- Hi everybody.
I don't have words to really describe how excited I am
to share this update with you.
Probably the number one request I get
on this YouTube channel is can we get updates on people.
Now Invisible People is just me.
We are nonprofit with a board of directors,
but right now there's not even funding
to hire even one person.
So I work other jobs and do this kind of in my spare time.
That really sucks because it reduces the potential
of impact that we have in fighting homelessness.
That said, it's nearly impossible for me
to travel and get updates on people.
I would love to do that, hopefully some day I can,
but occasionally updates just happen.
We recently updates on Manda, updates on Erin.
Several times we've been able to share updates
on people, both good and bad.
But this update is beyond exciting.
I first meet Natasha six years ago in London.
I just landed at the airport.
I was hungry, I was jet lagged.
It was raining, I didn't have a camera with me.
I went for a walk and there she was.
Just such a lovely person.
I pulled out my phone
and video tapped a short interview with her.
Now that interview, overnight, got 169,000 views.
That's amazing.
Even better, it started a conversation
about welfare reform in the UK.
That was just gorgeous.
And that's the whole point of Invisible People videos
is to start a conversation about change
and how we can better help fight homelessness and poverty.
When her video started getting popular,
I ran around London trying to find her.
In fact, the last couple of years every time I'm in London,
I look for her.
I've also looked for her online.
And nothing in the last six years has shown up.
Couldn't find her.
So how many of you have message requests on Facebook
and you don't know they're there?
So this woman had been messaging me on Facebook,
message request, and I didn't see it.
She was messaging and messaging.
And then all of a sudden I saw it, and guess what?
It's Natasha.
She is no longer homeless.
And then yesterday we sent me this video.
- Hi Mark, it's Natasha here.
I just wanted to give you an update on my life.
I'm not homeless anymore.
I've been off the streets for about four years now,
and I've got a daughter and a partner and a home.
Yeah, I'm working three jobs at the moment,
just to kind of try and get by.
I still want to be a writer.
It's just finding some time to do it really
'cause being a mom and working, it takes up a lot of time.
Yeah, but apart from that,
I'm in a lot better position than what I was before.
Yeah, I just really, I mean, I'm not quite there yet,
but I'm still trying.
And hoping that with a little bit of help
that I may be able to get to where I need to be.
Just a better mom in her life really.
Thank you, bye.
- I get chills watching that video.
It's the same adorable smile and the same adorable laugh.
That's Natasha.
It's so amazing that she is no longer
on the streets of London.
Every day I get emails and tweets
from people asking about Natasha
and asking how they can help.
Well Natasha is no longer homeless, that's amazing.
But she's still struggling.
She's a young mother and she's working three jobs trying
to make ends meet.
They don't have a lot of furniture.
She needs to learn how to drive.
It would great for her to take some creative writing classes
and pursue that dream,
but right now she just wants to take care of her family.
That's where you come in.
If you still feel that kindness in your heart
and you want to help her,
there's a GoFundMe link down in the description,
down in the comments.
I have verified, this is her.
We've been talking back and forth for two weeks.
I've also donated myself.
I don't like to ask people to donate
when I haven't done so myself.
Thousands upon thousands of you
have been moved by Natasha's story.
If you're one of them, please consider donating
what you can to help this young mother better her life
and provide a better life for her family.
Thank you.
(soft upbeat music)