Seven women share their stories of homelessness that resound nationwide and throughoutaffluent DuPage County.
Melissa, one of the OTE women
[Naperville, IL, April 29, 2013] The award-winning
documentary, on the edge: Family Homelessness in America, riveting stories
of seven women’s experiences of homelessness, returns to Naperville Friday, May
10, 7 pm, the monthly feature of DuPage Peace With Justice Coalition’s Just Views film night.
“This is a timely event, on Mother’s Day weekend, because of
millions of invisible mothers who experience homelessness,” points out Diane
Nilan, founder and president of HEAR US Inc., a Naperville-based national
nonprofit to give voice and visibility to homeless families. Nilan and
Professor Laura Vazquez filmed and produced the documentary, which has won
several honors and has aired on PBS.
Listening to mothers speak of their path to and through
homelessness gives a perspective not often considered, according to Nilan, a
national authority on this issue. “The audience response to this film continues
to be quite gratifying," she pointed out. She’s screened OTE to a variety
of audiences from Congress to corrections’ facilities to colleges as she’s
traveled for the past 8 years in her small motorhome on her mission to incite a
“compassion epidemic” to address homelessness. “Audiences hear the stories of
experts, women who capably articulate the challenges of homelessness from their
day-to-day struggles. As sad as their stories are, they are also inspiring.”
The film has relevance here in DuPage, one of the wealthiest
counties in the country. Many families experiencing homelessness in the area
are invisible, not staying at shelters. With over 17,000 in the county living
in deep poverty, half the poverty level, thousand of families and individuals
fall into and face a steep climb out of homelessness, with shelter beds full
and subsidized housing unavailable. The sequester
and continuing economic unrest will add to these numbers.
Nilan will lead a discussion following the film screening.
The event, held at the DuPage Unitarian Universalist church, 1828 Old
Naperville Rd., Naperville, is open to the public, no
charge. Copies of the on the edge DVDs will be available for sale at the event, $30. Info http://jv.dupagepeacethroughjustice.org
or http://hearus.us.
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