Guest Post: A Mile In My Socks

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Guest post by Michael Mader, CEO of Hippy Feet

The idea of being homeless is a difficult concept to grasp. Yet, on any given night in the state of Minnesota, over 6,000 young people must face the reality of not having a bed to sleep in, a roof over their head, or a place to call home.

As if being a teenager or a twenty-something wasn’t already hard enough, imagine the additional complications you would face while trying to make it through these pivotal years while living without a constant home.

Homelessness isn’t a choice. It’s a circumstance that can happen to anyone, for any number of reasons. If you think about it, without the support and love of family and friends, it could easily happen to any of us.

For many young people, a genuine support group isn’t always readily available. Being a young adult is hard; we all know this. So when things take a turn for the worse and no one is there to pick you up when you fall, the path to homelessness can become a real possibility.

Thankfully, organizations like YouthLink and Elpis Enterprises have been acting as support groups for young people experiencing homelessness, providing resources for a combined fifty years. As the CEO and Founder of Hippy Feet, I am not only honored to be partnered with these incredible non-profits, but am also eager to continuously contribute to their efforts to support young people experiencing homelessness.

In collaboration with YouthLink and Elpis Enterprises, Hippy Feet is proud to present: A Mile in My Socks – a gallery event that aims to raise awareness about the realities that homeless youth experience every day.

Sixteen homeless youth were given cameras and asked to capture the world through their eyes. In this incredible event, each photograph tells a story and offers a new perspective.

 

Photos by young people who participated in the Mile In My Socks project

We invite you to join us Thursday, July 27th, at Lake Monster Brewing Company in Saint Paul, from 4:30-8:00pm, to experience this collection of thought-provoking photos. Thirty images have been selected to be on display—and will be available for purchase, with proceeds benefiting Youthlink, Elpis Enterprises, and the individuals that captured these moments. (Advance tickets to the event are available for purchase here.)

Expression is a crucial aspect of anyone’s overall well-being. The “Mile in My Socks” event is an opportunity for young people experiencing homelessness to express themselves through art and photography. It allows them to open up a window into their personal lives and provides a special opportunity for others to see the world through a different lens.

I hope to see you at this eye-opening event!

Stay Hippy,

Michael Mader

Founder | CEO

Hippy Feet

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