John

John lives in a small grassy area right in the middle of Downtown Atlanta. He had a rough childhood and never learned to read, which has proven to be a real roadblock in finding a job.

For the past six years, John has been in and out of homelessness. Although he has family, he says he stays on the streets by choice; although its not uncommon for a couch surfing arrangement to go bad quickly.

Although Johns situation is rough, he maintains a positive attitude. As he says in his own words, to get up out of homelessness, Youve got to want it.

Thing is, when someone is ready, we need to be there to help.

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Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• mark
• horvath
• homeless
• recession
• economy
• poverty
• invisiblepeople.tv
• invisible people
• Atlanta

[ref1ex]

these are sad stories. I just can't stand when people tell those in John's situation to get a job. If he walks in somewhere asking for one, who will hire him?

Can't read and lives on the streets. The same people who tell the homeless to get a job are the ones who would never hire them.

反射

[sk8erchips]

\What i admire about some of these homeless people is that they wouldn't wish for billions and billions of dollars and a huge house but a job, and be able to take care of themselves. It shows that they are willing but a lot of them cant get jobs. Its sad

[cdw100]

In Canada we have a group of folks called Frontier College who through public libraries and others, teach adults to read.

[crashmyegg217]

@jetsamjetsam Cant you just shut the fuck up just because he is homeless dosent mean it happened from him doing drugs or going to jail some people just struggle to much in life that the government or their job gets them he probably didnt have money to pay for his house or anything so before you start talking shit shut up and think

[BUTLERU]

@mojdfiv I understand where your coming from, since I was seven I've had to stand up for my loving mother in this mean old world due to her disability. God bless.

[mizzbrenners]

No matter where these people come from they need more than just a shelter and a free meal. These people need a place to clean up for an interview, learn to read and write, nice clothes to look presentable at an interview. These are the things that an employer looks at, and when homeless these are the things that are hard to come by!

[jetsamjetsam]

what he doesnt tell you is that he's been to jail and he uses drugs.

Both are why he can't get a job.

[elainebmack]

He may have had a learning disability like dislexia, so he never learned to read. Such things must be dealt with early on, but John probably fell through the cracks and no one noticed or paid attention when he was young. He was probably completely overlooked in school. Learning disabilities are much more common than most people realize.

[passiveMenis]

Probably the best of these personal videos. the scope out at the end was a great shot

[HomelessKangaroo]

@cano747 Or maybe they're just afraid. Just throwing that out there even though it does seem they are good people.