The community I am working in is on of the wealthiest communities in the United States of America. The people here tend not to understand what homelessness is and how it feels to be homeless. The National Coalition for the Homeless has placed me here because Florida has had the highest hate crime rate against the homeless in the U.S. for the last three years. The goal behind this program is to educate the public; allow those who have experienced homelessness to have a voice and an impact on the communities perceptions of homelessness; dispel stereotypes that follow homelessness; and spark interest in becoming active in the movement to end homelessness.

I believe that this program will help educate our youth in this area. The people who tend to preform these hate crimes tend to be our adolescents. If we educated them on what the issue really is then I believe the hate crimes will be reduced.

I have been sent to Palm Beach County to set up a speakers bureau of formerly and currently homeless seniors, veterans, families and children. This speakers bureau is called the "Faces of Homelessness" Story Tellers. We will be going into schools(middle, high, and colleges), churches, and other civil youth organizations. When we are at these locations I (the mediator) will give statistics and stereotypes that follow homelessness. Then I will show a DVD provided to me by the National Coalition for the Homeless. Then the speakers who are with me will share their stories.

Others can help by advocating for this program. They can also step into shelters and transitional housing unites and give there time and hearts.