tagged w/ VC2 Top Contender US
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What keeps me sane is having dogs, playing with my dogs, taking them on trips and fart assing around.What keeps me sane is having dogs, playing with my dogs, taking them on trips and fart... more
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For 23 years, Rashid worked in New York City as a construction worker. On 9/11, he arrived at the World Trade Center at 9:28 in the morning and - for the next four years - worked to clean up the horrific destruction at Ground Zero.
Today, as a result of his service, he suffers chronic heart failure and other health issues. He lost his health, his job, and his ability to pay rent. Today, Rashid lives in a homeless shelter.
Despite his tragic story, Rashid was one of the nicest people I met in New York. He went out of his way to encourage everyone around him.
This is how he chooses to live; he said a little bit of kindness can go a long way.
Rashid had three wishes: food, clothing, and shelter.
Seems we should not have to wish for things so basic.
// more stories http://invisiblepeople.tv
// follow http://twitter.com/hardlynormalFor 23 years, Rashid worked in New York City as a construction worker. On 9/11, he... more
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For 23 years, Rashid worked in New York City as a construction worker. On 9/11, he arrived at the World Trade Center at 9:28 in the morning and - for the next four years - worked to clean up the horrific destruction at Ground Zero.
Today, as a result of his service, he suffers chronic heart failure and other health issues. He lost his health, his job, and his ability to pay rent. Today, Rashid lives in a homeless shelter.
Despite his tragic story, Rashid was one of the nicest people I met in New York. He went out of his way to encourage everyone around him.
This is how he chooses to live; he said a little bit of kindness can go a long way.
Rashid had three wishes: food, clothing, and shelter.
Seems we should not have to wish for things so basic.
// more stories http://invisiblepeople.tv
// follow http://twitter.com/hardlynormalFor 23 years, Rashid worked in New York City as a construction worker. On 9/11, he... more
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Times Square is unlike any other place in the United States. Lights, traffic, noise, masses of people. But in the midst of all this commotion, I spotted a man pushing a buggy. [http://homelessness.change.org/blog/view/on_shopping_carts_thanksgiving_and_homelessness] That's when I met Guy.
Guy says homelessness is hard to explain. One day he was doing fine. The next, tragedy struck and he was on the streets.
The streets, Guy said, are not kind to those without a home. He said the police in New York arrest people just for sleeping. His goal is to “get inside” before homelessness gets worse.
// more stories http://invisiblepeople.tv
// follow http://twitter.com/hardlynormalTimes Square is unlike any other place in the United States. Lights, traffic, noise,... more
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There are many times that I'll meet a person on the street who says that they prefer the streets, insisting they are there by choice. Usually, though, I can see the look in their eye; I can tell they don’t mean it. I believe it’s a defense mechanism to rationalize the trauma one goes through when they don't have a home.
But that's not to say this is true for everyone. There are those rare - and yes, I believe they're rare - occasions when I'll meet someone who is on the streets by choice. Elijah Alfred Alexander, Jr. falls into this latter category. He goes by "Nature Boy" and says he is not homeless, just ‘houseless.’
Elijah says he was a Baptist preacher in the 1970s. He said that since Jesus was a wandering messenger, he decided to become a wanderer. And wander he does. I met him across the street from the White House in Washington, D.C.. I still laugh because despite his skimpy attire, he still carries business cards with his personal website. [http://prop1.org/protest/elijah/nature.htm]
Mental illness? Or just following his heart? Either way, I like to think that Elijah is truly a unique guy who has decided to follow a different path.
// more stories http://invisiblepeople.tv
// follow http://twitter.com/hardlynormalThere are many times that I'll meet a person on the street who says that they prefer... more
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Harold is one of over 12,000 individuals living in our nation's capital without a home. I met him in Lafayette Square, a park located directly across the street from Obama's government subsidized cushy home, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
When Harold was released from prison, he moved in with his grandmother. She passed away and he had no place to go. He ended up on the streets.
I asked Harold what his future looked like. All he said was, "I have got to find a job
// more stories http://invisiblepeople.tv
// follow http://twitter.com/hardlynormalHarold is one of over 12,000 individuals living in our nation's capital without a... more
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"Brutal and senseless."
This is how Cotton describes homelessness. It might just be the most succinct and heart-breakingly accurate explanation I've heard in a long time.
Cotton is homeless and disabled. She lives in a tent in Greensboro, NC. If that's not bad enough, she has been living this way for over 16 years.
This raw and unedited story makes one thing crystal clear: living on the streets is horrible. Cotton is the real face of homelessness; the face that we need to see and hear and see and hear and see and hear until something changes. From this raw and gritty story, I hope you can find the the will to act. The will to get involved in the fight to make poverty and homelessness unacceptable.
I hope this story inspires you to do something.
// more stories http://invisiblepeople.tv
// follow http://twitter.com/hardlynormal"Brutal and senseless."
This is how Cotton describes homelessness. It might just be... more
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Three months ago, Yong lost everything - including her house and all of her possessions - in a fire. To make matters worse, she did not receive the insurance money she needed to survive. She ended up homeless.
Yong's recollection of her first night homeless in Greensboro, North Carolina broke my heart. She was terrified. Today, Yong holds on the hope that she can soon move out of the woods and return to her life as it was before the fire.
While in Greensboro, I met Michele Forrest [ http://chosenfast.com ] and friend Audrie. They are part of a group that cares for the homeless in their community. They bring food, provide case management, and serve as a liaison to other homeless services in the area, such as the police [http://whrrl.com/experience/story/18340963 ].
Never forget that one person can make a huge difference in their community. Michele has, so can you.
// more stories http://invisiblepeople.tv
// follow http://twitter.com/hardlynormalThree months ago, Yong lost everything - including her house and all of her... more
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After working hard his entire life, Jim should be settling into retirement. Instead, he is 69 years old and living in a tent in the woods of Greensboro, North Carolina.
Jim only wants to return to his former life. His three wishes are simple: to go back to work, to get his home back, and to get a meal in a restaurant. I hope things turn around for him soon.
// more stories http://invisiblepeople.tv
// follow http://twitter.com/hardlynormalAfter working hard his entire life, Jim should be settling into retirement. Instead,... more
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The world needs more songs about buildings and dog food.
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Coreen is homeless, but she is also a survivor. I met her on her second day living in Nickelsville, Seattle's infamous tent city. Rather than stay in an abusive relationship, Coreen ran with just the clothes on her back to escape the daily beatings. I'm glad she got away, many victims of domestic violence are not so lucky.
Although the thought of being homeless was frightening to Coreen, she was happy to escape to Nickelsville. She said that her first night in the tent city was the best night’s sleep she's had in over a year, because she now feels safe.
Now if only we could give all of the residents of Nickelsville the peace of having a 'safe ground' [ http://www.westseattleherald.com/2009/08/25/news/port-tells-nickelsville-be-out-sept-30 ] of their own.
// more stories http://invisiblepeople.tv
// follow http://twitter.com/hardlynormalCoreen is homeless, but she is also a survivor. I met her on her second day living in... more
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Ed lived under a bridge before moving to his makeshift "apartment" in a Nashville wooded area. While his current living arrangement isn't ideal, it is impressive. If nothing else, it proves that some people can make the best of a bad situation. Still, Ed looks forward to someday having a real apartment with a real light switch on the wall.
And as for his outdoor apartment? He says he'll give it to someone else in need.
For four hard months, Vickie has been living under a bridge. She says that there are lots of rats and ants, yet this is where they now call home. She ended up on the streets as a direct result of the recession; Vickie’s boyfriend lost his job and their ability to pay rent.
When I asked Vickie about sleeping on the rocks, she showed me how she uses her clothes as padding to make a bed. That really broke my heart. People should not have to live like this.
Vickie said she hoped she'd find a place to live this week. I hope so too. A bridge is not an appropriate roof for anyone.
// more stories http://invisiblepeople.tv
// follow http://twitter.com/hardlynormalEd lived under a bridge before moving to his makeshift "apartment" in a Nashville... more
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Since last year, I have been documenting the stories of the homeless. For the past months, I have traveled from coast-to-coast talking to people living in the streets, in shelters, in weekly-rate hotels, and under bridges.
Nearly one hundred interviews (and thousands of pairs of donated socks) later, my perspective on homelessness has changed dramatically. For me, Angela's story resonated. For you, it might be Willy or Drew or Donna's story that strikes a chord.
But regardless of how you get the message, I hope you get the message.
Homelessness is a complex problem. Although everyone has a different story and different reasons for being homeless, there are similarities in these stories. Although these videos are not often about solutions to homelessness, I hope one thing has become clear: if we want to solve homelessness, we need to stop focusing on band-aid solutions.
As advocates from coast to coast have screamed and shouted for years, it's okay to feed people in the park, but we have to focus on getting them out of the park and into safe, decent, and affordable housing.
Please watch this short video. If it affects you, do something. Embed it video on your blog, send a link to all your friends, do whatever it takes to help keep people like Angela from dying under a bridge in America.
// more stories http://invisiblepeople.tv
// follow http://twitter.com/hardlynormalSince last year, I have been documenting the stories of the homeless. For the past... more
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For four hard months, Vickie has been living under a bridge. She says that there are lots of rats and ants, yet this is where they now call home. She ended up on the streets as a direct result of the recession; Vickie’s boyfriend lost his job and their ability to pay rent.
When I asked Vickie about sleeping on the rocks, she showed me how she uses her clothes as padding to make a bed. That really broke my heart. People should not have to live like this.
Vickie said she hoped she'd find a place to live this week. I hope so too. A bridge is not an appropriate roof for anyone.
// more stories http://invisiblepeople.tv
// follow http://twitter.com/hardlynormalFor four hard months, Vickie has been living under a bridge. She says that there are... more
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I met Ulysses under a bridge in Atlanta, Georgia. He was sleeping on rocks, and said it was his favorite spot. He called it "home" and said he was happy there.
But you have to wonder, how happy a person can be when thousands of cars drive by every day, seeing him live like this, and do nothing?
Where does indifference end and invisible begin?
// more stories http://invisiblepeople.tv
// follow http://twitter.com/hardlynormalI met Ulysses under a bridge in Atlanta, Georgia. He was sleeping on rocks, and said... more
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John lives in a small grassy area right in the middle of Downtown Atlanta. He had a rough childhood and never learned to read, which has proven to be a real roadblock in finding a job.
For the past six years, John has been in and out of homelessness. Although he has family, he says he stays on the streets by choice; although it’s not uncommon for a ‘couch surfing’ arrangement to go bad quickly.
Although John’s situation is rough, he maintains a positive attitude. As he says in his own words, to get up out of homelessness, “You’ve got to want it.”
Thing is, when someone is ready, we need to be there to help.
// more stories http://invisiblepeople.tv
// follow http://twitter.com/hardlynormalJohn lives in a small grassy area right in the middle of Downtown Atlanta. He had a... more
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I don't know if anything can prepare you for Drew's story. Drew lost his job, then he lost his wife and daughter to a drunk driver. He is an educated man, but today he lives on leftover food he finds in dumpsters.
There's nothing you can add to a story like this, except that homelessness can happen to anyone. Please don’t let Drew's story stop here. Talk about it, blog about it, email a link to everyone you know.
// more stories http://invisiblepeople.tv
// follow http://twitter.com/hardlynormalI don't know if anything can prepare you for Drew's story. Drew lost his job, then he... more
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In 2007, police in St. Petersburg, Florida slashed tents as their former occupants watched in horror. In response to this horrible incident, a government-approved tent city called Pinellas Hope was created.[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrPdZmPB36U]
Although the regulation of tent cities is a strategy often supported by homeless advocates, the approach is not immune to challenges.
Pinellas Hope Tent City's COO Sheila Lopez told me in a recent interview [http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/1972856] that times are tough for Pinellas Hope and funding may dry up in the very near future.
Darryl is a resident of Pinellas Hope. He has left the community three times looking for work, but always without luck. He says he is grateful that Pinellas Hope is always there to take him back in; he knows he needs the community support to get off the streets.
Very special thanks to Shelia Lopez and Pinellas Hope [http://www.pinellashope.org] and to Pinellas County Coalition for the Homeless [http://www.pinellashomeless.org]
// more stories http://invisiblepeople.tv
// follow http://twitter.com/hardlynormalIn 2007, police in St. Petersburg, Florida slashed tents as their former occupants... more
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What's everybody so uptight about?! Don't you know what time it is? It's time for a DUMB DOG TRICK! YAY!What's everybody so uptight about?! Don't you know what time it is? It's time for a... more
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