Downingtown resident Frank Nicolazzo recently launched a three-day “homeless experience” to raise awareness and funds for CityTeam, a Christian nonprofit in Chester that serves community members who are experiencing homelessness, poverty, hunger, and addiction, writes Peg DeGrassa for the Daily Local News.

Nicolazzo, who works as a support-service professional with The Arc of Chester County, decided to embark on the personal journey after the pandemic left so many people struggling and without a roof over their heads.

To better understand their plight and hopefully raise awareness of homelessness, he decided to walk in their shoes for a few days.

He left the comfort of his home with only $10 in his pocket and started living out of his car. He also altered his appearance, so it would seem he had been living on the streets for longer than that.

For the three days, he experienced hard stares, having dirt swept on him from a café, and getting soaking wet from the rain. But he was also met with overwhelmingly kind people who gave him food or change.

In the end, Nicolazzo managed to raise $549 for CityTeam, nearly doubling his original goal of $300.

Read more about the fundraising experience in the Daily Local News here.