One hundred percent of the funds raised by Homeless For One Week goes to a non for profit charity.
Every year we partner with a different reputable charity. All selections are researched online and through Charity Navigator, which is the nation's largest and most-utilized evaluator of charities.
Although we here at Homeless for One Week are all volunteers, our reward comes from the lives that we change and hearts that's affected by our actions.
We're all passionate about helping the homeless. Ultimately we just want to make a difference in any way we can.
If you're interested in volunteering or supporting us, please send an email to homelessforoneweek@gmail.com.
Homeless For One Week Members:
Founder and Project Director:
Yusef Ramelize currently works as the Production and Creative Manager
of Informa plc, one of the largest publishing companies in the world.
He holds a BFA in Electronic Design and Multimedia from the City College of New York. In his spare time, Ramelize does freelance marketing projects ranging from print ads for pop culture magazines, catalogs to business logos.
Going above and beyond passionate talks of wanting to make a difference, Ramelize took action and is the Founder and Project Director of Homeless For One Week, an annual initiative he started in 2009 to raise awareness about homelessness in New York City. His plan is to be homeless for a week every year, while raising money and awareness about homelessness through video blogs and interviews.
As a result, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer honored him with a proclamation as Artist and Activist against Homelessness and he was nominated as NY1 News’ “Queens, NY Person of The Week” for his charitable spirit and promoting awareness through his Homeless For One Week project. Homeless For One Week has been featured in NYDaily News, NY Post, RT News, The Village Voice, ELAN Magazine, Arabnews.com, America.gov and DNAinfo.com.
In addition, Yusef Ramelize works on community projects such as being the Community Outreach Director at CAMP (Council for the Advancement of Muslim Professionals), and as a Creative Consultant for Elan Online Magazine (A Muslim lifestyle online magazine).
Project Manager:
Matt grew up in Ithaca, NY and attended a small liberal arts college in Ohio. He has a love for big cities, and studied in Tokyo, Japan where he first developed his love for urban development and social policy.
In 2009, Matt moved to New York City to earn his Master's degree in urban policy from The New School. Since graduating, Matt has worked with a variety of advocates and nonprofit organizations throughout New York.
Matt is passionate about media and politics, and loves to connect people to issues they care about through new media. Matt works in City Hall.
Matt has been a member of the Homeless for one week team since 2010.
Communication Manager:
Samira Abdul-Karim graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from Wesleyan University with an academic focus on Muslim Cultures and identity. She has traveled to several countries in East Africa and the Arabian Gulf in the pursuit of her studies. After completing her degree, Samira joined the Social Science Research Council in New York in the office of Executive Director. In 2009 she was presented with the opportunity to return Muscat, Oman, where she had previous studied, to join the World Learning Oman Center.
She is currently living and working there as the Student Affairs Coordinator for programs that encourage cultural and linguistic immersion and intercultural exchange. She is the newest member of the Homeless for one week team.
Volunteers: (2011 Volunteers TBA)
