About

Posted by invisiblepeople

On the street I saw a small girl cold and shivering in a thin dress, with little hope of a decent meal. I became angry and said to God; “Why did you permit this? Why don’t you do something about it?” For a while God said nothing. That night he replied, quite suddenly:

“I certainly did something about it. I made you.”

I once heard a story about a homeless man on Hollywood Blvd who really thought he was invisible. But one day a kid handed the man a Christian pamphlet. The homeless guy was shocked and amazed, “what! You can see me? How can you see me? I’m invisible!”

It isn’t hard to comprehend this man’s slow spiral into invisibility. Once on the street, people started to walk past him, ignoring him as if he didn’t exist… much like they do a piece of trash on the sidewalk. It’s not that people are bad, but if we make eye contact, or engage in conversation, then we have to admit they exist and that we might have a basic human need to care. But it’s so much easier to simply close our eyes and shield our hearts to their existence.

I not only feel their pain, I truly know their pain. I lived their pain. You’d never know it now but I was a homeless person. Fourteen years ago, I lived on Hollywood Blvd. But today, I find myself looking away, ignoring the faces, avoiding their eyes — and I’m ashamed when I realize I’m doing it. But I really can feel their pain, and it is almost unbearable, but it’s just under the surface of my professional exterior.

For years I’ve used the lens of a television camera to tell the stories of homelessness and the organizations trying to help. That was part of my job. The reports were produced well and told a story, but the stories you see on this site are much different. These are the real people, telling their own, very real stories… unedited, uncensored and raw.

The purpose of this vlog is to make the invisible visible. I hope these people and their stories connect with you and don’t let go. I hope their conversations with me will start a conversation in your circle of friends.

After you get to know someone by watching their story, please pause for a few moments and write your thoughts in the comments section, or maybe email them to a friend and link back to this vlog . By keeping this dialog open we can help a forgotten people.

The invisible guy didn’t intend to become homeless. I didn’t plan on living on the street. Everyone on the streets has their own story, some made bad decisions, others were victims, but none of them deserve what they have been left with, and it is a reflection of our own society that we just leave them there.

Please always remember, the homeless people you’ll ignore today were much like you not so long ago.

WARNING – these videos will mess you up

I dare you to at least watch #1 and #5. Come on, I dare you!

Skid Row Part 1: Introduction

Skid Row Part 2: Kids

Skid Row Part 3: Drugs

Skid Row Part 4: God

Skid Row Part 5: Afterword

My Story

Contact

info (at) invisiblepeople (dot) tv

Permalink | Comments (Comments) | Oct 13, 2008

  • Mary
    I didn't sleep last night because I was watching every video on this site. I'm 53 years old, have survived what I thought were tragedies (total loss house fire, lay-offs, illness...) Then I saw these videos and realized that I have never truly experienced the desperation of homelessness, so I can count myself lucky.

    I knew, after watching these videos that I needed to connect with the homeless and tell them that I'm sorry for ignoring them. I realized just how much we are the same and I felt terrible for not knowing how to communicate with my fellow human beings.

    Today, I went shopping for warm clothes to share because it is supposed to snow here in San Antonio - something it rarely does. For the first time, I really looked at the homeless men, women and teens who I've ignored in the past. After a few bumbling attempts to say, "Hello" and offering my purchases, I met two younger men who I asked permission to talk to. They laughed and said, "Sure!"

    I apologized for not knowing exactly how to approach them and told them I wanted to know about homelessness. I asked them what they need. I asked them not to be offended by my questions or my offering of what I thought they might want. They were not offended and they were happy to receive gift certificates from Wendy's and from the grocery store. They accepted the gloves, the jackets and the cigarettes (but declined the scarves.) They even accepted my prayers - although both said they don't believe in God. We talked and laughed and talked and I realized that they are exactly like me. I enjoyed their company and I finally had to leave after about three hours. I learned so much about their lifestyle, their hope, their day-to-day, their struggle and about my own need to connect.

    Your videos made it possible for me to get beyond stereotypes so that I could make friends. My new friends taught me how I can help in a small way. I gained as much as I gave and I know where to find Nelson and Jeff now so we'll all be a little bit less lonely.

    Thank you and Merry Christmas, Mary
  • Great! its weird to ignore ppl man... I know everyone does ignore homeless ppl, like if they just werent there... But, hey, they are, usually, much better ppl than a lotta ppl i know... As they are unattached to material beings as everyone else, they tend to be even more human... idk... I've told you before, id like to roam the streets, and wander all around the world, looking for answers ill probably find in homeless ppl rather than in busines men...
  • danportnoy
    Way to go Mary!!!
  • Barry Burns
    Hi,

    I attend Morning Star Church in Ofallon, MO. I heard that someone in your organization lived here in Ofallon at one point in time. I have been working with homeless ministry for about 1.5 years now.

    God Bless
    Barry Burns
  • I've just learned of your video blog. Challenging. Enlightening. Honest.

    Thank you. Your videos will make me a better person.
  • Great site. One of the hardest video blogs I've done, but also the most fullfilling, was on a homeless person who hung out right next to NYU Tisch on Broadway: http://blip.tv/file/399826/
  • Ross Popoff-Walker
    This blog and the videos you guys take are incredible. I work at a creative advertising agency, and would love to talk with you about a project we're kicking off -- do you guys have an email contact? You can reach me at ross.spw-at-gmail-dot-com
  • Are you planning on a Facebook page? Me and my friends use that much more than Myspace and I'd like to help spread the word about your site.
  • Ladies and gentlemen:

    I discovered your site quite by accident; and it has left a lasting impression upon me. Not the least because I wrote a book on the homeless (it was my second novel) and it's good to see someone, anyone, still moved by such a timeless topic. I took the liberty to mention your site and organization on my blog http://oswaldatlarge.blogspot.com My book was about what were known as the "Mole People"--- a homeless community that arose in the abandoned Amtrak tunnels below New York City. The Mole People are long gone---Amtrak reclaimed the tunnels to re-instate and expand their northeast corridor. But their story and travails live on in the faces of all the nameless, homeless denizens we see in our streets, our parks, our cities.
    Keep up the good work. It's a message that has to get out there.

    Oswald Rivera
  • grace
    this website has me in tears. i, too, have been homeless and may be again soon. not by choice. homelessness is not a disease, it's not a plague, it's just a situation. each homeless person is a brother, a sister -- how can we turn away? thank you with all my heart for giving each one of these people dignity and a voice. may we all have the courage to listen.
  • :: awesome ::
    great work mark... dont stop till your heart stops
    :: cheers ::
  • Maya Vidhyadharan
    Thank you for caring. Thank you for opening my eyes some more so I can extend myself in some way to be part of the solution. I have been passionate about giving emotional healing to people, through my book The power of illusion. My mentor is passionate about helping the homeless, the troubled teenagers and help the world through GodHearsUs.com, which is currently searching for a visionary to lead it.

    I am setting the intention to do something for the people here in South Bay who are homeless. I hope the method to provide consistent support comes to me, so I can ease some pain here.

    Thank you for doing what you do. I am grateful.

    love,
    Maya
  • Hi Mark

    I'm thinking science might be the way to go. Jesus certainly has a great message but people need a roof most of all. And food, of course.

    Keep up the videos. People always amaze me. We CAN do something.

    Dick
  • Hi,

    I am a photographer, I am going East to WEst. Do you want to collaborate? e mail me. thanks, a
  • Winter
    Beautiful, and touching.
  • Hi Mark,

    We discovered your blog through the List of Change and we think it's wonderful. We write about addiction, recovery, homelessness, and related issues on our blog. There are lots of stories here in Delaware. If you'd ever like to collaborate, please drop us a message.

    Matt Friedman
    Brandywine Counseling
  • kathleen
    Hello Mark,

    I also was in tears and awe of the many faces of the homeless. I too have been a professional -employed since I was 14. I am 58, unemployed, lost my home in '07 as one of the pre-recession "Fannie Mae" casualties.

    This is the first time I admitted out loud that I am homeless.

    My son is providing me shelter-thank God. I returned to the community wherein I am the most employable, and am applying myself.

    Homeless individuals are in every community. I live on the Coast of Oregon. We have lots of folks that live here through the summers and relocate to so. CA or AZ in the winters. I am aware of this as I worked in children's shelters in AZ. We accepted self-referrals. I recognized these families were homeless. This was in 1975. Now I still see this happening in 2009.

    Most of what I have seen you produce are those in the inner city's population of homeless. There are thousands along this Coastline. Please give them a place to face.

    I love what you are providing. Thank you.

    Kathleen Brown
  • Thank you for doing this. This is an issue I've thought about a lot--especially after coming very close to being homeless. It's a solvable problem. There is absolutely and I mean absolutely no reason why every person cannot be provided with clean, safe housing (as well as clean water, food and clothing). It comes down to resources. The resources are there to provide everyone with such basic human needs. Housing. Food. Etc. etc. But it is that one resource that we have so blindly and errantly based on worth that keeps people without such things: MONEY. It's an issue no one wants to discuss. We just dismiss it as "that's just how it is". Well yes, money is indeed what runs the economy, but it does not have to--the way is currently does. The money is there but it has been controlled and divided in such a way to create unnecessary suffering.

    I would encourage every person to demand their respective city government create a list of human rights and that local government, business and community members enact a plan to ENSURE such rights are provided for all who reside in their particular community. It may mean dividing up the wealth. It may mean developers do with less profit. It may mean local business and wealthier folks cough up more of their wealth. Touchy subjects that few want to address. But NECESSARY in order to truly once and for all address and solve this issue. For you can give someone a job that will provide the financial resources to provide for his/her needs, but no job is guaranteed to last. Until we change policy and business as usual (and our values, mind talk and such) we will continue to have these "invisible" people.
  • Shelly Clark
    As a homework assignment I was told to find something of interest to me and reply to a blog on the subject. I stumbeled across this website by accident, or was it? I watched the videos of the homeless people. My heart breaks for them. I, like yourself have a compassion for people who are in this situation. I was once there myself with my children after our home burned, and we lost everything, including our dogs. I know how it feels, the hopelessness that comes with sleeping in the streets and wondering where your next meal will come from. God bless you for putting a name and a face to this reality.
  • Our little activist group needs to learn how to employ video like this. No amount of writing can touch a heart like SEEING and HEARING the faces and stories of the homeless.

    We are advocating for more direct involvement by local counties and cities in Oregon to create part time farm work - with shelter - on idle public lands. This would be the most affordable and sustainable way to address the crisis of fast-growing homelessness.

    We have been labeled the "poor farm" group, which we do not dispute. Still, we need to get our message out with the kind of clarity that your format offers here.

    THANK YOU for this excellent website. Thank you for having a heart for the poor.
  • tsnoack
    i have a 67mb hour long vid (in .mp4 format) from a new hampshire homeless coalition meeting that mr. william c. tinker would like posted on the net, can you oblige?
  • dreepauz
    Our Local Soup Kitchen is hosting the 1st "Great Soup Kitchen Sleep Over" on Friday, Nov 13th, 2009. Interested parties sleep in a box overnight, as an awareness strategy, and raise donations by getting pledges. To date we have over 200 registered, from age 10 to 79. As Community Coordinator for the City of Sault Ste. Marie, ON, this led me to your site. The other thing that peaked my interest was the use of invisible people. Our first documentary to raise awareness about homelessness in a mid size northern community is called "Invisible People-Homelessness in Sault Ste. Marie". How true that citizens of our individual communities are considered " invisbile"-no matter how big or small the communities may be. We are finalizing our second documentary called "Stepping Forward" about folks who have been homeless, accessed community services and moved forward in their lives. It is amazing! Keep up the good work!
  • They lay upon the streets
    Choking on their own.
    Mounds of people
    Desolate in their being.

    Wait.

    And breathe in again.
    Kicked in the gut;
    Split like lumber.
    This is a home.
    Animals have a home.

    Wait.

    And breathe in again.
    Boxes propped up in the rain.
    Empty cans rot.
    Feeding is done.
    Could they have hunger?
    Is it ours that they’re hungry?

    Wait.

    And breathe in again.
    Displaced assassination.
    Soul tainted by remark.
    Hold. The starving soul echoes back
    And lives in our queried gaze.
    Is this anyone’s “life”?

    Wait.

    And breathe in again.
    Shoes leaking dirt on new snow.
    Fingers hold paper canopy
    Encasing country’s dishonor.
    This is not a life, is it?
    I think it is best to live.

    Wait.

    And breathe in again.
    Perhaps the hand will move.
    Will hope spring?
    Will death take notice of this?
    Will the good in man change them?
    Will our naked shame bow softly?
    Will we course this toward nurturing?
    Will the hope of man succumb to hunger?
    Will the pride of man not rip itself from within?
    Might it begin?
    Has it now?

    Wait.

    And breathe in again.
    Men, women, and children; living ghosts,
    Alleyways of mankind infested with distrust,
    Cursing the self bending through our streets
    Of our cities and towns to our own expense.
    We needn’t turn away in shame, or fear of this;
    Fingernails caked in dirt, soiled clothes and hair.
    Run from it and it rests with you.
    Mock it and it returns within you.
    Spit upon it and you stir death.
    Attempt to remedy; hope, love, salvation
    And you turn its hastening back.

    Wait.

    And breathe in again.
    We know these stooped forms are among us.
    We know the hand extended is not in greed.
    We know we needn’t fear its power,
    Unless we are soulless and more in need of seeking.
    Hope shall soar.
    Death will perceive.
    The good of man shall foster change.
    These bones and faces
    Are found in every man.
    These hopes and despair
    Frequent the soul’s café
    Drinking in the fullness of grace.

    Wait.

    And breathe in again.
    We must believe in the true nature.
    We must hope for the caressing of our beings,
    Beckoning man’s better self, his courage,
    That it might rise up, swell within to champion,
    Take hold our slipped fingers in desire of betterment,
    Prayers of expectant selfless endeavors,
    Freedom to ring not hollow,
    But thunderous in the flattered ears of politicians!
    Booming through the streets of home,
    Piercing and raucous about this world,
    Man summoning to man on these cold streets!
    As we meander nearer the darkness,
    Nearer the end,
    Many will have gleaned over before we know
    Our echo's come `round again.
    Man cannot wait, not upon the streets
    Of new snow…

    ...breathe in again.


    Copyright © 2006 mrp / thepoetryman
  • becky
    I'm loving your blog. However, can you lighten it up -- the background? I seriously can't read it -- not even by squinting! :) Thanks!
  • Hi Mark,
    I would love to connect with you. I started a project about a year ago called the Free Photo Project. I go to different shelters and events and take photographs for people, just so they can have a picture of themselves, their children, their friends. I am really wanting to reach out and do this on a larger scale. I would love to come to Portland (I'm in Eugene). Maybe I could collaborate with a LaundryLove event! Great project.
    If you are interested in connecting please contact me at contact@freephotoproject.org
    You can see more about my project at www.FreePhotoProject.org
    Fabulous work you are doing. Blessings to you.
  • Hey Mark - hoping you can give me some ideas. I put on a trail running races (next one in February) and there is often stuff left over - especially food. Mostly junk stuff like candy and chips but I'd hate to waste anything after the races. Any ideas of where I can bring stuff like this? Homeless shelter maybe? The races is in Orange County.
  • Mike F.
    <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/TCbSe6XJi0I&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/TCbSe6XJi0I&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>
  • Mike F.
    sorry about that last post. Posted incorrectly
  • Rick
    Very interesting, but this generates more questions than answers, if a guys serves time in prison, I would like to know why. There is a stigma that most homeless people are drug/alcohol addicts. It would be nice to know if substance abuse led to where they are know. Eventually, it would be really nice if you really felt for an individual there was a way to provide help. Great job though!
  • timothy7
    You are an inspiration to those who won't close their eyes. I'm going to spread your work and message as far as I can. I'd love your input now or in the future.

    If you ever need anything at all, just ask and I'll do my best to make it happen.

    God bless you.
  • Dave
    I wish I understood what the problem is here. All of these people have two arms, two legs, etc. so i don't understand why they can't work. There's always some job that can be done. I always see fast food signs advertising for help. And if a person really can't work, we have Social Security Income, Disability, Medicaid, ect. to help them. Do these people just not want to work? I've seen children raised to be lazy, where everything is done for them. I imagine that they would grow up to want to avoid work, even if it means being homeless. Part of the cross that God gave us is to work. I don't like it either but we all have to do it. Now if a person is mentally ill or unable to work, that is different, and we have Social Secuity programs to help them. Otherwise, like St. Paul said, "If a man will not work, don't let him eat". You would not be doing his soul any favors if you did. I have a friend who has taken in many many homeless people, gotten them haircuts and jobs. Everyone of them couldn't stand working and preferred to go back to homelessness.
  • lynnette1000
    Its really sad how clueless you are Dave. I really dont mean that as a putdown or anything but c'mon...you want to know WHY they were in prison?? Well thats none of your buisness, frankly, because they have seved the time givin to them by the state in which the crime was committed. period. And as far as addiction is concerned, well, last time I checked it is considered a MEDICAL desease (with rehabilitation covered under even the most BASIC health insurance plans. As for mental illness...most psychotic people dont know they are psychotic and if there is no family to help them get treatment they are on their own. Alot of mentally unstable people take medication for awhile and feel normal so they think they can stop taking their meds. After a few weeks they start acting bizaar and next thing you know they are wandering around aimlessly. I'm not saying some people dont wanna work but you cant be judgemental like that. Since you know the bible you must also know how Jesus said "what you have done to the least of these you have also done to me". How can you have anything to say when you have obviously never walked a day in their shoes
  • Robert Catalano
    I was wondering if you were the Mike Horvath who used to live in La Canada-Flintridge as a teenager.
  • Derek Hummel
    I would like you to contact me about possibly working with a City Council Candidate in Memphis, TN to bring awareness of Poverty to the City. DerekHum84@aol.com. Thank you and I look forward to working with you.
  • Val
    Mark,
    please get in touch with me. I work for Italian medias and would like to help.
    Thanks
    Vale
  • Branko Belfranin
    I think you are very courageous, I have myself been photographing homless people for the past few years in the Miami Fla area ( I have loads of images) in order for someone important might see these pictures and do something for them, somekind of help as the years go by homlessnes keeps growing.
    They trully need help not only from GOD but also from all of us.
    I would like to volunteer for any project you may have in mind in the Miami Florida area or maybe start something to help them.
    Thank you for the inspiration
  • grahame
    Very powerful. Thank you for your efforts.
  • clarez
    I have always thought that a grass roots remedy would involve matching up the homeless - especially the working poor, but anyone who is not dangerous - with people with extra rooms/homes. Perhaps either rent or tax credit or some other incentive could apply. But, a lot of people have room for extras. It would be a matter of matching people up. I am not sure how to make this happen.

    I think of the movie "My Fair Lady" and the song that states, "all I want is a room somewhere." Perhaps grabbing some foreclosed apartments. My situation has changed drastically in the last year and although I have a decent safety net, homelessness is not out of the realm of possibility.
  • Nathan
    Hello: My name is Nathan Nance and live here in Austin, TX. You should come down here, we have over 7k people who do not live in homes. I volunteer at Church Under the Bridge and would love for you to come down here and hang out at the bridge. Let me know how I can help. Free place to stay.
  • Keith
    Thank you so much for this site! These are the faces of so many people who need help but also need love. Growing up as a Christian I could NEVER understand how we could worship a homeless man on Sunday and then pass one by on Monday. Thank you for showing me these videos, the work you are doing is just unbelievable!
  • theancientofdayz
    Thank you so much for this site! These are the faces of so many people who need help but also need love. Growing up as a Christian I could NEVER understand how we could worship a homeless man on Sunday and then pass one by on Monday. Thank you for showing me these videos, the work you are doing is just unbelievable!
  • Ashley
    I served with the Dream Center back in 2002 with my Youth Group. I am always amazed to hear the stories that come out of that place. It's truly amazing!
  • Tim
    Thanks. What an inspiring, faith-restoring site.
  • Tim
    Thanks. What an inspiring, faith-restoring site.
  • Are you really close to being homeless again?
    It's amazing what you are doing. Please don't give up.

    Dara
  • vballjs
    I work a paper for school on peoples worth and how humans categorize on another by how they are different from ourselves. This site helped me with ideas for my paper and I thought I would share a few pieces from my paper. The typical American has a tendency to categorize people by their appearance, gender, or skin color. But what commonly goes unnoticed is Americans also judge the homeless, mentally ill, and people with addiction problems. Ranking people’s self worth has become a common practice to the world. Various categories of people are displayed all around - in the work place, in schools, and in sports teams. The judgment of different groups of people can differ depending on what country is being examined. However, homeless individuals make up a category of people that can be viewed all over the world. It has become the tendency for a majority of Americans who are blessed with great amounts to have sympathy for those who have nothing, yet no action is taken to help the people in need. People who actually have a home and a steady income judge people who are homeless like they are different from themselves; when, in reality, they are the exact same when it comes to character and humans need to be loved by others; they just don’t have a roof over their head. Treating people as if they are inhumane just because some things in their life may be different is something that too often happens in America. Imagine living the homeless lifestyle. A home, money, and possessions taken away; changing the norm of life into something scary and unknown. Now imagine someone walking up and treating, someone who only had their possessions taken away, as if they were a child and didn’t know how to do things on there own. The material things taken away don’t change the person dignity and character. This kind of behavior does not only happen to the homeless but with anyone who is different from the norm. Some examples of this are the blind, the deaf, and the elderly. Most of the time these people are the ones who have more wisdom then that of the normal person. Categorizing and judging people just because they are different from the norm, is a problem that not only hurts others but inhabits the person who is doing the hurting from knowing someone who is different and learning from them. Acts of kindness can do tremendous things in helping the lives of others.Putting aside selfish needs for the needs of others will not only help others but it can also help fulfill that nature in people that makes them feel good when helping someone else. Someone taking action to help others who may be different or live differently than the average American can spark a flame to make change happen.
  • God's Blessings to all
  • I love the fact that you have done this. I started working with the homeless during my senior year in college through an internship. I am now working with the homeless with mental illnesses and I'm planning on making it my career. The general population doesn't realize what happens on these streets at night. They don't realize the people on the corners and in the alleys have a story. And the most important thing that they do not realize is that most American families are a paycheck away from homelessness.

    Many life events have led me to where I am in my career. As a child my mother was homeless due to drug addictions and various other issues. I did not have a site such as this to increase my understanding of my mother's struggle. I feel what you are doing is monumental for society. It's real and honest and it's going to change the way many people view homelessness and hopefully it will lead to change.

    Blessings and light to guide your way. Continue the good fight!
  • Heather
    I will have to modify. When I was a child, my mother was homeless. It makes a bit more sense now when I say it that way
  • fire2lite
    I SEE THEM!
  • I am not a stranger to being homeless. Your site tells it like it is and that is what the world needs to see more of. Many times I have been homeless in my life and many times I have only been one paycheck away from the streets. Keep up the good work, I applaude you.
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