| Produced in collaboration with homeless people and shown
on PBS, this thought provoking homeless video is recommended by the National Coalition for the Homeless. The video is
widely considered to be the best and most broadly applicable case study available on the scope and diversity of
homelessness in America. |
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Mark Thisius became involved with our homeless video while leading the homeless activism group "Up and Out of Poverty."
His passionate homeless social activism is rooted in his childhood experience of witnessing his divorced mother suffer
the humility of welfare, poverty, and discrimination.
Following an early adult life of drug addiction and periodic homelessness, Mark found redemption and purpose working as a
social worker for Lutheran Brotherhood. But he soon became disillusioned with institutional charity, which he viewed as
being hypocritical and self serving.
In 1989 he quit in frustration and joined Up and Out of Poverty. There he orchestrated the largest campaign of HUD
"housing take overs" ever conducted in the United States.
During the movie's production, Mark's confrontational tactics resulted in numerous arrests, including the movie's
production crew. He continues to lead "Up and Out of Poverty" in its fight for social justice despite continued arrests
and public indifference.
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©copyright, 2005