Hardly Normal - Latest Comments

Re: Homeless to Housing Success Story: Meet Donny in His Apartment

window blinds — Wed, 02 May 2012 08:33:28 -0000

Most of the time, people who live on the streets just need a small nudge in the right direction. Your right, it's very difficult to give up alcohol on the street because it's only when some homeless people drink they have any kind of self worth. As the expression goes, "give a little, it helps a lot"

Re: Why @Hope is Needed to Get Homeless Mom @CareyFuller a Job Interview

b2blog — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 09:04:06 -0000

I posted a link to this story on a politics form I belong to. This is what I wrote: "
It's so easy to say 'get a job'. And this blog shows its almost as tough to try to help someone who needs a job. Easier just to wave your hand and say jobs will trickle down, but EACH job for the poor and homeless is an accomplishment of hard work on the other end, too."

Re: Why @Hope is Needed to Get Homeless Mom @CareyFuller a Job Interview

Michelle Gilstrap — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 11:11:29 -0000

Having been there as a single Mom, I can attest, finding work and being able to pay for childcare is not easy. I was fortunate to have a degree and have a better choice, but not all moms do. It is still a struggle, this economy sucks. Rent, gas, utilities, and then clothing, food, it all adds up and children always need things.
We all need to pitch in and help when we can.

Re: Don’t Call Bevan Dufty San Francisco’s Homeless Czar

Marlene Muro — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 00:40:59 -0000

What an uplifting story. Inspires me to jump in and fight for change. Change that will live on...forever. You're lucky Mark--you found your calling and I know all our homeless friends would agree. You're kind hearted and truely care for those that the rest of the world never sees.

Re: Panhandling or Hotspot Vendor: Which is better?

beckyblanton — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 12:35:15 -0000

What a breath of fresh air to read this! The whiny crybabies who criticized this have never been without money and probably never worked, or never worked at a minimum wage job in their lives. I agree. Social media is turning crybabies into media celebrities. I think it was a brilliant idea! Working for your money earns you far more positive feelings than getting it from a trust fund—which, come to think of it, is a lot like panhandling from your relatives.

Re: Panhandling or Hotspot Vendor: Which is better?

sbishop — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 15:57:40 -0000

Offering a good or service for money is called a job. Some jobs are good, some jobs are less...but its still a job and positive things come from earning your own income.

No one complaining has offered a solution...and I find their implication that the homeless should be offended and if they're not they're too stupid to know any better quite insulting.

A side benefit of this is that you strike real conversations with these people and can humanize their situation. I find that much more beneficial than simply giving money and never having to actually connect with them. Thanks for sharing.

Re: KPCC Radio with Mark Horvath, Sean Condon (Street Paper Association), Rabbi Marvin Gross (CEO, Union Station)

phatso2 — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 11:52:27 -0000

THE SERVANT’S OF HOPE SOCIETY

The Servants of Hope Society is a faith based men’s recovery house located on the east side of Vancouver. Founded by Sean in 2004 with a vision of men helping men through servitude and the overcoming of addiction. As unconventional as it sounds there has been a very good success rate for the house.
After spending 30 years struggling with addiction, never finding the answers to recovery, living in depravation, hitting bottom after bottom, hopeless and never thinking my life would change, I found faith through the help that I received from strangers and the kind acts that they showed. After 2 years of sobriety I felt that the only way to continue in my sobriety was to give back to others in need. The house has now been open and active for the last 8 years. On April 4 th 2012 I will be clean and sober for ten years
Bringing the message of hope and recovery to the Downtown Eastside. The success of the last 6 years of outreach involved HUNDREDREDS of people getting together with minimal financial and material support. We were still able to feed and meet the needs of over ONE THOUSAND people THIS year. The majority of the people involved with helping this cause had a history of substance abuse and a high percentage of those people came from the Downtown East side

The Servants of Hope is a non profit charity that has been helping the people of Vancouver's downtown east side for the past 6 years. Alongside hot meals and warm coats they serve up a sense of hope and a chance at a new life. Below is a video link from Christmas 2012 over one hundred people came together to feed the homeless and do outreach we served over one thousand people that night

http://vimeo.com/38616528

Re: KPCC Radio with Mark Horvath, Sean Condon (Street Paper Association), Rabbi Marvin Gross (CEO, Union Station)

beckyblanton — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 00:49:38 -0000

Seriously?? The talk show host and people are "worried about how the homeless will spend their money and spend it on drugs and alcohol," but don't seem perturbed that college students might spend it on drugs and alcohol!! hahahaa! SERIOUSLY? It's NOT okay for the homeless to buy a beer, but it's okay for college students to? Yeah. I don't get my panties all in a wad over whether the guy I buy my vegetables from uses the money for "the right thing," or if he spends it on beer and drugs. Why do you think it's somehow okay for you to decide how the homeless person spends the money THEY earn? If you don't want to GIVE it to them because you worry about how they'll spend it, that's one thing. But if someone earns the money you give them, it's NOT YOUR right or responsibility to decide how they should spend it!

Re: Panhandling or Hotspot Vendor: Which is better?

terram777 — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 04:33:22 -0000

I was just on another blog, listing all the possible problems with a venture like this. I received a good deal of criticism for my opinions, more than one dare to "prove it" and a word of caution to stop going on about my battles with homelessness, despite being sane, drug&alcohol free and college educated. I have some university education, but had to drop out due to homelessness. I'm not even in recovery. I've always been substance free. So here I am, Mr. Horvath. I'm still barely housed, and dreading the day I'll end up back out there. I'm willing to test this hypothesis, and let experience be my proof. When are you bringing your gadgets to Toronto? Let me be the judge, and I'll be damned honest with the folks in blogland. I'll tell them whether or not it beats waving a sign that says "Yes, I'll take a job."

And please keep us posted about whether any of your hotspots get mugged at sxsw. That would be my biggest worry with a venture like this.

Re: Panhandling or Hotspot Vendor: Which is better?

Jon Dunn — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 13:14:25 -0000

Great post, Mark. The internet loves to be outraged. It breeds page views, which in turn sells advertising. It's shame we're not as much so, if not more turned on by positive ideas and conversation.

Re: Panhandling or Hotspot Vendor: Which is better?

DrMMcLaughlin — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 11:59:56 -0000

I think this idea is fascinating and - unless I am missing something - I can see little to no downside to it. The American way has always been to earn money by providing a service. This strikes me as a very useful and valuable service.

I have long donated articles to Spare Change News in Boston for publication in newspapers sold by street vendors there.

Moreover, the low cost to clients makes this service very attractive. Right now I pay $50.00/ month for a continuous online data service plan to my tablet plus $30.00/ month for the same service to my phone. As a supplement to free wireless in restaurants, coffee shops, etc., I could save money each month by canceling some services and using hotspots provided by a person on the move, whether homeless or not.

Re: Street Medicine: Making House Calls to People Without Homes

cyinger — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 16:05:07 -0000

So inspiring! This touched me deeply. The women have beautiful and amazing spirits and the doctor represents the best of humankind.

Re: Interview with Maria Foscarinis from National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty

Darla Hanger — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 16:44:34 -0000

If the lawyers would get together and stop the ILLEGAL foreclosures and restore homes taken by RoboSIGNING and lack of standing to foreclosures - enforcing contract laws - then homelessness would be greatly DECREASED

Re: Barbara Poppe and Laura Zeilinger from Interagency Councel on Homelessness

Jack Apfel — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 12:04:20 -0000

It's great to have such a passionate leader of the cause!

Re: Help Fight Homelessness with 12 Days of Giving

Mama J — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 18:52:55 -0000

It is amazing how quickly our stories are dismissed. One mom's journey from homeowner to homeless: http://bit.ly/uePmN5

Re: Glendale Winter Shelter Opens

Braemencos — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 15:31:15 -0000

What's the number for the shelter. Read it was in need of help. Have a group to help

Re: Why I Support Managed Alcohol Programs

Nadia G — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 16:25:06 -0000

We believe that because somebody has messed up their lives in the past to get better must be also hard and a punishment for what they did, that's why society finds it hard to accept programs like this because they want some sort of "justice" or retribution. I support that as well Mark and I think it's important to speak out for what you believe in

Re: On Shopping Carts, Thanksgiving, and Homelessness

Vicky — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 01:29:29 -0000

I know you don't know this, Frank (posted below) and I hope it is ok for me to say this. Referring to homeless people as 'the homeless' is kind of like referring to people as 'the crippled' or 'the insane'. They might not always be crippled, or insane, or homeless, but they will always be people. So...how about 'homeless people', instead? Thanks Frank, and others, who really don't know.

Re: On Shopping Carts, Thanksgiving, and Homelessness

GlendaWH — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 20:39:18 -0000

A beautiful, heartbreaking post! Thank you for sharing, Mark, and for doing what you do. And, yes, many curb cuts are a pain in the butt, literally!

Re: On Shopping Carts, Thanksgiving, and Homelessness

Frank L. Topping — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 11:25:50 -0000

Happy Thanksgiving Mark,

...to you and all the homeless in North America and around the world.

...and to the caregivers, programs and program directors of related services and supports.

...and for God's sake let's not forget the wonderful donors and volunteers of the programs and today, especially, of the food banks.

...and may the rest of your Holiday Season be blessed and joyful !

Re: Join Mark Horvath and Zach Bonner at United Way’s Homewalk (Oh, and Kobe Bryant Too)

Lost-Awareness Rd — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 10:27:41 -0000

While unable to attend for many reasons, finances, health, transportation, I support all who partook in this event. May the day and its ripples bring awareness, light, and balance to my peers on the streets.

Re: Homeless Kids in Public Schools: Interview with Marian Riner, School Social Worker

Stan Faryna — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 16:12:46 -0000

You rock, Mark! Keep fighting the good fight! Because there ain't a better fighter than you.

Re: Creating Movements and Cause Marketing Dreams Can Come True

Dawn Nicole Baldwin — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 15:05:12 -0000

Still in love with you & your story, Mark. If more people asked, 'how can I help you?' without expecting anything in return the world would be a much better place.

Thanks for setting the example :)

Re: Creating Movements and Cause Marketing Dreams Can Come True

JessicaGottlieb — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 22:55:33 -0000

Thanks Mark. You've done more for my family and my community than I could have ever hoped for.

Re: Update: The Farm After Three Years

Brad Melton — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 00:55:47 -0000

Proud to know you, Mark. I'm a better man because of your commitment to be a better man.