I was invited by Neal Donovan from The National Coalition for the Homeless to talk about grassroots advocacy being the change that is needed. Of course, I brought my laptop and we took a moment out of our meeting for a short interview. I found out today that the National Coalition for the Homeless was started by homeless people when they sued New York City several years ago. This is a great interview given an overview of what the Coalition does and how you can help effect change.

This photo is the front of a t-shirt they gave me. “Kick The Real Bums Out”, don’t ya just love it!

Today was one of those days where I was truly humbled. BeCause Foundation arranged for me to share a conversation with two amazing men, both I’ve never met before today, and both brilliant with huge hearts.

I could sit and listen to Robert Egger speak all day. Last time I was this impressed was the first time I heard Chris Brogan speak. WOW! Robert started the DC Central Kitchen. If you don’t know about this great organization than click on this link! ya, I thought so, too.

Jim Withers is a doctor that kind of has a unique office. He goes under bridges and into homeless camps to help people with medical needs right where they are at. I wish I knew about Street Medicine earlier because I would have visited, and I guarantee you that soon I will go out into the streets with Dr Withers.

The three of us met for the first time today. The three of us were all directly in homeless services. The three of us in some way were rebels effecting real change. We talked for 2 hours about homelessness, community, health, solutions, nonprofits and philanthropy. It was a once-in-a-life-time moment that I wish was caught on video. And as luck would have it the BeCause Foundation was forward-thinking enough to hire a local crew to come in. I don’t know what will be made of the footage, but until then here is a short interview that I did with these two great men.

I just love Linda Kaufman and I am blown away by Pathways To Housing. I first met Linda at the 100,000 Homes launch where I interviewed Linda, Dr. Jim O’Connell, and Becky Kanis. Today I stopped by the Pathways To Housing offices in Washington, DC. You know what? I learned something today. You can tell how cool and effective a homeless services organization is by the people hanging outside. Even before anyone opened the door I fell in love with their clients.

If you don’t believe we can solve this social crisis called homelessness listen to this interview with Linda.

The photo to the right just looks like a typical house, but it’s Clinton County’s one and only homeless shelter. This really was a slap in my face on what I perceived as rural homelessness. . I’ve toured huge organizations housing hundreds of people, yet I’ve never seen anything like this. In Wilmington, Ohio, a small town that has seen it’s share of crisis, homelessness is just as ugly as a big city. Clinton County Homeless Shelter offers hope to single men, woman and families.

I often pride myself for not being ‘news media’, but I will admit that I went to Wilmington, Ohio, for the same DHL story all the mainstream media came after. I am addicted to 60 Minutes, which is where I first heard about DHL closing a plant. Around 9,500 of the 12,000 people in Wilmington lost their jobs. After I saw this second report when CBS visited a year later I knew I had to visit.

Thing is, after having a cup of coffee in Joe’s Java, the ministry run coffee house that was the foundation of Sugartree Ministries, and talking to Jeff their worship leader, I was convicted about my intentions. There was nothing wrong with me going to Wilmington for the DHL story. But the story is not DHL closing operations, although the crisis still effects the community. The story I found was a rural community that has been faced with poverty long before DHL arrived.

You might be able to say I travel a lot, yet it’s been some time since I ran into a genuine ministry really after the heart of God. What I mean was in the middle of this hurting community, a man named Allen Willoughby, who is the founder of Sugartree Ministries, loves on everyone no questions asked. There is no agenda and people do not have to hear preaching just to get basic needs. They simply have to show up. Alan helps them all until the food or clothes are all gone.

What started as a Christian coffee shop is now feeding and clothing people in the tiny rural city. I honestly believe how we fight a social crisis like poverty is at the local level. Sugartree is a great example of positive change in a community.

I almost titled this “Homeless Can Happen To Anybody”.  Paul Lambi had a great life and then ended up homeless. But today is runs a business and is a true leader in his community.

This weekend  I visited my old home town of St Louis. The main reason was to meet homeless families living in a weekly rate hotel in St Charles County.  Paul Kruse of First Step Back Home said Paul Lambi, the Mayor of Wentzville, was a huge help to the homeless families and was once homeless himself.

I really wish I had more time to hang with Mayor Lambi. On the eve of my 15th year anniversary of getting off the streets I know it is far from easy. But he had to leave and I had a reporter and photographer following me, and a documentary camera crew.

Candace was in an abusive relationship and had the courage to stand up for change. Of course, that meant leaving the support she knew. But it was much better than the environment her children were in. If you haven’t heard  Candace’s story please click on the photo to the right.

Today it’s easy to look at a social crisis like homelessness and say it’s too hard to solve. Or we feel that only giant nonprofits can make any kind of difference. Both those beliefs are wrong. You can make a difference. Just be like Paul and start taking action.

Paul Kruse is a real hero. He is a Vietnam vet that believes everyone should have a home. He simply could not allow a homeless man to sleep in the woods a few years back. It really is that simple. Just taking tangible action to help someone. Today, Paul runs First Step Back Home helping homeless families get back on their feet.

Johnny had the mobile home he was living in impounded. But thanks to all of you we raised the $345 needed to get his ‘home’ back

I met Johnny in Nashville. While interviewing for InvisiblePeople.tv Johnny he told me about his mobile home being towed. The story is rather insane and you can read it here on change.org.

Johnny started to tell me he raised $280 to get his ‘home’ out of impound, but because each day a $30 charge was being added to the total he was concerned he was going to lose it. Since the impound Johnny, who is in a wheelchair, as been sleeping outside.

I asked him how much more he needed. He told me around $350. Well, thanks to all of the great people that donated we raised $345. Today, on my way out of town, I stopped by and wrote out a check to the veterans services organization that is helping Johnny and holding the other funds.

Here is a little video I recorded with Johnny:

It’s often common when you call an outreach worker to find their voicemail box full. Homeless services receives lots of calls at all hours and it’s nearly impossible to stay stay on top of communications. Well, for two years I was trying to meet the man some call “The Godfather Of Outreach” and it finally happened yesterday.

Steven Samra is a ‘character’, and since I too can be rather ‘colorful’ we hit it off. I genuinely have a lot of respect for this man.

This interview starts off with a little background on Steven’s life. I was blown away and he changed my paradigm on methadone maintenance.

Since Steven is considered an expert on outreach, which I have to agree with, this interview covered only the surface of the topic. If you are a homeless service provider I urge you to contact Steve directly and maybe bring him in to teach your staff.

As many of you know last year’s SXSW changed my life. I know, we often say things are “life changing” when at best they are just good. But winning the Pepsi Refresh Challenge, hosting a nonprofit web thingy for Whatgives!?, and the core conversation I facilitated honestly changed me in many ways.

Last year’s core conversation was such a success I thought I would just do it again. Why I like this format is it is not about me, we all join in the conversation to learn from each other. And when I say ‘success’ people were standing in the halls trying to get in. But more importantly the information that was shared was beyond amazing. I should have recorded the session, which I hope to do this year.

A Conversation About Social Change Through Social Media is anything and everything you want it to be. This conversation is for you so please vote!

Crowdsourcing the Corporate/ Nonprofit Partnership. Who Wins? Chris Noble knows his stuff. This panel will answer all the questions about the popular vote contests.

Nonprofits and Free Agents in A Networked World Beth Kanter is brilliant and has a huge heart. Probably no one other person has impacted my life this last year as much as Beth.  Anything she does is a must attend.

Support the Friends of SOBCon – Vote For Their SXSW 2011 Panels Liz Strauss is one of my heroes. Another brilliant woman with a huge heart that has impacted my life. I am honored to be part of the SOBCon family.

Foodie’s Guide to SXSW Panel Picking Who doesn’t like food! Babette has supported InvisiblePeople.tv from day one. Again, another brilliant woman that has impacted my life.  I support anything she does, which is rather easy since it’s always about good food!

If I missed your panel please forgive me. I have limited time on this road trip and have not really searched the choices like I should. Please yell at me on twitter and I’ll do my best to vote.