As I was roaming around a lovely little beach town called Ventura, just north of Los Angeles County, in California, and I was taken by surprise by a quiet little group of people sitting at a booth. The booth was at the exit of the Ventura County Fair and this group looked care worn, tired even out of place, but they had a purpose. They would sit at their table reservedly until someone approached them, and if asked any questions, shyly answered but something would light up in their eyes and it had an impact I can't find words for. These people were obviously homeless, or living in a shelter, and even though I could easily see the message they wanted to share was very important to them, they were all very unassuming and kept a distance from me and my family. I stood and listened to their stories and they explained to me what Hearts of Fire was about and how it was helping their situations. Someone saw these people, they didn't just look at them, hand them a few dollars and walk away feeling sad for them. Someone saw them and thought about them and felt for them, and decided to give them some real, lasting help. From that beginning consciencious thought was birthed the idea that became "Hearts of Fire" Project.

"Empowering homeless people through artistic self-expression.....I am learning that Hearts of Fire Project is a Social-Profit, 501(c)(3) Organization.

The HEARTS OF FIRE PROJECT is a non-profit organization committed to empowering homeless people through through their individual and collective expression of art and music. This organization allows homeless people to express their humanity to the world in this way.

While participating in this venue, the homeless people have a voice and to be actually seen and heard is a matter these people live with every day. nothing brings people down and depresses individual more than having to deal with being invisible.

The Hearts of Fire Project utilizes a mobile recording studio and art workshops at the site of homeless peoples' habitats to facilitate, capture and publisize the vast pool of artistic talent hidden in the culture of these homeless people. Through this organization the world is being educaed, inspired and moved to become involved in supporting the valuable talents and potential lost in the homeless until now.

Artistic works of the Homeless that are generated by this project are displayed at major events. Homeless organizations, participating art galleries and museums exhibit exhibit these Works of Art. Music CD's and art prints are also sold to raise funds for the perpetuation of the project. Films are submitted to Festivals and independant distribution outlets for exhibition at appropriate venues. In reference to the philosophy of "Give a man a fish and he eats for a day, but teach a man to fish and he is able to feed himself for a lifetime"...Artists and agencies share in the proceeds, shelters use these funds to develop and present art and music programs base on the Hearts o Fire Model and Artists receive commissions based on the sale of their work.

Below is the Organizational Statement of Vision:

"Hearts Of Fire Project"

Standing for the greatness of homeless people and the huge contribution they hold for the world.

Generating a new and radical interpretaion of who they are:

• the vanguard of a new culture based on the dignity and inherent value of human beings.
• people who have voluntarily or involuntarily stepped outside our consumer culture.

Building a platform that empowers homeless people to show the world who they are.

Providing love, acceptance and connection.

It isn't wise to give homeless people or the needy in your neighborhood cash, it will not be spent on the kind of help they need, like phamaceudical medications or shelter or food. You know in your hearts where that money will go. So what you can do to positively enrich and improve the lives of homeless people is to join and organization that will put the money into what these people need and help them come out of their depression and stagnation. If you volunteer ionce a month or contribute the price of a hamburger and coffee once a week, and when you come into an amount of extra cash or income tax refund, give 10% to and organization like Hearts of Fire...this my friends is real help, real help in a positive direction. The government realizes that if everyone gives $1.00 a year at income tax time to a charity it's a significant amount of money to make a difference, that is why at income tax time you are asked for $1.00 and most people say yes. What if everyone you know gave $1.00 or $5.00 a month to Hearts of Fire....do you get the point? The right organization will make a significant difference! So Your Best Investment is in Other Human Beings, improving their lives will greatly improve your own!

http://hubpages.com/_080109myguys/user/new

This http:/address will take you to more updated hubpages information.  If you would like to earn money by writing articles, or Hubs, like this one, click above for more information.