Thoughts on Ted Williams: The Homelessness "Golden Voice"

When we first started hearing about the latest viral video, we were confused. So Ted Williams has a great voice. OK, that's nice. But what's all the fuss about?

Maybe it's because we've worked with thousands of homeless people - all of them remarkable, talented and inspiring in their own way.

Wasn't there a major motion picture about a talented homeless person recently? Oh yeah ... the beautiful film The Soloist that told the story of Nathaniel Ayers - a gifted musician whose schizophrenia overwhelmed him and he wound up street homeless. Tragically many of the people we work with are like Nathaniel Ayers and like Ted Williams - amazing people with significant obstacles in their lives that keep them from being productive members of society. Mental illness, addiction, physical illness and other challenges bring them to the fringes of our society.

But aren't they just a reflection of all of us? No one is perfect. All of us are flawed in different ways. Most of us are able to survive and thrive through our difficult times because of the supports in place around us. Maybe it's money, family and/or friends. The point is that many of us have a strong support system. Think back to the lowest time in your life. Where would you be today if you didn't have that support? Our feeling is that many of us could have wound up just like Ted or Nathaniel. None of us are immune to the hardships and struggles in life. Anyone can become homeless.

Some in the field of poverty and homelessness may feel their cause is being sensationalized by one man's story. Yes, many Americans and mainstream media only seem to care about homelessness when we have a heart-warming situation like Ted. Or if the story is the exact opposite: when a severely mentally ill homeless person hurts someone. The media can be very good at broadcasting anything sensational.

But there is another way to look at this phenomenon. People are talking about homelessness. It is part of the national discussion. This is a very good thing. We believe this can help to open up even a few more eyes to the complexities of homelessness. We can come together to raise awareness. We can learn to think outside the box to develop new ways of improving our communities and providing needed services. Then we can come even closer to truly ending homelessness.

So let's embrace Ted and the movement around him. And push our neighbors to help others in need.

Photo credit: James Fischer