Homes Within, Communities Without
by Cara Lopez Lee | September 4, 2010 at 8:23 PM
In the economic meltdown, the specter of homelessness looms over many people who once felt secure. So, when PlatteForum and Lighthouse Writers Workshop gave me the opportunity to create a short film exhibit on the theme of community, I wanted to relate that topic to homelessness. We often hear that Americans have lost their sense of community. I wondered, “Have I?” We often hear that homeless people have “fallen through the cracks.” I wondered, “How do they hold onto community?” "Homes Within, Communities Without" is a pair of digital stories in which a young homeless woman and I each explore our experience of community. For Audrey Haynes, community goes wherever she goes. For me, community begins at home. Audrey lives just two miles from me, yet worlds apart. Still, we share one important desire: to connect.
You can check out her video and mine under the two most recent blog posts on the subject of Community:
http://girlstrektoo.com/blog/?cat=49
Comments
Truly an honor.
I am so excited to watch this, where I work with at risk youth who are coming out of homelessness. Once again you bring a strong view of understanding and knowledge to the PulseWire community. We are truly lucky and blessed to have you!
-Carri Pence
Humbled & Grateful
Thanks so much for your interest, Carri. I've had a good response from people who work with marginalized youth. I felt very fortunate to have the excuse to spend time with a young woman from a community I rarely come in contact with. It was like being a traveler inside my own city, and I learned a lot. Soon, I'm hoping to teach writing to disadvantaged teens. It wasn't what I was thinking about a year ago, but it's strange how life carries us. Thank you for using words like lucky & blessed... about me. You made my day. I'll be eager to hear your reaction to Audrey's story, and mine.