Jacob Folger spent 13 years of his life homeless, starting when he left home at 14 to escape a violent father. He joined the army at 18, and became a handyman when he completed his tour of duty. He employed and housed homeless people through his business in Herndon, Virginia, and later ran a small private home for those leaving homelessness in New York City. A struggle with burnout and alcoholism led him to another period of homelessness. After he got sober and housed in 2007, he launched Friend to the Homeless (friendtothehomeless.org), which helps people who have not experienced homelessness connect with the experiences of those who have.
