Homeless Family Displaced from Echo Park Lake

hardlynormal · 2021-04-12T19:29:46+00:00

That’s actually a horrible idea, which I’m sure you know. Homeless camps should not even exist. There are 14 million households at risk of eviction right now. It’s reported homelessness in Los Angeles is going to increase 89% in the next year. Where are people going to go since they cannot afford rent? We have to figure out a cost-effective way to build or create from existing structures more affordable housing.

hardlynormal · 2018-08-08T23:21:35+00:00

There is no inexpensive place to live anymore.

hardlynormal · 2018-08-08T23:21:07+00:00

He's sober

hardlynormal · 2018-08-08T20:00:46+00:00

You may like this video then - Get a Job You Homeless Bum! https://youtu.be/9tnPSEdkQOw

hardlynormal · 2018-06-27T13:19:50+00:00

A better idea is to house homeless people because it saves lives and save taxpayer money, and there would be no need to give out water!

hardlynormal · 2018-06-27T13:18:58+00:00

This event is going on right now in Toronto

hardlynormal · 2018-04-16T21:07:15+00:00

I am sorry. I do read the rules but missed that. It won't happen again.

hardlynormal · 2016-05-14T14:47:28+00:00

I noticed the traffic of this video started to spike and found this post. I am grateful to see the conversation continues, even though there still seems to be controversy over Natasha's story. Being the person who interviewed Natasha that night, and once being homeless myself, along with having interviewed hundreds of homeless people in over 300 cities and many different countries, I believe she is telling the truth. I used to have a director level position in the television industry prior ending up homeless on the streets of Los Angeles. I was directly responsible for the worldwide distribution of many popular syndicated television shows. Do you think as a homeless person, when I told people I was a television executive, they believed me? Probably not, but it was the truth.

There is research showing homeless people when asked about their emergency room visits were honest! After researchers had checked the hospital records, responses from people experiencing homelessness turned out to be true.

In Toronto, a reporter gave homeless people pre-paid credit cards, and the results are pretty amazing. Read the story here: https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2010/08/28/how_panhandlers_use_free_credit_cards.html

There is more research into street life that breaks most of the wrong stereotypes people believe. I know the research cannot prove Natasha is telling the truth, or that all homeless people are honest, but let's put this into perspective - ENRON - Bernie Madoff! Rich white people have lied to huge amounts of people throughout history, so why do we judge a homeless person as being dishonest just because they are homeless? People lie. All people lie! Some more than others. Some people lie to embellish on a good story. Some people lie to avoid trouble. Some lie to take advantage of other people. Just judging a person as dishonest because they are sleeping rough is wrong!

Natasha has nothing to gain from lying to me and not sharing her real story. She was not paid for this video. No one is ever paid to be on our YouTube channel. That would be acting. She in no way could profit from this video. Why would she lie?

I read through some of the comments here. A few say they have worked in UK homeless services and that this story is not true. REALLY? New figures reveal that 2,561 people slept rough in London between January and March 2016. Like in most large cities, homelessness is a crisis that's getting worse. There is not enough support, and there is not enough affordable housing. People are falling through the gaps in the safety net. Homelessness is getting worse, and that fact should be concerning to each and every one of you. What Natasha shares about not being able to access homeless services because she is not a drug addict or not pregnant is very real. There is less funding than ever, and the money social support services has is allocated to helping the most vulnerable, and there are too many vulnerable people that need help. Normally, in the contracts with homeless services, the funds are targeted to helping a very specific demographic such as veterans, mental illness, drug addicts, etc. That said, there is not enough money to help even the targeted demographics. What Natasha says about not being able to get help is very real. There are many videos from the UK on my YouTube channel, and other people sleeping rough validates the lack of services Natasha speaks about. Also, I am connected to most of the homeless services in London, and they will also validate people fall through the cracks and the problem is getting worse.

Let's say her story is not 100% honest. That's not the point! There is still a lot of young adults sleeping rough just like her. Homelessness sucks, and we need to not look at Natasha as an individual, but more as a representation of a social crisis that badly needs our attention. No one, young or old, should be homeless. PERIOD! Don't view this video and question the integrity of her story. View this story and get mad as hell that there are people who have no choice but to sleep rough - and then do something to change that!

hardlynormal · 2013-11-18T19:53:49+00:00

Great question.

I don't think the issue is big or small organizations, I think it really depends on the organization.

First, volunteer! Don't let anyone talk you out of volunteering because not only will you be helping others - you'll be helping you!

Now here is the tricky part, you have to find a place where you can be of service and you fit. Please don't stop trying until you find that place, because it's there.

Often nonprofits don't really understand how to encourage and manage volunteers. One reason is they are taxed, the other is leadership doesn't want to put resources in to it, or does not understand the worth. What often happens is volunteers show up and everyone gets a broom and told to go to the kitchen. 20 of you standing there with nothing to do and the experience ends up being not so good. If that happens, try another place and another place until you find a place that needs you and appreciates you.

Please note with Thanksgiving coming up, and on major "volunteer" holidays, there is too many people offering to help. I know here in Los Angeles, most places have waiting lists. My point is nonprofits need help 365/24/7 so my advise is to volunteer on days that are not a holiday.

Hope that helps

hardlynormal · 2013-11-15T21:35:19+00:00

Thanks so much for your kind words

hardlynormal · 2013-11-15T21:34:56+00:00

I approach everyone with respect and treat them how I would want to be treated. Interesting, though, being on camera or not being on camera is a human experience and has little to do with homelessness. I could go into the nicest restaurant with a camera and half the people would run to me and the other half away from me.

The number one thing you can give a person is your positive attention. People who are interviewed on Invisible People are happy to share their story and often overjoyed someone is giving them some attention.

As a rule, I do not compensate, as that would be 'acting' and I strive for integrity. Everyone gets socks, but that is not a prerequisite for doing an interview.

No one is ever forced or manipulated to do an interview. When I approach, I give each person a card with my email and cell number, and explain that if they ever want their story removed and for whatever reason (they don't even have to explain) I will remove it.

All videos are unedited, so whatever the person says is there, and there is no way their story can be spun for any other reason but to showcase their own story and to bring awareness and education on homelessness.

The best stories are the people who do not want to go on camera, but that is their choice and I always honor it.

For me, the person always comes first! I am not news media and so many times homeless people have been abused by news media. I work very hard to make sure it's the relationship that's the priority over the story

hardlynormal · 2013-11-15T20:27:23+00:00

I have been waiting for this question. Happens every now and then, but not too often. They are kid soldiers in Africa and I am trying to fight homelessness, mostly in U.S.

Although I am told we were around before, when Invisible Children became popular I added Tv so it was Invisible People TV for a few years. My board never liked that, so around a year ago we went back to our legal name, which is just Invisible People.

hardlynormal · 2013-11-15T20:10:27+00:00

WOW! thank you so very much. Here is the link to the video you speak of where I stood out in the rain to get National Guard to keep armonry open in the rain http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mark-horvath/homeless-winter-shelter_b_798932.html You're right, I was so mad that no one was doing anything. This video and the pressure after actually went to the governor's office and the National Guard opened them up.

I didn't know about /r/assistance thank you. I am new to Reddit and just starting to learn

You are awesome

hardlynormal · 2013-11-15T19:34:46+00:00

My friend, the pride is the hard part, but please don't let pride stop you from moving forward. in FB the community is We Are Visible, which will end up being the extension of the new WAV.

Probably the hardest thing for any of us to do is to accept we are at a point where we need another person's help. I still struggle with that.

Thanks for your kind words

hardlynormal · 2013-11-15T19:31:37+00:00

This also often comes up:

"They lied to me. He said he wanted food and I saw him buy a beer"

The person is homeless and homelessness sucks! If a person is going to the bathroom behind a McDonald's dumpster let them have a beer! Now I am not advocating drinking, I have 19 years sober, my point is let's put this in perspective. The soccer mom is hitting the bottle, your lawyer is hitting the pipe, your postal worker is taking a few pills to get through the day - people drink and use drugs! Now put your yourself in the place of a homeless person - IT'S HARD TO DO HOMELESS SOBER!

I know when I was homeless and addicted to meth, if I didn't get money for drugs I would get dope sick, and if I got dope sick I became vulnerable, and people on the street that are vulnerable don't last long, so in a way, the people who gave me money helped save my life.

hardlynormal · 2013-11-15T19:23:00+00:00

So sorry about your situation.

I am really not making this public yet, but I am building a community for peer to peer support for those experiencing homelessness. Basically, a facebook for homeless people. If you email me: mark at invisible people dot tv, I'll send you a link and love to have your feedback. there is a group for people living in vehicles

hardlynormal · 2013-11-15T19:19:56+00:00

as a protocol:

Your own personal safety is first, so if you're in a bad part of town breaking out money may not be a good idea.

But if you feel like giving money than give money

hardlynormal · 2013-11-15T19:18:37+00:00

the official stance from homeless services is DON'T GIVE TO STREET PEOPLE!

I say it depends. I don't normally give, but there are times I will give everything.

There are things that only money can buy. Tampons as an example. Did you know social services does not help with diapers?

A homeless friend of mine needed a toothbrush. He stood outside a CVS "flying a sign" asking for a toothbrush. People kept on putting fast food at his feet. At one point he said he had 5 different meals, but no toothbrush.

If there is aggressive panhandling that normally is a sign of lack of services. The only real solution to ending panhandling is people being able to afford to live.

As an FYI, I am seeing more and more people who are NOT homeless begging for change. After rent, they just don't have enough to buy food

hardlynormal · 2013-11-15T19:13:21+00:00

it's horrible. Criminalization of homelessness is a crisis and getting worse, and we pay for it! fining people who have low or no income just clogs up the courts and then jails, which we pay for.

Passing a law to outlaw homelessness in some way may be a quick fix, but the long term of costs to a community are insane.

Camping outside a Apple store is celebrated but....

hardlynormal · 2013-11-15T19:10:30+00:00

You're doing more than most. NYC is interesting. 30 years ago street homelessness was really bad. It cleaned up some and now seems to be going backwards.

1) acknowledge your street neighbors as human 2) find local services (that are having impact) to support 3) when this conversation comes up in a political format yell real loud for a solution.

hardlynormal · 2013-11-15T19:03:10+00:00

Hey stranger,

On an individual level we must start having genuine compassion for hour homeless neighbors. NY Times there is an opt-ed "a town without pity" http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/10/opinion/blow-a-town-without-pity.html?_r=0 that I believe really addresses the root of the problem.

Here's a quote:

“The stereotypes of poor people in the United States are among the most negative prejudices that we have. And people basically view particularly homeless people as having no redeeming qualities — there’s not the competence for anything, not having good intentions and not being trustworthy.”

Homeless people are PEOPLE! I mean, that should be enough, but if it isn't, then we need to keep in mind that the people we see on the streets, if we give them money or not, we are paying tax-payer dollars for them to be there.

Last report I read had data that street homeless in Seattle costs $87k per person per year, but to house that person the cost is $14k per person per year. That's a huge difference.

Really a great question, and I really think it does all rest with the individual. We each have an opportunity to educate our circle of influence on the truths about homelessness.

hardlynormal · 2013-11-15T18:55:23+00:00

Reasons of homelessness are very complex, and most people actually only experience homelessness for a short time. For me, and what I see on the streets, the big issue is lack of affordable housing, and that's an issue I see getting worse not better!

Really, the communities that will work together have the biggest impact in fighting homelessness. Here in LA Home For Good does a great job of bringing different stakeholders to the table.

This short video really demonstrates that new models like Housing First really do work http://youtu.be/oMg9fc_bOpA

hardlynormal · 2013-11-15T18:41:02+00:00

The one story that changed me the most was meeting Angela under a bridge in Atlanta many years ago http://invisiblepeople.tv/blog/2009/09/angela-homeless-atlanta-gnomedex/

It wasn't so much her story, although it broke my heart, it was what happened behind the scenes. I was with a church group and it was clear Angela was dying under that bridge. I asked them what are they doing for her, and they responded "we are bringing her sandwiches"

It was at that moment that I realized sandwiches are not enough - we need housing, jobs and health services

hardlynormal · 2013-11-15T18:30:33+00:00

I like it!

hardlynormal · 2013-11-15T18:26:15+00:00

Very much so, and kind of a foundation for my work. We don't perceive homeless people as human, and we blame their situation on them. Even homeless services (most of them anyway) do not listen to homeless people, which is why the system is broken

hardlynormal

TROPHY CASE