As part of Homelessness Action Week (Oct. 13-19) and to recognize World Homeless Day on Oct. 10, the Central Okanagan Journey Home Society is proud to feature screenings of the documentary film ‘Us & Them’ in communities across the Okanagan Valley. All screenings are free to attend.
The community screenings of the film on Oct. 10 intend to provide an opportunity for the greater community to reflect on individual stories, address common perceptions and learn about the challenges that many face in finding a safe and affordable place to call home.
“These community events are an opportunity for all of us to recognize the stigma and discrimination experienced by people who have, or are currently experiencing homelessness,” says Dr. Kyleen Myrah, Chair of the Board for the Central Okanagan Journey Home Society. “We want to break through the misconceptions about why people find themselves without a home and encourage our communities to come together to develop and support solutions with understanding, empathy and compassion.”
The Central Okanagan Journey Home Society, working in partnership with the United Way Southern Interior BC, is mobilizing the community to attend one of several ‘Us & Them’ events across the Okanagan Valley, or to host an event.
One of the free screenings in Kelowna will be hosted by the Central Okanagan Journey Home Society. It will be followed by a panel discussion with the filmmaker and co-director, Krista Loughton and members of Kelowna’s Lived Experience Circle on Homelessness.
Date & Time: Thursday, Oct. 10, 6 – 8:30 p.m.
Location: First Mennonite Church, 1305 Gordon Dr., Kelowna
Registration: Journey Home Film Fest events page
“We invite residents, community groups, faith groups, school groups, neighbourhood associations and anyone else who is interested to host their own ‘Us & Them’ screening,” says Dr. Myrah. “Imagine the impact we can have in our communities by sharing the experience of watching this film and discussing what comes to the surface for each of us. We hope that it has the potential to ignite a groundswell of awareness, compassion and support for the work that we, and so many other organizations, do to address homelessness and all the social complexities surrounding it.”
For information on the locations hosting a screening event on Oct. 10, please visit https://trellis.org/journeyhomefilmfest.
To view the ‘Us & Them’ trailer and for information on how to host your own screening event, please visit https://www.journeyhome.ca/us-them-film/
Kelowna’s Journey Home Strategy reflects the often difficult path from homelessness and marginalization to having a home, gaining a sense of belonging, and being part of a community. It illustrates the journey from a place of uncertainty and defeat to one of safety, security and acceptance. It also demonstrates what is required on the journey of a community from complacency to action. To learn more, http://journeyhome.ca.