View Project

G2S Project Code: 2014-CA-72212
State: California
Fiscal Year: 2014

Grantee
COUNTY OF FRESNO COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY

Project Director
Director Name: Laurel Prysiazny
Director Phone: 559-600-6237
Director Email: laurel.prysiazny@fresnolibrary.org

General Information
Title: Our Lives Video Project
State Project Code: 40-8394
Start Date: 09/01/2014
End Date: 06/30/2015
Abstract:

The Our Lives Video Project provided a small number of individuals living on the streets of Fresno a chance to share their unique stories, gain technology and leadership skills, and increase their self-confidence. This involved their being interviewed for a documentary film, taking pictures used in the documentary, and by participating in panel discussions after the public screenings of the film, “Our Lives Surviving the Streets of Fresno.” The project created the opportunity for select homeless individuals to become significant players in a constructive community dialogue about homelessness in Fresno with over 350 individuals, both housed and un-housed, joining together for civic discourse on the topic of homelessness in Fresno.

State Goal: Goal VII: Community Connections

Budget Information

LSTA

MATCH-State

MATCH-Other

Total

$5,000.00

$0.00

$23,988.00

$28,988.00

Intent(s)
Improve users' ability to converse in community conversations around topics of concern.
Community Concerns
Personal/Family health & wellness

Activities
Activity Details
Title: Filmaking Training
Narrative:

The project provided training for staff and members of the homeless community to learn filmmaking and photography skills through community partner Community Media Access Collaborative (CMAC). Library staff attended training for the general public and then there was a specialized training on the grant-funded cameras that was targeted toward the members of the homeless community who took the photos used as photographic evidence in the film.

Intent: Improve users' ability to converse in community conversations around topics of concern.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Program
Format: In-person

Quantity
Session length (minutes): 120
Number of sessions in program: 8
Average number in attendance per session: 4
Number of times program administered: 1

Partner Information

Organization Type of Partner Organization(s):
Libraries: No
Historical Societies or Organizations: No
Museums: No
Archives: No
Cultural Heritage Organization Multi-type: No
Preschools: No
Schools: No
Adult Education: No
Human Service Organizations: No
Other: No

Legal Type of Partner Organization(s):
Federal Government: No
State Government: No
Local Government (excluding school districts): No
School District: No
Non-Profit: No
Private Sector: No
Tribe/Native Hawaiian Organization: No

Beneficiaries
Is the activity directed at the library workforce: Yes
For a targeted group or for the general population: General

Locale
Is the activity state-wide: No
Specific Locations: Yes
Name: FRESNO COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 2420 MARIPOSA ST.
City: FRESNO
State: CA
Zip: 93721

Activity Details
Title: Our Lives Screenings and Panel Discussions
Narrative: Public screenings and panel discussions occurred at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Fresno and the Community Media Access Collaborative (CMAC). The film portion was 20 minutes, 80 minutes for the panel discussion and 20 minutes for direct conversation between the housed and un-housed. Altogether there were 395 people present although some homeless advocates attended both nights.

Intent: Improve users' ability to converse in community conversations around topics of concern.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Presentation/performance
Format: In-person

Quantity
Presentation/performance length (minutes): 120
Number of presentations/performances administered: 2
Average number in attendance per session: 197

Partner Information

Beneficiaries
Is the activity directed at the library workforce: No
For a targeted group or for the general population: General

Locale
Is the activity state-wide: No
Specific Locations: Yes
Name: FRESNO COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 2420 MARIPOSA ST.
City: FRESNO
State: CA
Zip: 93721

Activity Details
Title: Our Lives: Surviving the Streets of Fresno -- Documentary Film Produced by Fresno County Public Library and the Community Media Access Collaborative
Narrative:

Our Lives: Surviving the Streets of Fresno is an information tool with an accompanying website of community information that was created through this project. The project included photography by participants. The film is now archived on the Fresno County Public Library website, the CMAC site, and has also been shared with other local media entities including Valley PBS. The completed film also includes bonus footage of the panel discussions held during the public showing of the documentary Our Lives: Surviving the Streets of Fresno. The feature film is 18 minutes and with the bonus footage the total film is 128 minutes.

Intent: Improve users' ability to converse in community conversations around topics of concern.

Activity: Content
Mode: Creation
Format: Combined physical & digital

Quantity
Number of items digitized: 4
Number of items digitized and available to the public: 0
Number of physical items: 40
Number of open-source applications/software/systems: 0
Number of proprietary applications/software/systems: 0
Number of learning resources (e.g. toolkits, guides): 0
Number of plans/frameworks: 0

Partner Information

Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important findings or outcomes from your project:
Five of the six project participants (homeless individuals who were both interviewed for the film and participated in the panel discussions) completed a post-survey. All five indicated this project created the opportunity to: gain increased technology skills, learn skills to include on a job application or resume, be a part of something to feel proud of, join the conversation about homelessness in Fresno, and gain respect from those in the community who have more power and resources to create change. This is a significant change in their skills, knowledge, and ultimately improved their life condition. Two hundred twenty six (226) of the 395 audience members at the two public screenings completed surveys. Of those, 96% percent agreed or strongly agreed that the program gave them a greater understanding of issues related to homelessness. Ninety percent (90%) indicated they are more likely to make eye contact with someone who appears to be living on the streets. The outcome of having more people in the general public understand and accept the homeless as persons first, and improving the desire and willingness to assist in ending this tragic human condition is most striking. Changing the community’s behaviors and attitudes toward the homeless was also achieved by having the project director interviewed for a local film entitled "Poverello House", produced by KNXT, of the local Roman Catholic Diocese of Fresno. Footage from "Our Lives" was also used throughout this production, thus furthering the positive media coverage for this population. The positive impact on the film participants was a major outcome. For example, one of the project participants (homeless in Fresno for almost a full decade) cited her involvement in this project in her essay to attend the National Conference to End Homelessness which occurred in July, 2015. Her attendance at the conference created the opportunity to share the film with homeless advocates from across the country. She is also scheduled to speak at a Fresno City Council meeting in late August to deliver copies of the film to council members. This woman now speaks freely about her situation, very eloquently and passionately. Not only has it improved her life, anyone listening to her story cannot help but be affected.
Please briefly describe importance of findings:
Homelessness is a significant problem in Fresno, evidenced by the city having the second highest rate nationwide of those unsheltered (no bed at night). While this is an important community concern, conversations about solutions rarely include those who are homeless. Creating a supportive space where concerned members of the public were able to ask members of the homeless community questions directly about how best to affect change was the most significant outcome. During the community assessment, conducted for the initial grant, it was documented that the homeless population in Fresno rarely receives positive media attention. For several weeks, the coverage regarding this film and the filmmaking process created very positive media attention for the homeless of Fresno.
What methods did you use to determine your findings? Check all that apply:
Survey
Participant Observation
Based on outputs, outcomes and/or other results, explain any significant lessons learned from these findings for either the SLAA or others in the LIS field:
Homeless individuals were extremely excited to have the opportunity to share their story. That said, some of the interview subjects were individuals who heard about the interview opportunity at the local shelter but have not been seen since. It was indeed difficult to recruit long term volunteers from this disenfranchised community, but a select group of extremely reliable volunteers did come forward. One did the interviews, took photos, spoke with media and did both panel discussions. Three more helped here with photos and also participated in the panel discussions. Altogether six of the eleven individuals interviewed participated in at least one panel discussion. A key lesson was the need to work directly with the top level at the homeless shelter for future projects. For example, individuals sleeping at the local shelter were not allowed to take photos inside the shelter campus because it violated onsite rules. As a result they did not take one of the cameras provided out of fear it would be confiscated. Forethought and discussion with shelter management could have eliminated this difficulty. Having the public library as the facilitator for such a topical conversation was unexpected by almost everyone, from those in the homeless community to those in the media. Repeatedly, the following question came up: "Really? The library is doing a movie on homeless?" Further underscoring the point that this reached an audience beyond the usual library user, 55% of those at a film screening had never attended a library program previously. The media responded to this topic in a very significant way. It took effort but once word got out it spread quickly. Having the opportunity to hear directly from someone who was homeless was viewed as a unique opportunity by the general public. This was evident in the significant social media response, significant views on YouTube after the screenings, and most importantly, the significant attendance at both public screenings which garnered significant and thoughtful commentary.
Do you anticipate continuing this project after the current reporting period ends:
No: The film is now part of the library collection (bonus features include both panel discussions) for future screening by anyone who so chooses but the project culminated in two successful screening events which will not be repeated. Overseeing transportation for the six homeless individuals to attend at least one public screenings was very complicated, but also necessary for this unique population. Repeating this effort for future screenings is not feasible.
Do you anticipate any change in level of effort:
No
Do you anticipate any change in the project's scope:
No
Do you anticipate any other changes in the project:
No

Exemplary: No
Exemplary Narrative

Project Tags: homeless, community, library