The only thing worse than being homeless is feeling invisible and forgotten. Out of Sight, Out of Mind The homeless often feel invisible, allowed to plummet through widening holes in the social safety net, then hidden in doorways from which people avert their eyes. Homelessness sits at the nexus of stigma, isolation, and vulnerability: though […]
You feel invisible when you’re homeless…I don’t let it beat me. I get up every day and try again. I survive every one of these days still being me. ~Ron, a homeless man battling mental illness Most of us have probably never imagined ourselves living on the streets. But for about 2% of the world’s […]
People experiencing homelessness can’t be boxed into a few stereotypes; they’re as diverse and deserving of our love and support as anyone else. And the best way to help is to start by making eye contact and listening to their story. It’s a sobering adventure getting to know people on the street. You quickly realize […]
People in poverty have a sense of scarcity. So, it makes sense for them to keep taking. It’s weird to think that helping can contribute to keeping someone sick. The way to minimize the damage from helping in the wrong direction is to be mindful of possible unintended consequences. We have to be more thought-out […]
If you’re always racing to the next moment, what happens to the one you’re in? Slow down, enjoy the moment you’re in, and just be … Taking a moment is about simply taking a few seconds every day for our mental health to “Just Be”. To pause, breathe, disconnect, and then reconnect, so we can […]
“The biggest misconception about the homeless is that they got themselves in the mess — let them get themselves out.” –Ron Hall Myths are widely held thoughts or beliefs that are not generally true. Beyond just being misinformation, myths often create negative attitudes and even prejudice. This is most often the case when it comes […]
Celebrate the power of unity with “Better Together” Song Around The World, featuring Jack Johnson, Paula Fuga, Lee Oskar, and talented musicians from around the globe. This beautiful, feel-good song was a single, released in February 2006 from Jack Johnson’s third studio album, “In Between Dreams,” and was inspired by his love for his wife. […]
Many of us feel uncomfortable and nervous when we come across homeless people carrying signs asking for money. We cross the street or look away to avoid making eye contact. Designer and artist Willie Baronet started buying signs from the homeless as a way to deal with his discomfort. In 1993, he embarked on a […]
The handshake spoke volumes. On a March night in 1963, two college basketball players—one Black, one White—defied the hate of segregationists and shook hands, marking the first time in Mississippi State’s history that its all-White men’s team played against an integrated team. To compete in the “game of change” against Loyola University Chicago in a […]
At the heart of it all, real conversations are human. They embody our humanity by encompassing the sharing of emotions, a willingness to be vulnerable, and a receptiveness to fresh and different ideas. Real conversations invite the sense of “us” into a space where a participatory reality unfolds. Our exclusive series of single-day, live/interactive INSTEADTALKS —each convened […]
