Decibel
Can A Meme Save A Life? He Thinks It Can't Hurt
Clip | 6m 48sVideo has Closed Captions
Jeff Larson is sharing food and hope, one text at a time.
There are roughly 125 homeless individuals in District 4. Jeff Larson is trying to help them all, one meme at a time.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
Decibel is a local public television program presented by Austin PBS
Funding for Decibel is provided in part by Texas Mutual and Roxanne Elder & Scott Borders
Decibel
Can A Meme Save A Life? He Thinks It Can't Hurt
Clip | 6m 48sVideo has Closed Captions
There are roughly 125 homeless individuals in District 4. Jeff Larson is trying to help them all, one meme at a time.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
How to Watch Decibel
Decibel is available to stream on pbs.org and the free PBS App, available on iPhone, Apple TV, Android TV, Android smartphones, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Tablet, Roku, Samsung Smart TV, and Vizio.
- When I wake up in the morning, the first thing I do is get on my cell phone, and I send about 200 people coffee memes.
(cell phone chimes) (gentle guitar music) It sounds weird, it's coffee memes, but it really is a big deal.
- You wanna feed the camp today?
- Yeah.
- Should I give you a bunch?
- Yes, sir.
- Okay.
I send them to homeless people that I have the phone numbers of, helps me to keep in touch with them and where I can bring them food and, you know, clothing.
Are you in a camp?
Are you in a camp?
People know that the door's open if they ever need a conversation.
Jus making sure.
I was gonna give you a jacket if you didn't, okay?
You stay safe, okay?
Stay warm.
Get some canned food here.
My name is Jeff Larson, and, you know, I'd go out and counsel and help the homeless.
Now these are fresh, good sandwiches.
I have to do this on my disability pay, which isn't all that much.
Couple weeks.
- Got it?
Yeah.
- Most of my food comes from Carol's Kindness and the food pantries.
- Also put boxes in there.
- And these are to be refrigerated.
- No.
- No.
Carol started giving me the extra, and that just blew up into an amazing thing.
(gentle guitar music) We're going get this guy here.
Hey bro, my name's Jeff.
Let me give you something, a hoodie and a shirt.
God bless you man.
So I bring him stuff there.
Is this your cart?
- Yeah.
- I'm gonna put a little food in here for you.
- Yeah, put it in there.
- How about some energy drinks?
And sit down and talk to 'em for a while.
How many people you got?
Just so I can put it on the paperwork.
But I think I enjoy it more than they do.
I don't know, I just love it.
Hey, brother, how you doing man?
- How you doing?
- Good.
God bless you.
Hey, mark moved down here, right?
Mark?
Mark moved down here?
Every year.
I'll give you one.
Will you feed him?
They change.
I mean, you know, the old ones go away, and the new ones come in, and they all get replaced.
But there's always about the same number, it seems like.
- I was just thinking I didn't wanna spend my money on tacos, 'cause I need for rent.
- There you go, there you go.
- So thank you so much.
- Now you got dinner.
God bless you.
- God bless you.
- I hear a lot of COVID stories where families, so they lost their house for mortgage payments.
They almost did trespassing on you?
- Criminal trespassing.
$1000 bond.
- God bless you, man.
Be safe.
People out there who just don't know how to navigate through the court systems, and they lose everything.
When they're suffering from a mental health issue, a lot of times they just get pushed away, and they end up on the streets.
They're trying to self-medicate and, you know, and they're drinking too much or they're doing all this, but they just need treatment.
- [Volunteer] Is she gonna come back, Stewart?
- [Stewart] She's living here with her mom.
- She is gonna come back?
Then I can leave some feminine products for her.
- [Stewart] Okay.
- When they go to prison or jail, you know, it's a difficult place for them and they, you know, there's no recovery happens in there, almost no recovery.
But they do get healthier, 'cause they're not doing drugs, and they get a little sleep, they get some hygiene, and they get bathroom facilities, you know what I mean?
And they get a blanket.
But, man, you know, they come out of there in survival mode, and they go right back into the same old habits.
And if you don't get treatment, you're not gonna recover from that kind of stuff.
And they, they need it.
Well, if you got room in your backpack, I'll load you up, man.
There's a lot of them.
And they talk to me about how I do it.
You know, 'cause they really are just like me, and I really am just like them.
God bless you, brother.
(somber music) See, a long time ago, I got in a car accident, a head-on collision, you know, and I had a real, a real traumatic brain injury.
So I really couldn't communicate well.
And families don't know how to handle mental health issues.
And so they push the people with a mental health issue away 'cause they don't know how to deal with it.
My family, they pushed me away so I started trying to medicate myself and, you know, that's when I got, you know, addicted to painkillers and alcohol.
And it was a bad path.
Hey, what's up?
Hey, brother, food pantry, man.
You want some?
Well, I've had my rock bottom, and that's why I've been clean and sober now for over 10 years.
But when I go out on the streets, and I see the bottom that some people are living at and it affects me.
Are you okay on jackets, man?
Is this enough?
- [Person In Black Jacket] Yeah, that's what I got.
- That's what you got.
You know, it helps me to feel confident in my recovery and be able to, you know, guide other people in their recovery.
Joey.
- [Dog Owner] When I used to put up with people.
- It just, it works out well.
- Not me.
(gentle guitar music) - What was your name again?
- Joshua.
- Jeff.
Good to meet you, man.
God bless you.
People talk about homeless - Yes, sir.
- When they're not around them - They told me to come back and visit with you.
- They don't ever sit down with them and have a conversation with him.
And they don't ever go shake their hand or give 'em a hug or say a prayer with 'em.
Give him some freedom, man.
Give him a break.
He deserves a break, God.
Amen.
We love you.
Right over here?
And I get to do that daily.
My name is Jeff Larson, and what I would have to say my job title would be friend.
I would like to be a friend.
(gentle guitar music continues)
Now PlayingCan A Meme Save A Life? He Thinks It Can't Hurt
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 6m 48s | Jeff Larson is sharing food and hope, one text at a time. (6m 48s)
Can He Save This School In Five Months?
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 4m | Principal Walker started working at Dobie Middle School in July. Is that enough time to change it? (4m)
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 5m 35s | We spent one weekend at three Rundberg food banks while SNAP was on hold. (5m 35s)
What Does Prop Q 'Buy' Rundberg?
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 7m 56s | What will the proposed tax rate increase bring to Rundberg? And what will it cost? (7m 56s)
Residents Are Worried About ICE. They’re Celebrating Their Cultura Anyway
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 4m 21s | How one restaurant in Rundberg is celebrating Guatemalan culture in spite of immigration crackdowns. (4m 21s)
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 4m 19s | How one Rundberg group is keeping people out of jail. (4m 19s)
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 15m 48s | Does the neighborhood deserve its dangerous reputation? And if so, what can be done about it? (15m 48s)
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 5m 9s | A Rundberg makerspace builds a new kind of creative community. (5m 9s)
What Even Is The Big Beautiful Bill?
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 7m 19s | How will sweeping new legislation impact Rundberg? (7m 19s)
What Is The STAAR Test, And Why Is So Much Riding On It?
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 10m 37s | Why does this test dominate so much space in and out of the classroom? (10m 37s)
A district-managed restart for Dobie means a final curtain call for many teachers
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 8m 2s | Dobie teachers find themselves lost in the looking glass under new district-managed restart plan. (8m 2s)
They Started A Newspaper. Then Their School Became The Story.
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 7m 28s | The uncertain future of a middle school, as reported by their newspaper class. (7m 28s)
Making Space For The Future Of Rundberg
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 4m 14s | Nate Koehler is using a few hours at an after school program to build successful futures for kids. (4m 14s)
Why AISD Might Close Dobie To Save The District
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 5m 54s | Rundberg's middle school faces closure to avoid a state takeover of the district. (5m 54s)
How One Group Is Feeding Rundberg While Fasting For Ramadan
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 5m 56s | While fasting for Ramadan, one groups feeds their souls by helping others. (5m 56s)
The Texas Lege Wants To Pass School Vouchers. How Will It Impact Lower-Income Communities?
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 7m 52s | What are school vouchers? And if signed into law, what will they look like in Texas? (7m 52s)
How Las Promotoras de Salud are keeping their neighbors healthy
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 6m 36s | Medical complications took her husband’s life. She ensures her neighbors don’t go through it too. (6m 36s)
Growing Community At Garden Storytime
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 3m 32s | See how one librarian is introducing kids to green spaces, one story at a time. (3m 32s)
Tết, Tradition, & Training: How Lion Dancers Are Keeping North Austin Culture Alive
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 4m 45s | One local dance group is helping keep traditions alive and start the year off with a literal bang. (4m 45s)
Touring Rundberg with Jose Carrasco
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 5m 40s | Decibel tours Rundberg with Jose Carrasco. (5m 40s)
What Is 'The Program' And Could Austin Need It Again?
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 9m 13s | Will a program meant to get people out of flood zones be needed again in Austin? (9m 13s)
How Is This Local Food Bank Fighting Against High Food Costs And Less Donations?
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 5m 36s | Families are struggling with food costs. So are the food banks they’re going to for help. (5m 36s)
They’re Getting Offered Thousands Of Dollars For Their Homes. He Says They Deserve More
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 5m 13s | One Dove Springs resident is making sure his neighbors know how much their homes are really worth. (5m 13s)
“There Needs To Be Some Changes”: Austinites Split On HOME Phase 2
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 5m 33s | The minimum lot size for single family homes drops to 1800 square feet. (5m 33s)
Who's Getting Lower Rents In Austin?
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 7m 37s | Rent is falling across the city. But many residents are seeing their rent continue to go up. (7m 37s)
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 4m 31s | They took the job to help neighbors find housing resources. They're helping with more. (4m 31s)
‘Where Do They Go?’: Voucher Holders Struggle To Find Housin
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 5m 37s | Austin is the second-worst city in the country for housing voucher holders to find a home. (5m 37s)
The Trail that Wrote Texas History
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 6m 36s | Learn about El Camino Real de los Tejas and how it impacted Texans on and off the roads. (6m 36s)
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 4m 35s | She helps families with any resources they need. Lately they need help leaving. (4m 35s)
‘The Status Quo Is Just Not Sufficient’: Austinites On HOME
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 5m 23s | Will a land code update fix Austin's housing affordability, or make it worse? (5m 23s)
Are There Still Doves In Dove Springs?
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 4m 18s | Are the birds that gave Dove Springs its name still in the area? (4m 18s)
Why Does It Flood In Southeast Austin?
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 6m 57s | Ever wondered why some areas flood more than others? Learn why in the newest Decibel story (6m 57s)
Artist Paints Memories Of Historic Onion Creek Flood
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 5m 32s | A local artist collaborates with flood survivors on a new Austin mural. (5m 32s)
Clip | 4m 53s | One Dove Springs resident struggles with increasing temperatures and electricity bills. (4m 53s)
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 7m 12s | Parts of Austin are nearly 8 degrees hotter than others, so who's feeling the heat? (7m 12s)
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 3m 16s | Shelly Barber wants to help the local transgender community look fabulous and feel loved. (3m 16s)
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 5m 19s | A new Pflugerville farmer must contend with agricultural challenges. (5m 19s)
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 5m 10s | Tuan Nguyen brings his family's recipes to Pflugerville residents. (5m 10s)
‘We’re All In It Together’: Community Fights For School Fund
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 4m 27s | Pflugerville community fights for school funding from the state legislature. (4m 27s)
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 5m 29s | An LGBTQ+ group aims to help their neighbors even in the face of increasing threats. (5m 29s)
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 5m 7s | Fatema Hirani’s faith asks her to keep the Earth clean. But how do you do that locally? (5m 7s)
Pflugerville ISD Won’t Close Dessau Elementary School
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 1m 41s | PfISD will not be moving forward with a plan that would close Dessau Elementary School. (1m 41s)
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 4m 37s | Rising costs are shutting the gate on land for a local equine nonprofit (4m 37s)
‘There’s Some Exciting Things Coming’: Mayor Discusses The
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 5m 12s | Pflugerville residents told us what they wanted city leaders to focus on as the city grow (5m 12s)
Pflugerville Residents Pose Questions To Candidates
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 4m 2s | Pflugerville residents share concerns about their growing city. (4m 2s)
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 5m 21s | One Pflugerville food bank is trying to break bread and stigmas around food assistance. (5m 21s)
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 4m 59s | Local group tries to preserve historic Black cemetery (4m 59s)
Entrepreneurs Set Up Shop In Pflugerville
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 4m 8s | Owning a business is difficult anywhere, and Pflugerville is no exception. (4m 8s)
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 2m 42s | Decibel celebrates the end of a year-long project in Del Valle. (2m 42s)
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 4m 38s | One Del Valle resident is trying to help local kids stay safe while they bike in the area. (4m 38s)
Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship
- News and Public Affairs
Top journalists deliver compelling original analysis of the hour's headlines.
- News and Public Affairs
FRONTLINE is investigative journalism that questions, explains and changes our world.
Support for PBS provided by:
Decibel is a local public television program presented by Austin PBS
Funding for Decibel is provided in part by Texas Mutual and Roxanne Elder & Scott Borders