In 2013, Dasani Coates was thrust into a role no child should bear. As the eldest sibling of eight, a weight of responsibility was pressed upon her 11-year-old shoulders. Diapers changed, meals prepared and little hands led to the school gate, she navigated a world far removed from the innocence of childhood.

Children are not often the face of homelessness, but their stories are heartbreaking and sobering.

Dasani was just another number among the 22,000 homeless children in New York, the highest number since the Great Depression.

Dasani was, in many ways, invisible … until Andrea Elliott.

For nearly a decade, journalist Andrea Elliott immersed herself in Dasani's life and chronicled her family’s journey through hunger, violence, racism, addiction and homelessness in New York City.

On Tuesday, March 5, Elliott will speak alongside Dasani, whose childhood is documented in the book “Invisible Child: Poverty, Survival and Hope in an American City.”

Join us on March 5, 2024 from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. for a powerful discussion on the use of immersive storytelling as a tool to fight systemic poverty, and leave empowered to make issues that face our community more visible to all.

General admission and VIP tickets are now available. VIP tickets include preferred seating and a book signing.

Seating is limited, so be sure to secure your spot today.

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Thank you to our generous sponsors:

Glick Philanthropies, National Bank of Indianapolis, RISE INDY, Singer Wealth Advisors, and VOX Global.