"We Will Rise": A Documentary Depicting  Homelessness in Syracuse, NY

Those of us who live in and around Syracuse, NY are accustomed to seeing homelessness and poverty nearly everyday. Syracuse is currently ranked 10th nationally for the highest rates of housing-insecurity. Despite how prevalent this issue is, it doesn't get as much attention as it deserves.

Through my research, I aimed to discover how housing insecurity has changed in recent years. I wanted to find out if the amount of people struggling had increased or decreased, how organizations adjusted to restrictions brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, and how individuals were impacted. I chose to explore these themes through the creation of a documentary called "We Will Rise." I chose this format because I love filmmaking and plan to continue studying film in college. 

Through the process, I met with many community experts and individuals who have first had experience with the local housing crisis. I interviewed many of these individuals and my project would not be complete without their input. Key contributors were Al-Amin Muhammad, the director and founder of "We Rise Above the Streets", along with Trafina Coleman, a residence supervisor at the Young Women's Christian Association in Syracuse. These individuals along with others detailed their personal experiences with homlessness and their current work to help those still struggling.