William Burnett. November 16, 2017 by The Picture the Homeless Oral History Project

William Burnett joined Picture the Homeless (PTH)as a member in 2004, and has been instrumental in leading the Housing and Potters Field Campaigns, and is also a Board member of PTH. Listen to William describe his early life history and devout Catholicism, why he became a conscientious objector in the military, subsequent decision to attend Seminary, meeting the Pope and the impact that had on his evolving social justice vision. William shares how he first met PTH as a journalist, and why he joined PTH as a member when he himself became homeless. We hear his experience in the NYC shelter system as a low wage worker, what the organizing culture at PTH was like and how it evolved, including being a welcoming space where homeless folks created an authentic community and led decision making within the organization not "policy analysts", how direct action helped to shape deep relationships within PTH, his induction into the Potters Field campaign by another member, his work on the vacant property count and side walk sleep-outs in the rain and the meaning of heroic.