MOOSE JAW — In a collaboration between Square One Community Inc. and the John Howard Society, and in partnership with Rogers TV and the Moose Jaw Public Library, Square One is announcing an upcoming film that explores homelessness from a fresh perspective.
The film, “A Home to Call My Own,” was directed by Eric Steiner and will be shown as an invitation-only premiere event at the public library and also streamed online for everyone to view starting at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 17.
“‘A Home to Call My Own’ is focused on homelessness in Moose Jaw, although this is a salient issue across the entire country. We really wanted to have a local look at what homelessness in Moose Jaw is looking like currently, and to tackle some of those myths in the community about homelessness that are, in fact, perpetuating the problem,” announced Max Eckstein, the co-ordinator of Square One.
“(The film) looks from a human perspective (to see) what strategies have worked to bring (about) these tremendous recovery stories.”
The film seeks to revisit many of the myths that surround the topic. Eckstein said he’s also hoping to see politicians and other community leaders be inspired to affect positive changes.
One key myth is the belief that homeless individuals are coming in from other communities, and some believe they are even being bussed in. “In fact, we see over 90 per cent of people receiving services here in the city are local,” Eckstein said. “They have either lived here all their lives, or they’ve returned… after a short time away. This is a local problem, and it needs local solutions.
“It’s very important to address these myths and dispel them in some circumstances,” he said. “When these issues become the dominant narrative in the community, we start to see a drive to limit and remove services to people who need it the most.
“When that happens, it actually exasperates all the problems that the community is concerned about,” he added. “Addressing these myths isn’t just the compassionate thing to do — it’s… going to give us a better and brighter community.”
Eckstein said a number of local individuals will be featured in the film and two play a starring role. He said people usually hear about the issue from community leaders and rarely those who are experiencing it themselves.
One of these individuals is named Frankie, a man who has received extensive services through the John Howard Society. The second man, Trevor, was born and raised in Moose Jaw and came to suffer from both addictions and homelessness, Eckstein said.
“What’s really interesting about Trevor’s situation — which he’s going to share quite a bit about — is where we think homelessness comes from,” he explained. “Trevor came from a family that was a middle class family here in the city, just like any other family you would expect (to see day-to-day), and addiction and homelessness hit that family as well. So, we’re going to see his tremendous story of recovery for both addictions and being unhoused.”
Trevor’s story is part of an eye-opening realization — that homelessness can happen to anyone. “That’s one thing from the film we will really highlight, is that everyone is really only one small tragedy, or one small step away from facing a situation of homelessness themselves.”
The reason for the private showing, Eckstein explained, is primarily because of limited room at the public library’s theatre, but also because organizers are looking to create a forum where those who found solutions can speak directly with those currently unhoused or suffering with addictions.
“I hope the viewer takes away that the solution isn’t barriers, it’s connection,” Eckstein said.
“The more someone feels connected to their community, cared about, loved, and supported, the more recovery stories you’re going to hear. The more we isolate people, the more we create stigma around them, or buy into myths that really don’t have a founding."
To learn more visit or call 306-631-9340.
The film can be accessed at , which is hosted on the ‘Rogers tv Community Shorts’ YouTube channel. You may also be able to find a link on Square One’s Facebook page, ‘.’
