We Are Visible: Mark Horvath Launches Website To Empower The Homeless With Social Media

"If it wasn't for Twitter, I'd be homeless," Mark Horvath confidently declares. "It's not Twitter, it's the people using Twitter. It's technology, but there's still the human connection."

When Horvath found himself unemployed and facing homelessness in 2008, he decided to embark on a two-year road trip, collecting stories of struggle from homeless people across the country.

"One day, I stopped looking at what I don't have and started looking at what I do have." What he did still have was his car, his iPhone and his laptop -- tools he used to start his new venture.

With his background in marketing and film production, Horvath creates videos showcasing the unique stories of homeless Americans. He founded InvisiblePeople.tv and began using social media to share these stories with the world.

Horvath forms relationships with many of the homeless people he meets and interviews. When a homeless man Horvath knew traveled up to Seattle to begin a new job, he was mugged. Unprepared to face a frosty winter night, the man reached out to Horvath, desperate for help.

Horvath turned to his Twitter account, sending out a call for assistance. Before he knew it, a Good Samaritan reached the homeless man, bringing him $100 so he could pay for a jacket and a hotel room for the night.

That moment provided Horvath with a revelation -- Twitter could be used to help people. Over the last two years, Horvath has connected with dozens of homeless individuals and families, many of which have in turn lent a hand to help each other.

"Literally, there are people that were homeless and are sleeping inside tonight because of InvisiblePeople.tv...Real impact is a person getting housing."

Now, 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.

Horvath explains the website in an animated video.

WATCH:

Comments

[SiouxSayer]

07:52 PM on 09/19/2010

Most here know my story. Lost everything in this depression, house, car, wife, career, savings...dignity and self-esteem, etc....With over 20yrs experience in IT, Photography and journalism I thought a year of unemployment was a joke. Now, over 500 resumes out and perhaps 3 interviews later, I have just been dealt a kidney-punch. A week ago I found myself in my local Dollar store buying toiletries. Manager approached me and asked if I'd be interested in a part time cashier position...minimum wage, no bennies..etc. Of course, I jumped at the offer...I mean...it's a JOB right? Next day I get a phone interview...all is great...asked about my long term plans, what the job entailed, my commitment to loyalty, etc, etc....He said he'd run it past his manager and get back with me. A week later and nada...nothing.
Tomorrow I have my cell phone service canceled. I am truly at the end of my emotional tether.
I have never been so depressed in my life. I am literally weeks away from being on the streets and I'm feeling pretty well done for. I started my website for the plight of America's jobless. I hold out great hope of at least being tapped to write for some publication online or print. I have the pedigree.
Please visit and make a difference, a donation or just your story.

http://theincomepoop.wordpress.com

[Changeizgood]

10:55 AM on 09/18/2010

C-SPAN HOUSING BUBBLE HEARING ON NOW.
GET THE FACTS ON WHO DID THIS TO THE AMERICAN HARD WORKER BEFORE THE ELECTION.
DON'T VOTE AGAINST YOUR FAMILY
GET THE FACTS ON WHO IS RESPONSIBLE. LISTEN AS YOU BLOG ON ANOTHER TAB PEOPLE, BUT PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT HAPPENED AND WHAT YEAR THE VOTES THAT CAUSED IT.

[Eco Green-goddess]

06:05 AM on 09/17/2010

Great story. this man found hope in the things he already had. He stopped looking at what I don't have and started looking at what I do have." What he did still have was his car, his iPhone and his laptop -- tools he used to start his new venture.
We all have something to gave.

[OKSunny]

05:49 PM on 09/16/2010

pretty cool

[fortressfountain]

03:03 PM on 09/16/2010

People can make up to $500 a week on unemployment and still get behind on their bills. You should not judge this man he may have medical bills and may have gotten behind on his rent when he had to wait a month for congress to pass the extension. The schools are getting money right away so I do not see why people have to wait.
At least if you have a car and a phone you can use the car as a rent free shelter and the phone for your job search.
If I were homeless I would panhandle too.
Since they are social network savvy they can make a ton of money networking.

[supportamerica]

11:15 AM on 09/16/2010

My question is, and I am not trying to unsympathetic, but if he was homeless and unemployed, how did he pay for the the iphone and laptop and gas for his car? I applaud him for what he is trying to do but some things don't add up. Is he on unemployment, or some other form of government aid?
Or did he do odd jobs to support himself? Just curious.

[Toya Condelee]

01:19 PM on 09/16/2010

that was the first thing I thought when it said he had an iphone...that bill ain't cheap.
he PROBABLY was getting some type of unemployment, & b/c he has background in visual media, he could have done odd jobs for colleges, or gigs for ppl who need his type of work via craigslist, etc...

ALSO, you have to be critical when ppl use the word "homeless" --that doesn't necessarily mean the guy on the street corner or the one who sleeps under the bridge. IF you don't have your own personal place of residence in YOUR NAME where you pay rent, you are considered "HOMELESS."

He couldv'e lived with a friend that let him crash in their garage or extra bedroom...how ELSE could he keep his iphone & laptop & camera equipment FULLY CHARGED for use.
Like you, I read between the lines.

I was a journalist/news reporter.
I was trained to create "fluff" & exaggerate a not-so-emotionally-grabbing story & turn it into an all star tear-jerker! :D

BLESS!

[supportamerica]

01:43 PM on 09/16/2010

Are you kidding me? If you don't have a home in your own name, then you are considered homeless? So if I am sharing an apartment with some one and paying half the bills but the lease in in their name, I am considered homeless? That is just nuts. So maybe the "homeless" figures are skewed?

Is there nothing real in this country any more?

[Mark Horvath]

02:31 PM on 09/16/2010

Hi,

most of my support comes from small donations through people who follow me on social media. I get a little sometimes when I speak, but not much. my total gross income for 09 was $14k.

to pay rent when I am not traveling I work at a homeless shelter. But even that just helps with rent. I have to eat at the shelter because I cannot afford food.

The laptop and the iphone were gifts

This year's road trip is partially funded through Pepsi Grant.

hope that answers your question

[DASChicago]

01:53 AM on 09/17/2010

Mr. Horvath,

Please try not to get weary in your well doing!!!! Those who have not experienced homelessness or never threated with it, DO NOT KNOW the despair one feels.

Obviously, you have identified one of your many purposes, in this thing called life. There's so many of us (graced with silver spoons) could not bring ourselves to understand your compassion or what drives you, having not a clue!
May GOD bless you abundantly! You are inspiring.

[glockman]

07:42 AM on 09/16/2010

Americans still tend to dismiss the homeless mainly as a group of people who don't want to work. They are not. Over ten years in law enforcement, I've come into contact with hundreds of homeless, and I still do, almost on a daily basis.

Yes, there are a few who actually like to live outdoors with no home, those who don't want to work, "urban outdoorsmen," as one called himself. But those are very few in number. The great majority either want to work but can't find jobs, or have prior criminal histories. And then there is the largest group representing homeless: those who have chemical dependency/alcohol/ mental health problems.

Two years ago, even though our department is cash strapped by the economy like every other department, we added a homeless outreach officer. Many of the patrol officers thought this was a bad idea. They thought we had wasted a spot on someone who should be patrolling the streets instead. I thought it was a great idea. In those two years, this officer has placed dozens upon dozens of homeless in long term shelters, and found chemical dependency treatment placements for those needing it. Our city also recently built a homeless advocacy/health treatment center.

I'm actually quite proud that a medium size city where I work and live has deemed human life worth helping in this manner.

[hypple]

01:26 AM on 09/16/2010

Awesome Idea!!! We're all (with a few obvious exceptions) vulnerable. This idea Mark, feels like you're helping to create a modern day tribal community. The way we live today, or at least up until the crisis seems so contradictory to how we need to live in order to have a healthy productive society. Early humans thrived in a tribal community... we knew our roles, we cared for those that couldn't provide for themselves, and we knew when one of us did something wrong or hurtful to another... and called them out on it. I applaud your efforts & wish you tremendous success. While I do hope that my family doesn't go through this, I'm realistic enough to know that it could happen. You are an inspiration Mark... Thank you.

[knightoftheroundtable]

12:24 AM on 09/16/2010

What kind of nation are we that one single gov. candidate can spend 116 mil of her own money and we have people living in the streets? Disgusting to say the least. Add all the excess money spent by campaigns and think how that could help those in the most need. We need to put caps on campaign spending and up the amount of money spent on the homeless. Homeless shelters are not places most homeless want to go since the low life will rob or do worse to them at the shelters.

[hypple]

01:38 AM on 09/16/2010

It is disgusting. There are a lot of wealthy people turning into philantropists these days, which I find very encouraging. Unfortunately it's hard to win an election w/o cash... I hope her intentions for the state of CA are honorable, she sure is trying hard to win.

[evangelicalchimp]

11:00 PM on 09/15/2010

hello homeless.........pick up your laptop/ipad and let us know how your life sucks.......then we can Tweet somebody else who couldn't care less but we'll all know you are suffering RIGHT NOW....and that's pretty cool .....and the point .........right?....................

[hypple]

12:55 AM on 09/16/2010

you weren't hugged as a child were you.

[hypple]

01:33 AM on 09/16/2010

I wonder about people who can make such callous & heartless comments like this... what drives you? What was your childhood like... do you have a lifetime of guilt that you can't handle? Or are you simply a callous indifferent individual? I didn't flag this comment as abusive, it should be seen and talked about. You are the type of person that would get ostracized from a tribal community. Left to fend for yourself. Have you ever commited a random act of kindness? My guess would be no, & I'm also guessing that you're probably never the recipient either. Have you smiled today?

[evangelicalchimp]

10:39 AM on 09/16/2010

actually it's sarcasm......I thought that it was absurd that the point of the article was people who's lives have been wrecked communicating using electronics that the "Homeless" in a third world country would never have access too since they are amazingly poor........