A Trend to "Watch": Using Video to Advocate for the Homeless

It's always fascinating to see what kind of innovations the bright minds working for the homeless will come up with next. There was the street card, the local homelessness wiki, and the myth-busting online quiz. Now, homeless service providers and advocates are using the power of video to raise awareness, spread information, and share stories from the streets.

Here are three different people and organizations utilizing video in three very different ways to reach out to the masses and advance their mission. Watch and learn. Fancy equipment and technical editing skills are not required - each of these videos could be created with a basic digital flip cam. Perhaps this approach might be a good fit for your homeless service organization.

Mark Horvath of Invisible People (and Change.org)

If you've never witnessed the power of a personal story, then you haven't been to InvisiblePeople.tv. Mark Horvath uses raw, real, and unedited videos to share the stories of homeless people on the streets with the world.

Mark is a dear friend and colleague whom I have had the pleasure of collaborating with for over a year now. Rather than post one of the many personal video manifestos Mark has captured, I'm going to share the video featured on CNN today that shares Mark's story and some of the people he's interviewed. You can catch all of the "Real Stories" created by Mark here at Change.org or over at his blog, InvisiblePeople.tv.

Union Rescue Mission

Sometimes, headlines can get stale, newspapers stories can drone on, and you feel like you've heard it all before. But something about watching Andy Bales, the Executive Director of Union Rescue Mission in LA, discuss his organization's highlights from November is captivating. Listening to him talk about how his shelter is at capacity makes the need feel more urgent. It feels real, authentic.

Every organization wants to keep their supporters engaged and informed. But producing newsletters and email blasts can be time-consuming. What better way to share the happenings of your organization than by creating the feeling of a conversation with the Executive Director through video? Yet another great innovation to come from the good folks at Union Rescue Mission.

The National Alliance to End Homelessness

It's sad, but true: not everyone loves policy and data. But if you're working in homeless services, or you're just plain interested in the nuances of homelessness policy, it's important to brush up on the facts. The National Alliance to End Homelessness publishes a number of handy fact sheets about everything from 10-Year Plans to Veterans Homelessness. But if you're really pressed for time, just tune in to one of their policy video briefs. In two minutes or less, you can get a quick introduction to the homelessness policy issue of your choosing - directly from the experts!

This video features Richard HooksWayman discussing youth housing. You can find this and other policy video briefs on the National Alliance to End Homelessness' informative blog.