A NEW WAY TO GIVE. A NEW WAY TO GROW.
Thirst for Change empowers individuals experiencing homelessness—our Neighbors—with dignity-driven jobs that provide immediate income and a pathway to long-term self-sustainability. Through a vendor-entrepreneurship model, we plan to equip Neighbors (those experiencing homelessness) to distribute items of value (e.g. brochures, water bottles and popsicles) at intersections, offering the public a better alternative to panhandling.
FOR DONORS:
A BETTER WAY TO HELP
Every day, thousands of people see panhandlers and wonder, “Should I give?” Thirst for Change removes the guesswork. By supporting our program, you’re offering:
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Dignified work for people seeking change
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Accountability through paid job roles and tracked engagement
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Tax-deductible donations that fund both water and wages
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Educational outreach to redirect public generosity into long-term impact
Brochures include a QR code leading to stories, volunteer opportunities, and donation links.
FOR NEIGHBORS:
A PATH OUT OF PANHANDLING
We recruit willing individuals through direct street outreach. If someone is ready to work, we meet them where they are and provide:
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Basic training in entrepreneurship and interpersonal communication
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Job materials like t-shirts, signs, water bottles, and a location assignment
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Stipend pay for hours worked
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Onboarding into a tiered journey leading to full-ride scholarships at Miller University
Even if a Neighbor isn’t yet ready for digital education, they can start earning immediately—with coaching to grow.
HOW IT WORKS
OUR OPEN SOURCE MODEL FOCUSES ON:
Public Awareness: A driver receives a water bottle and brochure from a Neighbor at a stoplight.
Purposeful Giving: The brochure includes a QR code, enabling on-the-spot donations.
Sustainable Pay: Donations fund stipends and operational costs—allowing Neighbors to earn a dignified wage.
Graduation Path: Each participant receives coaching and can level up to business ownership via a Vendor Entrepreneurship (e.g. ice cream cart) or Miller University for technically-gifted Neighbors.
4-Way Organizational Ecosystem to Solve Panhandling
CONSIDERING ALL STAKEHOLDERS
By focusing on the
needs and abilities of each stakeholder in the system, we can motivate donors to give to a brand and sustain the income from the neighbors, providing them a way out of their situation accompanied by trauma-trained professionals.
HOW IT WORKS
The basic premise of the system is that instead of panhandling with cardboard signs, Neighbors are encouraged toward commerce, handing out water bottles on busy street corners. Getting them engaged in becoming a vendor can allow them to see possibility in entrepeneurship that would prove to be more profitable and sustainable than begging.
Open-Source
Theoretically, this model can be used alongside any brand as long as the brand demonstrates transparency in the dollars received and caters to the long-term needs of the Neighbor.
ADDRESSING ISSUES
We are fully aware that logistical and safety issues are present with this model and we look forward to tackling them together. As a modicum of hope, the City of Albuquerque launched a similar program that had some success back in 2015.
The Problems We Noticed
- People experiencing homelessness are panhandling for real reasons. They often have difficult, misunderstood lives. Source.
- Passerby’s who avoid donating to panhandlers often have misperceptions or lack of facts about the individual. Source:
- In some areas most people do not donate and one-third of the ones who do are doing so under pressure.
Source:
Our Solution
- Provide a sustainable solution to our Neighbors experiencing homelessness.
- Educate the public
- Provide a transparent way to help our Neighbors
Training
Train our staff using techniques such as t3, PACE, OARS, and other processes developed by the Canadian Observatory on Homelessness.
Recruitment
Work on the ground to recruit our Neighbors who desire a sustainable solution to their situation. Host intersection handouts where our Neighbors will sport our t-shirts and signs, handing out water bottles in exchange for digital donations. They will receive a steady paycheck and the public will have assurance about their tax-deductible dollar.Motivation Pathway
Create a roadmap for our Neighbors to graduate, elevate, and rise above their circumstances with full-ride scholarships to Miller University, sponsored by the public.
Donate
Donate your dollar to our Thirst for Change initiative* to end homelessness through sustainable solutions. *When you select Thirst for Change in the donation drop-down, 100% of your dollar will go toward items like T-Shirts, Coolers, Water Bottles, Permits, and other items required for these intersection events.
Volunteer
We need volunteers to help us run this awesome initiative! We need remote as well as on the ground volunteers to help us run this awesome initiative. Join our team now and be a part of this Wave of Change!