A Day With Diane

What an amazing day we had yesterday! Diane Nilan, award winning film-maker and humanitarian, joined us at the Charlotte County Homeless Coalition to talk about what it is that she does and how others can get involved.

Ashley Gouin and I had the pleasure of sitting down with her for a short interview....here is part of that interview...



Kelly: How did you get started on this journey -- documenting the lives of homeless individuals and families?

Diane: Well um I was...my previous job was working with the school districts in the Chicago-land area...305 school districts helping them understand and implement the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Act. And one of the pieces that just seemed very...very much missing was something where--someone who had no experience or knowledge of homeless persons especially students....that they could hear from the kids. And...and so...there really wasn't anything appropriate out there. So I was getting ready to um...a friend of mine and I were working on this and we hired...we got a grant and hired a film crew and were all set to do the filming...to do a short video for training and got told that our...my project was being de-structured...restructured...whatever...and um it ended up, you know hitting the buzz-saw of reality. So I was profoundly disappointed because I knew that having a video tool to train people, educators, an beyond...about...you know...sensitivity towards homeless kids and awareness of their situation...I knew that would be invaluable so I just found myself knowing that I was going to need to make a career change at the end of my grant period -- in three months -- and it was just one of those things where I just kinda found myself arguing with myself..."Well...you think...what are you gonna do...I don't know...I wanna work with homeless people...I wanna use all the knowledge that I have." So it just became a matter of sitting and kind of thinking "Alright you can make that film if you think that's so important" and then from there I like "Yeah, I could probably do that" and "How am I gonna do it and where am I gonna go"...and I knew I could stay in Illinois and just travel back and forth between Chicago and Aurora and around and you know could have enough...plenty of people to talk to...but I wanted to create something by talking to people in areas where no-body thinks there's homelessness...In remote rural communities, in resort communities, then small towns and middle sized towns...away from the urban aspect of homelessness. So I just ended up um...deciding that if I was...I'd have to sell my townhouse...which really kind of bummed me out...because I had a really nice townhouse...1100 sq.ft...I had two other people living with me at the time...and I knew that was going to up-end them...as much as me...but I just knew that I couldn't manage having...keeping that and doing this and so I sold my townhouse...bought the motor-home myself and um...then I started a non-profit Hear Us and started raising funds and getting a video camera...and having somebody tell me how to use it and started traveling...that was the beginning...which just seems like a hundred years ago -- 7 years ago...(laugh).

Kelly: So you live in Illinois?

Diane:  Well that's my address on my driver's license...I spend some time in Illinois...um...but not a whole lot. I...most of the time am on the road... so I might spend a total of two months a year in Illinois and then the rest just...everywhere else.

Kelly: What is the most touching or heartbreaking story that you have heard?

Diane: I was in Reno, Nevada...and had met three sisters...one seven years old...one ten...and one thirteen...in their school settings and had interviewed them during the day in their school settings...and they were you know, good interviews...and pretty willing...and um...somebody had arranged for me to go to their shelter...it was the Family Promise Shelter So I went there at night and hung with them and you know they were....there's not a lot of people around...so it was kinda like having a friend over...So I was their friend and they were showing me all around...so I hung with them that night and shot some more footage...and you know...felt kind of like somebody in their lives...and found out a day or two later as I was leaving Nevada...I got a phone call and I was told that there had been some disagreement of some serious nature between their mother --who has also a newborn and another mom at the shelter and the families were put out...so I thought "Well that was probably pretty serious"...but I knew each of the girls had very clearly said in a number of different ways as I talked to them...that they just didn't want to have to move again and loose their schools and loose their friends...and all of the things that kids just don't usually get a chance to say...and they said to me and so um...and I guess the family had nobody in the area that they could turn to for any kind of help so the you know...children and family authorities ended up I guess putting them on a bus...giving them some sandwiches...and putting them on a bus for a 14 hour bus ride...and I just...because I knew them enough to know that was going to be traumatic for them and I just was kind of driving and I was thinking of those kids and thinking  of how heartbroken and it was just so so sad that we have to do that to families.

Kelly: ...and it's happening to so many...

Diane: Yea...right...right...and it was just one family of thousands and thousands that at some point during that day had the same sort of thing happen in some way. So that has kind of (sigh)...you know...has kind of kept it real...And I have certainly encountered other families that have had other traumas that have...you know...that I've known about and plenty that I haven't known about.

Kelly: Do you ever feel that you are beating your head against the wall with these issues? I mean, does it seem that there is an end to homelessness in the near future or no?

Diane:  Well I've gotten over the "end homelessness mantra"...um...just not that I don't think we can end it...cause I think if you put me in charge for a few weeks...I could probably...um...at least make a pretty good dent in it...um...(sigh)...of course if I had the magic wand to go with that...that responsibility...but um...yes there is times where I feel like I'm beating my head against the wall personally...um...but every single time that I have that feeling...which I think is just human...I get an email or a voicemail...or some message from somebody that comes out of the blue that says "I love what you are doing and it's really helpful"...and I'm going..."Who said that?"...(laugh)...and it's just a weird sort of thing...So anytime I do have what is the normal human feeling of "Oh my gosh...what am I doing?"...I just kinda take a breath and go "You'll find out!"..."just keep going and keep doing" and you know...I think of the families that I've met and the youth that I've met...and they don't have the luxury of  saying "Oh I don't wanna do this anymore." I mean...my life has been so gifted...so that I just can't say..."Well you know what...I'm pretty well over this kind of homelessness thing...I'm gonna go run a jewelry store or something." It's just...I am where I am...for reasons that I am...and if I don't run with it...then shame on me.

Kelly: That's a good point...

Kelly: What would you like to see done in regard to raising awareness to the severity of this national crisis?

Diane:  Oh I would like to see...um...not just President Obama...but certainly...um...major people in...you know...leaders in our country...to stand together and say this isn't tolerable...and to commit to the resources that can really address the issue as opposed to these pathetic band-aids that are so ineffective...that it's just prolonging it...And so I think it's a national initiative that goes from top to bottom and bottom to top...it would make...you know...and it's not just homelessness...family homelessness...youth homelessness...it's the poverty that has just fueled the fire...So, you know...I...it needs to be a huge commitment...multi year...multi level...multi everything...but it needs to happen. You know...I can't look at the faces of the people that I know that are in the situation and say...I think everything is being done that we could possibly do...because it's not.

Kelly: What can others do to get involved?
 
Diane:  Well...you know...I believe in a compassion epidemic...that's...you know, I really think we need a compassion epidemic...and that we can all do something to that end. On my website  I have a compassion epidemic action guide...so that people at different levels...you know...different people are going to be able to do different things...and some can write a check...some can show up...you know...with their shoes on the ground...and some can...you know...do all kinds of things. So I think
doing something according to your gifts and abilities is what needs to happen. Certainly...everybody who is a constituent of members of congress...which means pretty much everybody...should be able to contact their members of congress and you know...say "Hey...support H.R. 32 "...I mean...that's a bill that could really start to change the way this country deals with homelessness. So I see that as...we need to do systemic as well as service.




For more information on Diane Nilan and her amazing documentaries, visit her website at www.hearus.us

Thank you Diane...we miss you already!

Cardboard Campout

This past Saturday, I had the distinct pleasure of representing the Charlotte County Faces of Homelessness Speakers' Bureau at the Cardboard Camp-out that was sponsored by the Living Waters Lutheran Church in North Port.

This event brought together local organizations and youth groups for the purpose of educating the community about the many issues surrounding homelessness in our community...state...and nation. It was refreshing to see so many individuals (especially kids)  taking time out of their busy schedules to come together in support of the cause.

We hold the key...and together...We CAN change lives!

Children in the community set up tents to experience what it might be like to be homeless.

Our Faces of Homelessness info table.

Chris and Patty work together to build a "cardboard home."

Local youth build cardboard houses to sleep in.

Chris hard at work constructing a house for the North Port Commissioner to sleep in.

Ty and Chris building houses.

Teamwork!!!

Chris and the pastor from Living Waters Lutheran Church (host of the event).

Community interaction at its best!

Lisa and Chris putting the final touches on the Commissioner's "Cardboard Condo."

Chris taking a moment to show off his handy work.

Adam from the Suncoast Partnership to End Homelessness - Sarasota, speaking about their initiatives to prevent and end homelessness in their community.

Chris Gregory - Faces of Homelessness speaker for Charlotte County...doing his part to raise awareness.

Chris talking about "Community."

What you missed....

My name is Kelly Hunter and I am an AmeriCorps*VISTA. Many of you may be asking yourself…”What is AmeriCorps and what is a VISTA?” In simple terms, AmeriCorps is the domestic version of the Peace Corps…and VISTA stands for Volunteers in Service to America. 

AmeriCorps’ poverty-fighting program was created in 1964 as part of the War on Poverty….the VISTA program started with only 20 members and before the end of 1965…more than 2,000 individuals were working in various regions of this great nation.  

In the past 18 years, more than 775,000 American’s have served as AmeriCorps volunteers. 

Every day in communities across America, AmeriCorps members are making a powerful impact on the most critical issues facing our nation…and I am proud to say that I am one of more than 80,000 individuals currently engaging in direct service and capacity building throughout the United States.

VISTA members serve full-time for one year with more than 1,000 project sponsors; focusing on capacity-building opportunities including raising funds, recruiting volunteers, and designing sustainable programs.

I volunteer with the National Coalition for the Homeless – as the local coordinator for the Faces of Homelessness Speakers’ Bureau for Charlotte County.

NCH is the nation’s oldest grassroots advocacy organization dedicated to ending homelessness. Founded in 1982, we focus on four main issues: affordable housing, healthcare, living wage, and civil rights. We do this through lobbying, advocacy, legislation, and public education.

My mission as the coordinator for the Faces of Homelessness Speakers’ Bureau is to educate my community about the multifaceted issues surrounding homelessness…while providing support and teaching self-advocacy to my homeless and formerly homeless brothers and sisters. 

Additionally, it is my goal to help the Charlotte County Homeless Coalition build a self-sustaining program that will act as a platform for these men, women, and children to finally have a much needed voice within their community, state, and country.

It is my opinion that society has forgotten that we are all in this together…and I feel like many of us get caught up in our own lives…ignoring the fact that some of our fellow brothers and sisters are out here struggling.

It’s as if we are walking through life with blinders on…”If it isn’t directly affecting me…then why should I worry about it?”

The fact of the matter is…we are ALL affected by these issues…whether we choose to realize it or not. We have to change our mindset…or things will only get worse.

I don’t think many people realize that the only difference between them and someone who is homeless…is their home.

During the past 8 years that I have been back in Charlotte County…I have had the distinct pleasure of working alongside these individuals…and I have to tell you…the majority of the people I have met in the woods…are very intellectual and extremely talented…with more to offer than we give them credit for. 

What is that old saying….”Don’t judge a book by its cover?” I think we are all probably guilty of making assumptions and judgments about people based on the way they might look…So today, I am here asking for your help in changing the public perception of homelessness. 

There are many myths and stereotypes that plague the lives of our nation’s homeless…and I would like to take a few minutes to touch on those…

I’d like you to close your eyes for a second and picture a homeless person…what comes to mind?

When the majority of people are asked this question…they say a dirty drunk or lazy bum…Well…I am here to tell you that the face of homelessness is not that at all. 

Now, I am not saying that there aren’t homeless individuals out there who have issues with substance abuse…but the percentage is relatively small in comparison. In fact, only about 22% of Charlotte County’s homeless population has or has had issues with drugs or alcohol. 

Another common misconception is that the majority of homeless individuals choose this way of life.

Are you aware that there are approximately 83,957 children currently homeless in our state…that is not in the nation…that is in one state…OUR STATE! And I can guarantee that none of those children chose to be homeless.

If you can’t picture what that number looks like…imagine the Miami Heat basketball arena filled to capacity and multiply that by four…that is just homeless children! 

One homeless child is too many…nearly 84,000 is an absolute tragedy…I stand before you today asking all of you…how did we let this happen and what are WE as a community…as a state…and as a nation…going to do to change this?

We are failing our future generations before they have even had a chance to experience life and the effects of poverty are going to be detrimental to what many now refer to as “Generation Invisible.”

Children comprise the greatest numbers and percentages of people currently living in poverty.

Alarmingly, more and more families are unable to afford childcare; as a result, many 3 and 4 year old's aren’t going to preschool.

Research indicates that children from low-income families who start kindergarten without first attending a quality education program enter school an estimated 18 months behind their peers.

Many never catch up and are more likely to end up out of work or making less money than they would have otherwise. Even worse, some of these children may eventually end up in prison.

Florida is currently ranked 3^rd behind California and New York for total number of homeless persons. We are also ranked 42^nd in the nation for our inability to provide adequate services to homeless children…to me…that’s embarrassing, as well as heartbreaking.

A few minutes ago I asked you to think about what homelessness looks like…now I want you to think about how people become homeless…

People become homeless for many reasons, including but not limited to: natural and man-made disasters, fires, family problems, loss of jobs, lack of health care, domestic violence, substance abuse, mental illness, lack of affordable housing, and lack of a living wage. 

It would appear that as a nation…we are “lacking” in virtually every area necessary to our survival.

In the United States over 3.5 million people will experience homelessness this year alone. Approximately 1.5 million of those individuals will be children.

The other day…I was conducting some research on poverty statistics…and was fascinated to learn that the total number of people living in poverty who worked full time or part time jobs is significantly higher than those who did not work at all…I guess that dispels the myth that people become homeless because they are too lazy to work.

As if all of this weren’t enough…Florida is ranked 2^nd in the nation behind California for hate crimes against the homeless. Over the past 13 years, advocates and homeless shelter workers from around the country have seen an alarming nationwide increase in reports of homeless men, women and yes…even children being killed, beaten, and harassed.

These attacks have permeated every corner of our society, resulting in at least 312 deaths and 872 non-lethal attacks including beating with golf clubs, rape, and setting victims on fire while they slept.

What I am about to tell you…may disturb you…as it should…the majority of these horrific crimes are being perpetrated by children and young adults…the youngest reported perpetrator was only 9 years old…

My son just turned 9…and when I look at him…I can’t imagine how someone so young could do something so horrible…but it’s happening right here…in our backyards every single day.

I ask you…”What does this say about our society…about what we are teaching our children…our future leaders?”

A recent report released by NCH suggests that the states with the most crimes against homeless people tend to be both in areas with warm climates and in areas where communities have taken measures to criminalize homelessness.

Florida’s warm climate is conducive to outdoor living, and many cities throughout our state have enacted anti-camping, panhandling, anti-feeding, and other criminalization of homelessness laws. 

Many of the cities mentioned in NCH’s bi-annual criminalization report are also cities where hate crimes against homeless individuals have occurred. 

In fact, four of the ten meanest cities identified in this report were right here in Florida.

When communities criminalize homelessness, they send the message that homeless people do not matter and are not welcome in their communities.

So if these individuals and families are not allowed to sleep in our woods…or congregate in public places with the rest of us…then where would you suggest that they rest their weary bodies? Because I have yet to meet anyone who could levitate.

I challenge each and every one of you…to help educate our community about what it means to be homeless…because frankly folks…none of us are immune to this…it could happen to anyone of us…with the blink of an eye.

You may be sitting here wondering to yourself…”What can I possibly do…I am only one person…these issues are far bigger than anything I can bring to the table.” 

Honestly, it only takes one person to generate change…You may not have money to give…but you do have time…even if it’s only an hour a month.

Actually, the easiest and most affordable thing a person can do…is help spread the word…talk to your friends and family about what you have learned here today…maybe you can inspire those around you to get involved.

You can even write to your Congressmen and Senators – encouraging them to support policies and laws that protect the rights and well-being of ALL people…not just the select few. We need to remember…these government officials work for us…we don’t work for them…and it’s time for them to do their jobs.

If you would like more information about the Charlotte County Faces of Homelessness Speakers’ Bureau or about the various things that you can do to generate positive and productive change in your community…please visit our website at www.cchomelesscoalition.org    or call us at 941-627-4313.

One Love

Kelly

Florida's Homeless Children

When I first started this journey in January...there were an estimated 70,000+ homeless children here in Florida...Recent reports have indicated that there are now nearly 84,000 homeless children in this state...not the nation...in ONE state.

One homeless child is too many...83,957...is a total outrage!

So what are WE as a community...as a state...and as a nation...going to do to change this?

We are failing our future generations before they have even had a chance to experience life and the effects of poverty are going to be detrimental to what many now refer to as “Generation Invisible.”

Children comprise the greatest numbers and percentages of people currently living in poverty.

Alarmingly, more and more families are unable to afford childcare; as a result, many 3 and 4 year olds aren’t going to preschool.Research indicates that children from low-income families who start kindergarten without first attending a quality education program enter school an estimated 18 months behind their peers.

Many never catch up and are more likely to end up out of work or making less money than they would have otherwise. Even worse, some of these children may eventually end up in prison.

Florida is currently ranked 3^rd behind California and New York for total number of homeless persons. We are also ranked 42^nd in the nation for our inability to provide adequate services to homeless children…to me…that’s embarrassing, as well as heartbreaking.

As a nation...we appear to be "lacking" in every area necessary to our survival.