Invisible People

This August 24th is a big milestone for me—29 years sober and 29 years since my last day being homeless. I’m living proof that with the right support, we can prevent and solve homelessness.


But let’s be real, it’s getting tougher every day. The lack of affordable housing and the push to criminalize homelessness are making things worse. That’s why I’m asking for your help.

By supporting Invisible People, your donation directly impacts our efforts to create powerful content that educates and inspires the public to influence policy change. 


In honor of these 29 years, I’m asking you to go consider giving $29 or any amount to help support Invisible People’s important work.

Your support has the power to change the narrative and make a real difference. 


I AM LIVING PROOF WE CAN END HOMELESSNESS BY LOVING ON PEOPLE UNTIL THEY CAN LOVE ON THEMSELVES!

No one gets out of homelessness on their own. They receive help along the way, so they can restabilize, but sadly, the lack of affroble housing and the criminalization of homelessness continues to grow across America. As homeless numbers grow, politicians keep investing in pushing people out of sight, which does nothing to solve the crisis and will literally result in more homelessness.

There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness.

Invisible People humanizes homelessness by giving a voice to people living on the streets and making their stories impossible to ignore. At the same time, we strive to educate communities about the systemic issues that contribute to the problem. We appeal to audiences' hearts and minds with our groundbreaking educational content that reaches millions of people every month.

However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now, which is why we need your help.

August 24th, 1995 was my last day homeless. August 24th of this year will be my 27th sober birthday. To be honest, when I walked into Hollywood and Vine Recovery Center all those years ago, getting sober for any length of time was not on my mind. Back then, I was the "worst of the worst" on the streets of Los Angeles. If you had seen me walking down the street towards you, you would have crossed to the other side. It's nothing short of a miracle that I even found a moment of sobriety, much less 27 years of being completely clean and sober!

Invisible People's important work cannot continue without your help. For my sober birthday this year, I am asking everyone to please donate $27 to help end homelessness. Maybe you can only donate $2. Maybe you can donate $30. Maybe you can help us make our goal of $10,000 in one donation. Please know every amount helps keep Invisible People going and to help end homelessness.

By helping us produce this film, you are part of the solution to educating the public on the growing criminalization of homelessness.

"Displaced" is a social impact film that brings a critical issue to the forefront: the criminalization of homelessness in America. It tells the story of a homeless veteran, Ray, who struggles to find stability and support due to constant displacement by the police. This reflects a harsh reality where people are penalized simply for lacking a home. The film aims to shed light on this crisis, emphasizing how punitive measures against the homeless exacerbate their plight instead of addressing the root causes, like the lack of investment in housing solutions. It's a powerful call to action, highlighting the need for compassionate and effective approaches like housing and support services to permanently solve homelessness.

Social Impact Films Create Amazing Change

Social impact films play a crucial role in creating policy change and improving our world. By spotlighting critical issues, these films educate and influence both public opinion and policymakers. They have the power to humanize complex problems, making them more relatable and compelling. Through storytelling, these films can ignite discussions, shift perceptions, and motivate viewers to take action, thereby driving societal and policy changes. Social impact films serve as a bridge between awareness and action, making them vital tools for advocacy and positive change.

Halfway Complete

Last December, we filmed "Displaced" in Columbia, Missouri. It was an incredible experience, thanks to the local talent and crew who significantly enhanced the film. The local community played a crucial role in our production. We're currently editing and aim to finish within a month. Alongside, we plan to launch an impact campaign to combat the criminalization of homelessness.

Here's where we need your support. A generous donor is matching donations up to $10,000. This means your contribution doubles – $10 becomes $20, $50 turns into $100, and $100 amplifies to $200. Your donation can have double the impact, aiding us significantly in this important cause.

Any and every amount helps. No donation is too small or too big. Our goal is to raise $10,000 before March.

Every $1,000 donation will receive an associate producer credit on the film. If you can make a $10,000 contribution, we'd be honored to list your name as an executive producer.

We Must Fight Criminalization

Fighting the growing criminalization of homelessness and poverty is crucial because these measures often exacerbate the challenges faced by the most vulnerable in society. Criminalizing homelessness not only fails to address the root causes of poverty but also creates additional barriers for individuals seeking to rebuild their lives. It perpetuates a cycle of poverty and legal entanglement, making it harder for people to access housing, employment, and supportive services. Advocating against these policies is essential to foster a more compassionate and effective approach to homelessness, focusing on long-term solutions like affordable housing and social support rather than punitive measures.

Since 2008, Invisible People has been at the forefront of narrative change in the homeless sector and is known for our innovative approach to storytelling. We specialize in creating documentaries, animations, daily journalism, and social impact films. "Displaced" marks our fourth film, continuing our tradition of achieving significant impact with minimal resources. Your support in producing "Displaced" is not just a donation; it's an investment in a project dedicated to fighting the criminalization of homelessness, leveraging our proven track record of meaningful storytelling and impactful advocacy.

From Eviction To Homelessness: A Single Mom's Struggle In Las Vegas

When LIVING IN A CAR is Your Last Choice: "Mobile" a Social Impact Film

Harsh Reality Of Homelessness In NYC - "Homeless" a Social Impact Film

By helping us produce this film, you are part of the solution educating the public on America's eviction crisis. 

Over a million families and individuals were evicted last year, while millions more are at risk of being evicted. The skyrocketing cost of housing, along with the lack of a living wage, is creating an eviction crisis in America - a crisis that's become the leading cause of homelessness.

 

Eviction is called "The Scarlet E," as it has been compared to a prison sentence because once families are evicted, landlords often refuse to rent based on a family's eviction background. Evicted families are often "black-listed" in housing, which perpetuates their cycle of homelessness. The public often ignores the systematic failures that impact family homelessness and the root causes of family homelessness, including domestic violence.

 

Films can bring audiences inside stories and communities that they might not otherwise be familiar with, provoke dialogue and inspire people to take action. Thanks to your support, Invisible People is partnering with Luciana Faulhaber and High-Toned Entertainment to produce a short scripted film Eviction: The Rent Eats First.

 

Project Synopsis:

 

Carol, a young mother, is down on her luck and faces eviction with two children, Jenny and Lucas. In the backdrop of glitzy and glamorous Las Vegas, far removed from the images that we see in glossy magazines, Carol and her children discover first-hand the grave eviction crisis that is sweeping America forcing them into homelessness.

 

In this “tale of two Vegas,” Carol embarks on a powerful, tough, and revealing journey to keep her family together and get back on her feet while navigating a broken system that continues to fail thousands who go homeless every night. The process to overcome homelessness is filled with ups and downs, twists and turns, but Carol will knock on every door and do all she can to break the prison-sentence-like cycle of homeless on families with underage children - before it becomes too late.

 

But we need your help to produce this film on eviction. A generous donor has offered to match each donation up to $10,000. What this means is if you give $10, your gift is doubled to $20. If you give $50, your contribution is doubled to $100. If you give $100, your donation will create twice the impact by becoming $200.

 

Any and every amount helps. No donation is too small or too big. Our goal is to raise $10,000 by March 13th, Mark Horvath's birthday!

 

Every $1,000 donation will receive an associate producer credit on the film. If you can make a $10,000 contribution, we'd be honored to list your name as an executive producer.

 

The funds will be used for pre-production, production, and post-production, including equipment, permits, travel, labor, rentals, editing, sound mixing, color correction, music, and other essential needs in filmmaking.

 

Eviction will be the third scripted short film from Invisible People and High-Toned Entertainment. Our first two "Homeless" and "Mobile" have already been viewed over 700,000 times.

 

When LIVING IN A CAR is Your Last Choice - "Mobile" a Short Film

 

 

 

 

HOMELESS - a powerful short film inspired by real-life events

 

 

 

There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it, instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. 

 

By helping us produce this film, you are part of the solution educating the public on America's eviction crisis. 

Housing First is the best solution to solve homelessness, yet public and political support for Housing First decreases every day. As homelessness grows, politicians from both sides invest more in pushing homelessness out of sight than actually solving the crisis.

In 2008 you could see tent villages and huts standing between trees in the parks of Helsinki. Homeless people had built makeshift homes in the middle of Finland’s capital city. They were exposed to harsh weather conditions.

Today. Finland has all but eliminated homelessness by simply providing housing to all that need it, with no conditions. Finland went all-in on the Housing First model. Shelter operators such as the Salvation Army transitioned their congregant shelters into housing units.

The success of Finland's Housing First approach in eliminating homelessness has been remarkable and serves as a shining example for other countries to follow. By prioritizing the provision of stable housing without any preconditions, Finland has fundamentally changed the way homelessness is addressed. This approach recognizes that having a safe and secure place to live is a fundamental human right and a crucial foundation for individuals to address other challenges they may face.

BUT THE STORY HAS NOT BEEN TOLD CORRECTLY

Although there have been countless news articles posted on Finland's Housing First success, the story has not been told in a way to really show the impact of what happens when a country goes all-in on providing housing to everyone that needs it. We can change that by producing an Invisible Stories mini-doc on Finland's Housing First model.

SOCIAL IMPACT DOCUMENTARIES CREATE CHANGE

Social impact documentaries are important because they raise awareness, inspire action, and encourage positive social change. Through compelling storytelling, they engage viewers emotionally, challenge narratives, and mobilize communities. These documentaries have the power to educate, advocate, and foster collective responsibility for creating a better future.

WHO WE ARE

Invisible People is a nonprofit media publisher using innovative storytelling, original journalism, and educational content to change public perceptions of homelessness to influence policy change. We reach over 100 million people every year. Our YouTube channel and mini-documentary films have won national awards and have been seen by millions of people. No organization or campaign connects the public to homelessness to build empathy and affect change like Invisible People.

WE DO DOCS DIFFERENTLY

Aiming to reach a wider audience, particularly those who might not have the patience for lengthy documentaries, we have adopted a more accessible approach to producing films on homelessness. Unlike traditional documentary filmmaking, which is both expensive and time-consuming, our YouTube-based production enables us to significantly reduce costs and turnaround time. Typically, we are able to release a video within one to two months after shooting. Recognizing the sensitive nature of homelessness, our videos are designed to be around 15 minutes in length, striking a balance between capturing attention and maintaining emotional impact. Above all, our focus lies on the personal narratives of homeless and formerly homeless individuals. While we do include the perspective of experts involved in assisting the homeless population to lend credibility, it is the power of these personal stories that truly drives meaningful change.

WE NEED YOUR HELP

In the past, we have self-funded all of our video productions, but because of the economy, donations are down for a third year in a row. This production also involves international travel costs. We believe the total cost will be around $40,000, which is significantly less than the cost of other documentary productions. To help offset some of the costs, we need to raise $10,000 or more.

We cannot stress enough how important it is to show that an entire country has almost completely eliminated homelessness using the Housing First model. By helping us produce this mini-documentary, you'll be part of the solution to end homelessness. You may be only able to give $10, or maybe you can give more. Each and every donation matters. Out of all the important topics we have highlighted with our storytelling, this may be the most important one.

Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy.

We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness.

Storytelling That Makes A Difference

As the issue of homelessness continues to worsen in cities across the United States, more and more people are searching for answers about the causes, solutions, and the individuals affected by the problem. Last year, we rose to the challenge and educated more than 100 million people about homelessness through our original journalism, advocacy campaigns, scripted films, mini-documentaries, and video/

social media storytelling.

2022 was an incredible year for Invisible People, and we couldn't have done it without your support. As a result, we've expanded our small team, diversified our audience, and elevated the quality and depth of our content to reach even more people and make a greater impact.

But Invisible People is powerless to influence change without your help. On March 13th, I will turn 62 years old. Please help celebrate my birthday by becoming part of the solution to solve homelessness. Our work has never been more important than it is today! WE NEED YOUR HELP!

The negative propaganda and misinformation about homelessness are growing, and along with it, so is the criminalization of poverty. We must make the truth louder. No organization or campaign connects the public to homelessness in such a powerful way to build empathy for action as Invisible People.

About Invisible People

There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness.

We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness.

This isn’t just talk. Our groundbreaking educational content reaches millions of people every month. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you.

However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now.

Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.