Category: homeless

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A Man Who Gained One Million Followers Overnight Has Been Homeless and Filming From His Car

If you’re a fan of TikTok, have you heard of a guy on there who goes by the handle “Angry Reactions”?

If not, you’re missing out. His real name is Oneya Johnson and he’s become a viral sensation on TikTok. Johnson created the account in late August he incredibly gained one million followers in 24 hours when people caught on to his hilarious personality.

Johnson’s whole schtick on TikTok is just like the name implies: he reacts very angrily to other TikTok users’ content but it’s all meant to be in good fun.

@oneya

#duet with @bobbysrey that cake is beautiful. #fyp #foryou

♬ original sound – sreya

And despite his viral fame, many people were very surprised to learn that Johnson has been homeless and was filming the hilarious TikTok videos in his car in Lafayette, Indiana.

@oneya

@duh_its_kenz1 you’re beautiful 👑

♬ original sound – Oneya D’Amelio

He was evicted by his landlord from his previous home in Michigan where he lived with his ex and he made his way to Lafayette because his brother lives there.

Since then, Johnson has been living in his car.

Shouting matches with his ex were ultimately what got him evicted from his place in Michigan, but Johnson said he and his ex are on good terms now and they share two children together.

@oneya

Never give up ❤️

♬ Follow Kologuy – Kologuy

Johnson said,

“I basically took how the world sees me, and how I really am, and just matched it together.

If I passed you on the street and I don’t say a word, I look like the angriest person in the world.

But when you actually get to know me, I’m actually a really positive person.”

Keep an eye on this fella and let’s hope he gets back on his feet sooner than later.

And keep enjoying his funny videos!

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Manny Pacquiao Used $1.5 Million to Build 1,000 Homes for the Poor

If you’ve watched Manny Pacquiao in the ring, then you know he has fists of fury and is one of the best boxers we’ve seen in the last several years. In other words, he’s a total badass.

Posted by Manny Pacquiao on Sunday, July 28, 2019

But Pacquiao’s bad-assery extends beyond the ring, as well. He’s never forgotten where he came from, having grown up in poverty in the Sarangani Province of the Philippines. Pacquiao grew up in a cardboard shack with his family, and they sometimes didn’t have any food to eat. The future boxing great left home at the age of 15 and survived on the mean streets of Manila.

Now, Pacquiao is generally regarded as one of the sport’s greats, and he also serves as a senator in his native country. He also works to give back to those who are less fortunate. Pacquiao said, “I feel what they’re feeling because I’ve been there. I’ve slept in the street. That was my life before. So hard. That’s why I feel what they’re feeling right now.”

Eye of the Tiger

Posted by Manny Pacquiao on Wednesday, November 20, 2019

So Pacquiao did something about it: he built 1,000 houses for needy Filipinos. He bought the lots, built the homes, and then gave them away. The cost for the folks who received them: FREE.

He said, “I’m so happy giving these houses free to my constituents in Sarangani Province from my own pocket more than a thousand families are the beneficiaries.”

Altogether, the beloved boxing champ has given away about $200 million to fund projects to help the needy. Pacquiao said, “Every income I receive in boxing, almost half of it goes to the less fortunate. After each fight, half of my income goes to the poor. But I don’t like to announce it.”

A great man, and a great example.

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Jon Bon Jovi Has Two Restaurants Where People in Need Can Eat for Free

I grew up in the 1980s and was fully on-board with the music of the time, and Bon Jovi was always one of my favorite bands. Also, Jon Bon Jovi himself just always seemed like a really genuine, nice guy compared to a lot of other rock stars.

It turns out my feeling was right on the money.

In addition to his incredibly successful music career, Bon Jovi started the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation to help fight poverty and homelessness. As part of his initiative, he’s opened two restaurants in his native New Jersey called JBJ Soul Kitchen where needy people can eat for free, one in Red Bank and one in Toms River. The project was actually the brainchild of Bon Jovi’s wife, Dorothea Hurley.

There are no menu prices at JBJ Soul Kitchen, but patrons who can pay are encouraged to donate $20 and those who don’t have enough money are urged to volunteer at the restaurant.

The two restaurants have already served more than 100,000 people, and, according to their website, 54% of people paid for their meals and 46% volunteered in order to eat a meal. Reservations are not required, but those who are in need are given first priority. The meals consist of three courses, are nutritious and contain vegetables grown in the restaurant’s gardens.

Bon Jovi’s foundation also focuses on providing housing to those in need, including veterans.

What the heck, let’s end with a classic Bon Jovi tune, shall we?

Great work, Mr. Bon Jovi! Keep it up!

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Jeff Bezos Just Gave $98.5 Million to Help the Homeless

Jeff Bezos is the man behind Amazon, and he’s also the richest person in the world (he and Bill Gates go back and forth). Now, he’s trying to do his part to help those who are less fortunate, specifically the homeless population of America.

Bezos recently donated $98.5 million to 32 organizations in 23 U.S. states to help out homeless families. The donations to the different organizations range from $1.25 million to $5 million.

The businessman started his Bezos Day One Fund in September 2018 and has pledged that he will give $2 billion to the fund. His charity is focused on two different areas: helping out organizations that feed homeless families, and helping to establish Montessori-inspired preschools across the United States.

In 2018, Bezos donated $97.5 million to 24 organizations fighting homeless in 16 states across the U.S.

Here is the full list of organizations across the country that received donations in 2019.

Bethany House Services, Cincinnati, OH • $1.25 million
Catholic Charities Eastern Washington, Spokane, WA • $5 million
Catholic Social Services Alaska, Anchorage, AK • $5 million
Coburn Place, Indianapolis, IN • $1.25 million
Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness, Hartford, CT • $2.5 million
Covenant House, New York, NY • $5 million
Family Gateway, Dallas, TX • $2.75 million
FamilyAid Boston, Boston, MA • $5 million
ForKids, Norfolk, VA • $2.5 million
Goodwill Industries of Northern Michigan, Traverse City, MI • $1.25 million
Great Lakes Community Action Partnership, Fremont, OH • $1.25 million
Homeless Services Network of Central Florida, Orlando, FL • $5.25 million
HOPE Services Hawaii, Hilo, HI • $2.75 million
HopeWorks, Albuquerque, NM • $2.5 million
Interim Community Development Association, Seattle, WA • $2.5 million
Lafayette Transitional Housing Center, Lafayette, IN • $1.25 million
Mary’s Place Seattle, Seattle, WA • $5 million
MIFA, Memphis, TN • $5 million
Our Family Services, Tucson, AZ • $2.5 million
Pathways of Hope, Fullerton, CA • $2.5 million
St. Joseph Center, Venice, CA • $5 million
St. Joseph’s Villa, Richmond, VA $1.25 million
St. Stephen’s Human Services, Minneapolis, MN • $5 million
St. Vincent de Paul, Baltimore, MD • $5 million
The Road Home, Salt Lake City, UT • $5 million
The Road Home Dane County, Madison, WI • $1.25 million
The Whole Child, Whittier, CA • $5 million
UNITY Of Greater New Orleans, New Orleans, LA • $2.5 million
Upward Bound House, Santa Monica, CA • $1.25 million
Welcome House of Northern Kentucky, Covington, KY • $1.25 million
West Virginia Coalition to End Homelessness, Bridgeport, WV • $1.5 million
YWCA Columbus, Columbus, OH • $2.5 million

I’d say that’s a pretty generous move, wouldn’t you?

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This Organization Turns Empty Parking Lots into Safe Places Where the Homeless Can Sleep at Night

Homelessness is a problem across the entire world. Walk or drive through any city across the globe, and you’ll see down-on-their-luck men and women sleeping in doorways, on park benches, or anywhere else they can try to find some momentary peace.

An Australian charity organization called Beddown is looking to give that country’s homeless population safe places to sleep by providing pop-up accommodations in parking lots that are vacant overnight.

Posted by Beddown on Monday, September 30, 2019

Beddown partnered with Secure Parking, one of Australia’s largest parking lot operators, to do a two-week trial run for the program in the city of Brisbane.

Norman McGillivray founded Beddown after he got the idea while walking through an empty parking lot one night. He thought that the space could be better used as a makeshift homeless shelter than by just sitting empty night after night.

On their Instagram page, the founders of Beddown said,

“We will look to get as close as we can to a proper comfortable bed to provide the homeless with a great night’s sleep is our ultimate goal. Sleep deprivation is a massive issue for our homeless, so being in a place that offers shelter and is safe, secure and comfortable we believe will have a big impact on those who use Beddown.”

Posted by Beddown on Monday, September 30, 2019

Beddown also provides other services in the overnight parking lots, including access to doctors, dentists, and hairdressers. Because the two-week trial in Brisbane was a success, Beddown is now looking to expand to other cities in Australia.

View this post on Instagram

Here are some initial Statistics and Outcomes from the Pilot: 41 guests used Beddown over the duration of the Pilot. 77% male 23% female guests Sleep rated on average – 4.5 out of 5 Beds rated on average – 4.5 out of 5 100% of guests said they felt safe during their stay. Multiple services accessed by guests – Dr & Nurse, Dentist, Hairdresser, New clothing and Social Services. The most guests turned away in one night due to capacity was 9. The youngest person who tried to access Beddown was just 15 years old. Positive outcomes: “After spending the week here, having a good sleep at night and a routine, it reminded me of life and I booked myself into Rehab for 6 months”. “Being able to sleep all night and away from drugs I’m clearer in the day and have not used drugs for 8 days”. “It’s the first time I have had a dream in years” “I don’t have to watch my back here” A Female guest found employment due to being able to sleep safely at night and able to work during the day. More data being accessed and will be shared soon. This is just the beginning! We now need support from Corporate, Government and the Public to make Beddown a sustainable operation and allow us to roll out across Australia to really help change and save lives. #homelessness #homeless #streetlife #storyofthestreet #beds #globalshift #queensland #brisbane #nsw #sydney #victoria #melbourne #southaustralia #adelaide #westernaustralia #perth #northernterritory #darwin #tasmania #australia #nonprofit #selfesteem #community #usa #uk #quality #endhomelessness #lifechanger

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Let’s keep our fingers crossed that this program succeeds in Australia and then spreads to other parts of the globe. It’s a great idea that could definitely help out a lot of people who are struggling.

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A Couple in Hawaii Invented a Mobile Shower Service for the Homeless

None of us are as secure as we think. An unfortunate series of events might unexpectedly occur one day that left you homeless. In fact, a lot of people are only one medical disaster or one unlucky break at work from being evicted or forced onto the streets.

Craig and Danica Shoji are a couple who are trying to do their part to help out Honolulu, Hawaii’s homeless population by making them “feel like humans again.” How are they doing it? They created mobile showers so homeless folks can get clean and feel better about themselves.

This may not seem like a big deal to those of us who live in apartments or houses, but to someone who is out on the streets every single day, it can be a huge gift.

Craig Shoji first had the idea to help the homeless when he was in San Francisco in 2015. He said “good morning” to a homeless man and the person was surprised and touched by the encounter because he said that no one ever spoke to him on the street. The Shojis decided then that they would do what they could to “just treat people like normal people.”

They began by creating Laundry Love, which provided clean clothes to homeless men and women. That eventually grew into Revive + Refresh which provides people on the streets with mobile showers as well as hot meals.

View this post on Instagram

Here today at Blanche Pope Elementary School

A post shared by Revive + Refresh (@reviverefresh) on

The Shojis have a trailer with two showers and they take it to events around Honolulu. People are allowed 15 minutes in the shower stalls, which are stocked with supplies. Homeless people are also invited to eat hot meals after their showers.

Craig Shoji said, “It’s amazing what a simple shower and a hot meal can do to uplift someone’s spirits, boost their confidence, and rekindle their motivation to keep fighting the good fight.”

This is an incredible idea from two people who are clearly living their best lives. Great job!

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A Couple in Hawaii Invented a Mobile Shower Service for the Homeless

None of us are as secure as we think. An unfortunate series of events might unexpectedly occur one day that left you homeless. In fact, a lot of people are only one medical disaster or one unlucky break at work from being evicted or forced onto the streets.

Craig and Danica Shoji are a couple who are trying to do their part to help out Honolulu, Hawaii’s homeless population by making them “feel like humans again.” How are they doing it? They created mobile showers so homeless folks can get clean and feel better about themselves.

This may not seem like a big deal to those of us who live in apartments or houses, but to someone who is out on the streets every single day, it can be a huge gift.

Craig Shoji first had the idea to help the homeless when he was in San Francisco in 2015. He said “good morning” to a homeless man and the person was surprised and touched by the encounter because he said that no one ever spoke to him on the street. The Shojis decided then that they would do what they could to “just treat people like normal people.”

They began by creating Laundry Love, which provided clean clothes to homeless men and women. That eventually grew into Revive + Refresh which provides people on the streets with mobile showers as well as hot meals.

View this post on Instagram

Here today at Blanche Pope Elementary School

A post shared by Revive + Refresh (@reviverefresh) on

The Shojis have a trailer with two showers and they take it to events around Honolulu. People are allowed 15 minutes in the shower stalls, which are stocked with supplies. Homeless people are also invited to eat hot meals after their showers.

Craig Shoji said, “It’s amazing what a simple shower and a hot meal can do to uplift someone’s spirits, boost their confidence, and rekindle their motivation to keep fighting the good fight.”

This is an incredible idea from two people who are clearly living their best lives. Great job!

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Little Rock Is Paying Homeless People $9.25 an Hour to Pick up Litter

The folks in Little Rock, Arkansas, might be on to something. In April 2019, the city launched its Bridge to Work program, paying homeless people $9.25 an hour to pick up litter off city streets.

Paul Atkins is a Pastor at the Canvas Community Church in Little Rock, and he’s been impressed with how successful the program has been so far. Atkins said 380 people have worked through the program, receiving paychecks and mental health and medical services. Some have even landed job interviews.

Atkins said, “We want to work with them on their next step. There are a lot of barriers that our people experience to go from homelessness and panhandling to full-time work. There’s a lot of steps in between.”

The people in the program work in groups of eight, but they usually leave one space open in case they encounter a panhandler or other homeless person who wants to join up and work with them.

One of the team leaders in the program, Felecia Cooks, was initially worried it wouldn’t be entirely successful. She said:

“When I first started, from Day One, I couldn’t catch the vision, nor could I travel the journey. But, you know, we’ve taken out over 400-and-something persons. And let me tell you, that has been the most exciting thing that I’ve done in my life. The energy, just the positive (energy), the vision that Canvas Community Church has. You know, it’s just wonderful.

The program was only supposed to last six months, but Little Rock’s mayor, Frank Scott Jr., said he will draft a resolution to extend the program through the end of September 2020 because it has been such a success.

Great idea! I’d like to see this in other cities across the country!

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12 Examples of “Hostile Architecture” That Cities Use to Keep Homeless People from Sleeping in Public Places

Sadly, homelessness is a major problem, both in the United States and around the globe. In every major city – and even in a lot of medium-sized and smaller towns – you’re bound to see the unfortunate sight of homeless people sleeping on the streets.

Some cities have chosen to help fight against homelessness, while others have chose to fight against homeless people. The weapon of choice: “hostile architecture.” If you’re not familiar with the term, it basically means using architecture to make public spaces inhospitable to sleeping or sitting, or really just existing.

Here are some examples of how cities are dealing with their homeless people.

What do you think about these methods?

11. Anti-homeless spikes.

2. That guy had a good solution.

To prevent the homeless from sleeping here from therewasanattempt

3. He has a point.

Photo Credit: Reddit

4. Seems like a bit of a contradiction.

5. Yes, it does.

Anyone else find this ironic? from HostileArchitecture

6. Wow. That is harsh.

7. Locked up at night.

Bench in Volgodonsk, Russia from HostileArchitecture

8. Artistic, but serves a purpose.

"Les pieux de pierre sont impressionnants. Taillés en forme d’obélisque, ils sont installés sur un site privé du…

Posted by Dégustation de Bon Sens Liège on Thursday, October 4, 2018

9. That just looks painful.

The worst example of anti-homeless architecture I’ve ever seen from COMPLETEANARCHY

10. Uncomfortable shelter from the storm.

Photo Credit: Imgur

11. Seems a little cruel.

You’ve got to be the worst kind of heartless twat if you can go around slashing homeless people’s tents

12. No sleeping on this ledge.

Photo Credit: Imgur

It’s always difficult to see a person struggling in this way. Be kind to each other!

None of us truly know what someone else is going through and what circumstances led them to their current situation, so treat everyone with respect and dignity, regardless of how much money they have in their pocket or if they have a roof over their head.

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This Vending Machine in Indiana Gives Out Clothes and Blankets to the Homeless

Homelessness is a serious problem in this country. It’s the kind of thing that could easily happen to anyone. Having spent some time volunteering with this population, I can tell you that their stories have impressed a simple truth onto me: anyone, and I mean anyone is only a few really bad days away from being homeless.

That’s why this vending machine in Muncie, Indiana dispenses clothes, socks, and blankets for free to help homeless people stay warm during the frigid winter months is such an incredible idea!

Photo Credit: Unsplash, Matt Collamer

The machine was set up outside a fire station to serve the estimated 200 homeless people who live in Delaware County, Indiana. People must first register with Bridges Community Services in Muncie before they can use the service. They are then given tokens to put into the machines to receive the goods.

Photo Credit: Facebook, Country 106.7

All of the items were donated by the community, and Bridges Community Services is still accepting donations. So if you’d like to help out, get in touch with them HERE.

A similar vending machine opened earlier this year in Nottingham, England, stocked with food, clothes, and toiletries, to assist the homeless population in that city.

Photo Credit: Facebook, Action Hunger

Help out if you can, and hopefully other cities will follow Muncie’s example.

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