Throwback/Encore Presentation: Kevin Adler Discusses His New Book, 'When We Walk By,' and Explains Why He’s Optimistic About Our Ability to End Homelessness in America

Kevin Adler grew up with a beloved uncle, Mark, who never forgot to send him a Hallmark card on his birthday.  Over time, Kevin learned that his uncle was unhoused and suffering from schizophrenia.  When Mark died at the age of 50, Kevin decided that working to solve the crisis of homelessness would be his life’s work.  The experience of having a close relative in this predicament made him realize that “everybody is somebody’s somebody,” and deserving of our compassion.  He founded Miracle Messages, a nonprofit working to tell the stories of individuals who are unhoused, in hopes of connecting and reuniting them with estranged friends and family.  To date, they have facilitated more than 800 people and have created a phone buddy system where volunteers communicate weekly with their assigned partner, building relationships where none existed before. Kevin Adler tells this story in his new book, When We Walk By, and shares many of these stories in this episode, while also describing his optimistic views on basic income and affordable housing programs. 

 

Chapters:

03:09 The Personal Journey Begins  Kevin recounts his personal connection to homelessness through his Uncle Mark, whose struggles profoundly influenced his life’s work. This emotional story sets the stage for Kevin’s mission to humanize those experiencing homelessness. 

05:19 The Crisis of Shared Humanity  Kevin discusses the dual crises of inadequate service systems and a lack of shared humanity in addressing homelessness.  

08:12 The Jeffrey Story  Kevin shares the poignant story of Jeffrey, a man he helped reconnect with his family after years of separation.  

12:00 Understanding Relational Poverty  The conversation shifts to the concept of relational poverty, emphasizing the importance of social connections in preventing homelessness.  

16:39 Challenging Stereotypes  Kevin discusses the harmful stereotypes surrounding homelessness and the diverse experiences of those affected.  

19:54 Miracle Messages Programs  Kevin elaborates on the various programs of Miracle Messages, including family reunification and the Miracle Friends Phone Buddy program.  

25:00 The Impact of Basic Income  The discussion turns to the controversial topic of basic income, with Kevin sharing insights from his organization’s pilot program.  

30:01 Rethinking Assistance: The Impact of Basic Income  In this chapter, Kevin Adler discusses the misconceptions surrounding financial assistance for the homeless, emphasizing that many recipients prioritize housing and basic needs over substance use.  

32:01 Success Metrics: Measuring Impact  Adler shares the positive outcomes of Miracle Messages’ programs, revealing that 80% of reunions lead to improved health and social conditions.  

34:17 The Cost of Homelessness: A Financial Perspective  This chapter dives into the financial implications of homelessness, comparing the costs of emergency services for unhoused individuals to the potential savings of providing basic income.  

36:47 The Affordable Housing Crisis  Adler tackles the pressing issue of affordable housing, discussing the systemic underinvestment and barriers faced by those in need.  

39:13 Lessons from History: The 1906 San Francisco Earthquake  Drawing parallels between the 1906 earthquake and today’s homelessness crisis, Adler illustrates how collective trauma can lead to community resilience and action.  

46:15 Taking Action: How You Can Help  In this chapter, Adler encourages listeners to engage with their communities and challenge misconceptions about homelessness.