I discovered this video via my Twitter account ( (@brentmack )where I follow news stories from the Huffington Post. I was very excited to read how Mark Horvath has set up a web site called We Are Visible to help people experiencing homelessness and poverty.

The comic style of the video was very inviting and I think it helped to communicate the purpose of the We Are Visible web site.

Below is an excerpt from the article. I’m definitely going to pass this link on to some of my librarian colleagues who I know see homeless people in  their libraries everyday.

Horvath has launched WeAreVisible.com, a new website aimed at empowering homeless individuals by teaching them online tools to share their stories and connect with others. The website provides videos explaining how to set up e-mail accounts, join Twitter and Facebook and start a personal blog.

“Homeless people are starting to get online, but we need to build that community. This is a first step.”

According to Horvath, many homeless individuals use computers in public libraries to find information — but the resources they’re looking for aren’t always there. Because most organizations that serve the homeless have websites targeted at soliciting donations from the public, Horvath feels there isn’t sufficient information online for the people seeking help.

“Homeless services are broken. The best way to change them is to let the people we serve have a voice.”

Horvath feels that social media and other online tools can bring the homeless much-needed “visibility.”

“We don’t need to hear from another homeless expert or government official…Homeless people are helping homeless people via Twitter, Facebook. That’s the change we need to hear. We don’t need to hear any more statistics. We need to hear about that homeless mom sleeping in her car with her four kids.”

Horvath feels that WeAreVisible.com also provides opportunities for the public to get involved. Supporters can follow the project on Facebook and Twitter.

Individuals can also download flyers about the website to share with homeless people. For example, librarians can hang the posters up in their libraries to share the message with homeless library visitors.

Brent Uncategorized poverty homeless socialmedia