless people that have been given a new purpose on life. A few months back I was speaking at Los Angeles's Social Media Club and someone came up from the audience and told me about the Street Soccer West Coast Cup. I didn't know how, but I knew I would have to figure out a way to visit San Francisco to attend and support. This interview is the first time I met Lawrence Cann and Rob Cann, founders of Street Soccer USA. At 9 years-old, the family house burned down, and the boys learned first hand the importance of community. As they grew older, and soccer became a big part of their life, it was just natural to use the power of community that soccer helps create to help others. "We Believe that Ending Homelessness is a Team Sport" Started in 2006, Street Soccer USA partners with local homeless service agencies to provide an athletic program that's fun and creates community and purpose. Currently in 16 cities, the National Cup is being held in New York City next month. It was really great seeing a large group of homeless people playing soccer, but what I liked the best was seeing people of all ages interacting and having fun. I am not sure if Sacramento's Lady Salamanders won their soccer matches, but they sure had a great time dancing to the music between games. Of course, being that I call Los Angeles home, my heart and screams went for the Los Angeles Team Please support your local Street Soccer team and Street Soccer USA. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Dawn plays for the Lady Salamanders, a street soccer team based out of Sacramento. In late 2011 Dawn lost her job and her housing all in the same week and had no where to go. She lived in a car for a few days, and then found a homeless shelter. She was lucky to get into transitional housing, but that housing runs our in a few months. Dawn has qualified for subsidized housing, but the funding was frozen leaving her future to be unknown. I met Dawn at the Street Soccer West Coast Cup this past week in San Francisco. Dawn plays soccer as part of her recovery. You can see by the smile on her face the street soccer means the world to her. Distributed by OneLoad.com ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Read post here: http://invisiblepeople.tv/blog/2013/06/street-soccer-for-social-change-ending-homelessness-through-sports/ I met Gina at the Street Soccer West Coast Cup this past week in San Francisco. She plays on the San Francisco team that is coached by Rob Cann, one of the founders of Street Soccer USA. Gina spent 18 years in foster care and ended up on the streets when she aged out. Sadly, it's far too common for youth to become homeless when there is no other place to go when they turn 18. Gina lived in a few homeless shelters and now currently is in housing. Gina loves soccer. She's played in middle school, high school and college. Gina says street soccer has motivated her to not give up and to find housing, go to school and get a job - Gina has now accomplished all those things! ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

David has been homeless since the age of 12. He first started "couch surfing", but by age 17 David ran out of places to visit and ended up on the streets. Even while living on the streets, David worked hard to stay in school. A social worker eventually connected with David and let him know about Jovenes, the youth shelter where he currently lives. I met David at the Street Soccer West Coast Cup this past week in San Francisco. He was part of the Los Angeles team that traveled from Boyle Heights to play soccer with other homeless and formerly homeless from around the West Coast. _________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Video is for this post: http://invisiblepeople.tv/blog/2013/06/finding-hope-in-san-franciscos-homeless-count/ The phone rings nonstop with people in emergency need of food and shelter. Others stop by the office of HOPE to find help. The stories would break even the strongest of hearts. Staff and interns at San Francisco's Office of HOPE (Housing Opportunity, Partnerships and Engagement) are constantly trying to find solutions to help people all while doing their normal day-to-day work at an important city office. Bevan Dufty, the Director of HOPE, allowed me unprecedented access to a behind the scenes look at the operations of a city government. For three days I did my best to keep up with Bevan as he ran from updating the Shelter Monitoring Committee to meetings on ending veteran homelessness to a hearing on family homelessness. I sat in his office listening to him make calls trying to find food vouchers for an individual that was in desperate need a food. I watched him somehow balance the often challenging world of politics right along side the madness that can come from homeless services. I even tagged along as Bevan spent his lunchtime addressing managers of local Walgreen's stores. This week gave me a new understanding for people in the positions often referred to a "Homeless Czar". It's one of those jobs that you spend most of the day putting out fires. Behind the scenes countless amount of people are helped, but there is little thanks or appreciation for the efforts. It's one of those jobs that you genuinely have to love people because it's that love that gets you through the day. This week the City of San Francisco released the numbers of their yearly point-n-time count on homelessness. I've been involved in point-n-time counts ever since I started Invisible People, but this is the first time I was able to see much of the behind the scenes of a large city and county government. Personally, I have never given much attention to these mandated point-n-time counts. At best they are a good guess. I do believe we need to count and we need to measure, but when reviewing this data we must never forget that the homeless population is nearly impossible to count, especially homeless families. My point is the data of these counts may give a snapshot of homelessness, and some insight into trends, but the crisis of homelessness is always far worse than the numbers show. This is the first year homeless youth were counted, but what seems to be getting the most attention is that this is the fist year the question of sexual orientation was asked. 29% of homeless population identified as LGBT. This is important to note because services need to adjust for this population. Often gay and transgendered homeless people have a very hard time receiving services. Even if the program is LGBT friendly, often times other residents of the shelter will make it challenging. Obviously, San Francisco attracts LGBT people who have often been thrown away from their own homes and come here to find support and a safe community. As a city San Francisco needs to make sure our LGBT homeless friends can get the help they need. Here is a post on this topic I wrote after my last visit: Transgender Homelessness And My Visit With TRANS: THRIVE http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mark-horvath/transgender-homelessness-_b_1411487.html In this video I talk to Bevan about the homeless count and the soon to be released survey on panhandling, which I cannot wait until it's released because the results are probably not what you would have expected. This week when speaking the the Walgreens managers Bevan said that anyone who lives and visits San Francisco is an expert on homelessness. If you have spent any time here I think you know what he means. Homelessness is very visible here. The good news is that the city and homeless services community is aggressively taking action to get people off the streets and the help they need. Having spent a week here I do see the results of that impact and I do believe their is lots of hope for our homeless friends in San Francisco! ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Richard has lived homeless in San Francisco for three years. He first hit homelessness with his son, and the two of them lived on the streets together. Richard simply wants someone to listen to him. While I was setting up my camera he kept saying thank you over and over again. Richard was overjoyed someone payed attention to him and was interested in his story. Richard is a veteran, and San Francisco's Homeless Outreach Team, also know as the HOT Team, also listened to him. The good news is that Richard is soon to be in housing! ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

"They call it a hotel but it's an insane asylum," Fuji says about the Baldwin Hotel in San Francisco. Roach infested, rats, ceiling tiles falling down, holes in the floor, and garbage all over are just a few of the reasons Fujji and his wife felt living on the streets would be safer and cleaner. In the room they lived in you had to turn on the water from below the sink. After making requests for repairs and getting no response, Fuji stopped paying rent. Over a decade ago, during my first month of homelessness, I stayed in this type of hotel. When my money ran out (I paid for a week) management gave me the option to work at one of their other hotels in Hollywood in exchange for a room. This seemed like a smart move because I didn't want to live outside, but what I thought was a plan turned into a nightmare. The owners of the hotel were nasty people with no conscious regard as to how people should be treated. As a TV producer, I once snuck a camera into Los Angele's infamous Ford Hotel. The hotel is now remolded, but at the time it was like out of a horror movie. I remember walking into a bathroom and watching hundreds of roaches run up the wall from a bathtub. You can not even imagine how horrible the Ford Hotel was at the time, yet it was home to many low-income families with children. We have a serious affordable housing crisis in this country. We need more low-income housing, but that housing should also be fit for humans to live in. Sadly, there are people who care more about money than people that take advantage of those with little influence. People like Fuji and his wife, who both are on a fixed disability income, should be able to find a clean and safe place to call home! ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Pete came up to me on the streets of San Francisco offering to give me a cover for my phone. He didn't want anything for it. He just must have seen me twittering away and thought I could use one. Not sure where he got them, but I was kind of took back a little that a disabled homeless man was being so nice to a stranger. Pete and I got into a conversion about homeless and life, but mostly about needs. He showed me the tires on his wheelchair where the rubber was pretty much gone. Pete says he lost his leg to bone cancer. Pete says the cancer was a result of being exposed to Agent Orange during his two tours of Vietnam. Pete says he was in housing, but the VA stopped his benefits because of some bureaucracy. I hear this often, and I was reminded of what Dale said to me about the VA when I interviewed him in 2010 now featured in this clip about veteran homelessness http://youtu.be/SGSE4HpTX2s There is good news. I was invited to attend a San Francisco Homes for Heroes meeting today, where in collaboration with a group of national and local services providers, 100 veterans will be housed in the next 100 days. You can find more information here http://www.swords-to-plowshares.org/sf-homes-for-heroes/ I hope and pray this type collaboration and support continue for not just veterans but for all our homeless neighbors. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Dawn's sign reads "PREGNANT & STRESSED!!" as she sits begging for change in San Francisco. She is hoping to get enough money to pay for a hotel room. Dawn has had a challenging life. She first started shooting heroin at 12 years-old. Both of her parents were drug addicts. She then started traveling and hopping trains until she was 28, when she got pregnant with her second son. Dawn says she was tired of the streets and the drugs. Travelers are a subculture of homeless youth that are known for hopping trains. You've seen them hanging out in your city. They almost have a uniform wearing brown clothes and often have dogs. Most of the kids seem happy, and the hippie lifestyle looks attractive. Truth is, many of these kids are "throw away" often running from horrible family situations. They find community with each other, but as young adults this lifestyle does not come with any professional or even social development. One youth leader once told me she was concerned because these kids don't get the nutrition they need. As fun as the traveling lifestyle may look I have often wondered how many of these kids end up as chronic homeless in their adult years. Dawn is one. Dawn has been in and out of rehabs. Her story validates a very serious problem in social services we need to fix. More often than not drugs programs do not coordinate with other support services. What this means is when a person wants to get sober we can find them a detox, but after they are placed back on the streets, and it's nearly impossible to do homeless sober! Dawn's three wishes resonate with me in a very powerful way. Although Dawn seems happy she is holding back so much sadness. She is a gorgeous woman with lots of life inside here. We need to help her and all the Dawns just like her on the streets of America. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

A few years back Theresa ended up homeless after her mother died. She was in and out of shelters, but never got a chance to grieve until she found a home at Nickelsville, a tent community near downtown Seattle. Theresa says that Nickelsville is like a breath of fresh air. Clearly, Nickelsville has become Theresa's family. Nickelsville is not without problems, but they probably get along better, and get more done, than that community in Washington DC. Personally, I love tent communities. They often provide what homeless shelters miss, and I strongly believe homeless services can learn much from places like Nickelsville. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

I met Wolf downtown Seattle. He sleeps in a car with two dogs. Wolf has serious medical problems, yet he says the State of Washington does not offer any assistance. While talking, I learned his wife died some time ago, also on the streets homeless. With his medical problems and the challenges, life has thrown at him, you'd think Wolf would be a different person, but he says you have to stay positive or you just won't make it! . ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

In 2008, Mark's wife and daughter died, and shortly after he had a nervous breakdown. Mark then spent seven months in a hospital getting better. Mark then found out that no matter how legitimate a reason, that if you don't show up to work or pay your bills for several months, you lose everything! Mark then spent a year homeless. He got a job washing dishes at a deli and worked his way off the streets. Business slowed, and he ended back out on the streets again. Mark says that this time around he still has faith in himself, but he has lost faith in the system. Mark encourages us all to stand together because he says it's a human issue not a homeless issue. Mark believes that we all should have the basic essentials of a house and food, and I could not agree more. Mark is a kind and gentle soul. He is someone who has "slipped through the gaps of the safety net", and should have never ended up on the streets. Sadly, I hear stories like his often. We must do better in mental heath services and we most certainly need to keep people who are trying to get better from ending up on the streets, where many just get worse! ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

"If all we're ever going to do is manage homelessness, we will carry that expense until the end of time" ~ David Wertheimer The above is a quote that David Wertheimer, Deputy Director for the Pacific Northwest Initiative of Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, said at the end of this video interview. There is so much truth in what David said about about managing homelessness, and it's so very important, I felt it should be the very first thing in the post. Being a pioneer in any field can be challenging. My work with Invisible People, using social media to fight homelessness and poverty, is a constant battle to move forward. Occasionally, I get a sign I am headed in the right direction, and maybe the greatest validation of my work was a post last year on the Gates Foundation's blog: The Power of Pixels: Social Media is helping to shed light on US family homelessness: http://gates.ly/AECTdp Well, that was until this last week when David invited me to speak to a small group of people on the Gates Foundation campus in Seattle. Because every community has a different political structure, resources and challenges, I believe we must fight homelessness at a local level. That said, everything in the nonprofit world revolves around funding. Unless money is attached to system change, any change is rare. My point is, money drives change, and the major funders in fighting homelessness have a unique top-down view of the fight against homelessness and poverty. The very good news is major funders like Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Conrad Hilton Foundation, Pierce Family Foundation, and others, are facilitating systems change and driving new models to fight homelessness. I started off this interview by asking david what's happening in homelessness, both good and bad, as face of homelessness has changed. David explains that the recession was devastating to both families and individuals. He says that homelessness is a lagging indictor of the economy's recovery. On the good side, David says that people are starting to talk strategically, that the conversation has changed from maintaining homelessness, to actually ending homelessness. In this video David talks about the needed culture change in homeless services. David also goes on to share how the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is leaded the way to change in the Pacific Northwest, with their focus on ending family homelessness. Even if you do not work in homeless services this is a must-watch video. Follow David on Twitter here https://twitter.com/DavidWSeattle ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

I met Robert on a rainy day in Nickelsville, a tent community near downtown Seattle. Actually, I was introduced to Robert by someone who suggested his gardening skills would make a good story. "It's hard being homeless", Robert says while he explains to me that Nickelsville is a "step up" from the streets. Robert says that when you're homeless people look down on you and they think everyone is a alcoholic or drug addict, when the truth is some people just had a bad break in life. One of the many things homeless services can learn from tent communities is that kicking people out during the day is not a solution to ending homelessness. I wrote a little about that here: Homeless Services: We Can Do Better http://bit.ly/ZZfzsW. Robert loves flowers. In the short time he has called Nickelsville home he has transformed the ground by his tent into a flourishing garden. Completely unplanned, Robert takes me on a short tour of his garden, which ends with a small tree he is trying to save. Robert says the tree represents Nickelsville trying to grow straight up. I hope you enjoy meeting Robert as much as I did. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they're on Invisible People and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can't ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation's most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath - its founder - and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on Invisible People shatter the stereotypes of America's homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. This short video is the trailer of @home, a documentary that tells the story of modern U.S. homelessness and one man's fierce commitment to end it. Mark Horvath and Invisible People travel around North America using social media to fight homelessness. Click here to see more video previews from @home http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL51CPD51hq2RVqpAdbh-NgDdQSF-GBV57 Kindling Group is the production team behind the @home documentary, following the work of homelessness activist Mark Horvath (aka @hardlynormal), and to produce a smartphone game for change that you can play in your community. For more information visit http://www.athomedocumentary.org ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

A year ago Laura had a job she loved, a car, and a house for her and her two kids. Today, she is lucky that Seattle's YWCA is helping her move out of a tent community into a hotel room. I met Laura while she was moving what possessions she had left from Nickelsville, a tent community located just outside of Seattle's downtown area, to a hotel room provided by the YWCA's family homelessness program . Her and her kids stayed at Nickelsville for a week after "timing out" from a 30 day shelter. Laura was lucky to have a place to go. Nickelsville is the only tent community that allows children, but living in a tent in not the best situation for young kids. The staff at Nickelsville and several social services agencies work together so that families and single parents with young kids get the help they need. If you are not aware, and I feel a blog post on this topic coming soon, many shelters are transitional with 30 - 90 day programs. Some may go for a year or two, which actually makes a lot more sense. Who can get their life back in 90 days or less?!! NO ONE! When a resident goes past the allotted time, in Larua's case 30 days, the family "timed out" and has to be removed from the shelter. Ideally, that would be to their own apartment or a longer transitional program, but that takes a small miracle to happen. Many places just give a reference to a new shelter and do not even provide transportation, or they will "dump" clients to other shelter programs, such as an emergency shelter that takes anyone. (Catherine was dumped to a winter shelter program, where she was kicked out in to the streets and eventually died http://bit.ly/Yi9PL0) I have a lot of respect for Laura. While talking to her, she told me stories of her childhood that were beyond horrible. What she had to do as a child is unthinkable, but she keeps fighting hard to make a better life for her two boys, even against all odds. ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Mobile Homeless, or as Graham Pruss would have us all say: Vehicular Residency, is the fastest growing demographic of people experiencing homelessness. In Seattle, 30% of unsheltered homeless people live in vehicles, and it's been that way for nearly a decade. If you think about it, it's not hard to see why. The economy is still hurting. When someone loses their job, losing their house or apartment is next. If the person has a vehicle, they will live in that vehicle, often holding down low-income jobs or continuing to look for work. They choose their vehicle for several reasons. For one, many first-time 'vehicle residents" don't know how to navigate the social services system, or they are scared to stay in a shelter. (not all, but most shelters are horrible). Plus, their car is their last possession and offers some independence. Other people will see homelessness coming and jump on Craigslist to buy an RV with what little money they have left. Many cities now have turned into a giant RV campground with RVs parked throughout city streets. Working with people who are living in a vehicle requires different strategies and outreach models. The good is that many are new to homelessness and are often easier to help back into normal society. The bad is, because they are mobile, they are often harder to locate. Normally, outreach teams that are targeting mobile homelessness start early evenings, when vehicle residents have found a safe place to park for the night. I personally find it challenging to knock on some strange RVs door, so I always try and bring a "gift" to help start conversation. Of course, gas cards work great, but bag lunches and hygiene kits will also work. Seattle's Social Media Club invited me to speak, and while here, I thought I would get out and meet some new friends. I was lucky, and now greatly honored, that my very first night here Graham Pruss, project coordinator & research fellow at Seattle University, invited me to join him for a little vehicle resident outreach. Being candid, I was blown away that someone is actually researching vehicular residency. I kept asking a gazillion questions trying to learn everything I could in the short time we had. This short video interview with Graham gives some highlights of their research. I personally was very much interested in the six criteria they came up with to help service workers identify vehicle residents. You can learn more about this important work here http://www.seattleu.edu/artsci/communication/Default.aspx?id=106207 and read a report on their latest research here http://clerk.seattle.gov/~public/meetingrecords/2012/hhshc20120926_8a.pdf ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

UPDATE: Help Others Struggling with Addiction in Loving Memory of Sabrina Tate https://youtu.be/VnkS8MAo2MA PLEASE WATCH THE VIDEO AND READ THIS POST: ‘Shame on Seattle’: Parents of homeless woman who died in RV speak out https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/homeless/shame-on-seattle-parents-of-homeless-woman-who-died-in-rv-speak-out/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=article_left_1.1 Sabrina died in an RV. She was 27. This is the news story that talks about it. This has me messed up because I know she was trying really hard but without housing, it's nearly impossible to stay sober. https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/homeless/seattle-still-has-no-strategy-for-thousands-of-people-living-in-vehicles/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=article_left_1.1 Sabrina is 23 and living under a bridge in Seattle. Sabrina and an old boyfriend hitchhiked to Seattle to spend a few weeks. Those weeks have now turned into four years of homelessness. Sabrina says she has been on her own since she was 16. She left her home town to explore the world, yet like so many other kids these days, she fell into the addiction of heroin. If you've been following me for a bit, you've probably heard me talk about heroin being the perfect drug to forget the pain of homelessness. Cheap, easy to get, and the effects help you forget all the pain! Trouble is, heroin is extremely addictive, and in a very short time a person goes from getting high to needing a fix to 'maintain'. Without the fix a heroin addict gets violently sick. For reference, Cameron gave a very honest and candid interview about addictions that you can watch here http://bit.ly/HnVpjs . There is a lot more research about homelessness and it's causes these days, and that's a good thing. For years, I have been asking people far smarter than I am to start researching how many homeless youth end up chronically homeless as adults. I would gather because of socioeconomic and physiological reasons a lot of homeless kids stay homeless, which to me, is a very serious crisis. Last week I was in Portland and I met a few young kids all addicted to heroin. Many of them still had their youthful appearance, but you could tell the drugs and the street life where quickly taking a toll. At 23 Sabrina still has a long and fruitful life in front of her, but being very real, our socially would rather lock up a drug addict them help them get back to a normal life. We really need to work on helping homeless youth get the support they need before they end up using hard drugs for any length of time. Sabrina's story breaks my heart, and knowing there are thousands upon thousands of other youth out there in the same situation wrecks me! ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

Anthony says that Chicago is a nice place to be, but not if you are homeless. Illinois does not provide welfare assistance, so people like Anthony and his brother have to rely on panhandling to survive. Like most homeless people near Chicago's Loop, Anthony sleeps on Lower Wacker Drive. Many will say it's a little warmer down below, but no one should be sleeping there. It was a typical Chicago rainy day. Anthony could not stop coughing. My heart broke for him as I was reminded of trying to survive a cold while I was on the streets. It's beyond horrible! ________________________________________________ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepeople?sub_confirmation=1 Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/invisiblepeople Invisible People’s Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/invisiblepeople https://twitter.com/invisiblepeople https://www.instagram.com/invisiblepeople https://www.facebook.com/invisiblepeopletv Mark Horvath’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardlynormal About Invisible People: Since its launch in November 2008, Invisible People has leveraged the power of video and the massive reach of social media to share the compelling, gritty, and unfiltered stories of homeless people from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vlog (video blog) gets up close and personal with veterans, mothers, children, layoff victims and others who have been forced onto the streets by a variety of circumstances. Each week, they’re on InvisiblePeople.tv, and high traffic sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, proving to a global audience that while they may often be ignored, they are far from invisible. Invisible People goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages can understand, and can’t ignore. The vlog puts into context one of our nation’s most troubling and prevalent issues through personal stories captured by the lens of Mark Horvath – its founder – and brings into focus the pain, hardship and hopelessness that millions face each day. One story at a time, videos posted on InvisiblePeople.tv shatter the stereotypes of America’s homeless, force shifts in perception and deliver a call to action that is being answered by national brands, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens now committed to opening their eyes and their hearts to those too often forgotten. Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.