This is the story of a completely ordinary person building a community of hope. The most important lesson that Chris Baker, Founder of The Other Ones Foundation, learned on his journey was the importance of having his ideas challenged and listening to those society has pushed to the fringes. From a chance encounter with a benevolent stranger, to an unexpected partnership with the state of Texas, Chris learned to set aside his preconceived notions and got to work changing his little corner of the world. Chris Baker is the founder and Executive Director of The Other Ones Foundation, a nonprofit on a mission to transition Austin's unhoused neighbors into an engaged community through shelter, opportunity, and support. Since graduating from the State University of New York at Oneonta in 2007, Chris has worked many different jobs in the field of homeless services and activism, but also as a musician, writer, and even paralegal. He started The Other Ones Foundation in the summer of 2017 to bring his innovative ideas for addressing homelessness to life via a client centered, people first approach. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx