What HEAR US does best...

• Since 2005, HEAR US has worked hard to give voice & visibility
  to families & youth experiencing homelessness. 
  Looking back, looking forward, our best work is our films.
  
  No "talking heads." Just raw, honest stories from those who know
  homelessness best--the families & youth
  who experience life without a place to call home.
  Ideal for school trainings, community awareness-raising, classroom lessons, and more...
  
  Check out our list of films here. (Oh yeah, they're free!)
  
  
  My Own Four Walls, all-time favorite,
  our first film, still relevant today!(20 min)

OUR BOOK IS AVAILABLE!!! 
HEAR US has a great new book on family homelessness!

National Launch, Raleigh, NC Sept. 17-19, '24
We've launched!!
Here's a great news story about the 3 Melissas!

Ms. Magazine article about the 3 Melissas!

The Three Melissas --
The Practical Guide to Surviving
Family Homelessness 

(more info...)

HEAR US books inform, inspire
Looking for quality books on homelessness--for adults & kids?
HEAR US offers a wide array, and our indie bookshop lets you shop
for books of your choice, get them shipped out fast, while supporting essential 
indie bookstores. 

• • HEAR US Bookshop - https://bookshop.org/shop/diane_hear_us
  • For the "other" source of books - Amazon 
  • HEAR US Square site.

Recent Films by HEAR US!

Caring Schools Make the Difference - NC 1/24

Family and youth homelessness comes in many forms. Schools are the constant island of security. These courageous moms and youth share their stories with hopes that viewers will learn more about the challenges of homelessness and the importance of school officials who help however possible.
This 15-min. film was filmed for
the North Carolina Homeless Education Program (NCHEP).   

Homeless Liaisons Navigate Challenges
in North Carolina12/23

Every school district nationwide has homeless liaisons, the mostly-unsung champions for students experiencing homelessness. North Carolina has a well-trained cadre of liaisons serving students and their families. This 12-min. film takes you across the state to see and hear the liaisons in action. 

Hidden in Plain Sight -
Families Experiencing Homelessness
in New Mexico(5/22)

Four mothers and a dad share their families' experiences of homelessness and describe how schools helped them survive.(16:15) 
Dedicated to Dawn, who passed away July 8, 2023. 

Six New Mexico teens shared their experiences and insights about homelessness. Three teens are unaccompanied youth--without parents/guardians involved in their lives.
The other three are part of a family. (10:09)

Idaho Schools: Lifesaving Connection  (1/22)
4 women share their families' struggles and accomplishments, pointing to the importance of school support (18:30)

Families Experiencing Housing Instability in Idaho  
ID mothers share what school support meant to their families (6:50)

These women offer deep, heartfelt insights about the agonies of housing instability and the impact of support from their children's school communities. 
Invaluable lessons for all audiences. Perfect McKinney-Vento training tools.

Not Homeless Enough (8/21)

The agony of parents with no viable options in Madison and Dane County, WI (video 10 min). This film illustrates the dilemma of those "not homeless enough" for HUD's definition of homelessness.

Capital Failure -

Family Homelessness Surging (3/21)

See and hear this family's struggles being stuck in motels during CoVid in Raleigh, NC. (12-min)

Jamie's astute descriptions of her family's hardships
resonate with many families in similar situations. 
 Her textbook lesson that needs widespread sharing.
> More about the film, resources...
> VIDEO LINK

Photos (c) Diane Nilan 

1,179 handmade blankets from knitters, crocheters, and quilters across the country blanketed the Capitol lawn. They were made by strangers for strangers, a true work of love.

The blankets are a stark reminder of people who live and die on the streets of the US every year. 

Following the one-day event, blankets were donated to people in need.

The project was sponsored by the Charles Bruce Foundation.

Quilts in the foreground were submitted by HEAR US. "These Little Piggies are Homeless" photos by Pat Van Doren are in the center of the quilts that were finished by volunteers in Illinois.

Babies' and toddlers' footprints from 3 North Carolina programs serving young homeless children surround the Piggies images.

The larger red, white and blue quilt has the iconic image of "Charlie" in the center. This represents the decades' long Illinois involvement in strenghtening educational rights for homeless students. 

WATCH: Memorial Blanket photo collectionby Diane Nilan   

WATCH: End of the Memorial Blanket Day by Diane Nilan 

Handmade blankets for homeless crafted with ‘love’
come to Capitol Hill

On a Mission to End Homelessness, and Spread Warmth

►Watch this NCTV news segmentabout the unique blankets being made in Illinois!

► Diane worked with 3 North Carolina communities to create Piggies blankets for babies using Pat Van Doren's iconic "These Little Piggies are Homeless" image.

Here's a 1-minute TV newsclipshowing this heartwarming process.

► Here are the news storiesabout the Memorial Blanket Project. 

►Here's an adorable look at a "Piggies" event. (2-min)