Here's why…
Leo Grand worked at MetLife until he was fired in 2011. He then moved to the streets when a new building in his neighborhood caused his rent to soar. Things were looking grim, and Leo almost began to think of his new life as the norm. In fact, Leo never really lost hope during his ordeal. He says, "life can still be good, even if you're homeless." Life could get better, though, starting today.
A few months ago, Patrick McConlogue, a New York City programmer, noticed that he was seeing the same man hanging out on the sidewalk on his way to work. "He just had something about him...He was benching [boat chains] as a workout, and it was half tragic, and half, like, ‘this guy is not done.'"
And so, McConlogue decided to make a proposition. The next day, he presented the stranger with a choice between $100, and an opportunity to learn how to code software.
Leo, fully understanding the good fortune that had befallen him, took the second option, which included a used Samsung Chromebook with 3G connectivity, three JavaScript textbooks, and a bag for concealing the computer. Later, this package would include a WiFi hotspot and solar powered charger. Since 23-year-old McConlogue was still getting started in his own career, this was a pretty big investment.
Being the techie that he is, Patrick blogged about the entire experience from the beginning. The first public post was entitled "Finding the Unjustly Homeless, and Teaching Them to Code," which was met with much negativity.
Many onlookers, who curiously haven't divulged any of their own long-term ideas for helping the poor, have accused McConlogue of exploiting Leo, either out of ignorance, or a need to gain attention for his good deed. Most naysayers felt it would be better to find housing or food for his homeless friend, who was already surviving on his own in the elements, than to teach him such a bourgeois skill as coding.
These people were, however, overlooking the long-term effects of learning something that, even for the affluent, is a desired and marketable skillset.
When asked about his role in this story, Leo explained that he doesn't feel like he's being used by Patrick. In fact, he could care less. "I know I'm learning something and that's what I care about," he says. "I can go through $100 in a few days. In a week. But [McConlogue] told me I could have a laptop and learn how to do something, and I figured it could turn into something more."
Holding to the deal, these two have been meeting regularly, every morning, learning the basic, intermediate, and advanced aspects of JavaScript. Later, the plan evolved into building a smartphone app based on Leo's own ideas.
"I don't need a million dollars to be happy...but I do need oxygen, I need fresh water, and I need a stable environment." This outlook has led the newfound nerd to develop a product for an environmental cause--a carpooling app, Trees for Cars, to combat global warming, with each line of code written by a man who just started developing this past August.
At only 99 cents, and with all proceeds going straight to Leo's ongoing journey, it's hard to say no to this download. Leo doesn't fit the stereotype of homelessness. He once had a decent job, never drinks, never smokes, and never blames others for his predicament. Moreover, he has always respected the authority figures who keep him safe on the streets, even when finding himself in their crosshairs.
A few days before a scheduled appearance on The Today Show, Leo was arrested for trespassing when found sleeping on a bench. His computer and several other learning materials were confiscated during his booking, and a clerical error made it difficult to get them back. At this point, tens of thousands of people were already fans, and Leo's popularity persuaded the NYPD to return his belongings.
His reaction to this whole ordeal: "The police were doing their job. The officer who arrested me was just following orders and was very polite."
Leo's future may now be in the hands of the public, who will decide whether to give him a second chance this time around. A man who wants to work, has worked, and maintains an everlasting curiosity to learn, is asking for your investment.
Author Bio
This article is written by Jeremy Rappaport from Fueled, an award winning mobile app design and development house based in New York and London.
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