Video Installation Encourages Homeless Activism In New York City

Using the latest technology, a traveling installation in New York City reminds passerby about the challenges facing the city's homeless population and empowers viewers to take action.

The installation is comprised of a video projection of a homeless man, which asks pedestrians to use their cell phones to send a text message that will help the homeless man get shelter. The video shows the homeless man entering a home to show viewers the impact they've made. After they've completed the action, a reply message asks users to make a donation (via a second text message) to Pathways to Housing, a New York-based nonprofit organization that provides housing and mental health services for the homeless.

The Pathways to Housing Facebook page provides updates of where the video installation can be found as it moves around the city.

WATCH:

Comments

[wfglaser]

04:48 PM on 03/10/2010

Why not open a homeless shelter instead of starting a yuppie app company?

[ProIrishDem]

03:08 PM on 03/10/2010

excellent idea ..

------------------------------------------------(((clapping)))---------------------------------

put it front and centre ...EVERYWHERE!

[KarateKid]

02:50 PM on 03/10/2010

Once a month, I volunteer at a homeless shelter in NYC. Occasionally, more often in cold weather, teams of volunteers fan out around Manhattan to find homeless people and take them to the shelter. Some of them really take a lot of convincing before they will go. It's a real learning experience.

I would highly recommend that experience. It is enriching and educational for those that do. I never thought of doing that when I was younger, and that's my biggest regret. You'd be amazed at the humanity you have, it's more than you could ever imagine. It also makes you feel very appreciative of what you have even if it's not much.

And most homeless people are NOT drug addicts or bums. They're like you and me, except they've lost their self esteem.

[ProIrishDem]

03:09 PM on 03/10/2010

VERY VERY WELL SAID
and good on you ..

YOUR Friend :)

[StJames]

03:13 PM on 03/10/2010

You make me proud and ashamed at the same time...proud to call you friend and ashamed I don't do more myself. That will change...Thaks for the wake up call.

[Veritas 1]

01:38 PM on 03/10/2010

Representative of California and the San Francisco Bay Area here. I just don't think it is right to use virtual homeless people when plenty of real ones are available. Just let us know how many you need and we can send them your way. We have a large inventory and can probably put one on every New York City block if needed.

[Notawingnut]

01:08 PM on 03/10/2010

Cool project. Good way to hook people into the problem. By the time they've texted the number, they're to third base to make a small donation.

[mados123]

02:34 PM on 03/10/2010

Agreed.