Hope in the Heartland
Wichita’s Quest to End Homelessness
Homelessness is a growing crisis in America. Wichita, Kansas, is determined to break the cycle. This documentary follows the city’s ambitious quest to end chronic homelessness through a groundbreaking collaborative approach.
As 22-year-old Caitlin fights to escape the harsh realities of life on the streets, Wichita grapples with bureaucratic hurdles and funding challenges.
Will the city’s “Project HOPE” and “HOT” teams overcome these obstacles and build a much-needed Multi-Agency Center? Can they turn the tide on homelessness and become a national model for other cities?
Stay tuned for future screenings and where to watch the film ahead of its release to the public in early 2025.
“Hope in the Heartland” is a documentary film that shines a light on the complex issue of homelessness in Wichita, Kansas. The film follows the lives of individuals experiencing homelessness, the tireless efforts of organizations providing support, and the impact of homelessness on the community. The film aims to foster understanding, empathy, and inspire action to address this critical issue.
The Story
Through the Wichita Police Department’s Homeless Outreach Team (HOT), we meet 22-year-old Caitlin living in “Narnia,” the city’s largest tent encampment. As Caitlin attempts to leave homelessness through city and nonprofit resources, major changes in local policy and federal laws directly influence her journey. Meanwhile, the City encounters numerous hurdles in its attempt to develop a Multi-Agency Center (MAC) to serve as a one-stop-shop for homeless outreach resources as they receive feedback from the community and face budget challenges.
The Production
PANO Productions, the production arm of PANO Marketing, produced this film in collaboration with C3S Consulting and Development Strategies as part of the City of Wichita’s Project HOPE initiative. Production was led by faculty and students from Wichita State University’s School of Digital Arts and Shocker Studios. Pre-production began in late 2023 and principle photography wrapped in September of 2024.
The Crew
- Ryan W. Gates: Executive Producer
- Robert Thomas: Director & Director of Photography
- Angeline F. Johnson: Producer
- Sally Stang: Producer
- Calvin Shadle: Associate Producer
- Emery Downs: Camera Operator
- Luke Schroeder: Camera Operator
- Josh Gerber: Drone Videography
- Ashlynn Farney: Editor & Production Coordinator
- Ciara Duarte: Production Coordinator
- Mason Phillips: Production Assistant
This film is funded, in part, through a grant from the Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. Neither the U.S. Department of Justice nor any of its components operate, control, are responsible for, or necessarily endorse, this film (including, without limitation, its content, technical infrastructure, and policies, and any services or tools provided).
Our Hope
As homelessness increases each year in America, Wichita, Kansas is determined to find a way to address this challenge in their community. City leaders, outreach organizations, and community members have worked independently in the past. Now, in 2024, collaboration increases and a realistic roadmap to ending chronic homelessness in Wichita is revealed.
It is our hope that audiences see the amazing work local resource providers are doing, recognize the nonpartisan efforts happening from government officials, and come to understand why addressing homelessness is a challenge we can (and must) tackle with urgency, collaboration and compassion.
