Naperville: A “Stagecoach Stop” to Support Homeless Families

[Naperville, IL, 3/29/21] Headquarters for HEAR US Inc., the unique national nonprofit supporting homeless families and youth, Naperville is like a stagecoach stop for founder and sole employee Diane Nilan. It’s her opportunity to re-stock books, get replacement signs for her van, touch base with board members, and to call attention to her new book and film. 

Her van, dubbed “Tillie the Turtle,” or T2 (now her second vehicle), serves as her home, office and vehicle for cross-country travels which she’s been doing since November 2005. As turtles do, Nilan carries almost everything she owns in her van, her only home. Her travels have taken her to 49 states, chronicling hundreds of stories shared by children, youth and parents experiencing homelessness. 

Nilan, the former founder of the homeless shelter in Joliet (Daybreak, formerly Will County PADS), and director of the PADS shelter at Hesed House in Aurora, created HEAR US to fill what she saw as a tremendous gap—the voices and visibility of homeless families and youth. She has been instrumental in attaining, protecting, and promoting educational rights of homeless students, legislation with its origin in the Fox Valley, since 1993. 

Tillie1, Nilan's first van, bore a sign saying 1.5 million kids
were homeless in the US.

She points to a disturbing fact, depicted on the sign on her van’s back door. “My first sign reflected the estimated number of homeless students—1.5 million in 2007,” Nilan stated. “I just ordered a replacement sign and the number is now 7 million.”

Part of the dramatic increase is due to the work of HEAR US, filming and producing short videos featuring kids and parents sharing their stories of homelessness, including their hopes and dreams. Her films raise awareness of the still largely invisible homeless families and youth who don’t typically stand on street corners asking for help. They bounce around from friend’s couches to motels to parking lots and more. “My all-time favorite is my first film, My Own Four Walls, when I knew nothing about filmmaking.”

Nilan credits Professor Laura Vazquez and her Northern Illinois University students for their production expertise of that film. She and Vazquez then teamed up to film and produce award-winning on the edge: Family Homelessness in America, which screened at the Naperville Film Festival and was shown on PBS stations. They’ve collaborated on other films, but Nilan says her professor-friend-guru has taught her enough to be on her own. 

The pandemic put the brakes on Nilan’s travels for a few months, giving her time to write her memoir, Dismazed and Driven - My Look at Family Homelessness in America, which she hopes Anderson’s Bookshop in Naperville will carry. 

HEAR US just released a poignant new film, Capital Failure: Family Homelessness Surging, which Nilan filmed in Raleigh, NC in the first part of 2021. This 12-minute film focuses on homeless families stuck in motels. “Jamie, the mother who shared her story, gave a striking description of what millions of families in similar situations endure,” credits Nilan. “Anyone who watches this eye-opening film will better understand the debilitating nature of family homelessness.”

The virtual world has opened up possibilities for HEAR US presentations. She’s recently presented at a state conference in Minnesota, Columbia University graduate social work students, and to a forum on homeless students at North Carolina State University. This month, Nilan will address audiences in Ft. Worth and Austin, Texas, and will speak to a virtual gathering of state coordinators for homeless education across the country. 

She and a colleague are planning a rare joint tour in September from Texas to California, one which promises to get them in “good trouble” in memory of Congressman John Lewis. 

Information about HEAR US, www.hearus.us. 

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Inside Look at Family/Youth Homelessness: Local Filmmaker, Former Shelter Director, Offers Insights and Solutions

Scholarly endeavors. Photo by Diane Nilan

[Naperville, June 25, 2019] School’s out, but for tens of thousands of kids across Illinois and millions across the country, their lifeline—school—is severed because they have no home. Twenty-five years after Illinois became the first state to remove barriers for homeless students, the work begun in the Fox Valley continues to pay off for students experiencing homelessness across the country. This subject will be highlighted at a film screening on July 12 in Naperville.

Diane Nilan, president of HEAR US Inc., a Naperville-based nonprofit, will share 2 of her short documentaries, a coast-to-coast look at 

Diane Nilan

homelessness—Washington State and New Hampshire—for the monthly Just Views film screening at DuPage Unitarian Universalist Church. 

Nilan, former shelter director at Hesed House in Aurora, and a small group of activists, worked with Fox Valley area legislators to spearhead the Illinois Education for Homeless Children Act which passed 25 years ago. Her film subjects frequently refer to the significance of the federal law that grew from the Illinois statute. 

Nilan’s been living in her van since 2005 and has traveled over 400,000 miles of mostly backroads through 48 mainland states and Hawaii (not in her R.V.), making dozens of films viewed by hundreds of thousands of people worldwide about family and youth homelessness. State education departments hire her to film and produce these short documentaries to highlight the mostly invisible homeless student population. Her work has earned recognition from a variety of organizations. 

A quiet place to do school work just doesn't exist
for kids without homes.
Photo by Diane Nilan

Her documentaries give parents and youth the opportunity to share their stories, debunking many myths about homelessness. Nilan will also explain a legislative effort to address these problems: The Homeless Children and Youth Act -- legislation being considered by U.S. House Finance Committee.  Two Naperville area congresspersons, Bill Foster and Sean Casten, sit on this committee.

The audience will also learn about the HEAR US 2020 VisionQuest journey, launching from Naperville on July 20th. HEAR US VisionQuest 2020, a 9,000-mile, 25-state journey will call attention to invisible family and youth homelessness. 

EVENT DETAILS

This film screening begins at 7:20 pm, and it is free and open to the public. Just Views is sponsored by the DuPage Peace through Justice Coalition. The monthly event is held in Naperville at the DuPage Unitarian Universalist Church at 1828 Old Naperville Road. Event organizers are Stephanie Hughes 630/ 420-4233; Associate Director is Carol Tritschler 630/961-0106.

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HEAR US: Homing In On Homelessness Causes & Cures

       [Naperville, IL, June 21, 2019] Filmmaker Diane Nilan probably knows as much as anyone in the USA about

the trials and tribulations of homeless persons. On July 12, Nilan will return to Just Views, a free monthly film screening event sponsored by the DuPage Peace through Justice Coalition, to screen two of her recent short documentaries featuring homeless families and youth. A short discussion will follow. 

In 2005, Nilan founded a nonprofit organization, HEAR US Inc., to give voice and visibility to the (now) 6,000,000+ American children and youth living in cars and shelters, on the streets, or doubled up with other families. She previously led area shelters (Joliet and Aurora) and was instrumental in legislative efforts to remove barriers to education encountered by students without homes.

Nilan’s been living in her van since 2005 and has traveled over 400,000 miles of mostly backroads through 48 mainland states, and Hawaii (not in her R.V.), making dozens of films viewed by hundreds of thousands of people worldwide. Her work has earned recognition from a variety of organizations. 

    Her documentaries give parents and youth the opportunity to share their stories, debunking many myths about homelessness. Nilan will also explain a legislative effort to address these problems: The Homeless Children and Youth Act -- legislation being considered by U.S. House Finance Committee. Two Naperville area congresspersons, Bill Foster and Sean Casten, sit on this committee.

        The audience will also learn about Nilan’s most ambitious journey, the HEAR US 2020 VisionQuest journey, launching from Naperville on July 20th. 

https://www.hearus.us/projects/awareness/2020.html

This film screening begins at 7:20 pm, and it is free and open to the public. Just Views is sponsored by the DuPage Peace through Justice Coalition. The event is held in Naperville at the DuPage Unitarian Universalist Church at 1828 Old Naperville Road. Event organizers are Stephanie Hughes 630/ 420-4233; Associate Director is Carol Tritschler 630/961-0106.

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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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Homeless Little Boy With Cat Takes On Powerful Political Figures

[Naperville, IL, 10/17/16] The bedraggled little boy clutching a cat that almost matches him in size faces strong competition, but it’s

Charlie
© Pat Van Doren

really no contest. In the end, Charlie will win, inspiring compassionate deeds on behalf of millions of America’s children and youth in homeless situations. 

HEAR US, a Naperville-based national nonprofit organization giving voice and visibility to homeless children and youth, is launching The Charlie Book: 60 Ways to Help Homeless Kids, a 24-page guide to anyone wanting to make life a little better for the millions of mostly-invisible homeless kids in every community. 

The cover of this little book bears Charle’s iconic picture, taken by Naperville photojournalist Pat Van Doren back in the days of the Aurora-Naperville struggle to get homeless kids into school. This little boy, whose image she captured outside the shelter at Hesed House in Aurora, became the poster child for the successful 1994 “Charlie’s Bill” campaign, making Illinois the first state to guarantee the rights to education for homeless students. (Ret.) Congresswoman Judy Biggert led the successful effort to enact this law on the national level in 2002. More than 1.3 million students without homes benefitted from this law last year.

The Charlie Book, written by national homeless education expert Diana Bowman for HEAR US, reflects tried-and-true practices from across the nation. HEAR US founder and president Diane Nilan edited the book and provided photos from her vast collection of images she’s amassed in her past 11 years of cross-country travel to chronicle children and youth homelessness. Beth Adams, a local graphic artist, volunteered her layout and design services. 

Charlie, aka Charles, is real. He and his wife and 3 children now live in West Virginia, where he works. He and Nilan connect occasionally. She’s sending his family several copies of this book. 

The book is suitable for schools, shelters, scout troops, faith communities, service groups, and well-intentioned individuals wanting to make a difference for children in their communities. It sells for $10 (+s/h).

Information and ordering instructions are on the HEAR US website, www.hearus.us. Proceeds from the book support the continuing work of this well-regarded organization. 

Nilan is loading up hundreds of copies of The Charlie Book in her van/home/office. She heads to Orlando on Thursday for a national conference of homeless student educators, many of whom have expressed great interest in this unique book. 

Who is the competition Charlie (and his book) face? None other than the national presidential candidates who occupy the media with their campaign fodder. When the dust settles, the goodness Charlie and his followers accomplish will touch lives of millions of kids without homes, a story worthy of widespread media coverage. 

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George and Charlie to Help Homeless Kids in Naperville and Beyond

Press Release
For Immediate Release
October 3, 2016


[Naperville, IL] Launching The Charlie Book: 60 Ways to Help Homeless Kids at the October 13  George Winston HEAR US Benefit concert will bring together the perennially popular musician George Winston with the iconic Charlie, the homeless boy who opened school doors for millions of homeless kids nationwide. Mr. Winston will play at St. Timothy Lutheran Church in Naperville.

HEAR US Inc., the Naperville-based national nonprofit giving voice and visibility to homeless children and youth, uses the image of Charlie in its logo. Naperville photojournalist Pat Van Doren photographed the little boy holding a cat, an image that became the poster child for the campaign to pass the first statewide law guaranteeing homeless kids access to school, legislation now in effect across the entire nation.

The Charlie Book: 60 Ways to Help Homeless Kids, written by Diana Bowman, a nationally prominent expert on homeless children, contains photos by Diane Nilan, former shelter director at Hesed House in Aurora, one of the people responsible for the homeless education laws. Nilan founded HEAR US 12 years ago and has been on the road since then, living in a small camper, chronicling homeless children and youth.

HEAR US will sell the books for $10, with proceeds supporting this unique nonprofit’s efforts to expand the common perception of homelessness to include children and youth. The 24-page Charlie Book gives practical suggestions to help kids and families. Nilan said, “This is a perfect tool for shelters, faith communities, scout troops, community organizations and individuals who want to make an impact in their community. When I ran the PADS shelter I would have loved to be able to hand the book to people who expressed sincere desire to help families and youth.”

This is the 3rd concert George Winston has done to benefit HEAR US. Nilan met up with George in Seattle recently at one of his performances. “I’m awed a musician of his prominence gives so generously to causes of homelessness and hunger,” she said. Winston has asked those attending the concert to bring donations of food for Loaves & Fishes Community Services, a Naperville-based agency providing food and services to those in need.

Nilan will be in the Naperville area for a short time before taking off for Florida to present at the National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth’s annual conference on the new HEAR US effort, Yay Babies! According to Nilan, most people have no idea that over 1 million homeless babies and toddlers, mostly with their families, struggle to survive without enough formula or diapers. Her 2-minute Yay Babies! public service video calls attention to this little population.

Naperville was “ground zero” for the birth of this important civil rights legislation that guarantees access to school for over 1.3 million children and youth without homes. Naperville area legislators, educators, and activists were involved in this campaign in 1993-94, including Nilan. “We’ve got ‘skin in the game’ on making sure this law works and that policymakers pay attention to the needs of families and youth in homeless situations,” stated Nilan. She’s coming back to make good on that promise. 

Information about ticket and book sales: www.hearus.us  

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By George! George Winston To Return for HEAR US Benefit

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 30, 2016

For information: 

Diane Nilan, 630/267-5424

[Naperville, IL] Homeless babies, toddlers, kids of all ages are counting on fans of George Winston, the popular musician whose piano and guitar music has delighted fans for decades. His benefit concert for the Naperville-based national nonprofit HEAR US Inc. on Oct. 13 at St. Timothy Lutheran Church in Naperville will support the organization’s newest project, Yay Babies! Yay Kids!

“George is incredibly supportive of programs serving homeless and hungry people,” states Diane Nilan, president and founder of HEAR US, a unique effort giving voice and visibility to millions of homeless children and youth in the U.S. 

Winston has performed 2 other benefit concerts for HEAR US since it started in 2005. Nilan, former shelter director at Hesed House in Aurora, has been living in a small van, traveling the country raising awareness of and inspiring compassion for invisible homeless families and youth.

The Oct. 13 concert will feature a variety of George Winston’s styles including melodic folk piano, New Orleans R&B piano, and stride piano.  He performs songs from his seasonal favorites “Autumn,” “December,” “Winter Into Spring,” and “Summer,” as well as Peanuts pieces from his Vince Guaraldi tribute albums “Linus & Lucy –The Music of Vince Guaraldi,” and Love Will Come-The Music of Vince Guaraldi, Vol. 2,” and more.

HEAR US relies on generous donations and events like this concert to fund efforts to improve lives of over 3 million homeless children and youth. Their latest project, Yay Babies! Yay Kids!, creates ways to help babies, toddlers and kids in local communities. Nilan’s latest video production is a 2-minute public service announcement film, Yay Babies! It’s designed to be shared on social media and focuses on the segment of the homeless population seldom considered—babies. The video can be found at www.hearus.us.

Charlie
© Pat Van Doren

Another exciting HEAR US effort is underway—the publishing of “The Charlie Book” outlining 60 ways to help homeless kids—which will have its national release at the concert. This 20-page guide gives practical information and offers ways individuals and groups can help families and youth in homeless situations. With the extensive HEAR US network, this book promises a national impact, both in practical ways and in focusing attention on an often-neglected population. 

The book is named after Charlie, the iconic photograph of Charlie, a small homeless boy holding a cat, an image captured by photojournalist Pat Van Doren, a HEAR US board member. This image, now central to the HEAR US logo,helped Illinois pass the nation's first state law to remove barriers common to homeless students attempting to get their education. Van Doren, Nilan and many other HEAR US board members were part of that campaign that led to passage the federal law, The Education of Homeless Children and Youth Act which protects the educational rights of over 1.3 million students without homes. 

Information about the concert and ticket sales can be found at www.hearus.us.  

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