'Underheard In New York' Helps Homeless Use Twitter To Tell Stories

For most of the homeless who live on New York's cold streets, Web 2.0 is probably the last thing on their minds. But a select few have been introduced to a whole new world on Twitter -- and are, in turn, sharing their stories.

Three interns at New York creative advertising agency Bartle Bogle Hegarty developed Underheard in New York, to give the city's homeless a way to tell their stories.

They then provided four homeless men prepaid cellphones and Twitter accounts, Mashable reports.

The interns provided the men with Twitter training in hopes that offering the public a true glimpse of homelessness would encourage help for the men in turning their lives around.

Intern Rosemary Melchoir told the Los Angeles Times that it's proving to be a useful platform for the men.

"Danny said he always wanted to tell his story, but hadn't because he thought no one would be interested."

All four men have each gained about 2,000 followers on Twitter and are being offered words of encouragement and even job leads.

Derrick, one of the homeless men, tweeted about his efforts in getting a job:

"The employement agency will open at 9:am, I will travel to the Bronx, NY in order that I may iron my suit and shirt."

And Danny, one of the other homeless men, shared his Valentine's Day sentiments:

"Today is a lonly day for a homles person noone to talkto i wich i can bewithsomebody love always putodanny"

Last fall, Mark Horvath launched We Are Visible, an initiative that also empowers homeless people through social media. We Are Visible The site teaches homeless people online tools to share their stories.

Underheard in New York cited We Are Visible as inspiration to their project.

Follow Underheard in New York's participants Danny (@putodanny), Albert (@albert814), Derrick (@awitness2011) and Carlos (@jessie550) on Twitter.

All four have found support at the New York City Rescue Mission. Click below to donate.

Comments

[fredimessina]

08:28 PM on 02/21/2011

Really? How about adding prepaid food and transportation gift cards to that? Since they "care" so much. Sad. Very Sad.

[nothingtrivial]

05:31 PM on 02/21/2011

Working retail recently a woman approached me to complain about the homeless population in our area. "They smell, they scare me, you should ask them to leave because people won't shop here anymore", she said. I was pretty shocked that she wanted to talk to me about this. Perhaps sensing my wariness of the conversation she then said, "thank goodness there are still people like you and me." I myself was homeless for about 11 months. The situations homeless people find themselves in are not always under their control. How sad I feel for this woman and others who instead of taking time to ask questions speak of things they truly do not understand. I'm not saying that the homeless are saints only that everyone deserves to be treated with respect regardless of social or economic position.

[ndem]

04:48 PM on 02/23/2011

There but for the grace of God go I (We)

[sunsetter]

11:16 AM on 02/19/2011

Perhaps they should be looking for work, it is more productive.

[lovelygirl33]

11:16 PM on 02/21/2011

Nearly half the homeless are suffering with severe mental illness. Do you know anyone hiring the severely mentally ill? What is their value on labor/meat market these days? Perhaps you should be looking for information and compassion, it is more human.

There but for the grace of God... please be grateful for your mental health, ability, and other blessings. Not everyone has them.

[Retnan]

06:57 PM on 02/18/2011

I'm impressed that they didn't sell the phones for booze money.

[shawnn Lively]

01:42 PM on 02/18/2011

Do you know why you all think this is so "wonderful"? It is because you are NEVER going to leave the comfort of your surroundings to actually meet and speak to a homeless person face to face, and see what you could possibly do to help them get back on their feet. This little farce allows you, the narcissistic majority, to claim you are "interested" and "helping" without actually having to be physically associated with them. I think this was the STUPIDEST idea in awhile. Instead of perhaps giving them a new set of clothes to get to interviews, or using the money to get them off the streets, they pay for a phone and a twitter feed.

[dartigens09]

11:41 PM on 02/18/2011

This is not disinterest.
This is ensuring that the privileged majority who have never been homeless, and never known what it's like to be homeless, can get a glimpse of the reality of homelessness, and why it happens.
There's more than enough initiatives to give people clothes and try to get them off the streets - this is being more inventive and giving people who have never been homeless (and in some cases have either stupid ideas about it or have no idea at all) a real glimpse into the lives of people who are homeless. It's not just about not having enough food to eat or no house - it's the isolation, the hopelessness, and the despair that comes with it.

[andnojusticeforanyone]

11:06 AM on 02/18/2011

What is with all of the soulless right wing posters here? What is it with you people, you got yours so scr#w everyone else? 4 homeless people got phones out of the thousands of homeless in new york and You make these judgments like you paid for their phones yourselves. How about instead of opening your worthless pie holes you go and volunteer at a homeless shelter, let's see how smug you all are then....who am I kidding, you insult these people like you do then you more than likely don't have the sense god gave a dung beatle.

[MiddleMolly]

11:47 AM on 02/18/2011

f & f . I've been wondering the same thing.

[shawnn Lively]

01:43 PM on 02/18/2011

And you have done that? Doubt it.

[KDMac]

10:55 AM on 02/18/2011

Looking for homeless man-cam next.

[AlysseStewart]

10:54 AM on 02/18/2011

The reality today is someone you know could easily find themselves without a home. Living pay check to pay check is not living. It's called surviving. All it takes is a major financial upset to change a persons way of life in a instant. Add that thing called pride and you could end up just where there men are - homeless. Great story.

[AlysseStewart]

11:02 AM on 02/18/2011

Note to self: Preview comment b4 posting next time (smile).

[goola1]

10:39 AM on 02/18/2011

I consider myself to be VERY liberal but "Homeless Tweeting"? I would love to hear what George carlin would have to say about that

[ena]

12:05 AM on 02/21/2011

George Carlin would take the time to read what they have to say & you w/b his subject of derision.

[skeptic al]

09:45 AM on 02/18/2011

LOL! prepaid cellphones and a twitter account. That's probably the first thing any homeless person requests. "If only I had a twitter account, my life on the street would be SO much better!" How about give them shelter and assistance and not exploit their pain and suffering for some sick form of "tweet" entertainment.

[danusgram]

09:58 AM on 02/18/2011

You stupid smug man they want a chance to tell what their life is like as opposed to stereoytypical casting people like yourself

[skeptic al]

10:54 AM on 02/18/2011

LOL! Your insults do nothing but prove my point - enjoy your twitter feed...

[April22]

10:06 AM on 02/18/2011

You have, in my opinion, more than missed the point!

"Homeless person" and "them" as you have stated becomes a human being with a name and a voice. No one is disputing the fact shelter assistance and employment are not important.

[skeptic al]

10:57 AM on 02/18/2011

No I have not missed the point - a tweeter feed is not giving "them" a voice - they have a voice already - they are out there - anytime you care to listen and help you can - you just won't listen/engage unless it's given to you in an easy to consume sanitary format - such as twitter

[volet54]

09:45 AM on 02/18/2011

Why does it seem compassion and insight into complex life situations is so lacking in our society?. People seem to hang on with baited breath to read the latest twitter from vapid" famous for nothing" reality stars So putting twitter to good use for those willing to try and understand all the reason's for homelessness seems like a worthwhile use. One has no right to judge another unless you have walked in their shoes. I hope this project will bring some light into the plight of the homeless.

[sabelmouse]

10:06 AM on 02/18/2011

i would fan you for saying that if i could, right you are.

[April22]

10:09 AM on 02/18/2011

We have been conditioned to be self-indulgent and self-absorbed.

I think the Twitter idea was wonderful, too. Gives one an opportunity to connect with others outside of their condition and situation. One becomes more human with a name and a voice.

[volet54]

11:03 AM on 02/18/2011

How true. Everyone has a story and most would be amazed to hear those of people so easily dismissed and walked over by society.

[MYSTERIOUS]

09:26 AM on 02/18/2011

The characters are invisible again. I wish I could see what they are tweeting about, and the comments. Moderators? HP IT folks?

[coastalcarla]

09:25 AM on 02/18/2011

This is a great project, spotlighting a problem most people would just like to pretend does not exist in America - chronic homelessness. What country can truly call themselves "great", when they marginalize and ignore whole segments of the population that need help the most?

[MrMusicFlood]

09:25 AM on 02/18/2011

The last tweet posted above almost made me tear up. People often forget those less fortunate. It must be especially hard trying to live your life as a homeless person.