People avoid eye contact. They step away from you. They don’t answer you if you address them — even if you wish them a good day! It’s painful. It’s debilitating. Over time, it gets worse, not better. There are a lot of bad things about being homeless, but being invisible is the worst!
This is how we know that powerful change can happen when people who are homeless get the chance to tell their stories. You should see someone’s face when they realize another person actually wants to listen to them.
Every human being needs to be seen, heard, and acknowledged. But for homeless people, those who are used to being invisible, being heard can be a big, big deal.
You’ve seen other effective efforts at education and prevention — from anti-smoking to breast cancer, to global warming and more. Now we’re bringing the power of storytelling, education, and awareness to show the truth about homelessness. It’s time to give the homeless a voice. It’s time to change the narrative. This important journey cannot continue without YOUR help. Reaching out across the globe, city after city – in search of stories that need to be told.
Let’s Listen to the Streets | Interviewing the Homeless
Sharing the stories of the world’s homeless is essential in reshaping the way our society views the issue of homelessness. Beyond that, forming personal connections and hearing the stories of struggling strangers is an incredible and mutually beneficial experience. Which is why we’ve embarked on a journey to compile stories from the street to include in our “for good” vs for-profit Book Anthology: UNSHELTERED: VOICES FROM THE STREET. But we need your storytelling help when it comes to gathering stories from the street.
Your Approach Matters
These discussions can be a nerve-wracking, emotional process for both parties. After all, your goal is to encourage people in great distress to open up about their outstanding struggles to a complete stranger. Some people are more than happy to share while others may be more reserved. You need to be willing to dive outside of your comfort zone while being careful not to force them to leave theirs. We’ve put together our special guide below to provide you with two distinct story-gathering approaches, along with Tips and a selection of prospective Questions to ask:
Be mindful of your body language and eye contact. Provide them with your undivided attention. They deserve it. Just because life’s hardships are essential to discuss, doesn’t mean they are easy to share. A list of questions is helpful, but not required (see our Guide above for two different Interview approaches. The goal is to use their answers as jumping-off points to guide the direction of the discussion. Look for the story behind the philosophy and the philosophy behind the story, always. Focus on building a bond and never be afraid to ask the tough questions and dig deep.
When you’re back home, transcribe the recorded interview and remove filler content that you feel takes away from the story. Be careful when paraphrasing to maintain accuracy and avoid reframing the context of their words! And when it’s time to send your story to us here, so we can begin the process of review/editing/final approval for inclusion in our special Anthology Book:
It’s time to close the gap between public perception and reality. We aim to foster the realization that there is more to homelessness than being homeless by creating an emotional bridge between readers and the struggling strangers they walk past every day.
It’s one great initiative after another DenAli, thanks for the guidance. If we’re truly passionate about lifting others up, this aligns perfectly.
Thanks, Byron – together, we can do so much more, my friend…
Great share, Dennis! In 1965, Aretha Franklin’s empowerment anthem barreled out a simple, but essential message. “R-E-S-P-E-C-T, find out what it means to me!” RESPECT this population. LOOK – LISTEN – TAKE ACTION.
We are finding there is more compassion, empathy, understanding, eagerness to problem solve, and RESPECT coming from the unsheltered themselves than from this side pretending to look in. We can no longer assume what we are assuming is the right assumption. IT ISN’T. Find a story – share a story. The Interview Guide offers ideas to help spark a conversation. Reach out to either of us if we can help you gather a story or help you share yours. [email protected] or Dennis at [email protected].
Thanks, Pegg – your analogy here fits like a glove, as RESPECT is the foundation/a great starting point from which we can positively change the lives of the unsheltered. We’re hopeful that this guide (inspired by my engagement with “John”– an unsheltered man in Scotland) will be put to use, again and again within the context of our story gathering and well beyond.
Another masterpiece on the homeless who are also invisible, my friend Dennis.
You raised many important issues, but the one that many may not have noticed is this “You need to be willing to dive outside of your comfort zone while being careful not to force them to leave theirs:.
Those invisible people lost trust in themselves and others. None can give others what he does not have.
As much as it is a relief for an invisible to be heard and have his voiced listened to with attention, it is equally difficult to persuade them to talk.
Patience and passion are key elements in dealing with these situations.
The life transformer you are my friend.
Thank you, my friend. As we all know, it takes so little to to so much for so many. If we can do nothing else, let us at least meet them in their comfort zone with kindness and eye contact…