Homestretch EVAN VANDERPOHL, HANNAH REESE, NICOLE MOHAN, LAUREN MAHONEY, SARAH TROMBLY

Who are the characters? A young adult who was homeless and jumped from school to school. He is aiming to get his GED and hoping to get an internship through the Year Up Program. He wants to be able to provide for himself and gain custody/rights of his son. A homeless teenager who has been bounced around from house to house after being thrown out on her own for her sexuality. She is looking to graduate from high school. The child of an illegal immigrant who was separated from his family and is trying to be accepted into a college even though he is undocumented. Roque Kasey Anthony

What is the setting and plot? This story takes place in Chicago. A majority is filmed in the Chicago Public Schools, Teen Living Programs' Belfort House, and The Night Ministry's Crib. This film follows three homeless teenagers/young adults who are trying to stay in school, earn their degrees, and create a future for themselves. These teens introduce us to their poverty, LGBTQ and racial issues, and also juvenile justice. They are striving for independence, but we see they are faced with many struggles and obstacles along the way. Homestretch Trailer

Positive Social Change, Advocacy, Community, Service Positive Social Change Teen Living Program's Belfort House and Night Ministry's Crib promote positive social change. They give homeless teens food, warmth, and beds to sleep in. Belfort House also helps young adults by supporting them with temporary living spaces as they go to work and finish school. Advocacy Roque's teacher, Mrs. Rivera, advocates for students who do not have consistent or safe home situations. For example, she allows Roque to live with her family at her house. She helps him in his efforts to get accepted to college. Community/Service The homeless shelters in the film, which provide service for those in need, all have a strong sense of community. The young people who seek refuge there get to know one another and look out for each other. They have bonds that keep them hopeful in difficult times.

What is the most relevant to current day events and topics?  Although the movie focuses on just three teens, they represent the stories of many.  Just walking through Columbus, we can see the increasing number of homeless people.  Because of factors they can't control, many people do not end up receiving the privileges or education they need.  There are programs, such as Faith Mission, the largest homeless shelter in central Ohio, that give aid and support to those who need it.  However there are always a large number of kids and teens who fall through the cracks, who need these programs now more than ever.

What do you connect with the most?  All young adults undergo some type of personal issue in which many of their peers and loved ones are unaware.  Although Roque, Kasey, and Anthony all faced homelessness, many of their peers were unaware of what they were going through.  This documentary allows young adult viewers to increase their awareness for their peers personal issues in order to aid those who are in need. What critiques do you have?  Although this documentary does a thorough job in revealing the various aids that benefited the homeless teens, it failed to inform viewers of what they could do to help.  It is incredibly important that viewers understand how they can aid, physically and/or economically.  The documentary could have also revealed more statistics regarding the diverse population of young adults that are homeless.  In revealing the vast range of ethnicities, socioeconomic status of the families, gender, and various other aspects, viewers can more easily relate with the teens in the documetary.

Who benefits the most from watching this film? What course of action does this film call for or encourage? Although all viewers would truly benefit from watching this documentary, privileged teenagers and young adults would benefit the most. This film encourages justice for young people who are abandoned by their parents and left without safe places to call home. The funding, support, and resources for the shelters should increase in order to get all youth off the streets.