An example of how to help a homeless person get a job [Updated]: Homeless man w/golden radio voice in Columbus, OH (Updated-2)

Take a look at an effort to help this homeless man in Ohio get a job based on his voice talent!

Consider also the fact that this guy was seen as a panhandler initially by the reporter! We’ve been involved in several other “discussions” about panhandling around the internet & on comment threads on the SMN site for other articles they published (those threads went way awry from the content on the post) but most comments were on the negative side of panhandling.

This poses a “refreshing” view of the issue of panhandling – even if homeless people show up at various places, as Robin with GMA (ABCNEWS program) says, (paraphrased) that all homeless people have a story & we need to listen to them, engage with them where possible, to support their goals to end their homelessness, maybe even finding in them something that they don't even know how to get value from in their own myopic, in the moment, presence doing the things that help them survive in their condition.

So, as this post is attempting to point out, we have an obligation to find ways, creative ways at times, to help homeless people realize their potential! One at a time! Although sounding insurmountable, we as believers, concerned citizens or just as an obligation of being in the world, must use our own God-given talents to help where we can!

We encourage you to be inspired by these stories about Ted Williams! This could be you some day or somebody you know & love in this situation called homelessness.

Check the YouTube site for comments & recent updates on the status of efforts to help out - rumor has it that he will be on air on 1/5/11 & he will be offered a position on air at that time!

See what can happen when we reach out help someone who just needs that one chance to show their talents, in this case likely raising him up out of his homelessness!

Original taken down by copyright dispute by The Dispatch:


Watch it here:


Updates:

He was offered a dream job today with the Cleveland Cavaliers & a free house! Check out the details on the NY Post article from today.

There's a story of alcohol & drug addiction recovery here too - so take note, recovery works & when people are honest they are rewarded for their recovery!

Here's his interview today (1/5/11) with CBS News Morning Show:



Full coverage on tonight's CBS NEWS coverage of the reunion with his Mother is here! All the segments of the story on on their webpage & are worth looking at!

Watch their reunion video here:


And on ABC NEWS GMA they had some great comments about his story & situation. Note specifically Robin's comments at the end of the piece about every homeless person having a story, there's a reason they are there & we need to take the time to listen to them! Others on the set commented on his sincerity. Watch here:

FOX28 Story on Christmas Dinner @ Union Mission, Donated by Gulfstream, Served by Great Volunteers

The Coastal Source did a great story with super interviews by Nick Paradise!

Watch here & let us know what you think! The whole day was great, we'll update this post with a link back to our content blog with our own perspectives on this day of outreach by all the volunteers!

You see, the volunteers didn't want to talk on camera about themselves, but we know the scoop & a few shareable moments we observed ourselves coming soon!

A Homeless Memorial Day Gift - Winter Solstice & Eclipse Video from Yahoo Video!

Our gift to you as we begin to think about Homeless Memorial Day tomorrow - this event happens after midnight tonight 12/20/10 - so it's happening early morning on Tuesday, 12/21/10!

Enjoy this video courtesy of Yahoo! But please think about al the homeless who won't have a chance to see the video - they'll be seeing the real thing - hope they are all safe out there in the cold experiencing the Eclipse - pray that they remain safe throughout this time of hardship in their lives...

Sharing our story of homelessness with Talking Real (Saralyn U Argrow)

We were pleased to be able to sshare our story of homelessness with Saralyn Argrow who has been running a non-profit AWWIN for over 10 years here in Savannah!

Richard Troxell: Looking Up At The Bottom Line

This interview should be especially interesting to our followers!

It's an interview with an author, advocate & overall champion of the homeless.

After listening to his interview please check out his website, House the Homeless!

He has some very interesting perspectives on wages & pay for the homeless, challenging the recent Housing First initiatives of the Obama administration as well!

From the Wayne Hurlbert BlogTalkRadio site, about this show:

Homelessness advocate and Founder and Director of Legal Aid for the Homeless, and President and Founder of House the Homeless Inc, Richard Troxell shares his concept of a Universal Living Wage. Using what he describes as a "continuum of flexibility" for each community,the goal is to ensure that every person can afford a reasonable apartment in the city. Richard Troxell has worked both with and against city councils, and the result has been that cooperation has been the most effective technique for everyone. Richard believes that the minimum wage is too low to rent a one bedroom apartment. His research points to the Universal Living Wage as a solution to homelessness while also providing additional benefits to the economy. The proposal doesn't cost taxpayers any money, and recognizes states rights and individuals. Richard describes many of the current approaches to homelessness as both counter-productive and expensive for taxpayers. All proceeds from the book go toward ending economic homelessness.

Listen to internet radio with Wayne Hurlbert on Blog Talk Radio

This show also talks about Richard's book, which we have made available in our Amazon shop available on the right of this page!

The Rotating Shelter -- A Homeless Services Faith Based Model That Works (VIDEO)

Mark takes a candid, challengin­g look at the role of faith-base­d organizati­ons in ending homelessne­ss. It's fine to feed the hungry but look at how to raise them up out of their homelessne­ss not just give them some structure that goes away if their relationsh­ip with the church ends.



This model is evidently working well (the one Mark has visited twice) & they've been around a long time so something must be working!



As Mark says, feeding the hungry in a park is good for the souls but there is more to their needs than that so partner up with others & look at the whole problem - I'm part of several ministries & I do see the value of a community of volunteers who connect on a repeatable basis & build trusted, committed relationsh­ips but we must look to be stakeholde­rs in their healing & that healing is to get a job, housing, a new skill & some relationsh­ips built on love if we are to make a difference­!



Take Mark's challenge on - it won't hurt to take another view & see if there are new partnershi­ps & collaborat­ions that can make a difference in what we are doing to meet the needs of the homeless!
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Investing in Change: About Homelessness » Center for Capacity Building

Here's the key message in this post: " It’s about rallying community support and understanding that in order to make big change, we have to all be willing to invest in that change."


-> Savannah, are you ready to make the investment in change?

Please check this out - there is a series of articles on this blog on capacity building - this is the final in the series.

But we need to ask ourselves how committed we are to investing in change, the change it takes to move towards the goals of ending homelessness!

About Homelessness » Center for Capacity Building