We don’t care about what we don’t see. Countless people are invisible to us. We overlook the poor and homeless, partly because we don’t share much space with them. More seriously, we often choose not to see the realities around us. Terence Lester calls us to see the invisible people around us. His personal encounters and real-life stories challenge Christians to become more informed about poverty and homelessness, and to see the poor as Jesus does.

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Further Viewing
The #HireMark Story
The #TheHireMark Story is a story of how our organization walked with one of our clients out of homelessness through providing a community for him. It also gives an update about how he is doing now.
Like many people experiencing homelessness, Mark encountered several barriers during his journey towards employment. After viewing the video, share your solutions with us on how we can solve some of the problems facing our homeless communities.
Voiceless Documentary
When you are homeless or poor, it is hard for you to have a voice and be seen. We gave those experiencing homelessness a voice with our documentary, "Voiceless"
Watch the full documentaryDid You Know
1-in-4 people living in the U.S. are one paycheck away from becoming homeless?
Documents & Resources

Language is important.
It has the power to uplift or dehumanize.
Glossary

Situational Poverty
Situational poverty is a period wherein an individual falls below the poverty line because of a sudden event. Situational poverty can be caused by a range of factors, such as: a divorce, death of the family head, illness, a natural disaster or loss of job.
Generational Poverty
Generational poverty occurs in families where at least two generations have been born into poverty. Families living in this type of poverty are not equipped with the tools to move out of their situations.
Gentrification
The process of repairing and rebuilding homes and businesses in a deteriorating area (such as an urban neighborhood) accompanied by an influx of middle-class or affluent people and that often results in the displacement of earlier, usually poorer residents
Redlining
Redlining is an unethical practice that puts services (financial and otherwise) out of reach for residents of certain areas based on race or ethnicity. It can be seen in the systematic denial of mortgages, insurance, loans, and other financial services based on location (and that area’s default history) rather than an individual’s qualifications and creditworthiness. Notably, the policy of redlining is felt the most by residents of minority neighborhoods.
Chronic Homelessness
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Affordable Housing
Any type of housing, including rental/home ownership, permanent/temporary, for-profit/non-profit, that costs less than 30% of a household’s pre-tax income.
Episodically Homeless
Refers to those who move in and out of homelessness
Homelessness
Homelessness describes the situation of an individual, family or community without stable, safe, permanent, appropriate housing, or the immediate prospect, means and ability of acquiring it. It is the result of systemic or societal barriers, a lack of affordable and appropriate housing, the individual/household’s financial, mental, cognitive, behavioural or physical challenges, and/or racism and discrimination. Most people do not choose to be homeless, and the experience is generally negative, unpleasant, unhealthy, unsafe, stressful and distressing.
Sex Trade
It is broad and encompasses a variety of activities including escort services, street-level sex workers, pornography, exotic dancing, massage, internet work, phone sex operators and third-party support (drivers, managers, bartenders etc.).
Transitional Housing
Refers to supportive, yet temporary type of accommodation that is meant to bridge the gap from homelessness to permanent housing by offering structure, supervision, support, life skills, education, etc.
Youth Homelessnes
Youth homelessness refers to young people between the ages of 13 and 24 who are living independently of parents and/or caregivers, and lack many of the social supports deemed necessary for the transition from childhood to adulthood.
Further Reading
I See You: How Love Opens Our Eyes to Invisible People
Let love open your eyes. Discover how seeing leads us to act with compassion and justice―as God intends.
