Boston artist Kenji Kayayama has started creating high-quality, hand painted signs to replace makeshift cardboard posters typically used by homeless people. Their original art is used and they are given an opportunity to tell their story. It seems many of the homeless are trying to find their voice as much as they are trying to solicit for money.
Can you imagine the frustration in being homeless? Not only is there the need to find food 
and a place to sleep but it often is the ultimate in feeling like a failure.
What do you think is the most helpful thing you can do for the homeless in your city – or on the other side of the world? What are you doing now? Do you see it as a critical problem or just accept it as part of the choices people make?
(The artwork in this shot was done by Carl Frisso from Norway! Please check out more of his work at Behance.net.)
And here’s another question that came up when discussing this with Joanne. Do you think having nice signs helps or hurts the homeless? Are passersby more likely to give – or are they more likely to think that if the person has a nice sign they probably have the ability to get out and get a job? Does having a nice sign make the person appear more competent than they really are? Does having a really nice website bring the same risks?
On May 26-27th we’re going to be immersed in an event we call Innovate – right here at the Sanctuary in Franklin, TN. We’re going to spend two jammed packed days looking at your creative ideas and helping you shape them so the world takes notice. If you’re an artist, a musician, a comedienne, a sculptor, a writer, a speaker, or you want a better sign to share your message, we’d love to meet you and be a part of your growing success. See the rich lineup of presenters here.
