Project (In)visible

Eliminating the NPC Effect one person at a time

This world is full of invisible people.

In the gaming world, we might call these people “NPCs” or “Non-Player Characters.” Maybe your neighbor is one; you wave at them in the morning as each of you head out for your day, but you don’t know much about them. Or the barista who serves you in the drive-thru each morning with a smile; you might know his or her name. They could even be in your own family, each of whom is deep in their own screens each day because the demands of work and school don’t stop socially or professionally just because you’ve left the office or campus.

People experiencing homelessness are some of the most NPCed in this world. When many of us were little, we were taught “not to look or stare” at these people, that they’re just addicts and lazy people who don’t want to work and don’t deserve a handout, or that they are dangerous. The silent message that was taught to so many of us was that the poverty these people are experiencing somehow makes them less worthy people.

We were taught wrong.

Interaction makes existence real. For every human, being seen by others is what makes us more than NPCs. Being visible to people, and having them really see you, is a fundamental need that all of us have, and the world feels lonely and harsh when that need is not met.

For myself, I didn’t realize that lesson until this last year, when so many lessons became obvious as they were laid bare in front of us, and the inequities of modern society became impossible to ignore. I wish I could say that was the entire impetus behind this project, but what really spurred me to action was winning an unexpected award.

I’d made some videos to help people around me understand the mental health challenges that they might be facing during that first toilet paperless shutdown, drawing from my own experience living with cPTSD, anxiety, and depression for over 20 years. My dear friend Erin was in a dark place at that time, and she let me know how much those videos meant to her and helped her… by nominating me for the 2021 Community Service Award at our local apartment association, WMFHA. I was truly touched by the gesture of the nomination, though I wasn’t sure it really counted as community service, and absolutely stunned when I won.

She made me feel visible.

She brought me in.

And the feeling of being seen as I was by others made me realize how important that feeling is for all of us. And once that realization hit, my eyes began to scan everywhere I went - workplaces, small gatherings of friends, customer service staff. I found that the world around me was also full of invisible people, and I wanted to do something about it. I found that the most unseen people out there were those people who were experiencing homelessness, and once I started to see these people, I couldn’t go back to the convenient blindness I’d been raised with.

The level of need surrounding me was overwhelming at first. There was no way I could help everyone or even a lot of people. I was just one person. But eventually, I realized that just because you can’t fix everything doesn’t mean you can’t do anything.

It started with buying 50 emergency blankets and 12 pairs of tube socks. I’d hand them out when I saw someone in need - it was winter by then and I knew those two things could help. Then as summer hit out in Seattle, we faced the deadly effects of a long-lasting heat dome over the PNW. I ordered bottles of water, granola bars, sunscreen, bandaids, and tuna salad kits, and packaged them all together, hoping that it might help get people through a few more days. When it was possible, I sat and talked with the people who were in need. You could see that just being recognized as a human being made such an impact on them, and it was because they weren’t just NPCs anymore.

Someone brought them in. Someone reminded them that they were visible.

And that’s something everyone can do.

Since then, Project (In)visible has grown to become one of my biggest personal and professional causes. Between 15-20% of my yearly net profit is funneled back into this project, as well as other fundraising efforts. If you would like to help, you can donate funds through our GoFundMe page, or you can buy items and have them sent via our Project (In)visible Amazon Wishlist. You can also schedule a feel-good education session with me for your company or association to help encourage you to reach out to those in your communities, or even in your own office.

At this time, Project (In)visible is NOT a non-profit with tax-deductible status. We are planning on working towards that as our work grows, but cannot provide that at this time.

If your company or association is interested in a great keynote about the power of being seen, or a keynote followed up with a service and team building activity, please reach out to me and I’d be happy to find a spot for your company or association on my schedule.

Until we meet again, I ask that you see those around you. Remind them they’re visible and that they matter. Invite them in.