11 votes

My story as a homeless developer

2 comments

  1. [2]
    what
    Link
    Very interesting article, and I wanted to draw special attention to this HN comment: I've never heard of it before, but Lambda School (or, I guess more specifically, the Lambda Perpetual Access...

    Very interesting article, and I wanted to draw special attention to this HN comment:

    Hey Jesse,
    I'm also formerly homeless, and now the cofounder of https://LambdaSchool.com (YC S17). We have a nonprofit fund designed specifically to help out homeless software engineers looking for a job.
    I'd love to put you in a cheap airbnb or apartment, hook you up with Lambda School's career services team who will help review your resume, get your github and portfolio in shape, practice interviewing, and help you land a job. We've already seen multiple success stories (for example David https://www.kron4.com/news/bay-area/homeless-man-handing-out..., who is now making almost $100k/yr).
    Generous donors have allowed us to continue to grow the fund after Lambda School's original $50,000 contribution.
    I know how hard it is to focus on getting a job when you're just trying to survive, so let's try to eliminate that distraction. Hit me up at austen@lambdaschool.com and let's help you focus and get to where you need to be.
    PS if anyone on HN wants to donate to the fund it's here - https://www.gofundme.com/lambda-perpetual-access-fund. Generally we can help someone who knows how to write code go from homeless to hired with a couple thousand dollars all-in.

    I've never heard of it before, but Lambda School (or, I guess more specifically, the Lambda Perpetual Access Fund) seems like a really cool initiative, definitely something worth checking out and potentially donating to.

    6 votes
    1. iDanoo
      Link Parent
      You have to be careful with that kind of thing. This one seems great - but another I saw awhile back would give you a MacBook, accommodation in SF and training then you'd have to pay it back after...

      You have to be careful with that kind of thing. This one seems great - but another I saw awhile back would give you a MacBook, accommodation in SF and training then you'd have to pay it back after you start earning over 50k/year. It can definitely help some people but others it'll start a huge hole of debt that is a struggle to climb out of.

      2 votes