Like many Americans, I spent time in poverty as a child. While never homeless, we were sometimes sustained nutritionally with government-issued cheese and “expired” food from the local Food Bank. I often spent food stamps at the store as a child when buying snacks. My sister, Andrea, has fared even worse. Through issues with addiction and illegal behavior, Andrea has found herself in jail and prison and when not incarcerated, has survived living on the street. She lost her children through this life. Thankfully the kids are still in our family now.
Needless to say I have a personal and very real connection to poverty and homelessness. I try to help where I can sorting food at Food Banks or just raising awareness when I can. But I have struggled to understand ways I could help the cause of homelessness as “just a guy.” Enter Hoolock.
Hoolock
Hoolock is a new company founded by a former Cisco Vice President of mine, Steve Cox, and another former Cisco exec, Sanjiv Patel. I knew Steve as a man passionate about people and committed to helping people through the use of technology. He left Cisco shortly after I joined his organization and together with Sanjiv, launched Hoolock.
I’m just starting out checking out Hooock, but as I understand it, they are a company launched to help non-profit organization benefit through technology. They have a unique way of connecting supporters to groups who can benefit from support through original artwork. Because of my passion around supporting ending homelessness, I purchased the digital rights to this piece entitled, “The Streets Have a Name” coined to inject the personal element of homelessness…these are real people who have names.
So by purchasing the rights to this beautiful art by founder Steve Cox it helps fund the company aimed at connecting non-profits with technology. My little contribution will be pooled with other contributors to help further this mission.
Check It Out
As mentioned, I am just scratching the surface in understanding Hoolock and how I can get and be involved in causes close to my heart. I’ll report back as I understand more. But if this sounds interesting to you, check them out and maybe purchase some digital art that resonates with you.