How social media can give a face to the homeless

Guest post by Kari Dunn Saratovsky
Case Foundation

Armed with just $45, a laptop, and a small handheld camera, Mark Horvath set out on a journey that will forever change the face of homelessness in America. I had the opportunity to catch up with Mark as he made his way back to California following a cross country-road trip that documented stories of the homeless through a series of powerful, raw, and unedited videos — all of which can be seen on his vlog, InvisiblePeople.tv.

So, how do you raise awareness about a cause you are so passionate about with no money and no consistent resources to lean on? You put faith in the kindness of others, you leave a lot to chance encounters, and you leverage social media in ways that you never thought possible.

People often ask me, “What exactly is a social citizen?” It’s Mark Horvath. Mark’s work and his use of social media is extremely innovative, but it’s more than that — he is the real deal. Perhaps there is no other individual that does a better job of explaining the plight of the homeless to the general public. About 15 years ago, Mark found himself on the streets of Hollywood, and the purpose of his vlog is simple: to make the invisible visible.

In the interview, Mark shares his thoughts about the power of social media to bring attention to homelessness. But, recognizing we all have our individual passions, Mark encourages everyone to remember: “People are listening, and you do have influence.” It’s what you choose to do with this influence that is truly powerful, and social media gives you the tools you need to take action and tell stories.

While Mark’s Road Trip U.S.A. may be coming to an end, he will continue to share stories on Invisiblepeople.tv. For more ways you can get involved in addressing homelessness in your community, here are 10 actions you can take from Change.org.