About Us
The Connecticut chapter of the Faces of Homelessness Speakers' Bureau began in the winter of 2012. In a partnership between Hands On Hartford, the National Coalition for the Homeless, and AmeriCorps VISTA, the Connecticut Faces of Homelessness Speakers' Bureau took shape as an alliance of concerned individuals who have or have had experience with homelessness. Together, we organize speaking events with diverse community groups to share our experiences and speak out against these continuing injustices.
The National Coalition for the Homeless (NCH) began the Faces of Homelessness Speakers' Bureau project in 1996 in an effort to have the real experts on the issue, the individuals with lived experience, to connect and educate the public on issues of homelessness. Since then, this effort has grown nationwide with active speakers' bureaus across 16 states.
In 2007, the National Coalition for the Homeless partnered with AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers In Service To America), a program built out of the 1960s that promotes volunteerism and capacity building efforts to serve communities and end poverty. Through this partnership, NCH was able to bring on AmeriCorps VISTA volunteers to coordinate the speakers' bureau, allowing for the Faces of Homelessness project to expand nationwide.
In 2012, Hands On Hartford partnered with the National Coalition for the Homeless to house and initiate the Faces of Homelessness Speakers' Bureau to serve the entire state of Connecticut and work to break the stigma around issues of homelessness.
The National Coalition for the Homeless (NCH) began the Faces of Homelessness Speakers' Bureau project in 1996 in an effort to have the real experts on the issue, the individuals with lived experience, to connect and educate the public on issues of homelessness. Since then, this effort has grown nationwide with active speakers' bureaus across 16 states.
In 2007, the National Coalition for the Homeless partnered with AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers In Service To America), a program built out of the 1960s that promotes volunteerism and capacity building efforts to serve communities and end poverty. Through this partnership, NCH was able to bring on AmeriCorps VISTA volunteers to coordinate the speakers' bureau, allowing for the Faces of Homelessness project to expand nationwide.
In 2012, Hands On Hartford partnered with the National Coalition for the Homeless to house and initiate the Faces of Homelessness Speakers' Bureau to serve the entire state of Connecticut and work to break the stigma around issues of homelessness.