Help Us Fight Homelessness One Tiny Home at a Time

This  is  the  question  I  ask  myself daily.    But  as I  see  the  homeless  on  the  streets  of  Newark,  NJ  and  hear  of  stories  of  the  struggles  that  so  many  go  through    be  it a  job  loss,  the loss  of  a loved  one,  addiction,   mental  illness, or  just  life’s circumstances.....I  have  to  believe  that  YES  one  person  can  make  a  difference.   

I  was exposed to homeless individuals in my community at an early age during my time in Southwest Baltimore City.  A member of our communtiy, a homeless man, whom the kids gave the name “Barney the Bum,” always wandered around my neighborhood. With his matted hair and trash bag apparel, “Barney” never bothered anyone, and seemed content in social isolation – surviving the elements year after year. 

While browsing Facebook a few years ago, I read an article that uncovered the mystery and dispelled the myths of his true story and what led to his homelessness. Losing his job, his child, and his wife, “Barney” was forced to live on the street. He kept to himself and learned the art of survival as a homeless man in the inner city.   Being invisible to many, not asking for a handout; yet catching the attention of some who were compelled to do something.   On a few occasions as a child, I saw my Dad give him a few dollars - but I never felt we as society ever did enough. There had to be something else we could do to help “Barney” and so many others like him. The ones who struggle with life circumstances and ultimately are plagued with mental scars leaving them with nowhere to go but on the streets of our communities.   

As an adult, I’ve seen others like “Barney”, including family and friends, struggling with life choices – often choosing to feed their addictions versus the basic human necessities such as food and shelter. Whether individuals are dealing with mental health issues, addiction, or just the fact of working hard, but still being underpaid and undervalued – we as a society must look within ourselves to do more.   I decided to create Project My Brother’s Keeper as my contribution to solving our society’s problem of homelessness.  

I  hope  you  will  help  as  we  create  ways  to  combat  this  issue.    

Lynette  Braxton

Founder  &  Executive  Director