The Homestretch – A documentary about 3 homeless teens trying to make their way

I am excited that the Kickstarter campaign to complete this documentary about three homeless teens has almost reached its goal, but with only 23 days left to go, I want to encourage you to consider contributing to what sounds like an eye-opening look at the struggles kids face on the streets of Chicago every day.  To contribute, please click here.

The Homestretch follows three homeless teens as they fight to stay in school, graduate, and build a future. Each of these ambitious teenagers – Kasey, Anthony and Roque – will surprise, inspire, and challenge audiences to rethink stereotypes of homelessness as they work to complete their education while facing the trauma of being alone and abandoned at an early age.

via The Homestretch (trailer) on Vimeo.

In a recent email from The Night Ministry, CEO & President Paul W. Hamman had this to say about the film:

The film is nearing completion!  We are very excited to work with the filmmakers Kirsten Kelly and Anne de Mare and everyone at Kartemquin as the film rolls out over the next year.

But first, Kelly and de Mare have launched a Kickstarter campaign to finish their fundraising so the film can be completed.  We hope that, in addition to your support of The Night Ministry, you can help them reach their goal.

We strongly believe in this film’s potential to raise awareness around youth homelessness and the work of The Night Ministry and our partner agencies in Chicago.

After viewing a nearly complete version of the film recently, Paul W. Hamann, President and CEO of The Night Ministry, said, “This film deftly, courageously, and respectfully illustrates the complexity of the issues that result in over one million young people experiencing homelessness every year in this country.”

I Should Start Jounaling Again

wpid-CAM00333.jpgA blog is no substitute for a journal, and a journal is no diary.  In a journal you lay it all out on the line, turn yourself inside out.  You don’t bother with recording the weather or life events.  You record where your head is at in that very moment your pen scratches paper or your fingers tap the keys.

Like this old, old journal entry I found, which I’m rewriting here to fit where I’m at today:

So I should start journaling again. At least that’s what my head keeps telling me. Journaling and praying and getting in touch with myself and my God. Where am I, why am I, and how do I respond to this place I’m in right now? I want back the zing, the excitement, the sense of adventure I’ve felt in the past when I made important life decisions that launched me into adventures.

Whenever I’ve made big changes in my life, I felt shed of all burdens. I was able to say screw you, and let all the burdens go. As time goes on, though, you take them all up again. The new life becomes not so new anymore. Laziness and routine set in.

So what can I do about it? What are my goals?

  • Lose weight and eat healthy
  • Finish A Bull by The Horns
  • Finish my next Street Stories novel

No, what is it I really want? What do I think will make me happy?

I’d like to not worry about my goals, just enjoy and create. I can’t write when I feel burdened. I want to let it go, let it all go and just let myself relax and go with the flow. Come on, Deb, just go with the flow.

Maybe blogging is my substitute for journals.  Maybe instead of pouring it all out into spiral bound notebooks for my grandchildren to find in the attic after I’m dead and gone, I’m laying it out in public, here, to friends and strangers alike.  Ooh, risky! So maybe I’m already doing what I want and should stop worrying about it.  What do you think?