At 22 years old, Hakki Akdeniz stepped off a bus in New York City with no money, no English, and no idea where his next meal would come from.

Today, Hakki Akdeniz is the founder of Champion Pizza, the owner of several successful restaurants across NYC, and now the author of a powerful new children’s book, “Homeless Not Helpless.”

The new book is designed to inspire young readers with the message that changed his life.

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“I remember the cold, not just the physical cold of the streets, but the emotional cold… feeling invisible,” Akdeniz told The Blast in an emotional interview. “People walked past me like I didn’t exist. I didn’t speak the language, I had no one, and every day was about surviving the next hour. But I also remember the moments of kindness. Those small things meant everything back then.”

Those fleeting moments of humanity stayed with him, becoming the foundation for what would eventually be a remarkable comeback story. His turning point came in the form of a job at a pizzeria.

“It wasn’t much, but it gave me purpose and structure,” he recalled. “Someone took a chance on me, and that was all I needed. That little door opened, and I ran through it. I was able to start dreaming again.”

Akdeniz credits his mother’s words for helping him push forward in his darkest moments.  “My mother always told me to believe in myself and to be a good person, no matter what,” he said. “Even when I had nothing, I kept trying to help others in small ways, and that gave me strength. It reminded me that I still had value.”

Now, with “Homeless Not Helpless,” he’s passing on that same sense of value and belief to children who might be facing their own uphill battles.

“I wanted kids to know they are not alone,” he explained. “Many children today face struggles they shouldn’t have to, like poverty, bullying, feeling different. I wanted to give them hope early. If I could survive what I went through, they can too.”

Writing the book wasn’t just about sharing a story, it was also about healing.

“Reliving the moments of pain… thinking about that young version of myself, scared, cold, and alone. It still hurts,” he said. “But putting it into a story for kids turned that pain into something powerful. It made me realize how far I’ve come.”

The book’s message is simple but deeply resonant. “I hope they feel seen. I hope they feel strong,” Akdeniz said. “And I hope they know that no matter how hard life gets, they are never helpless. There’s always hope, and there’s always someone who cares.”

In a full-circle moment, Akdeniz is donating proceeds from the book to organizations that help the homeless, a decision rooted in gratitude and purpose.

“Every time I give back now, I see my younger self in those I’m helping,” he told The Blast. “I remember the pain, and now I get to be the hand reaching out. That’s the most beautiful feeling in the world.”

His philanthropic focus is clear. “I want to support shelters that focus on helping families and children,” he explained. “Also, organizations that provide job training and mental health support. I believe it’s not just about getting people off the streets, it’s about helping them rebuild their lives.”

Having gone from homeless to a successful entrepreneur and now an author and advocate, Akdeniz’s definition of success has evolved. “Back then, success was a warm meal and a safe place to sleep,” he said. “Today, success is being able to lift others up. It’s not about money or fame to me. It’s about making a difference and staying true to who you are.”

As for what’s next? Akdeniz has big plans.

“I want to write more books, especially ones that inspire kids,” he shared. “I want to expand my community work. I want to keep growing Champion Pizza and my other endeavors like Wabi Nori, Elia on the River, and my newest NYC restaurant, Mira. But most of all, I want to keep showing people that no matter how dark life gets, there’s always a light.”

And for the countless children who will now hear his story for the first time, that light shines a little brighter thanks to “Homeless Not Helpless.”