Forget Technology…People Required

Its not difficult to understand that the internet has given rise to a new hyper-connected world. There is a new term in our lexicon called social media.

Ten years ago no one knew what social media was, but now we collectively spend more time connected to Facebook than we do actually hanging out with our friends.

As a web professional I definitely understand the social media toolkit, but like many of you out there I am hard pressed to find examples of true humanity behind the digital barrier of Facebook or Twitter. That is, until I got involved in a little project called I AM HERE.

A few of us got together and decided to help a local non-profit organization that helps homeless people get back on their feet. I have never been homeless, but I am big fan of second chances. This was my chance to help someone get that second chance.

With our mission in mind we got to work. I built a website, hooked it up with a Twitter feed, we posted videos on YouTube, and started sharing everything we could on Facebook. We had a goal of raising $12K in order to help an older homeless couple get into a home. A few days after our official launch we raised the money and they got their new home.

This little venture reached so far that the estranged daughter of this homeless couple reached out and they were reunited. A family again.

I was there when they got the keys to their new home. I saw the look in their eyes as they hugged their daughter. I will always be proud to be a part of that project.

I keep that memory with me as a reminder that this global connection called social media can actually be used for good. Technology moves us forward, but people are required.