The National Coalition for the Homeless Faces of Homelessness Speakers’ Bureau provides opportunities for groups, organizations, and institutions to engage with individuals with the lived experience of homelessness, who utilize their knowledge and expertise to bring deeper awareness and understanding about homelessness, and how we can end it.
Comprised of people who know how it feels and what it looks like, and means to live on the streets, in encampments, cars, shelters, transitional housing, or doubled-up with friends and family, the Speakers’ Bureau is a vehicle to share life stories, life lessons, and current advocacy efforts to address housing and homelessness issues across the United States.
Request a Speaker
To have a Faces of Homelessness Panel or individuals speak with your group, please complete and submit our request form.
About the Speakers
Faces of Homelessness speakers come from all walks of life, representing youth experiencing family homelessness, adults who survived various childhood traumas, individuals who lived with alcohol and substance use disorder, individuals who lived with mental health challenges, and someone who experienced homeless for the first time as a senior citizen due to eviction. Our speakers represent too many others in society who have experienced homelessness and those who continue to face housing insecurity today.
Memorable Moments
The Faces of Homelessness Speakers’ Bureau empowers people experiencing homelessness to lead conversations and action, which elevates their voices. We fight to end homelessness because it’s not just a problem—it’s a crisis. It is a battle for equality & justice. We bring people together across all sectors of society to build a broader understanding of the issues of homelessness and what we can do about them.
Hear what audiences are saying:
“I was moved by the speakers at the National Coalition of Homelessness as their stories prompted me to dispel my own stereotypes surrounding who experiences homelessness and why. Robert and Rachelle’s stories were engaging, powerful, and different from each other, reflecting that everyone has a different experience with homelessness. I appreciated their openness to answer our questions and passion to teach us about the work they do in the community.”
“The speakers at the National Coalition for the Homeless are incredibly engaging and inspiring. Their stories will move you and teach you more about homelessness– breaking down any stigmas or stereotypes. They welcome any and all questions in order to help you get a clear understanding of what homelessness actually is.”
“Don was a dynamic speaker sharing his journey from homelessness to housing on the closing day, setting the tone for what we do next to close the housing gap.”
