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Marc Roth hacked his way out of SF homelessness. Now he’s helping others do the same.
Do help and contribute to the campaign - only 9 more days!
In a tiny computer lab tucked away at the top of SF TechShop, eleven mid-20-somethings stare intently at a screen. On the screen, an Indiegogo campaign struggles, with only $5,463 of its $60,000 goal reached.
A fast-talking Australian named Eoin McMillan stands at the front of the room scribbling markings on a white board. “When you talk to journalists, you need to understand the narrative,” he says. “Homeless to hacker. It resonates.” The volunteers nod.
In the back, a burly older bearded man interjects with his input. “The majority of the homeless population is not what you would think of, people in doorways,” Marc Roth says. “It’s people where you wouldn’t necessarily be able to spot that they’re homeless.”
Roth would know. He spent five months living in a homeless shelter in 2012, after moving to San Francisco from Las Vegas.
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“I don’t have the delusion that were going to end mental health and addiction problems,” Roth tells the roomful of young, bright-eyed volunteers. “We’re just giving people a hand out of homelessness who can then turn back and help others.”
But at the moment, the Indiegogo campaign that’s meant to fund the effort has yet to gain much traction. It’s not entirely clear why — with Roth’s inspiring life story behind it, it has all the makings for a viral success.
With 12 days left to go until the campaign expires, the clock is ticking.
A fast-talking Australian named Eoin McMillan stands at the front of the room scribbling markings on a white board. “When you talk to journalists, you need to understand the narrative,” he says. “Homeless to hacker. It resonates.” The volunteers nod.
In the back, a burly older bearded man interjects with his input. “The majority of the homeless population is not what you would think of, people in doorways,” Marc Roth says. “It’s people where you wouldn’t necessarily be able to spot that they’re homeless.”
Roth would know. He spent five months living in a homeless shelter in 2012, after moving to San Francisco from Las Vegas.
.
.
.
.
.
“I don’t have the delusion that were going to end mental health and addiction problems,” Roth tells the roomful of young, bright-eyed volunteers. “We’re just giving people a hand out of homelessness who can then turn back and help others.”
But at the moment, the Indiegogo campaign that’s meant to fund the effort has yet to gain much traction. It’s not entirely clear why — with Roth’s inspiring life story behind it, it has all the makings for a viral success.
With 12 days left to go until the campaign expires, the clock is ticking.