Changing the story of homelessness! InvisiblePeople.tv: Changing the story of homelessness.





One of the saddest pieces of this story is that what happened to Violet is not uncommon.



Violence against people who are homeless, along with the criminalization of homelessness, is on the rise. Vulnerable people like Violet are being abused while on the streets – through violent attacks and unjust laws. Did you know that in many communities a person who is homeless can be arrested for simply sleeping on a bus bench? All of this, I believe, is because a majority of the general public does not view our homeless neighbors as real people - as human beings!



That is why the Invisible People videos and our work in connecting community, public and national stakeholders is so important.



With very little resources and an extremely low-budget, Invisible People is able to educate the public on the realities of homelessness. More importantly, we provide a direct and meaningful way for people to connect to families and individuals who are homeless. We show the face of homelessness that that people can connect and relate to, the faces and stories that humanizes homelessness and builds empathy in the viewer. This is way more important and impactful than simple awareness.



Let's be real here for a moment: a 67-year-old woman should not have been on the streets for year in the first place! We need change and we need it now- we need to change how the general public views homelessness - which is why Invisible People's work is so very important and must continue!



Since we started in 2008 Invisible People has reached millions of new people and agencies- stakeholders never before reached by nonprofit or government communications. We have literally changed how millions of people view homelessness and as a result, they’ve joined the fight against homelessness in their local communities – your communities! We have proven to be one of the most successful homeless awareness and activism campaigns across the country, but funding awareness and activism is extremely challenging.



Thanks to your generous donations in 2012, we were able to offer direct support throughout the year; like catering a holiday meal this past Christmas Eve for 80 homeless people at a winter shelter and helping a formerly homeless woman fly back to be with her husband over the holidays for his emergency open heart surgery. We helped furnish the new apartment of a homeless vet and helped a Canadian youth get back to her family. But the majority of our work has been in empowering homeless people to tell their own story, and those powerful stories are what continue to change communities.



2012 was a good year, and with your help 2013 is going to be even better. Next year



As 2012 ends there are no words to express the gratitude to each and every one of you that have helped Invisible People fight homelessness this year.







Wishing you all the best in 2013,

Mark Horvath

Founder, Invisible People

This week a homeless woman was set on fire while sleeping on a bus bench in Van Nuys, California. The 67-year-old woman, know for years by the local community as "Violet" is in critical condition with burns all over her body.One of the saddest pieces of this story is that what happened to Violet is not uncommon.Violence against people who are homeless, along with the criminalization of homelessness, is on the rise. Vulnerable people like Violet are being abused while on the streets – through violent attacks and unjust laws. Did you know that in many communities a person who is homeless can be arrested for simply sleeping on a bus bench? All of this, I believe, is because a majority of the general public does not view our homeless neighbors as real people - as human beings!That is why the Invisible People videos and our work in connecting community, public and national stakeholders is so important.With very little resources and an extremely low-budget, Invisible People is able to educate the public on the realities of homelessness. More importantly, we provide a direct and meaningful way for people to connect to families and individuals who are homeless. We show the face of homelessness that that people can connect and relate to, the faces and stories that humanizes homelessness and builds empathy in the viewer. This is way more important and impactful than simple awareness.Let's be real here for a moment: a 67-year-old woman should not have been on the streets for year in the first place! We need change and we need it now- we need to change how the general public views homelessness - which is why Invisible People's work is so very important and must continue!Since we started in 2008 Invisible People has reached millions of new people and agencies- stakeholders never before reached by nonprofit or government communications. We have literally changed how millions of people view homelessness and as a result, they’ve joined the fight against homelessness in their local communities – your communities! We have proven to be one of the most successful homeless awareness and activism campaigns across the country, but funding awareness and activism is extremely challenging.Thanks to your generous donations in 2012, we were able to offer direct support throughout the year; like catering a holiday meal this past Christmas Eve for 80 homeless people at a winter shelter and helping a formerly homeless woman fly back to be with her husband over the holidays for his emergency open heart surgery. We helped furnish the new apartment of a homeless vet and helped a Canadian youth get back to her family. But the majority of our work has been in empowering homeless people to tell their own story, and those powerful stories are what continue to change communities.2012 was a good year, and with your help 2013 is going to be even better. Next year @Home will be released along with an outreach campaign to fight homelessness in the U.S., the new We Are Visible, a social network that will facilitate peer to peer support with our homeless friends, will launch and we are starting to plan one more road trip around the U.S. as well as talking of a possible UK Invisible People tour. But we cannot do a thing without your help.As 2012 ends there are no words to express the gratitude to each and every one of you that have helped Invisible People fight homelessness this year. As we approach year-end giving, please consider a financial gift of $50, $100, $200, $500 to help fight homelessness in 2013 . This important journey 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 -- please help me continue this essential work.Wishing you all the best in 2013,Mark HorvathFounder, Invisible People







