Excerpt from "Miner* Celebrity: How an Underground Artist Found Fame in NYC

"So last Spring I stopped selling music on the streets after experiencing a
really bad skin infection. I lost my room uptown and had to move to
Yonkers, and then to Ellenville, N.Y., not far from the correctional
facility I had been released from, completely off of parole supervision 17
years ago. After Ellenville I moved to Fort Lee, New Jersey, with my pal
Ben and then to Queens.

After a long stint of boarding I had to surrender to the tide. I mean one
can only ride the wave for so long before being a washed onshore. Even if
like me, you've only been bed and couch-surfing, there comes a time where
any and everything subject to time and tide, comes to an end.

So I conceded finally, like a candidate after a hard fought, but lost
battle, and went and signed into a homeless shelter. I sobbed as I sat
there and waited to be processed (people and food are naturally better
un-processed).

Not that I hadn't felt shame before, but because I thought it all a thing
of the past. A man that is bound before he is done away with doesn't only
lament his eventuality, but his ineffectiveness. That was day one- I
thanked Jehovah God, and begged for his spirit to guide and protect me, and
then I slept, and slept well.

Day two: I thanked Him for waking me up and for the rebuilding that has
already begun now after my breakdown. I went and grabbed some of my things
from my old place to bring to my new place, and felt a freedom and fire
that not even the cold rain could deny or damper. I returned somewhat
triumphant back to the shelter and was tickled all day by the way the
caseworkers referred to us all as “clients” and shuffled many papers to be
signed, that combined seemed, ironically-at least to this homeless guy,
like we were buying houses."

Music

Words 
 

Please donate to help us do research and create real, original content that will help speed up the process of creating work and housing for and with homeless people who want to tell their story and work to get off the street: https://www.homelessentrepreneur.org/donate

Thanks!

The #HomelessEntrepreneur team

Sleepout at Mobile World Congress 2018

Are you in Barcelona during the Mobile World Congress (February 25 - March 1)? Do you have a smartphone? Does it bother you when you see a human being sleeping in the street? Do you believe actions speak louder than words?

If you've answered "Yes" to all four questions you have officially qualified as someone who can participate in #HomelessEntrepreneur's 18th monthly sleepout on February 25th in front of the #MWC18 entrance at La Fira Gran Via in L'Hospitalet.

“We will kick the sleepout off with a street debate on February 25th from 19h30-20h30 to discuss how we can create a better future for and with homeless people thanks to connectivity and active citizen participation”

— Andrew Funk, President of #HomelessEntrepreneur

Sleeping in the street is not a joking matter

Sleeping in the street for one night isn't going to kill you, but sleeping there every night can and will especially in winter and during cold fronts. A #HomelessEntrepreneur named Tomas who has successfully gotten off the street lost a close friend of his last week for this exact reason. Carol was only 45 years old. (Read story)

Greater Awareness, less homelessness

We understand the importance of creating greater awareness to prevent these types of situations, which is why we have committed to spending at least 24 hours per month to living and sleeping in the street. You should have to sleep in -6 C in Davos like we did at the World Economic Forum to comprehend that the cold eliminates homelessness literally, but sleeping with us in Barcelona at 5ºC will definitely open up your eyes so you recognize the urgency of creating work and housing for and with homeless people.

-6ºC

Davos, Switzerland

3rd Year at Mobile World Congress

2016 - Tried to get 3 minute conversation with Mark Zuckerberg

2017 - Presented United Homeless Bank idea. (Read article)

2018 - Want to end homelessness for 100. (Read article)

Who will sleepout?

Homeless people and citizens with housing will be sharing the space, and most importantly, the time and conversations together. Any adult who wants to show their support and create greater awareness can participate.

What should you bring?

1) A sleeping bag

2) An open mind

3) A few good jokes (optional)

How to participate if you can't sleep out with us?

Share this post with people you know how may be interested in joining us. It's free and you can do it on your phone from wherever you are!

Can we create a better future for & with homeless people?

Yes, and we should because active citizen participation is the only solution!

If you'd like to make a donation to help us speed up the process of creating work and housing for and with homeless people in our program, please click on this link: DONATE.

“For further information, please email us at funk@homelessentrepreneur.org
or call us at +34 697 877 089.”

— #HomelessEntrepreneur

3 Clear Goals for Mobile World Congress

We’re going to be giving a voice to homeless people at Mobile World Congress another time this year and we have 3 clear, tangible goals to create real social impact and get 100 #HomelessEntrepreneurs back into the professional world and off the street. We know it’s going to be a challenge, but we’re up for it.

To reach our objective, we are set 3 clear goals for #MWC18.

1)  Collect 100 smartphones. This device is an essential part of our plan to reach our goal. Learn more >
2)    Raise funds or get mobile network operators to provide free mobile connectivity for these 100 smartphones.
3)    Raise funds to finance 100 #HomelessEntrepreneur programs: 600€/month for 1 year = 7,200€/year/program.
 

Why do we need these 100 smartphones?

Have you ever thought about applying for a job without a telephone number for them to contact you at? How about how difficult it would be to check your email without internet on your phone?

How do we send our CV or answer that phone call that tells us we got the job? How do we prepare for that job interview or learn more about that company? A bit complicated, isn’t it?

The #HE program is much more complex than this. We provide a holistic approach that provides the homeless people in our program with all the support they need until the get a job and then we make sure they keep growing so they can keep that job. The program consists of 9 managers (Professional Development, Education, Health, Housing, Communication, Finance, Legal, Sales and Assistance) along with a team of volunteers in each department. 

Everyone needs to participate in order to create real sustainable solutions for the people in our program i.e. mobile network operators, institutions, and citizens are all invited to participate in the process.

If you’d like to help us reach any of these 3 goals, please contact
Andrew Funk  funk@homelessentrepreneur.org

On Sunday, February 25th, at 10h30, we are holding a solidary brunch where all of the guests, who are also speakers, have a similar connection: they understand the importance of connectivity to end homelessness. Some will be experts on mobile connectivity; others on entrepreneurship; and others homelessness. Various #HomelessEntrepreneurs will be participating as well!

On top of that, you will be able to enjoy a Delicious brunch prepared by Bar Bota (C/Blai 29, Barcelona) with a lot of love, while getting to know other active citizens like yourself.
Please register and collaborate with our project:
https://www.eventbrite.es/e/entradas-brunch-solidario-con-networking-mwc18-43107765487
 

See you all there!