Real Change's Homeless Speakers' Bureau

About the Homeless Speakers' Bureau

What is the Homeless Speakers’ Bureau?

Real Change is deeply committed to being a voice of the poor, and we work directly with homeless and low-income people to build opportunities to publish, speak, and be heard. The Real Change Homeless Speakers’ Bureau puts a human face on poverty and homelessness by allowing homeless and formerly homeless speakers to share their experiences with others.

Who are the speakers?

Through the lens of their personal experiences with homelessness, currently or in the past, our speakers address a variety of issues from mental illness, drug addiction, and domestic violence to gentrification, unemployment, and the criminal justice system. In addition to the problems surrounding homelessness in Seattle, our speakers also discuss the solutions, focusing specifically on the work of the Real Change Homeless Empowerment Project. You can read more about individual speakers, their lives, and their expertise by visiting the “Profiles” section.

Where do they speak?

In the past, speakers have been hosted by schools, churches, civic groups, and businesses, but the Speakers’ Bureau is available to any organization interested in hearing about homelessness from the poor themselves. Speakers are able to tailor their presentations to particular audiences, interests, and time frames.

Why should organizations host speakers?

The Homeless Speakers’ Bureau works to give homeless and very low-income people a voice of their own while opening the eyes and hearts of the public to the real issues facing their struggling neighbors. We have a great group of people who are eager to get out there, share their stories, and build meaningful relationships across social boundaries. Please consider hosting a speaker at your organization. It is an investment not only in the individual lives of our speakers but also in the collective soul of our larger community.

How does the Speakers’ Bureau work?

* Speakers may be scheduled one or more weeks prior to the event by contacting Vendor Services at (206) 441-3247 x.211
* The host organization pays a $50 honorarium per speaker, all of which goes directly to that individual.
* If direct public transportation to the event is not available, organizations may be asked to provide transportation for the speaker round-trip from the Real Change office in Pioneer Square.

Contact Information:
Real Change Homeless Empowerment Project
Attn: Homeless Speakers' Bureau
96 S Main St. Seattle | Send Mail To: 219 1st Ave S Seattle, WA 98104 Suite 220
Ph: (206) 441-3247
Fax: (206) 956-9472