Institute For The Future

The Learning Shelter: Making a Deep Impact on Homelessness

When extreme learning, the maker movement, and social entrepreneurship meet, a life can dramatically change.

Marc Roth moved to San Francisco to make a better life for his family, but he soon became ill and unable to work. After six months living in a homeless shelter, he used assistance money to take classes at TechShop, a makerspace that provides tools and training for members. Marc learned new skills that led to starting his own laser cutting business, and, more importantly, he found support in an active and engaged community.

Now Marc wants to help others who have fallen on hard times and don’t have the skills needed to enter today’s technology-driven economy. He founded The Learning Shelter, a 90-day program that provides housing, training, and mentorship for obtaining a job. A true extreme learner, Marc is teaching others what he learned: that the “permission to fail and encouragement to break through the walls you run into [are] absolutely necessary.”

IFTF supports Marc’s vision for making the future—and you can, too. From now until March 4, you can make a tax-deductible donation to The Learning Shelter’s Indiegogo campaign.

One man can spark social change. Help Marc and The Learning Shelter make the world a better place.