My name is Mike Mintz. I directed Bowery, a documentary that followed five people living on the streets of NYC's Bowery. One of film's main subjects, Raymond, recently went viral — 1,200,000 people watched his story in 24 hours. We're partnering together to help him build the life he deserves.
Raymond came from the hardest imaginable circumstances.
Placed in abusive and dangerous foster care homes from a very early age, no one could blame him for eventually falling into a life of crime — prison, drug dealing, survival by any means necessary. The system that was supposed to protect him failed him at every turn.
But Raymond never gave up on something better.
When we met him on NYC's Bowery in 2019, he was dealing K2 to survive. Not long after, he made a decision that stopped us in our tracks — he walked away from that life to become a delivery courier. Less money. More dignity. His choice.
That decision is Raymond in a nutshell. Given every reason to take the easy path, he keeps choosing the harder, better one.
On camera he first appears as a man of bravado and hustle — and he is. But spend time with Raymond and you find someone far more complex. Thoughtful. Funny. Magnetic. A man with enormous capacity to give back to the world if the world gives him half a chance.
1,200,000 people saw that in 24 hours. We've known it for years.
Since we filmed him Raymond has come off the streets entirely and into independent housing. That's not luck — that's him grinding toward something better every single day.
Now we want to help him take the next step.
What this fund will do:
Raymond's goal is financial freedom through work — not charity, not shortcuts. This fund is a launching pad, not a lifeline. Here's exactly where every dollar goes:
Stable housing and living expenses — 12 months
Raymond has independent housing. This fund ensures he keeps it while he focuses on building his future without the constant pressure of survival.
Rent and utilities: $18,000
Food and groceries: $4,800
Transportation: $1,560
Acting classes and creative development
Raymond has extraordinary screen presence — 1,200,000 people and a 46-second average watch time prove that. We're connecting him with talent professionals and funding serious acting training at a reputable NYC program.
Acting classes: $2,500
Trade school and vocational training
Dreams need backup plans. Raymond will explore evening programs at Bronx Community College and Per Scholas — a free South Bronx technology training program with strong job placement — giving him multiple paths to financial independence on his own terms.
Trade/vocational training: $3,000
Financial, career and personal guidance
We're connecting Raymond with the Doe Fund who will help him navigate this new chapter — budgeting, career planning, and the kind of guidance most of us take for granted.
Emergency buffer
Because life doesn't follow a plan.
Emergency fund: $2,000
Total goal: $25,000
Why we're asking now:
Viral moments don't last forever. The 1,200,000 people who watched Raymond's story in 24 hours are paying attention right now. This is the window where real change is possible.
Raymond has already done the hardest part — he chose to keep going when everything told him to stop. All we're asking is that you help make sure that choice leads somewhere worthy of the man he is.
He wouldn't want your pity. He wants your belief.
We believe in him. We hope you will too.
— Mike Mintz, Co-Director, Bowery
Now streaming free on Tubi. Search "Bowery" or visit the link below.