Chicago teenagers seasoned by rejection and life on the streets defy the odds

     CHICAGO - Illinois DCFS teams up with UCAN to host an afternoon at the movies. The Kartemquin Films and Spargel Productions documentary, The Homestretch, will be shown at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 13, 2014, at the Gene Siskel Film Center, 164 N. State Street in Chicago. There will be a short introduction before the film begins by the film directors, Illinois DCFS, and UCAN officials. Afterwards, the audience can participate in a Q&A with movie directors, DCFS, and UCAN officials.

     “We would like everyone involved with youth to see this film, especially people in social work,” says Fredrick Long, director of government affairs at UCAN, a DCFS partner group.  “In the near future, it is DCFS’ hope to use this film as a tool to further educate social workers on homeless youth and their circumstances. I applaud the film for its ability to educate, while also showing us once again why these youth need our compassion as well as our assistance.”

     Discounts apply for the following: Group booking over 20 tickets is $8 per ticket. College and high students with student I.D. is $7. Regular price tickets are $11. Group booking reservations are available, via e-mail only, through Angela Cox: acox1@saic.edu. THE DCFS and UCAN screening is part of a one-week run of The Homestretch in its Chicago theatrical premiere. To host a screening of The Homestretch for your organization, e-mail homestretch@kartemquin.com.

     Film Synopsis:  Three homeless Chicago teenagers seasoned by rejection and life on the streets defy the odds to create a future, finding sympathy and support in surprising places. The filmmakers follow aspiring actor Roque, poet/painter Kasey, and Anthony, a rapper, poet, and entrepreneur, into the haunting underworld of children cast off by broken or unfit families and left alone to navigate the perils of poverty and predation. As the three tenaciously fight for an education and eventual independence, the film powerfully explores surrounding issues of race, juvenile justice, immigration, foster care, and LGBTQ rights. Movie runtime is 90 minutes.

     Additional screenings are scheduled for Harrisburg, PA; Kansas City, MO; Calvin College; Roosevelt University; University of Notre Dame; and others. See a list of upcoming screenings.

     To report abuse or neglect, please see this listing of child abuse reporting hotlines for all states in the U.S. at Child Welfare Information Gateway.