UPPER SAUCON TWP., Pa — A new film starring actors Beverly D'Angelo and William Baldwin and R&B singer Ashanti shed light on a critical issue that hits home for many families in the Lehigh Valley.
"No Address," a faith-based film that captures the harrowing story of a group of people in California experiencing homelessness, made its debut at the AMC Center Valley 16 on Thursday, Feb. 27.
Community leaders and officials were among the movie-goers, including state Sen. Jarrett Coleman, Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk, Fountain Hill Mayor Michael Johnson and Hellertown Mayor David Heintzelman.
All were invited to the special screening by Family Promise of Lehigh Valley, or FPLV.
The film, shot and based in Sacramento, California, was set for a nationwide debut Friday, Feb. 28.
It was co-produced by Ashanti and also stars HGTV host Ty Pennington, Isabella Ferreira, Lucas Jade Zumann and Xander Berkeley.
Concealing struggles, toxic stress
No Hollywood stars were at the screening, but Maddie Falcone, senior director of engagement and events at United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley, interviewed attendees on a red carpet to spark a conversation about stigmas around homelessness — a theme in the film.
Later, audience members watched a presentation with national and local statistics regarding the homeless crisis before the 90-minute film began.
In its latest impact report, FPLV said it had served 78 families, 229 individuals, 97 adults and 132 children in a calendar year.
The nonprofit, which has three-full time staff members and over 800 volunteers, was founded in 2018.
Its key programs are short-term rental assistance, landlord mediation, life skills training, financial literacy programs, employment resources and personalized care management.
"In partnership with over 36 congregations, we offer short-term shelter where families receive meals, transportation and education support," FPLV Executive Director Rosyln Kuba said.
"Ensuring that while parents work to overcome their challenges, their children can maintain stability."
Crisis impacting families more
Nearly 35% of people sheltered in 2023 were families with children, according to the 2023 study by Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University.
" Many families, burdened by the stigma of homelessness, go to great lengths to conceal their struggles," Alle Parker, campus pastor at FPLV and executive pastor of Life Church, told the crowd.
"They may live out of their cars, crowd into shared motel rooms, or cycle between the homes of relatives, doing whatever it takes to try to keep their children safe and sheltered."
" Each of those numbers represents a heartbreaking story, a person that experiences a toxic stress, academic failure."Alle Parker, Family Promise of Lehigh Valley pastor
Local school districts also have seen a high number of homeless children, according to FPLV.
In the 2022-23 school year, Lehigh Valley school districts reported that 888 students identified as homeless.
" Each of those numbers represents a heartbreaking story, a person that experiences a toxic stress that accompanies housing insecurity, leading to risks of academic failure, health issues, mental health challenges among youth and their families," Parker said.
Locally, families have been feeling the pinch on essential costs since the pandemic.
A 2023 report from the United Way of Pennsylvania found that in Lehigh County, 42% of households were cost-burdened and struggling to afford the basics in 2021.
In Northampton County, the same study reported that 37% of households faced similar cost burdens in 2021.
Make a 'commitment'
Fifty percent of the proceeds from ticket sales from showings of "New Address" will go to local non-profits such as FPLV.
Before the movie's end credits rolled, the stars of the film offered up ways through the website NoAddressmovie.comfor people to help and volunteer at nonprofits, such as FPLV, that help the homeless.
"At the end of the day, the reason we made this movie is to create a movement together. To help people have more empathy."Television host Ty Pennington
Ashanti, who wrote the song "Bonafide Survivor" for the film, pleaded with viewers to get involved locally.
"Let's all make a commitment to understand local policies," she said. "Real change starts with knowing what's happening in your own community."
Pennington, who plays a small role as a kindhearted business owner in the movie, also spoke out.
"At the end of the day, the reason we made this movie is to create a movement together," he said. "To help people have more empathy and to see the human side of homelessness. And to do something to end this crisis."
To learn more about Family Promise of Lehigh Valley, got to its website.
