Tent City Tour
Real Story: Meet Pam
Published November 05, 2009 @ 05:41PM PT
I met Pam while passing through Cleveland, Ohio. She is mother and a grandmother who never thought she would become homeless. Many people think that if a person has close family members, they can just go live with family when all else fails. But for Pam and many others, it's just not that simple.
Pam wished for a home; I hope she finds it.
Pam from InvisiblePeople.tv on Vimeo.
Real Stories: Meet Yubel
Published October 23, 2009 @ 03:16PM PT
I met Yubal in New York City. He is originally from Mexico and traveling up to Canada to try and find his way out of homelessness.
Yubal from InvisiblePeople.tv on Vimeo.
Real Stories: Meet Joni
Published October 18, 2009 @ 09:29AM PT
At first glance I did not know Joni was homeless. Little did I know, she spent the previous night sleeping on a bench in Times Square. This is where I noticed her trying to steal a cup of coffee; she was caught, and my heart broke for her.
Many people think that homeless people just want money for drugs. But Joni said that's not always the case. She said she needs money to be able to eat and survive.
Joni says homelessness is terrible, that there are far too many people out here and that somebody has to do something about it. I hope her story compels you to do something.
Joni from InvisiblePeople.tv on Vimeo.
Real Stories: Meet Paul
Published October 14, 2009 @ 09:06AM PT
After interviewing dozens of homeless people from coast to coast, I'm often asked how I get people to share their story on camera. The answer? Socks.
No matter what city I traveled to, people were beyond thrilled when I opened my bag and gave them a fresh pair of socks. It was not only a great icebreaker, but an often overlooked need of those I met on the streets. All of the socks for this tour were provided by Hanes.
Paul was no different. I met him in Tompkins Square Park in New York City's East Village. Although he washes his feet as much as possible, Paul said he wears the same pair of socks everyday. He said he must literally scrape them off his feet to remove them everyday.
As I was talking to Paul, he was on the lookout for police so his friends could sleep. When the camera pans to show his friends on the ground I hope your heart breaks as much as mine. Paul says he thinks the police make it up as they go along. He says you can get arrested for "obstructing" a park bench, even if you are the only person on the bench.
As Paul was describing how life really is on the streets of New York City, I really related to what he was saying. It's easy to almost forget who you are and wonder how you'll ever get back to what you once were. I thought Paul's first wish was illuminating: he wished he could start his life over again.
There are currently 2,175 homeless shelters listed in the Homeless Shelter Directory. Please: find one near you and help them help get people like Paul off the street.
A very special thanks to Hanes for their generous support.
Paul from InvisiblePeople.tv on Vimeo.
Real Stories: Meet Rashid
Published October 08, 2009 @ 06:11PM PT
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.
Rashid from InvisiblePeople.tv on Vimeo.
Real Stories: Meet Elijah Alfred “NatureBoy” Alexander, Jr.
Published October 05, 2009 @ 07:28AM PT
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.
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.
Elijah Alfred "NatureBoy" Alexander, Jr. from InvisiblePeople.tv on Vimeo.
Real Stories: Meet Cotton
Published September 28, 2009 @ 07:13PM PT
"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.
Cotton from InvisiblePeople.tv on Vimeo.
