Written by Andrew Funk
Are you currently attending a university like Cal Poly? Is your university thinking about creating social impact in cities like Barcelona and Madrid in Spain? Would you like to finally ask all of those uncomfortable questions about homelessness and poverty in a safe environment, so you can get a direct response from people being empowered out of poverty?
If you’ve answered YES to all three questions, we have an inspirational fundraising activity just for you and your university!
*Important Note: Homeless Entrepreneur is able to provide Q&A sessions in cities where we have Homeless Entrepreneurs, who are currently in our HELP program or have graduated, as well as partners and collaborators. We design the Q&A experience specifically for each group.
Q&A Session with Students Travelling Abroad
Our first Q&A session with students travelling abroad took place on June 26, 2017. First we let the students introduce themselves and write down one uncomfortable question about homelessness and poverty. Then, a massuer and Homeless Entrepreneur from Poland, Andrzej, an English teacher and Homeless Entrepreneur from England, Vincent, and the founding president of Homeless Entrepreneur, Andrew Funk kindly responded to the students questions.
We met up at a restaurant called Feeding Spain, which was run by one of our partners, who also has a Chiropractic Clinic in Barcelona. At first, the students were a bit shy and didn’t wanted to offend anyone who had experienced homelessness, but Andrzej, Andrew and Vincent let them know that we actually preferred the hard questions because it brought up the most important aspects that most people never openly spoke about. The students started becoming more confident and the learning curve grew right along with it. The sooner we ask people suffering from homelessness the hard questions, the sooner we’ll get closer to understanding them and working towards smarter solutions together.
3 Reasons Why You (as a student who is travelling abroad or university providing this experience) Should Do a Q&A session with Homeless Entrepreneur (HE)
Knowledge: Understand the current situation regarding poverty and homelessness in the city you are visiting. We provide a complete vision of our innovative, international model to address and end homelessness thanks to the Homeless Entrepreneur community members who participate in this Q&A session with students travelling abroad e.g. an HE team member, HE beneficiaries and a volunteer and/or intern.
Recognition: The interactive nature of this Q&A session opens up the opportunity for the students and professors to recognize how they can participate by diving deeper into the issues via spontaneous conversations with people experiencing homelessness in a safe, friendly environment.
Change: Create direct change and social impact in your local community by raising funds thanks to the event and decide exactly where they are destined. You can support the following items: