Homelessness is not just about statistics, pie charts and studies. It has many faces.
A video produced in Orlando has gone viral on YouTube, receiving more than a million views. One of the creators, UCF professor Joshua Johnson, spoke with us about the inspiration behind the video and how it’s helping people today.
Ybeth Bruzual: It's a very simple concept that started with a piece of cardboard.
Joshua Johnson: This piece of cardboard is something almost internationally you recognize as someone who's homeless looking for help. We started with this, it's not about the stats. It's so easy to separate yourself looking at numbers.
YB: You and your crew went out into the streets of Orlando, met face-to-face with homeless men and women and had them hold up a sign with a simple message written on that cardboard.
JJ: Yes, we handed them a piece of cardboard and said write down one thing that you want the world to know about you. Something that the people who walk by you every day would never guess.
YB: How has the help been so far for those folks who are homeless featured in your piece.
JJ: We actually have some really incredible stories so far. Katie the figure skater, a woman she grew up with in Canada saw the video and they've been able to reconnect. The message is getting out across the world, of course our mission is local, but we're thrilled it has spread out. We also had a WVU alumni reach out to help a person who graduated from their school. Another guy. Michael, who has Huntington's, is actually going into housing this week. So things are actually happening for the people who are out here right now.