Amplifying an event to spark community dialogue on homelessness

How Sterling’s strategic touch brought Kevin Adler’s message home. From a heartfelt book talk in Santa Cruz to media buzz and community engagement, find out how Miracle Messages is reshaping perceptions of homelessness.

Miracle Messages is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting unhoused neighbors and combating homelessness in America. Founded by Kevin F. Adler, the organization uses a pioneering approach to reconnect homeless individuals with their loved ones and provide them with a support network.

Book Talk Event

Sterling partnered with Miracle Messages pro bono to schedule and publicize a book talk event at the Santa Cruz Public Libraries and generate community interest in the organization’s mission. The occasion centered around Kevin Adler’s recently published book, When We Walk By, which details his personal journey in founding Miracle Messages and his experiences with his late uncle Mark, who was homeless and eventually passed away on the streets of Santa Cruz.

How it All Came Together

Sterling developed a comprehensive strategy to maximize the impact of the book talk event:

Event planning and execution

Venue and logistics — Secured the Santa Cruz Public Libraries as the venue, ensuring a central and accessible location for community engagement.
Panel Composition — Curated a panel featuring Kevin Adler, a person with lived experience of homelessness (beneficiary of Miracle Messages), and Chris Benner who is a UC Santa Cruz professor as the moderator. The diverse panel aimed to provide varied perspectives on homelessness and the impact of Miracle Messages.

Community engagement

Invitations — We extended invitations to Miracle Messages’ partners (1440 Foundation, Housing Matters, Human Services Department of Santa Cruz County, Community Action Board, etc.), local community leaders, and stakeholders invested in addressing homelessness.
Media Outreach — Invited local media outlets to cover the event, emphasizing the personal and community-driven aspects tied to Kevin Adler’s personal narrative and Miracle Messages’ mission.
Promotion — Leveraged radio spots, social media platforms, and newsletters to promote the event and its significance in addressing homelessness in Santa Cruz.

Event outcome

The book talk event organized by Sterling and Miracle Messages was a resounding success, achieving several key outcomes:

Educational impact — Raised awareness among the Santa Cruz community about the homeless crisis and effective ways to support unhoused neighbors, with more than 25 area residents in attendance.
Community engagement — Fostered dialogue and empathy through personal stories shared by Kevin Adler and the panelists, including an individual who shared their journey from homelessness with the help of Miracle Messages.
Media coverage — Secured media coverage from local outlets, resulting in a feature article that highlighted Kevin Adler’s book, the mission of Miracle Messages, and the urgent need for community involvement in tackling homelessness.
Radio segment — Generated a compelling radio segment that further amplified the discussion on homelessness and the role of nonprofit organizations like Miracle Messages.

Sterling’s strategic approach to the Miracle Messages book talk event not only highlighted Kevin Adler’s personal connection to Santa Cruz but also underscored the organization’s impactful mission in addressing homelessness. By effectively engaging community partners and local media, and leveraging various promotional channels, Sterling successfully increased awareness about Miracle Messages’ mission in Santa Cruz to encourage informed and supportive community engagement in response to homelessness.

Sterling’s passion project

The Sterling team found immense fulfillment in collaborating with Miracle Messages on this project, driven by a profound alignment with the organization’s mission and values, and its dedication to supporting unhoused neighbors and combating homelessness in America with empathy.

The opportunity to promote Kevin Adler’s book and facilitate the book talk event in Santa Cruz was particularly meaningful for Sterling. Kevin’s personal connection to Santa Cruz through his late uncle Mark, added a poignant layer to the project. Sterling saw this as more than just a PR initiative; it was a chance to contribute positively to the community impact of Kevin’s social responsibility initiative by raising awareness about homelessness and showcasing the transformative work of Miracle Messages.

Sterling appreciated the chance to engage with local partners, media outlets, and the Santa Cruz community at large to champion Miracle Messages and help educate and inspire individuals to take action in supporting their unhoused neighbors.

The Miracle Messages project reinforces our agency’s belief in the power of storytelling to drive positive social change and foster a more compassionate community.