Kevin F. Adler is Miracle Messages CEO and founder, and is pictured right with Beverly Stevenson (right) and Brian Whitten (right) in San Francisco. Hearst Newspapers
Kevin F. Adler was walking the streets of San Francisco six years ago with an unusual purpose. He wanted to meet its homeless residents. He met Jeffrey, a man who had been missing for 12 years. Adler posted on social media and was able to connect Jeffrey with his family. Jeffrey hadn't seen him for more than 20 years. Adler stated, "I began having conversations with people on the streets and I heard them say, 'I never realized that I was homeless when my housing was lost, only when my family and friends were lost,'" Adler added. Adler was inspired by the experience of his uncle who had been homeless for 30 years to start Miracle Messages, a program that helps people reunite with their loved ones. Learn more about Personal Finance
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These programs could be used to help with unemployment benefits.
According to Adler, only 30% of the most vulnerable families have a savings account. Today, about 500 families were reunited across the U.S. by the program. Miracle Messages expanded its assistance during the Covid-19 epidemic. To help build relationships, it began matching homeless people with community members. It raised funds to pilot a universal income program for homeless people. The term universal basic income became a popular buzzword, particularly during the Covid-19 epidemic. Andrew Yang, a former Democratic presidential candidate, popularized the idea when he promised to give $1,000 per month to Americans without strings attached.
UBI programs are now being implemented in many cities across the U.S. UBI experiments are now being conducted in cities across the United States. Miracle Money is the first program of its kind in the United States. The New Leaf Project in Vancouver, Canada has also tried the idea. Miracle Money started fundraising in December 2020 and raised approximately $50,000 from individual donors. In February, Miracle Money began to distribute $500 per month to 14 homeless individuals in the area. Nominations from the community were used to select the participants.
Temporary sanctioned tent camp for homeless people located across from San Francisco City Hall on May 28, 2020. Lui Guanguan | China News Service | Getty Images
This program was created so that participants' $500 monthly income wouldn't interfere with any government benefits they may be eligible for. To receive the money, all participants needed to open bank accounts. The participants were also paired up with a friend from their community to keep in touch. They could also seek financial coaches to help them navigate the new resources. There were no restrictions on how the money was used. Adler stated that the pilot's initial results were "astonishing", with 35% of participants being able to use their monthly income to secure permanent housing. "I didn't anticipate anyone being housed. Adler stated that this was not something we had measured at first. Ray, 49, was one of the participants who was able turn his life and circumstances around. Ray requested that his last name not be used for privacy reasons. The door to the temporary housing where Ray was staying opened and a knock came. This was when Ray first became connected with the program. He answered the simple question: "Does it matter if you have someone to talk to now and again?"
Ray and Jennifer Roy were paired as part of Miracle Friends. Ray today calls it a "lifesaving" experience. Jim Madden
Ray said yes to Jennifer Roy, a Marin County resident who was a Miracle Friend volunteer. They developed a friendship and Ray was eventually nominated to be a pilot for the UBI. Ray was left homeless due to heart failure. He blames his stress from the travel and the stress he had to work. He said that the program was a life-saving experience. After regaining his sense of ability to provide for his daughter, 18 years old, he was able reconnect with her. He said that Miracle Friends had given him the confidence to be a part of someone's life, which was something he didn't have when he was unhoused.
Trusting in the creativity and resourcefulness of those who are homeless is something we should do. Miracle Messages CEO Kevin F. Adler, founder
Ray also found work as a Covid-19 test site employee and at a vaccine center, as the pandemic progressed. He said, "Just to be able to get up each morning and have a purpose was incredible." After watching his daughter graduate high school and move on to college, he made his own move. Ray moved to Kansas with his friend and paid the first six months rent. He can now focus on his health by having money saved. He said that the social support he received through the program, as well as the relationships with Roy and other people was even more important. Ray stated that being unhoused is easy because you are used to living alone. "It wasn’t a roof over me that I needed to feel secure anymore.
Roy stated that she too has noticed a change in Roy as their friendship grows. Roy stated, "Ray has come to realize that I cannot do this alone." "I don’t want to do it alone. It's all about the community. Ray has received more support than he could have ever imagined, but he also realizes how much he can give back to those relationships. Both Ray and his wife, Sheri, say that they both hope to be lifelong friends, regardless of the distance. Program participants have had success not only in securing housing but also by purchasing appliances and service dogs.
Kevin F. Adler, Miracle Messages CEO and founder, with a homeless man at San Francisco's Union Square on January 29, 2019. Hearst Newspapers
