On Thursday, May 4, Francis Parker School will host a special screening of the critically acclaimed documentary “Storied Streets” by executive producer Susan Sarandon.

The documentary focuses on the issue of homelessness in America and aims to encourage San Diego high school students to become more involved in social justice issues within their communities.

Parker was selected as one of five San Diego schools to screen the documentary as part of San Diego Film Foundation’s FOCUS on Impact Film Tour, held May 2 to 4. “Storied Streets” will be screened on the Linda Vista Campus from 10:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. in J. Crivello Hall and is open to the public. After the film, students will discuss the film with filmmaker Thomas Morgan and Giuseppe Pizan, a former homeless youth featured in the documentary.

“The opportunity to carry this [homelessness] message with the San Diego Film Foundation into more schools at a time when the community is truly polarized on this issue is so timely and important. I am sure that students will never see the issue the same—and my ultimate hope is that they work toward and find creative solutions to eradicate homelessness in their community and in this country,” Morgan said in a press release issued by San Diego Film Foundation.

Homelessness is a social issue with which San Diego is all too familiar. In 2016, there were nearly 8,700 homeless people living in San Diego County, more than half of whom lived unsheltered on the streets, according to an annual report from the Regional Task Force on the Homeless.

“Storied Streets” brings these issues to light by telling the stories of those who experience homelessness firsthand. The documentary takes viewers on a journey through 13 cities from Los Angeles to New York and raises both awareness and compassionate understanding through the real-life stories of homeless individuals.

The film breaks through the stereotypes placed on homeless populations by asking, “Who is homeless?” and fostering an understanding that homelessness can happen to anyone.

Homelessness will be made even more personal for Parker students when former homeless youth Giuseppe Pizan joins the discussion following the screening. Pizan, who was abandoned

by his mother at age 15, was featured in the documentary and will be at Francis Parker School for a dialogue with students.

Parker students, faculty and staff, and the community are invited to view “Storied Streets” free of charge this Thursday, May 4 in J. Crivello Hall at Francis Parker School’s Linda Vista Campus from 10:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

—City News Service

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