While the Homeless Hacker is largely Andrew's project about homelessness and web development, this website is a place to share both his and Lisa's experiences with homelessness. While the other publications may focus more on education and web development, this site is give you a more personal look at one couple's struggles with homelessness and everyday life. Here is a bit more about Andrew and Lisa, so you can get to know the couple that this website is all about.
Andrew and Lisa met three years ago and fell in love at first sight. Andrew asked Lisa to move in with him after knowing each other only a couple weeks, partly because Lisa was living in hotels at the time, but also because he secretly hoped that they would be together forever. He was right - they have been together ever since and it is rare that they aren't ever together in whatever they are doing. Through thick and thin, they have stuck together as best friends and lovers. They have their good days and bad days, but ask them about it and they will tell you that they've never regretted a single day together. It's always an adventure with these two - whether they are snooping through dumpsters where people have dumped old furniture or just watching one of their favorite TV shows, there is never a dull moment.
Unfortunately the pandemic was not kind to Andrew's career and that is where the struggle began for these two. Andrew decided to become a full stack developer, which involved a lot of learning and rejection from job opportunities. While Lisa held things together for a while with her job at The North Carolina Harm Reduction Coalition, the spike in rent and dwindling financial resources cost Lisa and Andrew their apartment in January of 2023. it has been a hard road for these two while navigating life without a stable home, but they have begun to figure out this environment and more importantly, they have learned to love all the little things in life that they do feel blessed to have. Whether its a meal at Freddy's, courtesy of Andrew's loving parents or its walking their little furry best friend Magnolia through the meadow they share their tent in, Lisa and Andrew can say that they regret nothiing about their life and believe that they are blessed to have each other and to be alive each day.
Times have been hard, especially recently with the cold weather setting in and with it more difficult for them to make money without work. But they continue to put in job applications and pray the right opportunity will present itself and help lift them out of their current situation. Times have seemed very dark lately and they have realized that they need to do some stuff differently to spark real change. But how dark it is before the light they say!
This website and blog was created as a creative outlet, a way to help other homeless individuals, and also as a way to ask for your kindness and help as they try to make enough money to get a home to live in. Andrew has deployed his skills as a developer and Lisa has applied her experience in helping homeless people from her time as an outreach worker and her own experience with homelessness to bring you this website full of stories, resources, and hope for a better future. If you have felt like they deserve a helping hand, liked what you've read, or just straight up want to be an awesome and amazing person, please feel free to visit the [Donation Page](/donate) and contribute to their cause or purchase something off their wishlist - they will be beyond grateful for your kindness and you will receive an awesome digital thank you card and potentially some stickers or t-shirt in the future!
Lisa and Andrew want to thank you for visiting our little space on the internet where we can share our story with you and hopefully spark change to help homeless individuals - or at least change your perception of the homeless. God willing they find their way out of this mess and they can spread their message in a way to help others in need. Thank you!
