Meet the 3 Melissas |
(7/24) Here's an opportunity to meet Melissa A (IL), Melissa N (FL), and Melissa T (KS), the 3 women who are featured in the latest HEAR US book, The Three Melissas - The Practical Guide to Surviving Family Homelessness. (Book available Sept. '24) |
5 min |
Caring Schools Make the Difference - NC |
(1/24) Schools in North Carolina provide support to families and students experiencing homelessness. This film features 3 moms and one youth on her own talking about their homelessness and how schools can be helpful. Funded by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, Education of Homeless Children and Youth Program. |
15 min |
Homeless Liaisons Navigate Challenges in North Carolina |
(12/23) Every school district nationwide has homeless liaisons, the mostly-unsung champions for students experiencing homelessness. North Carolina has a well-trained cadre of liaisons serving students and their families. This short film takes you across the state to see and hear the liaisons in action.
This film was funded by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, Education of Homeless Children and Youth Program.
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12:48 min |
HEAR Them: Youth Without Homes in New Mexico |
(5/22) Six New Mexico teens shared their experiences and insights about homelessness. Three teens are unaccompanied youth--without parents/guardians involved in their lives. The other three are part of a family that spent 5 months navigating homelessness before finally securing housing.
This film was funded by the New Mexico Public Education Department, McKinney-Vento Program.
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10:09 min |
Hidden in Plain Sight - Families Experiencing Housing Instability in New Mexico |
(5/22) Four moms and a dad share their families' experiences of invisible homelessness in New Mexico, the Land of Enchantment.
This film was funded by the NM Public Education Department's McKinney-Vento Program.
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16:15 min |
Idaho Schools: Lifesaving Connection |
(12/2021) For thousands of Idaho public school students, school is a lifesaver. Because of housing insecurity, these families struggle with day-to-day needs. Four women courageously describe their challenges and explain how schools have been lifesaving. Funded by the ID Department of Education's McKinney-Vento Homeless Education program.
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18:30 min |
Families Experiencing Housing Instability in Idaho |
(12/2021) Mothers of school-age kids in Idaho share what it's like to experience housing instability and homelessness and shine a light on what school support can mean. Funded by the ID Department of Education's McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Program. |
6:49 min |
Not Homeless Enough |
(8/2021) Families deemed "not homeless enough" by HUD's standards struggle to find places to stay. In Dane County, including Madison, WI, hundreds of families lack housing and resources. Four parents shared their plights and hopes. (Accompanying news story from Wisconsin State Journal) |
10 min. |
Capital Failure: Family Homelessness Surging |
(3/2021) When families lose housing, often they cannot turn to shelters, especially families in rural areas where no services exist. If lucky, they may end up in a motel room, but that is not a solution. Jamie shares a textbook story of her family's homelessness in a Raleigh, NC motel. 12-min. Capital Failure 5-min. trailer
More info about this video and issue, http://bit.ly/3r6rt3u or www.hearus.us
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12 min
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5 min
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Danger Within |
(3/2020) Diane Nilan reads a segment from her new book, Dismazed and Driven - My Look at Family Homelessness in America. This excerpt features an interview with Phil Mangano, a federal official whose reign focused on HUD's "Chronic Homelessness Initiative" at what some believe was the expense of families and youth. |
5:30 min |
This Is Homelessness |
(3/2020) A short (3-min) excerpt from Dismazed and Driven - My Look at Family Homelessness in America.Diane Nilan's memoir/social narrative covers her 15 years of HEAR US (www.hearus.us) travels across US backroads, chronicling family homelessness while living in a small RV. Info: https://amzn.to/3PD4s4B |
3 min |
Ride It Out: Hurricane Michael Carnage |
(2/2020) Rosie's challenges after Hurricane Michael destroyed her family's home didn't stop with surviving the storm. Her life, and that of her 2 daughters, can be devastated by the aftermath, despite her impressive accomplishments. |
4 min |
Desperate In OR: Homeless Families and Youth |
(1/2020) Some areas of Oregon lack resources for families and youth experiencing homelessness. This 4-min video features a mother, a grandmother/granddaughter, and unaccompanied youth sharing their stories. |
4.5 min |
NCSU: Food Insecurity and Homelessnes
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(1/2020) Stories of 3 NCSU students sharing their experiences of food insecurity and homelessness at North Carolina State University. |
3 min. |
Invisible Homeless Families: 3 Moms, 9 Kids in Idaho |
(1/2020) In a very small town in rural Idaho, 3 courageous women with 3 kids each agreed to share their stories of homelessness. Spend 6-½ minutes with them and you'll catch on to the fact that family homelessness is much more prevalent than most realize. |
6.5 min. |
Without a Nest: Youth on her Own in Idaho ___________ Alexa: Asked and Answered
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(12/2019) 18-yr.-old Alexa lives in a dilapidated camper, often without heat, water and electricity, in rural Idaho. She's struggling to graduate from high school. She has hopes and dreams.
Companion piece: Alexa shares suggestions for her teachers and those who have students experiencing homelessness. Perfect for professional development.
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5 min.
5 min.
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Parking Lot Survival |
(12/2019) "Sara" and 6-yr.-old "Kenny" live in a small car with their beloved dog and cat in coastal Oregon. Spend a day with them to get a sense of what it takes to survive living in a car. |
5 min. |
Positively Homeless |
(9/2019) A mother of 5 discusses her family's homelessness plight which is worsened by HUD's exclusion of families in motels. Part of the HEAR US 2020 VisionQuestproject. |
5 min. |
No Place to Call Home: Hawaii's Youth & Families in Unstable Housing |
(12/2018) What is it like to be a homeless youth or family in Hawaii? This 19-minute documentary shares stories and observations from those who live on the streets and those who try to help. (Closed captions)
Funded by the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education program of the Hawaii Department of Education.
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19 min |
Yay Babies! CA |
(5/2018) Take a 3-min. look at the faces of babies and toddlers as they spend the day frolicking in a Sacramento daycare center that serves The Littles who are experiencing homelessness. |
3 min |
Worn Out Welcome Mat: Family Homelessness in New Jersey |
(3/2018) New Jersey parents and kids share what it's like to experience homelessness and what school means to them. (20 min, low res) Funded by the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education program of the NJ Department of Education. |
20 min. |
My Biggest Fear |
(3/2018) Tamu shares what it's like to be homeless with her 4 children, living in a string of (not) cheap motels in rural New Jersey. Despite the hardships, she found a bright spot. 5 min. |
5 min. |
I'm Not Just a Homeless Kid |
(2/2017) Samantha and Tricia, teen sisters with plenty of experience being homeless, offer their poignant thoughts on what it's like, what schools do and can do, and what they see as their future. 4-minute trailer. |
4 min. |
Sam-Tricia PODCAST |
(4/2018) Samantha and Tricia offer plenty of suggestions and insights for those wondering how best to assist youth in homeless situations. 50-min. podcast perfect for professional development. PDF discussion guide. |
50 min. |
Other People's Places: Doubled Up - Eleanor (FL) |
(3.2016) Eleanor and her young son bounced around from relative to friend, finally being kicked out in a fit of exasperation by her sister. SW Florida has few shelters for families, and Eleanor's son has disabilities that would make shelter life extremely stressful. |
5 min. |
Nowhere to Go: Family Homelessness in America |
(6/2017) This poignant look at family homelessness conveys the dire nature facing families with nowhere to go. The film, the most-viral video HEAR US has made, was produced for the congressional briefing to support the Homeless Children and Youth Act of 2019 (HR2001).
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8 min. |
Big Hearts Needed: Oregon's McKinney-Vento Liaisons Share Wisdom |
(6/2017) Oregon's McKinney-Vento homeless liaison team has been recognized as the best in the nation (http://www.icphusa.org/national/shadows-state-state-ranking-accountability-homeless-students/). This 13-minute video gives a glimpse at duties of the liaisons and lets them share invaluable advice to anyone thinking of serving in this special role. Big Hearts Neededis funded by Oregon Department of Education's McKinney-Vento program. |
13 min. |
We Need a Little Time: Family & Youth Homelessness in Washington State |
(6/2018) Families and youth from across Washington State share what it's like to be without a place to call home. (16 minutes) We Need a Little Time is funded by the Washington State Office of Public Instruction's McKinney-Vento program. |
16 min. |
What Does 'Homeless' Look Like: Family and Youth Homelessness in New Hampshire |
(4/2017) This video explores family and youth homelessness in the Granite State. Excellent film for professional development to help staff understand family/youth homelessness from the viewpoint of those experiencing it, and for anyone interested in learning more about family/youth homelessness. |
18 min. |
Nowhere to Go: Idaho's Homeless Families and Youth |
(10/2016) This video gives voice to parents experiencing homelessness in the Gem State, Idaho. Shelters are scarce, as is affordable housing, leaving families scrambling. Funded by the ID Department of Education, McKinney-Vento program. |
10 min. |
Time: Family and Youth Homelessness in the NorthWest |
(2017) A compilation of Diane's interviews from her 2016 Pacific Northwest trip. Perfect for a quick share! |
5 min. |
Yay Babies!
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(2016) This HEAR US short video is designed to inspire local awareness of and compassion for homeless babies. Share widely! |
2 min. |