HEAR US Media Center

Homeless Kids Offer Reality Check to Congress

2011-12-13T14:47:00.000-06:00

Photo (C) Pat Van Doren, HEAR US

[Naperville, IL 12/13/11] Domestic violence. Poverty. Poor housing conditions. Disaster. These and other critical issues will be front and center on Thursday to members of the U.S. House of Representative's Financial Services Subcommittee, chaired by Congresswoman Judy Biggert (R-13,IL) as members consider barriers for homeless families and youth seeking help.

Children and youth who have experienced homelessness will be the key testifiers as the committee considers the implementation of new HUD regulations that many advocates feel will cause even more hardship for homeless families and youth. HEAR US Inc., a national Naperville-based nonprofit, will participate in the event. Diane Nilan, HEAR US president, invited an 11-year-old boy to share the story of his family's nomadic existence.

Mrs. Biggert has championed the cause of homeless children and youth since being elected to Congress in 1998, leading the way for passage of comprehensive legislation, based on the IL Education for Homeless Children Act, that removes barriers commonly encountered by homeless kids trying to get an education. She's introduced HR 32 to change the way HUD defines homelessness. She and Nilan have worked together on this issue for over a dozen years.

Since November 2005, Nilan, under the banner of her nonprofit HEAR US, has been on the road chronicling homelessness, concentrating on non-urban families and youth. She and Professor Laura Vazquez, NIU School of Communication, have made several documentaries on this issue. Nilan will again set off, stopping in DC on Thursday, then heading south for her 7th cross-country journey. Nilan lives in, works out of and travels solo in her road-weary motorhome.

An uncharacteristic amount of attention is being focused on the soaring growth of homelessness and poverty. The National Center on Family Homelessness released their report homeless families indicating at least 1.6 million children now experience homelessness.

And Thursday, 12/15, the U. S. Conference of Mayors issues their assessment of homelessness and hunger. Nilan led a campaign to strengthen this highly-cited report, which according to her, relies on abysmally inaccurate data that complies with the very narrow HUD definition of homelessness. "It will be the same old, same old report," she fears.

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Big Victory for the Little Folks!

2011-11-28T12:22:00.001-06:00

[Naperville, IL, Dec. 9, 2011] Over 1,500 agencies from across the country competed for the $5,000 CITGO gas card in their Fueling Good contest. Naperville-based national nonprofit HEAR US Inc., likely the smallest of them all, certainly the one most needing this tailor-made prize, claimed victory along with 11 other organizations. On Weds., Dec. 14, CITGO officials will present HEAR US with the prize.

"We are ecstatic," exclaimed Diane Nilan, HEAR US president and founder. Nilan, for the past 6 years, has traveled over 130,000 mostly backroads miles chronicling the plight of homeless families, living and working out of Tillie, her gas-hungry motorhome. Nilan and her board rustled up over 2,500 votes to win the gas prize. "We have lots of friends nationwide, and people believe in our mission," giving voice and visibility to homeless children and youth.

The CITGO contest was brought to Nilan's attention by a Naperville friend, Melanie Swiger Murphy, who figured this would be a perfect fit. Nilan hammered reminders on the HEAR US Facebook page. Her board enlisted, well, nagged, family friends and associates. "We're not the type of agency that can pull off huge fundraising events," said Nilan, "but we're scrappy and hard-working! And people love what we do and are willing to help."

After CITGO reps present Nilan with the gas cards on Weds., Dec. 14, at 10:00 a.m. at the Highland CITGO, 702 S. Washington St. in Naperville, Nilan will hop behind the wheel and make tracks to Washington, DC for a hearing on child homelessness organized by Congresswoman Judy Biggert. She'll gas up first, powered by the surge of support of countless people across the country.

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Homelessness Film Heading to National Broadcast, Scheduled for Aurora Screening

2011-11-22T14:04:00.001-06:00

[Naperville, IL, 11/28/11] Take a good film and make it better! The award-winning documentary on the edge, heading for national broadcast, required local filmmakers to hone their already-acclaimed film. The enhanced version will enjoy a Fox Valley premiere screening on Dec. 5, 7 pm at Aurora's Rosary High School in the McEnroe Auditorium.

Film producer Diane Nilan, who previously ran the homeless shelter at Hesed House, has been invited to Rosary as part of their Human Rights week activities. Nilan has been on the road for the past 6 years, living in and working out of her modest motorhome, traveling over 130,000 miles of mostly backroads chronicling homelessness. Her Naperville-based national nonprofit organization, HEAR US Inc., gives voice and visibility to homeless children and youth.

Laura Vazquez, the film's director, teaches at Northern Illinois University in the communication department. She and Nilan have worked together on several homelessness-awareness films over the past 6 years. Her film expertise combined with Nilan's knowledge of homelessness has gained national attention and respect, opening doors of Congress for film screenings and leading to on the edge being selected for the Broadcast Education Association Festival of Media Arts, First Place Faculty Division this April. At September's Naperville Independent Film Festival, a record crowd of nearly 300 people attended the on the edge screening.

Technical improvements, including closed-captioning, will make the film eligible for airing on public television stations nationwide. Nilan promises a huge grassroots campaign to get the film shown on PBS affiliates nationwide. She points out, "The seven women in this film speak for millions of others in similar situations, mostly invisible, struggling with homelessness, trauma and poverty. They must be heard!"

The screening at Rosary will be a joint fundraiser for Mutual Ground, the Fox Valley's domestic violence shelter, and HEAR US. Free-will donations ensure everyone can afford to attend. For more information, visit the HEAR US website (http://hearus.us), or call 630/225-5012.

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Invisible Homeless Families Not Forgotten

2011-11-17T12:42:00.001-06:00

To call attention to hidden homelessness, often plaguing women and kids, Diane Nilan will share her award-winning documentary on the edge, seven women revealing their journeys in and out of homelessness, at a public screening on Monday, December 5, 7 pm, at Rosary High School's McEnroe Auditorium.

Free-will donations will be accepted, divided between Mutual Ground and HEAR US. Download the PDF flier about this event to circulate.

Nilan, former shelter director at Hesed House, points to this year's 2000+ foreclosed upon homeowners and 950+ evicted households in Kane County. Not all will become homeless, but some will, and it's likely they won't land at shelters in the county, just yet anyhow. "Vulnerable families typically spiral into homelessness, often accompanied by domestic violence," Nilan points out. They're often invisible, many in motels or doubled up with family or friends.

For the past six years, under the banner of her national nonprofit organization HEAR US Inc. Nilan has racked up over 130,000 miles of mostly backroads travel in her motorhome chronicling and calling attention to homelessness. She and Dr. Laura Vazquez, media professor at Northern Illinois University, have teamed up to film and produce documentaries on homeless families and youth. on the edge was recently featured at the Naperville Independent Film Festival and it won first prize at the Broadcasters Education Association festival.

Members of the Human Rights Club at Rosary approached Nilan about showing the hour-long video. She arranged her travel schedule to accommodate the opportunity. She'll address Rosary students Monday morning and will also be speaking to adult education classes at St. Timothy Lutheran church in Naperville Sunday morning, Dec. 4. She then leaves for a 3,000 mile cross-country tour, greatly aided by winning a $5000 CITGO gas card in a recent contest.

Rosary High School is located at 910 N. Edgelawn, Aurora. For more information contact the school at 630/896-8392 or HEAR US, 630/225-5012.

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Better Than an Oscar!

2011-09-20T18:10:00.000-05:00

Getting people to leave their homes on the opening night ofthe much-awaited fall television season is no easy task, especially to see adocumentary about women and children without homes. But close to 300 peoplecame from near and far to watch on the edge, our documentary filmin the Naperville Independent Film Festival screenedMonday, 9/19, at the venerable Ogden 6 Theater.

Watching the crowd amass was exciting, especially because itwas a mixture of people I knew from my days prior to my running the PADSshelter at Hesed House and a considerable slew of folks who responded to Bridge Community’s urging for people to see our award-winning documentary. Having screened ouryear-old film countless times, I could judge the audience’s engagement by theirchuckles, their silence, and their palpable angst as the 7 courageous women inthis film shared their heart-wrenching stories of traversing in and out ofhomelessness.

The opportunity to participate in Naperville's festival was an unplanned opportunity—Glessna and Edmond Coisson attendedour HEAR US Inc. tribute to Mary Lou Cowlishawlast October at North Central College. The tribute included the premierescreening of on the edge andresulted in the Coisson’s inviting our film’s director, LauraVazquez, associate professor of communication at Northern IllinoisUniversity, to the festival.

One key reason for the record crowd at the delightfullyfriendly and refurbished Ogden 6 theater was the push by Bridge Communities tohave their current and prospective volunteers and supporters attend prior totheir ambitious “Sleep OutSaturday” this year set for Nov. 5^th. Bridge leaders rightlyfigure if more people understand homelessness from homeless families' point of view,compassion and action will ensue.

With what seems to be a growing discord about the need tohelp families and individuals struggling for survival, the crowd at this filmwas on the far opposite end of the spectrum. My challenge urging them toparticipate in a “compassion epidemic” brought cheers instead of jeers. Thispositive energy gives a huge boost to those of us engaged in helping stave off thedevastation of homelessness. My Naperville-based nonprofit organization, HEARUS Inc., continues to give voice and visibility to homeless children and youththrough projects like on the edge.

Little did I know that in November 2005 when I left theNaperville border heading out on my unconventional sojourn—to chronicle facesand voices of homeless kids from across the nation for My Own Four Walls—thatI’d be heading out for my 7^th cross-country trip and our countrywould be in an economic quagmire that makes previous times of trouble pale. Withthe child poverty rate at a record high 22%, dark clouds loom on the horizon,especially for homeless families with toddlers, the subject of our new film, LittlestNomads (in production).

My journey away from DuPage County begins Monday. Startingtomorrow I’ll be sporting new signage on my road-weary motorhome/office thanksto a generous collaboration with DesignResource Center and FastSigns,both Naperville businesses with a track record of benevolence. I’ll beventuring out to share a message of painful reality—soaring family homelessnessat a time of conflicting political will—but I will recall the surge ofcompassion from the crowd that stepped from their comfort zones and comfortablehomes to learn from these seven experts on homelessness. It’s better than anOscar!

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Focus on Desperate Situations for Invisible DuPage Homeless Families

2011-08-23T10:29:00.001-05:00

CONTACT:

Diane Nilan, HEAR US Jennie Gates, Bridge Event Manager

630/267-5424 630/545-0610, ext. 19

diane@hearus.us Jennie.Gates@BridgeCommunities.org

MEDIA PACKET download PDF

Sitting on the corner of a sagging mattress in a “no-tell-motel” between two DuPage County towns, Diane Nilan listened to the logistical nightmare spelled out by parents of the 5 children crammed in this too-small room. No stranger to the plight of homeless families, she now shares these stories on the big screen, proud to be part of the 4th Annual Naperville Independent Film Festival.

On Monday night, Sept. 19, the award-winning documentary on the edge, which Nilan and Professor Laura Vazquez of Northern Illinois University filmed and produced, will fill the screen at Ogden Theaters, one of the official festival entries. This documentary focuses on seven women who share their stories of homelessness, much like the stories Nilan has heard over her past 25 years working with homeless adults and children, including those in DuPage County.

Nilan is the former director of the PADS shelter at Hesed House in Aurora and key influence for both the Illinois Education for Homeless Children Act and the federal McKinney-Vento Education for Homeless Children and Youth Act. She has traveled over 126,000 mostly backroads miles in America for the last 6 years giving voice and visibility to homeless children and youth under the banner of her nonprofit organization, HEAR US Inc. (www.hearus.us).

She explains the daunting statistics, “Way over 1.5 million children and youth are homeless, and the numbers are skyrocketing! Schools have identified a million students, but experience teaches that probably at least that many are unidentified.” Nilan worked for 2 years with 305 Chicago area school districts to help them comply with the McKinney-Vento Act, legislation sponsored by Congresswoman Judy Biggert (13-IL,R). From that experience emerged My Own Four Walls, Nilan’s first documentary featuring kids talking about their homelessness and what school means to them. HEAR US sells these DVDs and other awareness-raising items to organizations and the public.

The respected human service agency, Bridge Communities, Inc., a dynamic, grassroots, nonprofit organization committed to transforming the lives of homeless families in DuPage, is encouraging existing and potential volunteers and supporter to see on the edge so they better understand the stories behind the term “homeless.”

Jennie Gates, event manager at Bridge Communities, adds, “The movie screening is a great kick-off for Sleep Out Saturday, Bridge’s flagship event that provides an opportunity for individuals, families, and community and church groups to actually do something about homelessness. By sleeping out in tents, cars and boxes on November 5, participants will raise awareness of the plight of homeless families while raising much-needed funds to support the families in the Bridge program.” More information about Sleep Out Saturday can be found at www.sleepoutsaturday.org.

All those attending this screening of on the edge will receive a memento from HEAR US to remind people of the need to assist this invisible population of families in DuPage and across the nation.

The 60-minute film will be screened 8:20 pm at the Ogden 6Theaters, 1227 E Ogden Ave., $5. Both organizations will be on hand to answer questions. Nilan, the film’s producer, Vazquez, the director, and will do a brief Q&A following the film. For information, www.hearus.us, 630/225-5012, or diane@hearus.us.

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Family Featured in Homelessness Documentary Again At Risk of Homelessness

2011-02-25T09:35:00.000-06:00

[Milton, FL, 2/25/11] Melissa (photo) swore she wouldn't let homelessness ravage their family again, but despite her best efforts, this scourge is knocking on the door of their humble former FEMA trailer with an eviction notice for nonpayment of lot rental of $795.

The producer of the documentary, Diane Nilan, has set up an emergency benefit for the family on Feb. 28, 7:00 p.m., at Ferris Hill Baptist Church in Milton, where she will screen the film and take up a love donation to help the family. "I heard about Melissa's plight Thursday afternoon," said Nilan. "...and immediately made plans for this event." Nilan was in northwest Georgia advocating for homeless persons in Calhoun, GA, but pointed her road-weary RV, her home and office for the past 5+ years, toward the Panhandle.

Melissa Nason, a feisty single mom living in Milton, FL, just outside Pensacola, is one of the seven women featured in the award-winning (BEA Film Festival) documentary about homelessness, on the edge, which was filmed in a 4-year period by a national homelessness activist, Diane Nilan, president/founder of HEAR US Inc., and documentary maker/professor Laura Vazquez, Northern Illinois University.

Job loss and family crises pushed this family to the edge again. Melissa, who graduated cum laude from University of West Florida, needs a job and a reliable car to get back and forth to work. She also struggles with finding adequate care for her son with autism. But she won't quit, and is willing to speak up about their circumstances at the benefit. "The number of homeless families is growing astronomically," pointed out Nilan, who has worked in this field for over 25 years, including as a director of shelter in Illinois.

For more information, contact Diane Nilan, 630/267-5424.

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National-Local Campaign Launched to Ease Homelessness in Calhoun, GA and Beyond

2011-02-23T08:30:00.001-06:00

Homelessness happens in many ways, points out Diane Nilan, president and founder of HEAR US Inc., a national advocacy organization. Calhoun, GA, a small town off Interstate 75 in northwest Georgia, provided a textbook example of homelessness creation: a nondescript motel on the edge of town that had turned into "housing" for about 80 people, including 6 families, was shuttered due to nonpayment of utility bills.

After spending the weekend in Calhoun witnessing the agony caused by this sudden and unexpected closure, HEAR US launched a national campaign to urge the property's owners to do right by the people displaced by the motel's closing. Nilan, a prolific blogger and social media maven, posted a blog on Change.org, along with a petition directed to the 2 legislators (GA Senator Chip Rogers and US Congressman Tom Graves) who purchased the Oglethorpe in 2007, taking out a $2.2 million dollar loan from Bartow County Bank.

"Many questions remain about ownership and responsibility," states Nilan, who spent the weekend chronicling the trauma of homelessness at the motel. "In this age of 'personal responsibility' I'd like to see justice done. Folks here were shell-shocked at their upheaval." She is calling on the legislators to contribute money to the relocation expenses and to push for affordable housing solutions so people don't need to turn to motels or the streets. Homeless families and adults, by the millions, struggle to survive nationwide.

Nilan witnessed the painstaking process to relocate the Inn's 80 residents. Three women (who wish to remain anonymous) worked with each person to assess their resources (slim to next to none) and to explore options (also slim to next to none). Local motels and restaurants came forth to help. Individual donors and church groups chipped in money and motor-power, helping to pack up and move people to alternative lodging.

"What most people don't realize," Nilan points out, "is every community has hidden homelessness like this--people who've desperately turned to motels as a shelter, often because many communities lack shelters or other emergency resources." Nilan has decried the federal government's "bogus" count of 656,129, the latest so-called census of homelessness.

Puzzling, to Nilan and others, is the way the motel ownership (along with a $2.2 million loan) seems to have been transferred to someone (John Edens) who, by his own admission, lacked the ability to handle the task. "How can you just dump your fiscal responsibility and walk away from it? I think these legislators owe something to this community and to homeless people everywhere," she suggests.

Nilan will present at the Georgia Alliance to End Homelessness conference next week before leaving the Peach State on a national homelessness awareness tour promoting her new film, "on the edge," seven women's stories about homelessness.

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NIU documentary maker Laura Vazquez shines light on the faces of homelessness in America

2010-10-15T08:01:00.000-05:00

NIU documentary maker Laura Vazquez shines light on the faces of homelessness in America

HEAR US Issues Invitation to Students and the Public: Hear Homeless Women

2010-09-29T12:48:00.000-05:00

HEAR US, a national nonprofit organization based in Naperville, is issuing an invitation: Explore the reality of homelessness as experienced by millions of invisible women and children who comprise the bulk of this nation’s homeless population. HEAR US Inc. will screen a new in-depth, powerful documentary film, “on the edge,” on October 29 at North Central College.

Knowing that college and high school students struggle to find comprehensive information about homelessness, HEAR US president and founder Diane Nilan (pdf) decided to invite Fox Valley area students to this special premiere screening of this new film. Nilan, former director of the shelter at Hesed House, has spent the past 5 years traveling backroads of America chronicling the plight and promise of homeless families and youth. She created HEAR US, her nonprofit organization, and sold her home, car and most possessions to buy a small RV which has served as her home/office, and started her unlikely mission to give voice and visibility to homeless kids.

Nilan teamed up with a documentary professor at Northern Illinois University, Laura Vazquez, who provided technical expertise to produce Nilan’s first film, “My Own Four Walls,” a 20-minute documentary of kids talking about their experiences of homelessness. The duo then set out for a more ambitious film, the story of family and youth homelessness told by women. For the past 4 years, they have pursued this goal, and proudly announce the release of “on the edge,” a 60-min. film, scheduled to be screened at the Oct. 29th Tribute to Mary Lou Cowlishaw at North Central.

The film will be shown at NCC’s Madden Theater. HEAR US asks for free will donations. Nilan and Vazquez will answer questions at the end of the 7:15 and 9:00 screenings. Because of limited seating, HEAR US asks that a representative of the school email or call with an approximate number of students planning to attend and the screening time desired.

Nilan’s book, “Crossing the Line: Taking Steps to End Homelessness,” and the film “My Own Four Walls” will be available for purchase at this event. More information may be found at http://hearus.us, or by emailing Diane at diane@hearus.us.

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2nd Emmy Nomination for HEAR US Story

2010-09-29T10:20:00.000-05:00

Mark Saxenmeyer of Chicago Fox TV should just hang out with Diane Nilan of HEAR US. His reporting on Diane's maiden voyage earned an Emmy back in 2006. His story about HEAR US that ran in Nov. 2009 has just been nominated for an Emmy. That story was picked up by Huffington Post, generating a range of comments. It also ran in several cities on Fox affiliates.

"Mark can do a story about HEAR US and the problem of homeless kids anytime," responded Diane Nilan. "He gets it." Nilan has spent over 5 years on mostly backroads across all 48 states in the continental US chronicling homelessness and poverty.

Nilan has spent the past 5 year lives in her modest RV, "Tillie," focusing on homeless families and youth. "My Own Four Walls," her first documentary, won national recognition. She and video partner Dr. Laura Vazquez, professor at Northern Illinois University, collaborated on My Own Four Walls, and will soon be releasing a feature length documentary, "on the edge," seven women's stories about their homelessness.

HEAR US and North Central College have scheduled a tribute for recently deceased Mary Lou Cowlishaw, longtime legislator from Naperville and the "mother of homeless kids" for her role in improving homeless kids' access to education in Illinois and nationwide. The event, Oct. 29, will be held at North Central's Wentz Concert Hall, Madden Theater, beginning at 6:00 pm. A special preview screening of "on the edge" will be offered two times that evening. The 9:00 screening will hopefully be attended by high school and college students.

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Award Winning Film Maker to Show As yet Unreleased Film at Dickinson College

2010-04-07T11:35:00.001-05:00

Press Release
For Immediate Release
Contact: Pat LaMarche
717.249.2200 Cell 207.671.0190

Award Winning Film Maker to Show As yet Unreleased Film at Dickinson College

Documentary Highlighting the Lives of Homeless Families to Debut in Carlisle, PA

Award winning filmmaker, author and homeless advocate, Diane Nilan will be visiting Cumberland County Pennsylvania this week as part of her nationwide tour promoting the needs of homeless children and their families. Nilan is also the founder and director of HEAR US, a national advocacy group for homeless kids. Learn more at www.hearus.us.

Five years ago Nilan ventured out of suburban Chicago on what she thought would be a six month cross country trip to gather film footage of our nation’s homeless youth in order to produce her now critically acclaimed documentary, My Own Four Walls. Five years later she is still traveling the 48 contiguous United States, testifying before Congress, and working to end homelessness among the nation’s most precious and vulnerable population, homeless kids. Her film is a tool used by schools and agencies across the U.S. to acquaint communities and educators with what life is like for so many who live below the poverty line and below the radar.

The DVD film jacket reminds us that “More than 1.5 million children, families and youth are homeless in America today. Not since the great depression have we seen so many homeless families on the streets of communities of all sizes and compositions.”

And for kids with parents in jail, the film also includes a training video for incarcerated parents, their children’s caregivers, law enforcement personnel, human service providers and educators to help navigate the sketchy world in which these children live.

Nilan’s book, Crossing the Line: Taking Steps to End Homelessness, is an autobiographical expose giving vividly detailed accounts of the lives of the homeless folks that Nilan encountered in her nearly 20 years as a homeless shelter director and homeless advocate.

Wendell Hollinger, President of Safe Harbour, Cumberland County’s largest homeless shelter and host to Nilan’s visit commented after reading Nilan’s book, “If concerned folks don’t read another word of another book, they must read pages 32 and 33 of Diane’s book. She has detailed the most concise and accurate listing I’ve ever seen of the causes of homelessness in our country. We are very excited that Diane has come to Carlisle to give us a sneak preview of her newest documentary.”

Susannah Bartlow, Director of Women’s Studies at Dickinson College said, “We are honored but not surprised that Nilan has chosen Cumberland County as a place to stop along her journey to eradicate homelessness and lead a community wide discussion. The communities of Cumberland County have long supported the needs of the disadvantaged here among us.” Bartlow continued, “Dickinson is proud to provide the necessary space for this discussion. Dickinson hosts the ‘Night Without a Home’ every November during national hunger and homelessness week: a sleep out featuring area grade school children which raises money to benefit Safe Harbour. We are excited to be a part of bringing this courageous woman to our community.”

Nilan’s new documentary, On The Edge, will be shown Monday April 12th at 6:30 pm in Dickinson’s Denny Hall. Denny Hall is located at the corner of High and West streets. The community is invited to attend and invited to stay after the 68 minute documentary to join in a discussion of the film as well as a discussion of the issues of homelessness and poverty.

Diane Nilan will be joined by area homelessness advocates as well as Carlisle High School Senior, TJ Rivera, a homeless youth who has lived many years homeless and spent nearly a year living in a store room using boxes for furniture and trying to finish school.

TJ will discuss the difficult road he traveled getting him where he is today, enrolled as he is now at Carlisle High School within months of graduating. TJ hopes his next step is College. A current resident of Safe Harbour, TJ is thriving. “I doubted I’d be this close many times over the last few years, but I never stopped hoping I’d make it. It says on one of my blogs ‘you are the architect of your destiny’ and I kept that in mind and just didn’t give up.”

It will be an emotional moment when he meets Nilan this week. Among the many accomplishments Nilan has to her credit, co-writing the landmark legislation that mandated schools accept homeless children is one of her greatest. And TJ’s excited to meet the woman who put his educational needs ahead of her own comfort.

Diane Nilan is available for interviews prior to the event on Monday the 12th. Members of the press who would like to meet with her and see or travel with her in the RV she has called home during her five year struggle to help the nation’s poorest children is asked to contact Safe Harbour’s Pat LaMarche who will be handling her schedule while she’s in town.

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Contact: Pat LaMarche 207.671.0190 717.249.2200 work

Events to Support HEAR US Giving Voice-Visibility to Homeless Families

2010-03-12T14:38:00.000-06:00

Homeless parents and children belong on the big screen, believes Diane Nilan, president of Naperville-based HEAR US Inc., and she aims to make it happen much like she did with “My Own Four Walls,” an award-winning documentary featuring homeless children and youth—with support from people of the Fox Valley. Two upcoming events will raise awareness and funds to support HEAR US 'efforts to help homeless families and youth:

• Sunday, March 28th, 7:30 p.m. at St. Timothy Lutheran Church in Naperville, acclaimed musician George Winston will perform a solo guitar concert, with all proceeds benefiting HEAR US. Suggested donation is $20. Tickets and information are available through the HEAR US website, www.hearus.us. Nonperishable food will be collected for People’s Resource Center.
• Wednesday, April 21st, 7:00 p.m. at Annunciation Church gymnasium in Aurora, HEAR US joins with Mutual Ground, the Fox Valley agency for women experiencing domestic violence, for a screening of the powerful documentary, “on the edge,” a compelling look at seven women’s experiences of homelessness, violence, renewal and vulnerability (68-min).

“on the edge,” reflects a 4-year effort by Nilan and Dr. Laura Vazquez, documentary professor at Northern Illinois University. Vazquez produced the poignant documentary filmed by Nilan on her first cross-country tour, “My Own Four Walls.” “These projects are literally life-changing,” emphasizes Nilan, “because they shine a light on a tremendously ignored reality across this country, including DuPage County.”

Greater awareness within the nation’s public schools remove barriers for over1 million homeless students. DuPage legislators (ret.) State Rep. Mary Lou Cowlishaw and Congresswoman Judy Biggert championed these legislative efforts.

On Nilan’s 5th nationwide trek in her modest RV which serves as her home and office, with over 90,000 miles of mostly backroads solo travel, and dozens of years working on behalf of homeless families and adults, she continues to challenge communities and policymakers to create a compassion epidemic to develop community solutions to this soaring problem.

HEAR US, the nonprofit, gets few grants, relying instead on donations, special events, and sales of HEAR US books and videos. “That’s why these Fox Valley events are so critical,” stresses Nilan. “We have vital tools that can really make a difference in the lives of millions of desperate families and teens.” Completing the production of “on the edge” and funding a new film on homeless toddlers are the two funding goals for these HEAR US events, needing an estimated $25,000.

Before Nilan arrives in the Fox Valley, she’ll stop in D.C. to visit Congresswoman Judy Biggert, who has introduced comprehensive legislation to improve homeless students’ educational opportunities. Nilan and Biggert, an uncharacteristic duo, can point to a string of impressive legislative successes. Greatly reducing family homelessness remains as elusive as an Oscar.

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George Winston's Guitar Strums Up Support for Homeless Kids

2010-02-25T13:18:00.000-06:00

When George Winston comes to Naperville on March 28th, his performance will give a big boost to HEAR US’ efforts to give voice and visibility to homeless families and teens across America. This nonprofit’s new documentary, “On the Edge,” offers a dramatic behind-the-scenes look at shattered relationships, natural disasters, and systemic shortcomings that disintegrate stability for millions of children, teens and families living in homelessness.

George Winston will perform a benefit solo guitar concert on Sunday, March 28, 7:30 p.m., at St. Timothy Lutheran Church, 1313 N Mill Street. Suggested donation is $20, all directed to HEAR US, a Naperville-based nonprofit organization that works to address family and teen homelessness nationwide. People’s Resource Center will also benefit by donations of nonperishable food by the audience. This is Winston’s second such appearance for these organizations.

The current work of HEAR US centers around a powerful documentary on family and teen homelessness, “On the Edge,” (working title) that lets the true experts, those experiencing loss of their homes, share their stories. HEAR US president and founder Diane Nilan, former longtime PADS shelter director at Hesed House, has teamed up with Dr. Laura Vazquez, documentary expert from Northern Illinois University, to film and produce this poignant look at how women cope with the loss of housing and stability.

Since pulling out of Naperville in November 2005, Nilan has been on the road in her RV, now her home and office. She filmed, and Vazquez produced, the nationally-acclaimed documentary series, “My Own Four Walls,” children talking about homelessness and school. “This first film paved the way for ‘On the Edge,’” Nilan states. “The compelling stories of families I met in 2006 needed to be told. Laura’s enthusiastic willingness to spearhead this ambitious project brought it to fruition.” Vazquez took a sabbatical and has spent long hours, collaborating with Nilan, editing this hour-long film.

What remains for “On the Edge” is final tweaking to gain attention for national screening, according to Nilan, who has been showing rough cuts to rave reviews as she’s traveled cross-country since early November. Technical fine-tuning costs money, which HEAR US hopes will materialize because of the concert.

The Nilan-Vazquez video team has another project in the works, a short film depicting the soaring number of homeless babies and toddlers, estimated over 40% of more than 1.5 million homeless children in America. The harm to a child’s health and development greatly impairs chances for a self-sustaining adulthood according to early childhood experts working with HEAR US on this project, including students and staff at Chicago’s Erikson Institute, the nation’s premiere child development institution.

“Every note that George plays will mean a tremendous amount of support for our efforts and for the well-being of millions of kids,” states the somewhat road-weary Nilan, concerned about the poverty and housing needs of millions of families, including hundreds in affluent DuPage County. “This can be a great way to help others while helping this community.” # # #

George Winston to Play to Help Homeless Kids

2010-02-22T07:08:00.000-06:00

Venue Contact: Diane Nilan, 630/267-5424

Artist Contact: Jennifer Gallacher 831/429-5085 x 215

GEORGE WINSTON to Perform SOLO GUITAR at a Benefit Concert for HEAR US
on March 28, 2010 at St. Timothy Lutheran Church, Naperville

Tickets Information: 630/225-5012

February 23, 2010—George Winston, best known for his solo piano performances, has announced that he will perform a SOLO GUITAR CONCERT (no piano played during this concert) to benefit the Naperville-based nonprofit organization HEAR US Inc., a national organization that helps homeless children, youth and families.

A food drive to benefit will be held in conjunction with this concert. The audience is encouraged to bring non-perishable food donations to the show in support of People’s Resource Center in Wheaton.

For many years, George has been studying and recording the masters of the Hawaiian Slack Key guitar, the solo finger-style guitar tradition unique to Hawai’i, which dates back to the early 1800s (and predates the steel guitar by about 60 years). “I experience such beauty and inspiration in the music of these masters,” says George, producer or co-producer of 36 slack key albums on the Dancing Cat record label. “When I first heard some of the great Hawaiian slack key guitarists in the early 1970s, such as Keola Beamer, Led Kaapana, Ray Kane, Leonard Kwan, the late Gabby Pahinui, the late Sonny Chillingworth, the late Atta Isaacs and others, I realized right away that my priority was to help make this tradition better known, and ultimately more available to people.”

George’s performance will feature Hawaiian Slack Key as well as traditional American music, including Appalachian fiddle tunes, ragtime, popular standards and more.

So far he has two recordings with solo guitar:

First, the soundtrack for the Japanese story Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes. The story was originally produced as a half-hour film directed by George Levenson for his non-profit media organization, Informed Democracy. He also recorded the solo guitar, piano, and harmonica soundtracks for the Informed Democracy children’s videos Pumpkin Circle, about the cycle of the seasons unfolding in a backyard pumpkin patch, and Bread Comes to Life.

Second, REMEMBRANCE – A MEMORIAL BENEFIT, a 6-song CD of piano, guitar, and harmonica solos. All artist proceeds from this CD are being donated to benefit those affected by 9/11.

This will be the second concert George has performed for HEAR US. His support enabled this organization to become an influential force helping homeless children and youth across the country. Materials—videos and books—developed and marketed by HEAR US, and Diane Nilan’s presentations, have given homeless children and youth voice and visibility, enabling educators, college students, and the public to hear directly from those affected by homelessness. Greater awareness means increased access to school, according to Nilan, instrumental in improving Illinois and federal legislation to remove barriers to education for the over 1.5 million homeless children in America.

The HEAR US award-winning documentary, My Own Four Walls, (on DVD) has been seen by thousands of adults and children across the country. “Audience reaction is tremendous,” states Diane Nilan, the former director of the PADS homeless shelter at Hesed House in Aurora. “My Own Four Walls and our other videos and books have created more awareness than we can ever calculate. I’m humbled by the courageous kids who agreed to participate in this project, and so deeply grateful for George Winston’s generous support.”

# # #

George Winston Solo Guitar Concert to Benefit HEAR US

2010-02-07T16:56:00.001-06:00

HEAR US Inc. is delighted to announce that musician George Winston will return to Naperville to do another solo guitar concert to benefit HEAR US! His last HEAR US concert was in October 2006.

On Sunday, March 28, 7:30 p.m., at St. Timothy Lutheran Church, 1313 Mills Street in Naperville, George will play half Hawaiian Slack Key guitar music and half Appalachian guitar music.

HEAR US Inc. is a national nonprofit organization that gives voice and visibility to homeless children, youth and families. The HEAR US videos and books foster greater awareness and understanding of the over 1.5 million homeless families and teens, a mostly invisible problem nationwide.

Suggested donations for tickets is $20. They may be obtained through the HEAR US website's donation page. Or mail checks payable to HEAR US (indicate it's for the concert), 1163 E Ogden Ave. 705-329, Naperville, IL 60563. For information, contact Diane Nilan, HEAR US president, diane@hearus.us, or leave a voice mail message at 630-225-5012.

# # #

Boston Event to Call for Halt of Spending Cuts

2009-10-13T15:24:00.001-05:00

MEDIA ADVISORY

Contact:

Corey Beach

The National Center on Family Homelessness

617-581-6798, Corey.Beach@familyhomelessness.org

New State Spending Cuts Threaten To

Increase Child Homelessness In Massachusetts

Advocates Will Gather This Week To Urge Continued Funding

NEWTON, Mass. (October 13, 2009): The Massachusetts state government has announced an estimated $1 billion revenue deficit at a time when federal government housing funds are nearing depletion. New state spending cuts may be coming as early as this week. With approximately 17,500 children already homeless in Massachusetts annually, an anticipated rise in home foreclosures will increase the number of children and families without homes. Further spending cuts will exacerbate this crisis.

On Friday, October 16 at 9:30am, leaders from the Massachusetts Campaign to End Child Homelessness will gather at Horizons for Homeless Children in Roxbury to urge continued state and federal support for housing and associated services. National advocate Diane Nilan of the HEAR US Learning Curve Express will join them as part of her national tour to raise awareness about homeless children and families. While here, she will also meet with Massachusetts families who are currently experiencing homelessness.

When: Friday, October 16, 2009, 9:30 AM

Where: Horizons for Homeless Children’s Edgerley Family Community Children’s Center

1705 Columbus Avenue, Roxbury, MA

Who: Representatives from the Massachusetts Campaign to End Child Homelessness;

Diane Nilan, HEAR US Learning Curve Express

Massachusetts Campaign to End Homelessness

The Massachusetts Campaign to End Child Homelessness (www.HomelessChildrenAmerica.org) is a coalition of organizations that includes The National Center on Family Homelessness (www.familyhomelessness.org), Health Care for All (www.hcfa.org), Homes for Families (www.homesforfamilies.org), Horizons for Homeless Children (www.horizonsforhomelesschildren.org), and the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless (www.mahomelessness.org).

###

Shining a Light on Invisible Homeless Teens in Johnson Coun(IN)ty

2009-09-07T18:25:00.002-05:00

[Sept. 7, 2009] The last thing “Kevin” wanted was for someone to notice him. His star athlete looks, top academic record from sophomore year, and long list of friends belies his current situation—he’s homeless. He bailed on his parents after the last brutal beating from his alcohol-impaired dad. Now he’s faced with the night-to-night challenge of finding a safe place to sleep.

Kevin and area teens like him are the reason concerned individuals will gather this Wednesday, 9/9/09, in Greenwood (10:00 a.m., Community Church of Greenwood) and Franklin (4:00 p.m., High School Auditorium) with Johnson County’s Displaced Youth Task Force. They will explore this issue with Diane Nilan, president of HEAR US Inc., a national expert on homeless youth.

Task force members, knowing dozens of teens in similar plights to Kevin, are examining local solutions. With 25 years working with communities addressing homelessness, Nilan provides a spark for whatever local effort may evolve. She offers, “When concerned people in the local community gather, what seems insurmountable becomes possible.” She urges the curious and naysayers alike to attend.

Nilan, author, filmmaker and former shelter director, sold her suburban Chicago townhouse 4 years ago, and has logged over 76,000 backroads miles in her spartan RV to call attention to the plight and promise of over 1.5 million invisible homeless children and youth. Her nonprofit organization, HEAR US Inc., gives voice and visibility to homeless kids, and offers resources to help schools and communities understand and address homelessness. A clip from “My Own Four Walls,” Nilan’s award-winning documentary, will be shown.

Her 2-day visit will also provide an opportunity to film the Franklin/Johnson County area for her new HEAR US project, “Learning Curve Express,” which aims to connect invisible homeless kids with their Member of Congress. This unique venture will officially be launched in October, but her central Indiana event provides the opportunity for a preview. “Most legislators don’t understand homeless kids,” Nilan points out, “and the Learning Curve Express will bridge that gap.”

These presentations are free and open to the public. For more information contact Angie Freeman, freemana@fcsc.k12.in.us, 317-524-9335, or Keri Lyn Powers, associate@youthconnections.org,

317-738-3273 ext. 106.

# # #

HEAR US E-News July 2009

2009-07-22T12:04:00.007-05:00

To get through the hardest journey we need take only one step at a time, but we must keep on stepping. --Chinese Proverb

As HEAR US begins our 5th year, we anticipate even greater challenges. But our tasks are nothing compared to those trying to cope in these tumultuous times, or those of you trying to help families and teens survive and thrive.

HEAR US is more committed than ever to give voice and visibility to homeless kids to help them and you. And with unprecedented growth of homelessness nationwide, every effort is needed to inspire a compassion epidemic in schools, communities and legislative chambers.

Thanks to our volunteer web guru Dan Riefstahl of Pixel Point Creative , we have a new newsletter design. His help is indicative of assistance HEAR US has received from several generous and talented people over the past 4 years. Thanks, Dan, and thanks to all of you!

Diane

Can You Use Some Good News? With times as tough as they are, good news is rare. This newsletter will share some positive happenings and maybe brighten your day. Please pass it on to your colleagues and friends who may need a ray of hope. (We don't share our list, nor do we bug you.)

Making the Big Time! Those familiar with the HEAR US documentary series (all on one DVD) My Own Four Walls know it’s a powerful tool to strengthen audiences’ compassion for homeless children and youth. MOFW's potential audience will soon greatly expand. HEAR US received the invitation to screen MOFW at the Paso Robles Film Festival in November! Clint Eastwood was there last year!

Not just another film festival, this one will include documentaries on “the state and fate” of children and youth in this country. HEAR US is honored to be invited and looks forward to expanding MOFW's reach.

Diane will head to Paso Robles, CA after presenting at the NAEHCY Conference in Denver. (If you have never been to a NAEHCY conference, go! You’ll recharge your batteries, get a lot of good ideas, and learn ways you can do your job even better.)

HEAR US ‘Learning Curve Express’ to Visit Communities Soon! In what promises to be the most ambitious (and grueling) trip for Diane, the HEAR US Learning Curve Express (Diane & Tillie) will head out this fall to non-urban locations across the country with 2 purposes:

recruit and film articulate spokespersons who know homelessness from experience—particularly those in motels and/or doubled-up with others, to give them the opportunity to...
inform (in person and/or via YouTube) Members of Congress and community members unfamiliar with realities facing homeless families and youth, especially those couch surfing, in motels, etc. about perils of life outside homeless shelters.

The latest disappointing vote on the definition of homeless illustrated the steep learning curve facing some legislators, bureaucrats and even advocacy groups. Homelessness comes in many forms. Community responses vary. Some have a decent safety net for some homeless families/teens, but most don’t. Invisible homeless students don’t get into school or get shifted around needlessly. And too many legislators and Americans blithely believe the latest HUD report that barely mentions the existence and plight of invisible homeless families .

Diane will map out a cross-country route, her 5^th and most determined journey, relying on local community activists to connect—in person or virtually—the experts and the lawmakers. HEAR US will use YouTube and media to get word out. But she needs your help!

Do you have families staying in motels, rotating couch-to-couch, house to house? Do you have Members of Congress who need, um, remedial lessons on what homeless kids go through? If you’re interested in hosting a Learning Curve Express visit, contact Diane.

National Hunger & Homelessness Week Time to get ready! It's the week of Nov. 21st. HEAR US has excellent tools to focus on the often-ignored children and teens as well as adults:

It's About the Children--3 poignant children's books by Pat Van Doren
Crossing the Line: Taking Steps to End Homelessness compelling book by Diane Nilan
My Own Four Walls and REACH: Connect Your Children to Education DVDs to

REVIEWS WANTED! Are you among the growing number of people who have seen My Own Four Walls? Would you be interested in submitting a short (2-3 sentences max) review? We'd love to hear from you!

JULY SALE DAYS ENDING SOON! HEAR US newsletter subscribers and their friends are invited to save on orders placed in July. But July is fast coming to an end! Check our last newsletter to see how you can save.

Diane's schedule Soon Diane will be hitting the road. Check her travel schedule and explore possibilities of having the Learning Curve Express visit your community.

Inspired to give to a good cause? HEAR US needs and greatly appreciates support of all amounts. If you can donate a little or a lot, we'd be honored and we'll use it wisely! And your orders also support our work. All proceeds benefit HEAR US.

HOMELESSNESS in the NEWS HEAR US tracks and posts stories. Check it out! YIKES!

To subscribe It just takes a moment!

HEAR US Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Donations tax-deductible as law allows.
1163 E Ogden Ave., #705-329, Naperville IL 60563 630-225-5012
info@hearus.us
www.hearus.us

California Dreaming for Homeless Kids

2009-07-14T09:58:00.010-05:00

[Naperville, IL, July 24, 2009] Scattered across America in backwater towns, nondescript cities and dusty rural communities are 75 young people who have had an astounding impact on millions of people nationwide. "My Own Four Walls," the acclaimed documentary chronicling these courageous homeless children and youth filmed and produced by HEAR US Inc., will be screened this fall at the prestigious Paso Robles Digital Film Festival

"This festival provides a tremendous opportunity to let faces of children and youth without homes be seen and their voices heard," exclaims Diane Nilan, whose unconventional approach to making this documentary began with selling her home and possessions in 2005. Nilan's Naperville-based nonprofit organization, HEAR US Inc., is devoted to giving voice and visibility to homeless children and youth. She's made 4 solo cross-country trips in her road-weary RV to find, film and empower invisible homeless families and teens.

As many families prepare to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday, participants of the Paso Robles festival will join with organizers who created an event that is in Paso Robles, CA.

"...deeply dedicated to shedding light in the darkness of the millions of homeless, runaway and missing children and youth in these

United States of America..."

Festival producer Benford Standley contacted Nilan, HEAR US president, with the invitation for My Own Four Walls, a 20-minute glimpse of the plight and promise of children and teens who, along with more than 1.5 million other young people in America, experienced homelessness.

Nilan ponders the November event and offers her thoughts, "My dream would be to bring the stars of this show to this festival, to honor the young people who resolutely stood up to share their poignant stories with the rest of the nation and world, and let them serve as the powerful reminder that our nation's commitment to children, the hope of our future, needs rekindling."

This intrepid RVer is making preparations for her most ambitious cross-country journey ever, an endeavor called, appropriately enough, Learning Curve Express, to inform and inspire lawmakers and the general public about invisible homelessness.

###

Contact Diane Nilan, 630-267-5424

June 2009 HEAR US E-Blast

2009-06-25T17:09:00.013-05:00

HEAR US E-Blast June 2009
view as a web page

(I'm stuck with this UGLY format--at least for this time around--for our monthly newsletter. If I get the hang of a program that I'm supposed to use, well, this newsletter might look different/better next month! Diane)

Summer--Here's Hoping... Most people welcome the end of the school year. This year, with budget crises abounding, job loss, cutbacks, and greater uncertainties face school and human service personnel just about everywhere. Families are falling into homelessness at an unprecedented rate. It may all seem bad, but it's not. Here's a story to make your day...and more from the HEAR US media collection.

Need something to celebrate in these bleak times? It's the 15th anniversary of "Charlie's Bill." If you're a McKinney-Vento liaison asking what is Charlie's Bill, well, buckaroo, here's a story for you...(excerpt from my book, Crossing the Line: Taking Steps to End Homelessness) The boy in our logo is Charlie...

Year-end Close-out SALE!! HEAR US has some overstock--and we're clearing our shelves! SAVE BIG! Stretch those grant dollars! Limit one FREE offer per order. Sale ends July 31 or as supplies last. FAX, EMAIL or SNAIL MAIL orders. Credit Cards Accepted. ORDER FORM

MOFW '08 DVD --reg. $40, now $10 @ with $100+ order

FREE STUFF:

Original My Own Four Walls DVD -- FREE with every order over $100! or
REACH DVD--reg. $20, FREE with $200+ orders

Make MOFW work for you! The hardest working tool in your box should be My Own Four Walls. The documentaries and REACH training video (view free) on the MOFW 09 DVD can remover barriers and enlighten all kinds of audiences on McKinney-Vento homeless ed and just homelessness in general. Download (PDF) the Viewers' Guides. Besides the obvious--training educators--here's a plethora of other possible uses:

Youth groups, homeless experience events, police/fire/EMT trainings, community meetings, higher education classes, scout meetings, religious services or education classes, and more...

Sad, but we're not quitting! The May vote on the definition of homeless in the HEARTH Act didn't go well, to say the least. NAEHCY's tenacious Barbara Duffield and her intrepid team of advocates worked with a growing number of enlightened legislators, but it wasn't enough--this time.

So, to further educate lawmakers, HEAR US is planning the most ambitious cross-country tour ever, for now called the Learning Curve Express. We will need help from people across the country who believe kids without a place to call home should get the most help possible, even if they're living outside HUD's current inadequate definition of "homeless."

To keep doing what we're doing, and to do even more, we need your support. Buying our stuff helps a lot! Or join the growing number of HEAR US donors who chip in small amounts each month (or big amounts!). Please help!

More details in our next newsletter. See you soon!

SHARE THIS NEWSLETTER. To subscribe, click here. Our mailing list is PRIVATE!

EVENTS Illinois friends--join me at the July 11th Community Restoration Economics forum in Elgin

New HEAR US Video Teaches Lesson Behind Bars

2009-01-30T16:36:00.004-06:00

From behind bars, “Margo” learned an important lesson—her daughter did not need to change schools when she went to jail and the teenager moved in temporarily with her grandmother on the other side of town. After viewing the newly-released HEAR US video, “REACH—Connect Your Children to Education,” narrated by NBC-5 Chicago reporter LeeAnn Trotter, she now knows how to make the law work for her kids.

“I wish I had known this before she changed schools,” lamented Margo as she discussed her daughter’s case with HEAR US president Diane Nilan. Margo’s daughter would have been able to remain in her school under the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act, something she and other parents now can learn from the new HEAR US video.

Having the REACH film available online gives parents or caretakers of children a chance to learn about a law that has been in effect nationally for 7 years. An accompanying brochure reiterates the information. It’s a law Nilan was instrumental in getting passed, first in her home state of Illinois back in 1994, and then on the federal level, championed by Congresswoman Judy Biggert (IL-13/R), in 2001. Nilan, in her well-traveled RV (home/office), is heading on her 4^th cross-country venture across the nation’s backroads filming interviews for her newest documentary and giving presentations.

In addition to free viewing online, HEAR US announced that the REACH DVD may be purchased by jails, prison ministries, social service agencies or anyone wanting more information about the homeless education law.

Cook County (IL) Sheriff Tom Dart, who as a state legislator was a sponsor of the Illinois Education for Homeless Children Act, observed,

“Instead of letting kids fall through the cracks, HEAR US’ REACH film provides a roadmap for the educational rights to which each of these children are entitled.”

Dart paved the way for HEAR US to film at Cook County Jail, one of the nation’s largest corrections facilities. HEAR US also surveyed dozens of women and released a report, Mom in Jail: Kids Pay the Price.

Pointing to far more than 1.5 million homeless children and youth, Nilan’s hope is that they have at least consistency of education. “It’s the one stabilizing factor in an otherwise turbulent life,” she points out. “Kids get penalized unnecessarily if people are unaware of this law, and the caregivers often get saddled with additional burdens, such as school fees and needlessly proving residency for the child.”

After spending time in the Dallas area, Nilan heads to El Paso then Las Cruces in her quest to empower homeless parents and to give voice to kids who lack a place to call home. Believing that these kids are the best spokespersons, Nilan will travel far and wide to find them.

# # #

Jail Robs Kids of Moms and Stability

2008-11-17T09:02:00.010-06:00

“The most potent ‘homelessness creation’ system for families is poverty,” points out Diane Nilan, a national homelessness activist and president of HEAR US Inc., “and incarceration is the ‘two’ of the one-two punch.” HEAR US Inc. today released their report, “Mom in Jail, Kids Pay the Price,” a look at how incarceration affects both moms and their kids, focusing on children’s educational and housing instability while the parent is locked up.

One of the largest county correctional institutions in the country, Cook County Jail in Chicago, provided the setting for interviews of over 75 non-violent women inmates, most awaiting further court action to determine their fate. CCJ’s Women’s Justice Services oversees various programs for women inmates, and they funded and coordinated this survey.

Board members from HEAR US, the Naperville, IL-based nonprofit organization, conducted face-to-face interviews in September to determine how parents and children fare in the indefinite and unpredictable world of criminal justice.

“Mom in Jail, Kids Pay the Price,” a snapshot that could also apply to thousands of county and local jails nationwide, underscores poverty, housing instability, and haphazard childcare arrangements that jeopardize the educational stability and well-being of vulnerable children.

The report also documents that grandparents provide a graying, frail safety net for children and grandchildren, often at great risk.

HEAR US hypothesized that children became homeless because of hardship and mobility related to the parent going to jail. Sadly this theory was confirmed in the report. Most mothers had previously been incarcerated, the majority multiple times.

Along with living in poverty, a significant number have been homeless and lack secure housing or sustainable income when they are released. When mom was locked up, school stability vanished as children’s housing became unstable.

Caretakers, sometimes family, mostly grandparents, and sometimes a succession of friends, family and acquaintances, are ill-informed about the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act which removes educational barriers for homeless children. Homeless children have the right to stay in their old school or immediately get into the school in the area where they are temporarily staying.

Nilan, instrumental in passage and implementation of this law, says “Schools often don’t ask, nor are they told, the circumstances behind a child and caregiver showing up to register at a new school. Nor are they aware that the child has the option of staying in their own school, a choice that could mean stability when it’s needed most.” Research proves that changing schools is severely detrimental to the child’s educational progress.

HEAR US plans a national campaign to distribute invaluable tools empowering incarcerated parents to protect their homeless children’s educational rights. “REACH, Connect Your Child to Education,” an 11-minute film (on DVD), will soon be available with an accompanying brochure to offer parents and caregivers information and assistance with school issues.

HEAR US gives voice and visibility to homeless children and youth. In the past 3 years, Nilan, in her RV that serves as home/office, has traveled over 65,000 backroads miles filming documentaries featuring homeless kids and conducting presentations on this issue. She’s worked over 22 years in this field, including 15 as a shelter director. “It’s not getting better, it’s getting worse,” she laments. “We need to turn the tide or homelessness will devastate even more of our nation’s children.” # # #

Tri-City Couple's Promise Gives Hope to Homeless Families

2008-09-18T16:40:00.010-05:00

Naperville, Sept. 17, 2008 -- Selling their beloved Geneva restaurant Chez Francois two years ago, owners Chef Francois and Betsy Sanchez promised to honor their commitment to help homeless children through HEAR US, Diane Nilan’s unique nonprofit organization that gives voice and visibility to homeless children and youth. That promise is being honored on October 4th as the Sanchez’s will prepare a gourmet meal for up to 120 lucky diners.

The Bene-Feast, as this fundraising dinner has been dubbed, will feature Sanchez’s signature dish, paella, and specially made accompanying dishes. Bethlehem Lutheran Church in St. Charles is donating use of their hall for the event which will attract diners from as far away as Chicago. Local merchants from the Tri-Cities, Aurora, and Naperville have donated sizable raffle prizes. “We are so excited to be able to provide significant help to this amazing organization,” states Betsy Sanchez. “The help that HEAR US provides is extended to homeless families nationwide.”

HEAR US (www.hearus.us) is a national nonprofit that gives voice and visibility to homeless children and youth. Diane Nilan, a longtime Fox Valley advocate for homeless adults and children and former shelter director at Hesed House, started this unique organization over 3 years ago as a means to advocate for policies and actions to alleviate homelessness among families and teens. She sold her Aurora townhouse and purchased an RV which has served as her home and office as she traveled over 65,000 miles of typically backroads seeking out young homeless spokespersons.

Nilan points to some significant successes already under HEAR US’ belt: winning a major national award for “My Own Four Walls,” her documentary featuring over 75 homeless children and teens from non-urban parts of the country, produced by Northern Illinois University media professor Dr. Laura Vazquez; passage of a long-sought federal law to remove barriers to college for homeless unaccompanied teens; and testifying to Congress, staving off (for now) attempts to limit federal help for homeless families. “We have much more to do,” states Nilan. “Homelessness among families and teens is skyrocketing and we want to create a ‘compassion epidemic’ to provide relief as we fight for more resources.”

HEAR US doesn’t typically qualify for grants because it does not provide direct service, so Nilan and her Fox Valley board rely on special events, like the Bene-Feast, as well as sales of My Own Four Walls DVD and tax-deductible donations to continue the HEAR US mission.
Rising gas costs and a troubled economy loom as big concerns, but Nilan reflects, “Families in crisis face worse troubles each day. We’ve increased our support base because we’ve successfully focused on core issues and policies that could reduce homelessness nationwide. The faith that Francois and Betsy have in our mission, and the promise I’ve made to countless homeless kids nationwide keeps us believing that support will arrive in time.”
Gen
For tickets or more information, contact Nilan at 630/225-5012, diane@hearus.us.
# # #

Honoring Two DuPage Legislators for Work with Homeless Families

2008-09-18T16:40:00.004-05:00

PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release Contact Diane Nilan 630-267-5424

[Naperville, Sept. 18, 2008] Retired State Representative Mary Lou Cowlishaw (R-Naperville) teamed up with Congresswoman Judy Biggert (R-IL-13) to remove barriers often keeping homeless children from school. For their extensive efforts both women will be honored by HEAR US, Diane Nilan’s unique nonprofit organization that gives voice and visibility to homeless children and youth. They will be recognized on October 4th at the HEAR US “Bene-Feast” fund raising dinner.

The Bene-Feast will feature Tri-Cities’ Chef Francois and Betsy Sanchez’s signature dish, paella, and specially made accompanying dishes. Bethlehem Lutheran Church in St. Charles is donating use of their hall for the event which will attract diners from as far away as Chicago. Local merchants from the Tri-Cities, Aurora, and Naperville have donated sizable raffle prizes. “We are delighted to pay homage to the two women who have for years pursued opportunities for homeless children,” exclaims Diane Nilan.

HEAR US (www.hearus.us) is the Naperville-based national nonprofit that gives voice and visibility to homeless children and youth. Diane Nilan, a longtime Fox Valley advocate for homeless adults and children and former shelter director at Hesed House, started this unique organization over 3 years ago as a means to advocate for policies and actions to alleviate homelessness among families and teens. She sold her Aurora townhouse and purchased an RV which has served as her home and office as she traveled over 65,000 miles of typically backroads seeking out young homeless spokespersons.

Nilan points to some significant successes already under HEAR US’ belt: winning a major national award for “My Own Four Walls,” her documentary featuring over 75 homeless children and teens from non-urban parts of the country, produced by Northern Illinois University media professor Dr. Laura Vazquez; passage of a long-sought federal law to remove barriers to college for homeless unaccompanied teens; and testifying to Congress, staving off (for now) attempts to limit federal help for homeless families.

Mayor George Pradel of Naperville will stand in for Mrs. Cowlishaw who is unable to attend the event. He’s encouraging leadership from the entire DuPage Mayors and Managers Conference to attend.

HEAR US doesn’t typically qualify for grants because it does not provide direct service, so Nilan and her Fox Valley board rely on special events, like the Bene-Feast, as well as sales of My Own Four Walls DVD and tax-deductible donations to continue the HEAR US mission.
Rising gas costs and a troubled economy loom as big concerns, but Nilan reflects, “Families in crisis face worse troubles each day. We’ve increased our support base because we’ve successfully focused on core issues and policies that could reduce homelessness nationwide. Having such superb leadership on the critical issue of homeless kids being able to get into school has made all the difference for countless children. HEAR US is committed to find resources to continue our mission.”

For tickets or more information, contact Nilan at 630/225-5012, diane@hearus.us.
# # #

HOMELESS KIDS' ALERT 7-13-08

2008-07-13T16:13:00.001-05:00

TWO MINUTES to MAKE HOMELESS KIDS COUNT!

Now is the time--we need you to help homeless families and teens! A 2 minute call can make a big difference!

ON TUESDAY, JULY 15, the US House Financial Services subcommittee meeting is scheduled to act on a critical bill that affects homeless families and teens.

THE ISSUE: HUD is fighting to greatly limit help for homeless families and teens by keeping a NARROW DEFINITION. We want a more realistic definition which includes families/teens, who because of hardship and loss of housing, stay in motels or doubled-up with others.

THE SCOOP: Sadly, despicable tactics have gutted the HEARTH Bill, HR 840, which we supported, and the new version STINKS! CLICK HERE to read Diane's blog for the scoop....

ACTION: We need everyone possible (READ--FLOOD) to call legislators on MONDAY (or fax before Tues.), especially members of the FINANCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE, to urge 2 steps:

1. VOTE NO for the "manager's amendment" to HR 840. Pull the bill until it can be re-worked.

2. If another amendment addresses MAKING HOMELESS KIDS COUNT with HUD, vote YES for it.

IF YOUR MEMBER OF CONGRESS SITS ON THE FINANCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE: it is essential to have as many people as possible from your community contact her/him.

IF YOUR MEMBER IS NOT on the committee contact your rep to urge them to request their colleagues to vote as above.

WHEN YOU CALL: Ask for the person who handles HUD issues. Briefly tell them you're calling about HR 840, and ask them to VOTE NO for the MANAGER'S AMENDMENT to HR840, and to VOTE YES for the amendment to MAKE HOMELESS KIDS COUNT.

TO FIND OUT WHO YOUR CONGRESSPERSON IS...CLICK HERE and type in your zip code (9-digit) in the upper left-hand corner of the page. Phone and fax numbers are on the website.

CLICK HERE for FINANCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE members.

NOTE: Calls and faxes will be most effective for this effort.

Monroe County NY Stats

2008-06-30T17:55:00.002-05:00

Formatting problems prevent the stats from being viewable. Email me at diane@hearus.us and I'll send a pdf file with the complete report.

Sorry!
Diane

Monroe County NY School District Report Card

2008-06-30T17:45:00.002-05:00

HEAR US Inc.

…giving voice and visibility to homeless kids...

June 30, 2008

Dear Monroe County Superintendents,

HEAR US is pleased to release the 2007-08 Monroe County School District Report Card indicating progress on identifying and serving homeless students in your county. As with most report cards, it is just a measurement that may or may not show need for improvement and it does not reflect your district’s attitude regarding homeless students.

Under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, schools must identify children and youth in homeless situations and provide appropriate services. Realizing that it is sometimes difficult to identify homeless students, several resources exist to guide and assist your district. The New York State Education Department provides superb technical assistance and materials through NYS Technical Education Assistance Center for Homeless Students, TEACHS. A complete array of online resources is available at www.serve.org/nche. HEAR US has created a very useful and powerful tool: My Own Four Walls, a series of documentaries featuring students talking about their experiences of homelessness and education.

Now, onto the report card…

This report uses poverty statistics by district to gauge the potential number of homeless students in your area. Using a very conservative number, 10% of children/youth in poverty in your district who will likely experience homelessness, HEAR US examined the number of homeless students identified by your district. Factored in was improvement from 2005 to 2006 if your district increased its number of students identified.

Although each school district is required to have a trained homeless liaison to facilitate identification and enrollment of homeless students, the overall responsibility to respectfully identify and assist homeless students is best accomplished by a district-wide approach. Sensitivity is increased and enrollment delays eliminated if your entire staff understand the importance of this challenge.

Unfortunately, homelessness is on the increase as poverty grows and foreclosures soar. Making sure homeless students have access to education will yield positive results for the students, their families, and their communities.

Please consider this report card a baseline indicator of Monroe County’s school districts efforts to properly identify homeless students. It is a work in progress. I will be happy to provide assistance to your districts so you may better identify, enroll and serve homeless students.

Sincerely,

HEAR US Inc.

Diane Nilan

President

OVERALL
Numbers on the enclosed report are indicators of how many students were identified as homeless in Monroe County. All districts have room for improvement. Compliance with the law (Subtitle VII-B of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, reauthorized by Title X, Part C, of the No Child Left Behind Act) isn’t the only reason. Homeless students can thrive in a stable, safe learning environment.

Even districts that scored lower in identifying homeless students are not far from turning in a better performance indicator next year.

The less poverty a district has, the harder it is to identify homeless students. Why? Because families and teens who lose their housing due to hardship—economic, domestic violence, natural disaster, personal set-backs—tend to want to avoid attention. They often fear that being identified as “homeless” will involve child protection authorities. Besides, it’s embarrassing.

Those who have scored higher identifying homeless students have a few tricks of the trade:

· They know addresses of motels or shelters (although few areas outside Rochester have shelters).

· They have trained enrollment personnel to be sensitively alert to signs of homelessness at the time families enroll or as youth attempt to enroll on their own.

· They know the definition of homeless extends beyond the obvious of living in a shelter or on the streets.

· They have set up communication within the district so people know who to contact if they suspect a student might be homeless.

· They have publicized the rights of homeless students in places where homeless families and teens will see them.

· They continually work to de-stigmatize homelessness among staff and students.

· They know what local agencies assist families or teens in homeless situations and encourage two-way communication.

· They are alert to natural disasters that displace low-income families.

· They care.

POVERTY, NOT THE ONLY INDICATOR

While poverty certainly is a major factor in homelessness, it is not the only one. The leading cause of homelessness among families is domestic violence, something that affects all income levels and is an incident that tends to not be talked about by those involved. Homeless teens often become homeless because of abuse in the home—of all income levels.

If a district has any poverty, and all Monroe County districts do, then it is likely that AT LEAST 10% of those in poverty will experience homelessness: eviction or foreclosure causes them to move in with family/friends or into motels, moving often as the current arrangement falls apart; natural disaster, forces families with scant resources to turn to family/friends, or motels, once short-lived assistance from disaster agencies runs out; break-up of marriages or relationships forces people out of the family residence; income/credit problems; and/or safety issues, physical, sexual and/or emotional abuse which renders their living situation untenable.

GENERAL OBSERVATIONS
For any district to report 0 homeless students is a red flag. Even affluent districts will have students who fit the definition of homeless. It takes some effort on the part of the district’s liaison and other school personnel to be alert to homelessness.

Districts that were ranked higher for their abilities did not just accidentally identify homeless students. They’ve worked to establish an environment that makes it easier. Kudos to them, but don’t rest! Homelessness is increasing.

If your district showed improvement from the ’05 to the ‘06 years, that’s a good sign. Keep trying. Sensitizing staff and working with your local community will yield even better results next year.

FINALLY

Feel free to contact HEAR US for more information about resources available to school districts and communities. Also, excellent resources are available through NYS TEACHS and the National Center for Homeless Education.

Thanks for your efforts on behalf of all homeless students.

HEAR US Inc.

Diane Nilan

President

PRESS RELEASE: HEAR US! Disc Us!

2008-06-26T09:13:00.004-05:00

For Immediate Release

Contact Diane Nilan, 630-267-5424

HEAR US! Disc Us! Project Links Homeless Kids and Disc Golf

What do disc golf and homeless kids have in common? Both are often obscure, with only insiders knowing of their existence. HEAR US, a Naperville-based national nonprofit organization that gives voice and visibility to homeless children and youth, recently received a grant that will lift both disc golf and homeless kids out of obscurity.

The Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA) awarded HEAR US a grant to promote this sport which involves throwing a Frisbee-like disc at a chain-link basket on a course resembling a golf course. The nationally-competitive grant will enable HEAR US to invite homeless kids to experience the sport that has hooked HEAR US founder Diane Nilan and her longtime friend and board member Sister Helen Jilek, a Benedictine Sister from Lisle.

Nilan describes “HEAR US! Disc Us!” as an effort “to call attention to the great game of disc golf with the goal of increasing participation in the sport.” She also intends “to raise awareness of the existence of homeless families and teens in communities, with hopes to ease the suffering of these kids by developing local support for initiatives to help them.” Over 1.5 million children and youth are homeless in this country.

HEAR US is planning a disc golf outing with the children staying at the Hope Haven shelter in DeKalb where Nilan sometimes parks her home-office recreational vehicle. After selling her Aurora home and possessions, Nilan bought the RV so she could film a documentary about non-urban homeless kids. She’s traveled over 60,000 miles and produced a documentary to put homeless kids on the radar screen of educators, politicians and the public. My Own Four Walls, the award-winning HEAR US documentary, is available through the HEAR US website, www.hearus.us.

Hope Haven is the only shelter in DeKalb County. They provide a full spectrum of services for homeless families and adults including emergency and transitional shelters which tend to run at capacity, often with 25 children there with their families. Executive Director Lesly Wicks enthusiastically welcomed the chance for HEAR US to introduce disc golf with the kids. “It’s a great game!” states Wicks, who was introduced to the game by Nilan. “And if it helps raise awareness of homeless kids it will be worth it.”

As Nilan commences travel around the country this fall she will line up other opportunities for homeless kids to participate with HEAR US, Disc Us! She raises awareness of homelessness by presenting to educators, colleges, and service providers across the country. HEAR US is currently working on a feature-length documentary on homeless families with Dr. Laura Vazquez, media professor at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb.

An exasperated Nilan points to a current battle in Congress to expand the definition of homeless to include families and teens not staying in shelters. “What many people don’t get, including Congress, is invisible homeless families struggling to survive often stay with other families or in motels because shelters can’t handle them,” Nilan reflects. Playing disc golf with homeless kids is her perfect anecdote to balance the insanity of this longstanding campaign.

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Homelessness 101: New Children's Book Illustrates Disaster-Related Homelessness

2008-06-26T09:05:00.004-05:00

Pat Van Doren, HEAR US board member and founder of "It's About the Children,"
was recently interviewed about her newest children's book, A Family of Five or Six.
Read the Naperville Sun story.

In time for HURRICANE SEASON--a children's book--with a twist

2008-06-02T17:56:00.004-05:00

With the opening of hurricane season, a powerful children's book blows in, addressing the often-ignored issue of homelessness. A Family of Five or Six by Naperville (IL) author Pat Van Doren tells the story of Michael and his family--their house destroyed in a hurricane--and their experiences coping with homelessness.

Even before Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast, Pat had been working on this, her second children's book addressing homelessness. Her first, Where Can I Build My Volcano?, a self-published book that has sold over 6,000 copies since first released in 1998, has won national acclaim including the 2006 Outstanding Media award from NAEHCY, the National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth.

The unusual twist to this book comes from Florida, a group of 5th and 6th graders at Carrollwood Day School in Tampa, and their "energizer bunny" teacher Mrs. Barbie Monty, who guides her students' learning process but lets them have at it. She had received a copy of Volcano and her kids wanted to convert it into a play for their major end-of-the-year performance. She contacted HEAR US, who gave her Pat's info, and a bond was formed.

Pat ended up getting more help than she initially asked for--as the kids provided illustrations for the inside of the book. They also shared their hurricane experiences so Pat would get the details right. They had a weekly conference call which meant the kids had to give up their lunch to participate. They met that requirement plus worked on deadline, providing artwork that tells this children's story with obvious input from children.

Pat's organization, It's About the Children, a part of HEAR US Inc., continues to use children's books and powerful photos of children in homeless situations to convey the realities of over 1.5 million homeless children and youth in America.

The books sell for $15 plus postage. Contact Pat at patvandoren@earthlink.net, 630/355-5859, to purchase books or for more information.

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My Own Four Walls 2008 Offers Extensive Look at Homelessness

2008-04-21T10:10:00.003-05:00

HEAR US Inc. announces the release of My Own Four Walls 2008, an expanded version of their acclaimed My Own Four Walls DVD, which gives homeless children and youth the opportunity to share their observations on homelessness.

My Own Four Walls 2008 is a DVD collection of short documentaries depicting homelessness as experienced by children and teens in non-urban areas of the country. It was filmed and produced by HEAR US Inc., a national nonprofit organization dedicated to giving voice and visibility to homeless children, youth and families.

These young homelessness experts share their challenges and their dreams, common to over 1.5 million children and youth in this country who typically remain invisible, struggling to get into and succeed in school.

The My Own Four Walls 2008 DVD contains several short pieces:

§ “My Own Four Walls (the stories),” a 20-minute compilation of elementary, middle and high school students sharing their observations on homelessness.

§ Elementary, middle and high school segments (8-10 minutes each) of students talking about homelessness and education. Included in these segments are references to the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Act.

§ “Life Filled with Benches,” a short (13 min) inspiring glimpse of 2 teens on the streets of Harrisburg, PA.

§ NEW! “Beneath the Surface,” a 23-minute documentary exploring the life of a homeless teen in a suburban community. (This new selection was filmed and produced by Phil Ridgway, Chris Kelly and Susan Carlson, documentary students at Northern Illinois University.)

§ NEW! Also included are links to 2 specially-created guides (PDF) to help viewers learn more about homelessness.

MOFW, Benches, and Beneath the Surface are suitable for a variety of audiences, including student bodies, educators, administrators, non-certified personnel who come into contact with homeless students, and the general public. All who view it will walk away with a deeper sense of how homelessness affects the invisible homeless population in communities nationwide.

Price and purchase information may be found at the HEAR US website.

MOFW received the 2007 Outstanding Media Award from the National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth (http://www.naehcy.org/conf/awards.html#nila).

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Heart-Ripping Tales of Homelessness from Young Experts

2008-04-21T10:01:00.001-05:00

Unabashed testimony from children and teens who know homelessness first-hand will change the way this country approaches this issue. Diane Nilan, a national activist echoes the challenge of over 1.5 million homeless young people, “HEAR US!”

HEAR US Inc. announces the release of My Own Four Walls 2008, a compelling documentary series depicting homelessness in little known locales across the nation. The DVD is available for sale through the HEAR US website, www.hearus.us.

In fall of 2006 Nilan sold her suburban Illinois townhouse and possessions and moved into a 27’ RV which serves as her home, office and vehicle. She started HEAR US, a national nonprofit based in Naperville, IL, to give voice and visibility to homeless kids.

After raising enough money to get started she has logged over 60,000 miles, mostly backroads, calling attention to the overlooked issue of homelessness in non-urban areas. She singlehandedly filmed over 75 interviews with homeless children and teens to create a video awareness tool, My Own Four Walls.

Fueled by 15 years experience running busy suburban homeless shelters and over 20 years advocacy, Nilan admits, “I had no idea of what I was getting into.” She never operated a video camera or RV before this trip. “All I knew was that something must be done to shine a light on homeless families and youth.” More about the journey…

In June 2006 when Nilan returned to Naperville, she was introduced to Dr. Laura Vazquez, a Northern Illinois University documentary professor, who not only agreed to help Nilan compile the interviews into a documentary and but also offered to take a sabbatical and collaborate on a feature-length film examining homeless families. Nilan jumped at the opportunity. They currently are filming “On the Edge” in various parts of the country.

Feedback on My Own Four Walls has been heart-warming. “This powerful and poignant documentary takes an intimate look at the issues faced by homeless children and puts a human face on the problem of homelessness,” states Professor Markus Redding, Columbia University School of Social Work. “Their inspirational stories of resilience and survival in the face of great adversity show the power of the human spirit. This documentary will change views of homelessness in America.” Nilan and over 1.5 million homeless kids sure hope so.

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