In 2011 the DC-based Speakers’ Bureau gave 263 presentations reaching a combined audience of 12,000. Speakers' Bureaus nationwide under the umbrella of NCH's AmeriCorps Project gave a combined total of 1,280 presentations to 50,000 audience members.

Have you attended a presentation? If so, please let us know what you thought by taking this quick survey. Don't forget to Like NCH on Facebook !

If you are interested in bringing the Faces of Homelessness Panel to your school or group, please do the following:
1. Fill out an event form and be sure to include the date and time of the event.
2. Once NCH receives your event form, a staff member will follow up with you to confirm that NCH is available at the date and time you have requested.
3. Thanks for your interest in bringing a panel to your group.

The Faces of Homelessness Speakers’ Bureau is a program of the National Coalition for the Homeless that is comprised of people who are or have been homeless and works to educate the public about homelessness and what can be done to end it. This approach is a unique and necessary tool because it establishes a significant platform for those whom homelessness affects directly to talk personally about their experiences. Additionally, the Speakers' Bureau creates opportunities for members to advocate for themselves and others, as well as build the necessary bridges with the rest of society so that we may work cooperatively to end this disgrace called homelessness.

Ending homelessness must begin with the understanding that people who are or have been homeless are our neighbors and members of our community. Public perceptions and attitudes toward persons experiencing homelessness or in danger of becoming homeless need to change in order for positive, long-term solutions to be realized. Most Americans rarely interact with people who are or who have been homeless. The lack of interaction between different groups of our society, combined with impersonal or inaccurate descriptions of homelessness posed by the media and public officials, contributes to a distancing of those who have housing from those who do not. As a result, homelessness is perceived as an abstract social problem. Those who experience homelessness are seen as the sources of their own misfortunes, and the socio-economic policies and practices that give rise to homelessness are then too easily ignored. This abstraction, in turn, lessens the degree of urgency and commitment needed to work strategically and consistently toward solutions to end homelessness that are long-term, outcome-based, and not simply responses to crises. The Speakers’ Bureau is both an accurate and dynamic tool to teach and challenge tomorrow’s leaders as well as empower those who have experienced homelessness first-hand. By fostering an environment of self-worth, respect, and understanding for all people, the Speakers’ Bureau challenges us to believe that we can and should end homelessness.

In 2010 the Speakers' Bureau gave 270 presentations, speaking to over 15,000 people. But, this is only a start. We need your help to set up new Speakers’ Bureaus across the country, include people experiencing homelessness in your presentations, and spread the word about the importance and effectiveness of "Faces of Homelessness" panels. Please explore the following links to learn more about the Faces of Homelessness Speakers’ Bureau, and how you can get involved with it.

Speakers' Bureau Coordinator
202.462.4822
speakersbureau@nationalhomeless.org