Welcome to homelessforoneweek.com.
My name is Yusef Ramelize. I work for Informa plc, the largest publicly-owned organizer of conferences and courses in the world. On March 1-7, 2009, I was homeless for one entire week. I plan to do this every year until I feel that the homelessness problem has gotten the attention it deserves. I’d like to thank my Production Director, Sarah Craven, for allowing me to take 5 days off work for my adventure.
My goal is to raise awareness about homelessness through video blogs and interviews, and in the process collect over $5000. The money raised will be donated to different homeless organizations, shelters or food banks every year. 100% of all the money collected will be donated. This year the money will go to the Coalition for the Homeless.
I am not an expert on the statistics of homelessness.
But I know it’s a serious problem. The New York City Department of Homeless Services provides a daily census of homeless individuals in the city. On Thanksgiving night, while many of us were feasting with friends and family, over 36,000 people remained without a home and 16,000 are children.
During my 2009 homeless venture I spent mornings, afternoons, evenings, and nights in the Union Square and Penn Station area. I talked to homeless individuals, collected their stories, and blogged about everything I learned. I uploaded my clips to YouTube and I will continue to blog about all my 2009 homeless-for-one-week experiences through May 1st.
Many of us have become numb to the trials of homelessness
As someone with a home-grateful for my home-I believe it’s important to bring back our sensitivity about this important issue that truly can happen to any one of us at any time. For most, being homeless is not a choice. 2007 was the worst year for family homelessness in modern history, with more than 9,000 families in shelters each night and I’m sure the numbers are going to be much worse in 2008.
I’m going to be making this ultimate sacrifice every year. What are you willing to sacrifice to help this grave situation?
— For more information about my experience please click here
— To find out more about Yusef Ramelize, please visit http://www.yuseframelize.com