Shelter from the Storm

“I never imagined myself being homeless,” April Finley says. “I don't think anyone does.” Being homeless certainly wasn't a goal for the four women profiled here, who through divorce, abandonment, or incarceration of their partners, found themselves single mothers with no home and few job skills. The desperation of the working poor is clearly portrayed here, as the women's personal stories are backed by grim statistics from social service providers. Housing, food, and transportation are all expensive, as is daycare (which is virtually nonexistent for late-shift employees). In this reality, healthcare co-pays are a luxury and vo-tech or higher education little more than a dream. Shelter from the Storm also looks at the Family Self-Sufficiency Program in Green Bay, WI, a nonprofit group that helps women who want to move beyond public assistance, and mentions a handful of faith-based programs (including the Diocese of Green Bay, Habitat for Humanity, the Salvation Army, and Freedom House Ministries). By the end of this program, Finley has become a proud homeowner; given the recent mortgage and foreclosure crisis, one can only hope she's still in it. Recommended. Aud: C, P. (R. Reagan)