I wish I could point you at somebody, but since the bottom dropped out of Tony Hsieh's little bro kingdom downtown, Vegas hasn't had much of a startup tech community. I mean, if you hang around the Arts District and strike up conversations with nerdy people, you might have some luck, but even housed people wouldn't be guaranteed and I couldn't even tell you who to talk to or which startups even exist in Vegas anymore, since I left five years ago.
As far as being homeless goes, you're in a hard town for it, but I'm sure you know that. Catholic Charities is one of the few places you can reach out to, they're just north of downtown near Vegas and Foremaster. If you had a car you could move around between Walmart parking lots. Shelter space is effectively nil.
I know you're probably scared shitless, because I've literally been exactly where you are - a homeless dev in Vegas. (If you're at a café using the wifi, especially downtown or down Maryland, I've been where you're sitting.) If I were still in town I could offer you more help, but everyone I knew in Vegas tech either moved away or died.
The Arts District, maybe Commercial Center these days, the UNLV area: those are places I would think you might meet people who can help and sympathize with your situation. Believe me when I say that I understand and I wish you the very best of luck.
You can do this and get out of that situation. I know because I did.
Perhaps also put a way of contacting you in your bio.
Otherwise that is going to take up all your attention and prevent you from getting a (better) job.
If that isn't possible, do whatever you can to build some stability in your life and then worry about the tech work after that. It's a lot easier to focus on software projects when the core parts of your life are stable. Don't feel bad about not being able to accomplish software projects if you have bigger, more immediate life needs to work on first. Wishing you the best!
The reason I bring that up, is that because a good social worker might be able to find you a job training or placement program that utilize those skills, but more traditional routes may not. Even if it's just giving you a space to work would be very helpful
Especially in a big place like Las Vegas, I think you could find an eager-beaver librarian, who might be willing to help you find suitable employment opportunities given the situation.
Another thing about the public library is that… For lack of better phrasing, it's a safe place that puts members of the housed community in touch with members of the unhoused community. So, my thinking is:
if you can get involved with the public library, and find a librarian to take an interest in your case, through the services and positioning of the library, this could get you some exposure to media/journalists to bring attention to your situation, and maybe a company that might be willing to take the chance. It's a bridge.
https://detr.nv.gov/Page/Work_Opportunity_Tax_Credit
It's an easy process to get certified as a business and take advantage of the credit. You might share this with prospective Nevada employers.
vyasaveda•16h ago
crlapples•16h ago
vyasaveda•13h ago
Similar to product hunt, but for early stage, focusing on zero to one stage, from idea to iteration and PMF only.
crlapples•7h ago