Film 'Take Me Home' brings hunger awareness to community

On April 10, the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando's Jewish Community Relations Council held a hunger awareness event, featuring the film "Take Me Home," by local filmmaker Famor Morales-Botero. The event was chaired by Marty Sherman who leads the Social Action Committee of the Federation's Jewish Community Relations Council.

The documentary follows the director into the streets of Central Florida where he meets and gets to know personally some of the people who are homeless. Morales is led into this world by Beth Davalos, a social worker who has assisted thousands of families in Seminole County.

The journey changes his life and introduces the viewer to the invisible homeless no one really hears about. This documentary was galvanized by a simple idea to use the cinematic arts in an attempt to raise awareness and change people's perception of who the homeless really are.

For a year and a half, the filmmaker follows these people as they share their life experiences being homeless on the streets. This documentary is about stories not statistics, about people not numbers, about love not hate, about life not politics, about feelings, fears and hope. The film is so current, that if you walked the streets that were filmed you would recognize some of the people portrayed who remain homeless. 

"Take Me Home" is a Global Peace Film Festival selection and received the Best Humanitarian Effort Award at the OLA Film Festival.   

After the film was shown, Rick Peete who is featured in the film, spoke to the audience. Rick, 58, is currently working part time and is no longer homeless. He has no family, and spends his time talking with people and groups about homelessness.

The group was moved by his story and called to action by his encouragement of people taking the time to smile and say hello to homeless people they see. Eric Geboff, Executive director of Jewish Family Services spoke of the needs for food in this community. Those in attendance donated food for the Pearlman food pantry as an entry fee for the film.