By: Pam Wright, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Chatham Voice
Thanks to the generosity of several sponsors, a documentary about homelessness in Chatham-Kent will hit the red-carpet Nov. 8.
Created by the film making duo of twin sisters Kat and Karissa Strain, “Unhoused: Communities in Crisis” will have a public screening at the Capitol Theatre beginning at 7:30 p.m.
Admission to the show is by donation to Outreach for Hunger, which is in need of pantry staples such as rice, oatmeal, pasta, flour, kid’s snacks and coffee and tea.
An anonymous donor, Strain Professional Realty, Sisters Strain Film Corp. and Rotary District 6380 have all chipped in to make the screening possible, according to Kat Strain.
“They wanted to make sure Chatham-Kent could come out and see it,” Kat explained, noting the documentary looks toward a “positive future” for the community.
The Sisters Strain both say they learned a lot when making the film.
“We discovered how much work is being done,” Kat said. “If you’re not involved in that sector, you don’t know about all the things that are going on. It takes a lot of effort and planning and we just hope people can see how much is being done and what will be done.”
“It kind of shocked me,” said Karissa, noting the issue goes beyond encampments. “We didn’t realize how many people are struggling who aren’t homeless…who are really living close to the line in C-K.”
The documentary was made with input from Reach Out Chatham-Kent (R.O.C.K.) Missions, Hope Haven and municipal staff.
According to the Strains, the film has generated plenty of interest and will be submitted to various film festival competitions.
Doors to the event will open at 6:30 p.m. for the red-carpet experience, followed by the showing at 7:30 p.m.
