By: Tom White 

The holiday season is here, and with it comes a renewed focus on giving and goodwill; and yet, homelessness remains a persistent challenge across the United States. In 2023, more than 600,000 individuals experienced homelessness, which is a 12% increase over the previous year. The statistics are daunting, yet the issue’s root extends beyond numbers.

For many Americans, homelessness is seen through a lens of ‘us versus them,’ perpetuating a sense of invisible division. That is why Glen Dunzweiler, founder of Glen Dunzweiler Productions, has been challenging this perception for quite some time. As a social entrepreneur, filmmaker, producer/director, and storyteller, Glen uses humor and narratives to inspire action and shift public opinion. 

His mission? To highlight the humanity of those living on the streets and show how small, entrepreneurial actions can spark real change.

“Homelessness isn’t some distant problem; it’s part of all our lives,” says Glen, who has spent over a decade engaging with individuals experiencing homelessness. “We’ve been neglecting it for too long, and it’s worsening.”

Glen points to the common misconception that homelessness is solely and wholly the result of addiction, crime, or poor life choices. Having spent over a decade traveling the country and documenting stories from people experiencing homelessness, Glen has seen firsthand the diversity of their experiences. Far from the stereotypes, many individuals find themselves on the streets due to systemic issues such as the rising cost of housing, the breakdown of family support, and a lack of safety nets.

“In America, there’s this idea that you’re weak if you need family support,” Glen explains. “But look at immigrant families or even wealthy families – they support one another, and that’s why they thrive. Meanwhile, middle-class ideals push independence to the point of neglect. We’ve created a culture where freedom equals abandonment.”

Through his films, music, books, and public speaking, Glen brings stories of homelessness to life, using humor and humanity to promote understanding. His Skid Row Speakers YouTube series features inspirational stories from individuals experiencing homelessness, paying them for their time and insights and giving them a platform. “People on the streets have heart-throbbing stories. Sometimes, all it takes is for someone to shine a light on their humanity to help them see it themselves,” Glen says. 

This socialpreneur shares a few stories that just show the power of perception. The first is of a woman who became homeless after sacrificing her career to care for her ailing mother. When her mother passed away, she was left without a home or a job. Glen met her at a shelter screening of his documentary, and despite a promise to his wife not to bring anyone home, he couldn’t ignore her plight. He and his wife helped her rebuild her life, providing a place to stay, a phone, and a bus pass. Within months, she found a job, moved out, and regained independence.

Another one of Glen’s projects, a story featured on his YouTube show as well, is The Flower Lady. He met a lady in Las Vegas who made and sold colorful flowers from coffee filters. Through Glen’s interview, she found a sense of purpose and decided to enter rehab, changing the trajectory of her life. “She didn’t need me to solve her problems,” Glen reflects. “The only thing she needed was someone to remind her that she was worthwhile. That spark of positivity can make all the difference.”

For Glen, the ultimate goal isn’t just to help the homeless and spark a cultural shift. He wants to inspire others to take direct action and rethink how others approach homelessness and community support. “My ideal outcome is to stop creating homelessness in the first place,” the socialpreneur states. “We must take better care of our communities, families, and ourselves. That means investing in each other, not just financially, but even emotionally and spiritually.”

For Glen, the fight against homelessness is a battle of attrition, fought one life, one story at a time. “We can’t just wait for government programs to solve this. Everyone needs to be in this, creating strategic, lasting change. Yes, we need to help individuals, but we also need to stop creating homeless people. That means stronger family support systems, smarter community investments, and a commitment to treating housing as a human right, not just an investment opportunity.”

As the holiday season encourages acts of kindness, Glen Dunzweiler reminds individuals that homelessness isn’t a problem to be sympathized with from afar; it’s a shared human experience that demands connection, action, and respect. Through his work, Glen shares that with compassion and motivation, even small efforts can lead to extraordinary change. “We might not be able to save everyone,” Glen says, “but if we can save one person and celebrate that victory, it gives us the hope and energy to keep going. And that’s how we start to change the world.”

Published by Elle G