Local filmmaker focuses on ACCESS

Josh Gippin, founder of Joshua Tree Productions, recently agreed to donate his talents to develop a documentary on ACCESS. The film includes interviews with ACCESS residents and staff as well as community members. Because of his participation and efforts, Turning Point was interested in getting insight from Mr. Gippin on his impressions of ACCESS and the plight of homeless women and their children. The film will be completed this Fall.

TP: What inspired you to donate your time to develop this video for ACCESS?

JG: Most people don’t realize the time commitment involved in video production. I estimate that this project will take about 100 hours of my time. In other words, I have to choose my projects carefully (particularly pro bono projects). What better cause than providing emergency shelter to homeless women and children?

TP: What did you learn about homeless women and their children from this experience?

JG: Before working with ACCESS, I never realized what a problem homelessness is in Akron. As for single women with children, I’ve known for a long time how vulnerable they were. It’s hard enough supporting a family on two incomes, much less one. And I never realized what a psychologically scarring experience homelessness can be for a child – the humiliation of that social stigma.

TP: What surprised you most about hearing the stories of the residents of ACCESS?

JG: I was a bit surprised at how eloquent and well-spoken some of the women were.

TP: What specifically did you learn about ACCESS?

JG: It’s not just a place to crash for a month. I was very impressed by their philosophy of wrapping their arms around their residents, from case management to medical care to programming for children and teens to parental counseling to guidance in finding more permanent housing and jobs.

TP: What was your first impression when you first walked into ACCESS?

JG: It was a very friendly, energetic atmosphere. The place seemed like it was always buzzing with activity.

TP: What in your opinion is the most common misperception about homeless people?

JG: That they’re lazy, alcohol and drug addicted, and uneducated. In many cases, the person who becomes homeless is working 50-hour weeks and raising kids. They’re living from paycheck to paycheck. If a child gets sick, mom must make a choice between paying rent or going to the doctor. Next thing you know, they’re out on the street.

 TP: What ways do you think the community could better support homeless women through ACCESS?

JG: It is a shame that there are so many cuts in government funding for organizations like ACCESS. The financial burden is falling more heavily than ever on Akron's citizens to support ACCESS.

TP: What effect do you hope your video will have on people’s perception of homeless women and their children?

JG: I hope it will replace the statistics with human faces. I hope people will see that the homeless are no different than you and I. They’ve just fallen on hard times and need a hand.

TP: Did you have an opportunity to tour the Step II facility? If so, how did those women differ, if any, from the women you met at the ACCESS Emergency Shelter?

JG: The women at Step II are strictly single women (no kids). ACCESS is the only shelter for single women without kids. The women at Step II are on a two-year program, as opposed to the 30-day emergency shelter. These women were notably more focused on their goals. They also had a noticeably higher sense of self worth and confidence, compared to the overwhelming sense of crisis and desperation of the women at the emergency shelter.

TP: Many people feel that children have the most difficult time when the family becomes homeless. What was your feeling about how the children you met were handling their plight?

JG: It was a mixed bag. Some of them were not handling it well. I saw a strained relationship between a mother and child, I saw some children who seemed depressed, and one who seemed angry. However, I was fortunate to witness some of the child advocate’s activities with the kids, and they did seem to help the kids forget their plight for a while. ACCESS is definitely a safe, healthy, enriching environment for children, however brief their stay.

Josh Gippin’s last project was titled “The Grizzled Wizard of Waste Not Want Not”. He is currently working on two new documentaries, one on the history and character of the Akron neighborhood, Highland Square, and the other on faith and the Twelve Step recovery program. A video heirloom about his grandma, Rose, is his ongoing pet project. Learn more about Josh Gippin’s work at www.joshuatreevideo.com.

—Larry Clayman