Building Hope: a film to build hope for those caught in the daily crisis of homelessness

Community members are invited to attend the Premiere of the documentary film, BUILDING HOPE , from 4 to 6 p.m. on Saturday, June 29, 2024, hosted by the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Castine (86 Court St. Castine). The premiere will be in person and via Zoom. Please RSVP to office@uucastine.org for in-person attendance or to receive a Zoom link.

BUILDING HOPE brings to audiences around Maine and beyond that there is hope for ending the suffering of homelessness.  The stories are complex and hard to bear:  the lack of affordable housing; substance use disorder; anxiety and depression; despair and lack of self-esteem; domestic abuse; trauma; poverty; encampments; incarceration; lost loved ones; brutal weather. How can this happen in “the richest country in the world?” This long U.S. reputation has brought throngs of asylum seekers escaping the fear of cartels and dictators, yearning to be free, hoping for a better life. This is what BUILDING HOPE is about even though it’s hard to even think that there is hope.  But there is. We can all make a difference.

Watch the trailer:  https://vimeo.com/kanelewis/buildinghopetrailer

The film is produced by Richard Kane and Melody Lewis-Kane of Kane-Lewis Productions who will moderate the panel. Executive Producer is Gil Tenney of Castine. Fiscally sponsored by Downeast Community Partners, the film is supported by the Maine Community Foundation, Heart of Maine United Way, the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Castine Opportunity Fund and many individuals.

In-person panelists will include:  Rachel Talbot Ross, Maine Speaker of the House; Tracey Hair former director of H.O.M.E.; Cullen Ryan, Executive Director of Community Housing of Maine (CHOM); and Katie Spencer White, Director of Mid-Maine Homeless Shelter.