The Road Trip has only started, and already it has changed people and communities!

Last Friday, I spoke at a rally in support of the homeless at the University of Arkansas. Several homeless folks showed up, and I decided to embrace the situation and conduct a live interview with Judy.

Judy has serious medical issues that affect her eyesight. But as it turns out, an eye doctor was in the audience and has now donated free medical services.

http://vimeo.com/5762107

But the good will doesn’t end there.

The event was well-attended by community leaders, including the mayor. After the event, the city government committed to moving forward with a Housing First approach, a huge step in the right direction towards ending homelessness rather than managing it.

Also, a local restaurant owner (World Garden, in case you get hungry!) was also in the audience. Following the event, he has committed to providing the food for 5,000 people in northwest Arkansas every week.

I’m in awe of the good that can happen just when you bring people together to look a topic like homelessness square in the face. It gives me hope; it’s proof that people want to get involved, they just need the opportunity to make a real difference.

A huge thanks to Mike Rusch, Cobblestone Project, University of Arkansas Community and Family Institute, Seven Hills Homeless Center, Samaritan Community Center and NW Arkansas Women’s Shelter who all helped to organize this stopover. Of course, none of this would have happened without the love and support of the individuals and corporate sponsors who are making this all happen!

I can’t believe the road trip has just begun! I’m excited to see what will happen next!

Related links:

Number 44 has a name… KLRC post about Friday night

Homeless advocate stops to document stories

FAYETTEVILLE : Residents take night outdoors for homeless

Homeless advocate stops in area to document stories Horvath on mission to give the homeless a voice

@hardlynormal opposite Nancy Pelosi – gonna laugh for months!

My favorite! To say thanks they had everyone write their 3 wishes and then show them at the end of my talk. AWESOME!

Honored and grateful that Albuquerque local NBC affiliate KOB – TV produced a story on InvisiblePeople.tv Road Trip U.S.A.

On KOB-TV site Man documents homelessness across America

*** to clarify I am not homeless. I was homeless in 1995 yet today I still have an apartment. I currently am unemployed and have been for a very long time. I do not have an income or heath insurance. I have been extremely close to homelessness several times in the last two years. Only because of the huge generous hearts who help me survive am I not living on the streets myself. I did lose my house to foreclosure and most everything I own.  Again – I don’t have an income and homelessness is still a very real reality.

This is my last night in Phoenix and I am trying to get everything up on the net. Even though the road trip just stated lots has happened.

Mostly I am so very grateful for everyone behind the scenes who is helping to make this happen. I am also very grateful for all my sponsors and those individuals helping me with hotel rooms or just buying a meal . One friend here in Phoenix text me and had me drive to a station so he could fill the tank up.

THANK YOU! You are the ones making this a reality.

I am completely in awe of how much support Whrrl has been. What a great group of people. They are stepping up and helping in areas that do not benefit them. But that shows the heart of organization and their leadership. They truly are doing cause marketing right.

The Ford Flex is amazing. At some point I will write a post and do a whrrl story. Please visit this post on the Ford site, “Mark Horvath is Using a Ford to Make Invisible People Visible” and leave a comment to say thanks! I have to tell you the GPS on this baby is making a world of difference. Come on, pinch me. Hardly Normal and homelessness on the Ford Motor Company website! That ROCKS!

Last but far from least I must thank Nita Lelyveld, Jessica Garrison, and the LA Times for a wonderful story. I really try hard to keep the story on the homeless crisis and not me. Of course, I do understand the story is both. Jessica impressed me more than any reporter I have met. She also told the story through the InvisiblePeople.tv lens. If you haven’t yet read, “Homeless advocate brings his message to the masses through social media”

Thanks everyone! You are the best!

ways to ride in the passenger seat