498. Walking With, Not Walking By: Helping Unhoused Neighbors Rebuild Social Support Systems - Kevin F. Adler

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Overview

Meet Kevin. He’s an award-winning social entrepreneur and the author of the new book, "When We Walk By", a must-read guide for ending homelessness in America. 1 in 3 people experiencing homelessness lose their social support systems, creating unimaginable levels of isolation. He’s also the Founder and CEO of Miracle Messages, a game-changing nonprofit tackling "relational poverty." Since 2014, Miracle Messages has been working to ensure that no one goes through homelessness alone by providing family reunification services, a phone buddy program, and the first basic income pilot for people experiencing homelessness in the U.S., supported by Google.org. During this eye-opening conversation, nine-year-old Julia Endicott joins as a guest host to find out how everyone can make a difference in the lives of the unhoused, especially kids 🤝

💡Learn

What relational poverty is
The mission + impact of Miracle Messages
What kids can do to help unhoused neighbors

Today’s Guest

Kevin F. Adler, Founder and CEO, Miracle Messages

“When we don’t see our unhoused neighbors as neighbors, not only are we missing their humanity, but we’re actually falling short in our own. It dehumanizes us.”

— Kevin F. Adler, Founder and CEO, Miracle Messages

Episode Transcript

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Episode Highlights

Kevin’s story and journey to where (4:45)
The Go Pro experiment (17:55)
Overview of Miracle Messages (23:45)
- No one goes through homelessness alone.
- No one should feel helpless on this issue.
Basic income pilot program (28:30)
What kids can do to help (33:50)
A powerful moment of philanthropy in Kevin’s life (35:45)
Kevin’s One Good Thing: Inspiration from $7. (36:55)
How to connect with Kevin (40:40)

Impactful Quotes

“We have gone through a period recently where we have experienced a glimpse of what it feels like to not be together.” -Kevin

“True strength is synonymous with emotional forthrightness and vulnerability.” -Kevin

“We talk about people experiencing homelessness, not the homeless. We would never call ourselves the housed.” -Kevin

“Don’t define people by what they are lacking.” -Kevin

“We have to go even further to connect as people to see someone as our shirts, say at Miracle messages, ‘Everyone is someone somebody.’ That's someone's son or daughter, brother, sister, or in my case, some kid's beloved uncle, or aunt.” -Kevin

“Early in the pandemic, I heard an unhoused neighbor, say something that stuck with me. He said, ‘You don't need to teach me about social distancing. That's my life already.’”

“I didn't see people experiencing homelessness as people to be loved. I saw them as problems to be solved. And I wanted in my own heart to feel differently. I want it to feel the same or similarly, as I would feel about my uncle, who I love very much. I wanted to have the same warmth and empathy for my unhoused neighbors.” -Kevin

“When we don't see our unhosed neighbors as neighbors, not only are we missing their humanity, but we're actually falling short in our own. It dehumanizes us.” -Kevin

“One of the best things I think kids can do is really ask hard questions of their parents.” -Kevin

“I think parents listen to their kids a lot more than maybe the kids realize. You have a lot of influence in your family.” -Kevin

“Socks are the number one requested physical item on the streets.” -Kevin

“I think we have so much to learn from kids, they have such wisdom in the space of humanity.” -Becky