Reclaiming a homeless man's life in 15 crazy steps | Jodi Peterson | TEDxBoise

You won't believe the hoops that had to be jumped through to help help a homeless man secure his birth certificate and photo ID after 14 years of living on the streets with no identity.
Jodi has been working with the homeless community of Boise for more than nine years. In her role as the Development and Co-Director of the Interfaith Sanctuary, she has fashioned events to fundraise for the cause, created visual pieces to help educate the Boise community on the challenges faced by the homeless, and stood in the trenches of the tent city, Cooper Court.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

[@maryshaffer8474]

Some of the simplest things are impossible for members of our society.

[@ronyalemerrill]

This was amazing! I balled my eyes out. I understand that kind of frustration. Thank you so much for sharing this story! Way to go Bodie!💗❤️💗🙌🏻

[@whatihavetogive]

As happy as I am for Bodie, I am so frustrated and disheartened that it is this difficult to obtain a photo ID. I had similar trouble helping a friend of mine in TX and thank God he wasn’t this far removed from living in a house and had more of his personal information on hand. We have to correct this.

[@davidpoe9408]

Great story of how difficult it can be for homeless individuals who lack ID, address, an address, transport or resources can find themselves perpetually trapped. Really important to realize how the simplest things we take for granted represent near-insurmountable obstacles for those less fortunate, how the system is (sometimes unwittingly) rigged against them and how each of us can help.

[@nancymoedoe5422]

Im literally in tears, so beautiful!! Be the voice for the homeless!!

[@annettecain446]

I'm currently dealing with the same situation. It's very frustrating, leavesyou feeling hopeless and like a nobody.

[@karimalameddine5092]

Great to see the help and the not giving up attitude.

[@duncanmchenry3349]

This is so real..i have been trying to get an ID for years..there is always unforseen red tape..eventually you give up..

[@forgetsalot60]

That was such a wonderful story with a great ending...and a very frustrating middle! Thank you so much for what you did for that man and for what you are doing for the countless people that are not counted because of circumstances that are oftentimes out of their control. Way to go Brody and Jody!

[@cindyhalpern3187]

So excellent!

[@duncanmchenry3349]

THANK YOU! I AM CURRENTLY IN THIS SITUATION. IT'S AS CLOSE TO AN IMPOSSIBLE SITUATION AS THERE IS.. YOU NEED AN ID TO GET AN ID

[@elviaknoll4705]

what a great story!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@stewartroach1891]

Well done Jodi!

[@anwarhussain3696]

Kudos to You !!! I know- I understand !!! Have taken in a ' few homeless humans...' in S.F. & Berkeley / Albany in my time. It is hard !! We get to ' be ' the brunt of ' some of the Bi-polar n Frustration etc. ; but ' very fulfilling ' in the end !!! Hats Off to you ! What a ' lengthy process ' ! My ' current subject ' has a job - but refuses to ' stick with the program to get into a room ' !!! Drinking Issues ......

[@tomjeffersonwasright2288]

The next question……how to hold on to the ID. Sleeping in public, or drunk, or stoned, a person wakes up to the ID being gone. We need the zoning, building code and other changes to allow a colony of small housing units that are affordable, safe, and secure. We need an alternative somewhere between a $75.000 built to code house, and a cardboard box.

[@-.-Monster]

Not having a valid ID took me from being 1 day late on rent to homeless for I don't even know how long. I think it's been 3 years. Keeps your ID straight

[@RebekahsZ]

Can you give an update on Boddie? What’s his status now a year later?

[@easternhealingarts33]

~~~ make a Miro chart of this adventure ~~~

[@AntoineTroupe]

This makes me so upset that it was so difficult for someone in this circumstancw

[@fracty2]

like in H2G2 , the vogons... or in Brazil the same society... it seems

[@hunnybadger442]

Spent 2 years paying 1400 a month for the worst motel room I've ever seen... Went to the worst rental company in my hometown... Told them I'd pay a year's rent in advance... And I had a payee that guaranteed my rent would always be paid on time everytime after that... Showed to application manager 2 years worth of motel receipts Showing that I had maintained for 2 years a 1400 a month rent... the place I wanted to apply for was only 900 a month at the time... I told him I could have 15,000 in cash to him on Monday... I even tried to give him my payees number... He stopped me... looked me right in the eyes and sneered... We don't rent to homeless people... I to this day have no memory of the 24 hours after that interaction... I was homeless for almost 6 years... it literally killed me... by causing a fatal stress induced medical condition that my doctor choose to ignore for 6 of the 7 years of typical life expectancy... Hatred, indifference, cruelty and Prejudice... killed me....

[@elieelis1234]

Photo with ss card on line to print at ss office

[@elieelis1234]

Update photo every 10 yrs

[@aifricp]

It sounds like you're talking about a dog... and thats not an indictment of Bodie

[@hunnybadger442]

So what's going to happen when the Real ID is the only ID Card option...

[@heatgang6415]

8k views this world bro😷

[@duncanmchenry3349]

This is so real..i have been trying to get an ID for years..there is always unforseen red tape..eventually you give up..

[@Azurite22]

Did you get an ID?

[@elviaknoll4705]

what a great story!!!!!!!!!!!!!