For most of my life, I’ve tried to build businesses that solve real problems. But some of the most meaningful work I’ve been part of hasn’t happened in boardrooms—it’s happened quietly, in church basements, street corners, and donated kitchens. That’s where you see the other side of impact—the part that can’t be measured in sales or viewership, but in restored dignity and changed lives.

Homelessness isn’t a new problem. But it’s a growing one, and too often it’s treated as just a political talking point or a line item in a bloated budget. After watching billions of dollars spent with little accountability or visible change, I’ve come to believe that local, faith-driven, community-based approaches are some of the most effective ways to truly help people. They’re not always flashy, but they are personal—and that makes all the difference.

It Starts With Seeing People

One thing you learn quickly when you get involved in helping the homeless is that it’s not just about shelter. Shelter is essential, of course. But what people really need is to be seen, heard, and valued. They need community, and assistance that addresses more than one dimension of homelessness causation. 

Church-based programs, in particular, tend to start from this place. Whether it’s a hot meal, a clean pair of socks, or just someone who remembers your name, these simple acts of kindness carry weight. They build trust. They remind people that they’re still human, even if the world has stopped treating them that way.

The truth is, most people living on the streets didn’t plan for their lives to end up this way. There’s often a string of setbacks—job loss, mental health struggles, addiction, family breakdowns. One thing goes wrong, and then another, until the floor gives way. What they need isn’t just a cot for the night. They need a path back to stability.

What the Big Systems Miss

I don’t want to dismiss the efforts of cities or states. There are good people in government trying to make a difference. But the scale of the problem often overwhelms the system, and bureaucracy doesn’t always know how to deal with broken lives on a personal level.

Worse, we’ve now seen clear evidence that massive spending doesn’t guarantee results. California has spent over $24 billion on homelessness in recent years—with no clear way to track how or whether that money helped people move off the streets. That’s not just disappointing; it’s discouraging for the communities that are trying to make real change.

Big programs can offer resources, but real recovery happens through relationships. That’s where faith-based efforts excel. They’re not limited by office hours or paperwork. They’re driven by compassion, accountability, and a willingness to walk alongside someone through the long process of rebuilding.

What We’re Doing With Joshua’s Collective

Several years ago, my family and I began working more directly with local churches and programs that serve the homeless, and have come to study the causes of homelessness, and which of the many varied solutions are effective-and those that aren’t. We’re in the process of launching Joshua’s Collective to support faith-based initiatives that focus on the long-term—not just feeding someone for a night, but helping them heal and find their footing again.

We’ve helped plant churches, support clothing drives, provide meals, and more recently, fund efforts that look at transitional housing and counseling. These aren’t large-scale operations. But they are personal. And they work because they’re rooted in relationships, not red tape.

The people leading these efforts aren’t doing it for credit. Most of them are volunteers. Many have been through hardship themselves. But they believe in second chances. They believe in seeing the whole person, not just their problems.

Faith as a Framework for Accountability

Faith-based programs often get misunderstood. Some people assume they’re just about preaching or charity. But at their best, these programs bring structure, mentorship, and long-term accountability—the very things that help someone rebuild their life.

They provide more than just physical help. They offer spiritual and emotional support. They create community and belonging, which are absolutely vital when someone is trying to break the cycle of homelessness. They also tend to be more transparent with their impact. When people donate or serve, they want to know their time and money are making a difference. And in a local church setting, you often see that impact firsthand.

We All Have a Role to Play

I’m not a social worker. I’ve spent most of my life in business, building companies in credit, branding, and media. But I believe that leadership doesn’t stop when you leave the office. If you have the ability to give or serve, you have the responsibility to make it count.

We don’t have to wait for the government to get it right. We can support what’s working at the local level. That might mean giving to a church-led shelter program, volunteering at a meal service, or simply asking how we can help the people right outside our doors.

Solving homelessness will take more than money. It’ll take trust. It’ll take patience. And it will absolutely take a human approach.

When I look at the big picture, I’m hopeful—not because I think the system is perfect, but because I’ve seen what happens when communities come together to care. Faith-based solutions don’t just manage homelessness—they aim to end it, one person at a time. And they do it with love, respect, and purpose.

If we can bring more of that into the conversation, I believe we’ll see more lasting change. We’ll stop just counting tents and start counting lives restored.

That’s the kind of impact I want to be part of. And I hope others will, too.