Children Facing Homelessness--What They Really Think

PRESS RELEASE - For Immediate Release - 9/25/18

Contacts: 

Rev. Dr. Ron Greene at 630-728-9034 or ronogreene@gmail.com

Diane Nilan, 630-267-5424 or diane@hearus.us

The world premiere broadcast of the award-winning children's book, "Where Can I Build My Volcano?”  will be held on Sunday, October 28, 2018, 10:00 a.m. as part of the community worship service at Christ United Methodist Church in Algonquin, IL. This true-to-life story of Susan, the young girl whose homelessness unfolds in a riveting tale of heartbreak and compassion, conveys this issue from a child’s viewpoint.

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Hanging out at the frenetic shelter at Hesed House in Aurora, IL over 20 years ago gave Naperville Sun photojournalist (now retired) Pat Van Doren an inspiration that has helped countless homeless kids over the years. That experience is getting an exciting boost thanks to Ron Greene, pastor of Christ United Methodist Church in Algonquin.

Van Doren’s passion led to her writing the iconic children’s book, “Where Can I Build My Volcano?” This true-to-life story of Susan, the young girl whose homelessness unfolds in a riveting tale of heartbreak and compassion, reflects uncommon realism. This award-winning book’s compelling illustrations by Van Doren’s colleague Wanda Platt perfectly depict the story, in a book that has been distributed nationally over the past 2 decades.

Naperville-based nonprofit HEAR US Inc. wanted to highlight the Volcano book for the 20th anniversary of publication. HEAR US board member Van Doren pursued several leads to get the story converted into a screenplay, seemingly to no avail. Rev. Greene got wind of her efforts and stepped up, creating a script suitable for a no-frills performance as a “radio” broadcast, including projected images from the book’s illustrations. Following a recent rehearsal reading of the script, Rev. Greene admitted, “It melted my emotional defenses and made me feel at one with these victims of circumstances.” 

“Homelessness among families is sadly still a growing reality,” pointed out Diane Nilan, president/founder of HEAR US, the national nonprofit that gives voice and visibility to children and youth experiencing homelessness. “Van Doren’s book is unmatched when it comes to conveying the reality of kids in homeless situations.” Nilan, who ran the shelter at Hesed House, has spent the past 13 years living in a small van, traveling throughout the country filmingfamily/youth homelessness, creating short documentaries.

The world premiere performance of “Where Can I Build My Volcano?” will be held at Christ UMC on Oct. 28, 10:00 a.m., during their community worship service. Free will donations accepted. The book will be available for purchase at the event and is also sold through the HEAR US website.

HEAR US will work with Rev. Greene to create a Volcano package suitable for distribution. “It’s a story that needs to be shared far and wide,” commented Nilan. “Children and adults will benefit by this touching tale.” Once inspired, HEAR US suggests people check out their new “Charlie’s Compassion Challenge,” found on the HEAR US website. 

“I had no idea when I wrote this book that it would be so relevant 20 years later,” observed Van Doren. “We need to inspire more compassion!” 

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