We chat with Jeff Rotmeyer, founder of Impact HK, about his vision for the city’s homeless

Jeff Rotmeyer saw a need to help the growing homeless communities in Hong Kong and started an organisation that brings kindness to the streets.

There are so many ways that you can help people in The 852, from volunteering, to supporting charity organisations and donating your used goods, but Jeff Rotmeyer has taken things one step further. He recently opened The Guestroom in Tai Kok Tsui, a space where people with no fixed abode can go to enjoy a meal and company during the day. On top of that, Rotmeyer organises nightly kindness walks for Hong Kong’s homeless across the city, so we had to talk to him to find out more.

Kids & Family

Volunteer with your kids in Hong Kong

An audio interview with Jeff Rotmeyer from Impact Hong Kong

While the government statistics say that there are around 1000 registered street sleepers in Hong Kong, the truth is that no one knows just how many unregistered homeless people call the city home. Working across Yau Ma Tai, Sham Shui Po, North Point, Happy Valley and Sai Wan Ho with a group of volunteers, Jeff Rotmeyer and Impact Hong Kong service around 400 people each week thanks to their kindness walks. These walks see supplies such as toiletries and food being delivered to the people who need them most, alongside a friendly smile, with no judgement or forced interaction.

While the first step in Impact Hong Kong’s goal is to provide the homeless with a connection to friends, if relationships are established, the organisation is then able to help step in and help get people who are ready and willing into a home, with the ultimate goal to help those who are able into employment.

You can help support Jeff Rotmeyer and Impact Hong Kong in a number of ways, from attending events to volunteering on kindness walks to making donations. You can find more information through their website: www.impacthk.org

#kindnessmatters