"We Are Visible" Teaches the Homeless How to Log On

by Danny Jensen · 2010-09-14 07:00:00 UTC
Topics:

If you're still under the impression that Twitter and Facebook are simply distractions from the "important" business of life, think again. Never one to rest when it comes to helping homeless individuals share their stories with the world, InvisiblePeople.tv founder and Change.org contributor Mark Horvath has launched a new website that offers social media lessons to give people dealing with homelessness and poverty the tools they need to get online and speak up.

Launched last night, WeAreVisible.com offers straightforward step-by-step instructions on how to get involved on the Internet, including setting up an email account, signing up for Twitter and Facebook, and even starting a blog. Each "how-to" tutorial is accompanied by a helpful animated video, one of which even includes an illustrated version of Mark. Far beyond mere distractions, these social media platforms will enable homeless people to tell their stories, build community and connect with critical support services. Mark explains, "The general public is all too familiar with homeless people who carry cardboard signs, but they seldom hear from the 'invisible' homeless struggling to rebuild their lives."

If you've been following Mark's ongoing InvisiblePeople.tv road trip across the country, you'll know that many of the people and organizations that he is visiting are a direct result of connections made using social media. Whether it's been through his videos (recently featured on the YouTube homepage), his blog or Twitter feed, Mark provides a shining example of how effective social media can be for developing a strong network of people committed to making a difference. Indeed, sometimes it's better than the real world. 

By making social media platforms more accessible to everyone, WeAreVisible.com holds the potential to revolutionize the way that people communicate their experience being homeless, offering them an opportunity to improve their own situation as well as inspire others to learn more and get involved. Check out the introductory video below and be sure to share the site with your community.

Photo credit: Kevin Zollman

Danny Jensen has written for TakePart.com and Intent.com and has volunteered with a variety of homeless organizations and school gardening programs.
PREVIOUS STORY:
Yes, Dearie: More American Kids Being Raised by Grandparents
NEXT STORY:
Sallie Mae Blinks!

COMMENTS (0)

    Comment Policy

    · All fields are required to comment.

    [X]

    Comments on Change.org are meant for further exploration and evaluation of the campaign on Change.org. To that end, we welcome constructive comments. However, we reserve the right to delete comments which, as determined solely in our discretion: (1) are offensive, abusive, or off-topic; (2) include content solely intended to personally attack the campaign creator, (3) are designed to subvert or hijack comment threads rather than contribute to them; and/or (4) violate our terms of service and/or privacy policy. Repeat offenders may be permanently removed from the site at our discretion. Please also be advised that: (A) we do not actively curate and/or monitor in any manner whatsoever the comments made on the Change.org platform, and (B) the creator of each campaign on Change.org may remove any comment at her/his/its discretion.