God Bless The Child
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:00:30Look what I got for you, come on everybody, come on, come on little squirrel, come on.
00:00:58You don't have to be afraid, nobody's going to hurt you.
00:01:12When I was a kid sometimes we had them for supper, with potatoes and carrots.
00:01:17Well no wonder we won't come down.
00:01:22Come on Alesha, we have to go see a lady.
00:01:53Some people like you to call first.
00:01:59Mrs. Prentiss?
00:02:00Yes?
00:02:01Do you remember me, Teresa Johnson?
00:02:04I used to be on your housekeeping crew when I worked afternoons.
00:02:07Oh yes, Teresa, how are you?
00:02:10Are you still working at the hotel?
00:02:11Yes ma'am, only now I'm on day shift.
00:02:14And this is my daughter, Hillary.
00:02:16What a pretty girl.
00:02:18Well come in, please.
00:02:21I'm being put out of my place.
00:02:24They're tearing down the whole building, putting up a convention center or something, I'm not real sure.
00:02:30I have to be out by this weekend.
00:02:32Oh dear.
00:02:35I've been looking at apartments.
00:02:36Uh-huh.
00:02:38They don't want too much.
00:02:40What about your husband, did you ever hear from him?
00:02:43Hillary got a postcard from Houston, a picture of the Astrodome.
00:02:49That was nine months ago.
00:02:53I don't think we'll be seeing him again.
00:02:57Anyway, I'm still looking at places, but just in case, I was wondering if me and Hillary could stay with you for a little while.
00:03:08You haven't any relatives, any friends?
00:03:12Just my daughter.
00:03:15All we'd need is a couch to sleep on, just till I find something I could afford.
00:03:19Uh-huh.
00:03:21Well, I'd have to ask my husband.
00:03:23Thank you.
00:03:29Mommy, what's this?
00:03:32It's a blender, people use it to make their own juice.
00:03:36What's that?
00:03:37It's a crock pot, you've seen them on TV.
00:03:42What about this?
00:03:44Smell it, honey.
00:03:48Smells nice in here, huh?
00:03:54You see, the thing is, it hasn't been that long since our own kids moved out.
00:03:59This is the first time we've had the house to ourselves.
00:04:02You can see for yourself how small it is.
00:04:06I really wish we could help, but it's...
00:04:10Sweetheart, would you like to take some of those with you?
00:04:13Yeah.
00:04:14Okay, here, I'll tell you what, we'll bundle them all up in a napkin.
00:04:18Okay?
00:04:19Yeah.
00:04:34I think I'm going to save these for breakfast tomorrow.
00:04:37That's a good idea.
00:05:08Can I get a nap?
00:05:10Mm-hmm.
00:05:11Don't forget, gotta wash my clothes today.
00:05:15Put them in a bag.
00:05:17I'll see if I can do them at work.
00:05:21Is it good now?
00:05:38Listen to your teacher.
00:05:39I will.
00:05:41All right, before you start,
00:06:09I'm going to make for a long day.
00:06:12I've been looking at apartments all weekend.
00:06:15Gotta look at more tonight.
00:06:17They all want first month's rent and a deposit on top of that.
00:06:22I'm just living pay to pay.
00:06:25Gotta find something soon, though.
00:06:27Maybe they'll let me have some time off to look.
00:06:29Child, you don't even want to let them know you got problems.
00:06:32They got 50 Puerto Ricans and half a Saigon ready to jump in your place.
00:06:36They got no time for your headaches.
00:06:39Well.
00:06:42Good morning.
00:06:43You put us up for a few weeks?
00:06:45Just so I can save up some money?
00:06:47I got five children of my own in a two-bedroom apartment.
00:06:51I just don't have the space.
00:06:53Last thing I need is you stretched out on my sofa,
00:06:55my husband looking at you when he go to bed,
00:06:57when he get up in the morning.
00:06:59Best avoid those kind of situations.
00:07:04So what do you do when you're being put outdoors?
00:07:09You got no money, don't know anybody.
00:07:11Where do you go?
00:07:12Maybe it's time to go back home.
00:07:14My daddy died.
00:07:16Mom is on a pension.
00:07:17She's living in a trailer with my two sisters.
00:07:21She got diabetes real bad.
00:07:23She can't help me.
00:07:24I stayed in a rooming house once.
00:07:26Awful place.
00:07:28I'd sooner sleep in the woods.
00:07:30Well, there's always the shelters.
00:07:32Our church got one.
00:07:33Give you a warm place to stay until you get back on your feet.
00:07:38I don't know.
00:07:40Sleeping with all those strangers.
00:07:43You have any furniture?
00:07:45Just some pots and pans, a small TV.
00:07:48The rest belongs to the landlord.
00:07:50Pack it up in a couple of boxes.
00:07:51All the stuff you can't carry with you,
00:07:53you can keep it with me until you get an address.
00:07:55Thank you.
00:07:57You're welcome.
00:07:58You're going to be needing to travel light.
00:08:01You're welcome.
00:08:32You said you wanted to talk about Paul.
00:08:34You said he was spending too much time at the hospital.
00:08:37I was worried about him.
00:08:38You didn't tell her anything.
00:08:40Of course not.
00:08:42What could I tell her?
00:08:43That he was trying to save the life of his son she doesn't know he has.
00:08:47Look, Paul isn't even sure that boy's his son.
00:08:50...the battered Florida Keys as a result of Hurricane Victor
00:08:53making its way up north to the Gulf.
00:08:55Rain and winds of up to 100 miles per hour
00:08:57cause structural damage to two resorts
00:08:59and force the closure of all others in the area.
00:09:02On the mainland, volunteers work throughout the night
00:09:04with sandbags and shovels
00:09:06to protect the expensive beachfront properties
00:09:08threatened by tides more than 10 feet above normal.
00:09:11The Weather Service predicts the hurricane will begin to lose its...
00:09:21Hi.
00:09:23I was sleeping.
00:09:26I washed all your clothes.
00:09:28They're in my room.
00:09:30Okay.
00:09:34I looked all over.
00:09:36I couldn't find us an apartment.
00:09:39Why not? Everybody else has someplace to live.
00:09:48Please don't get mad at me.
00:09:55Okay.
00:10:18Are you and Mary Beth ready?
00:10:20Are we going to go to the church now?
00:10:22Yeah.
00:10:24We're going to do something special.
00:10:26Come on.
00:10:53Can I help you?
00:11:15Yes. We were looking for a place to stay.
00:11:18For tonight?
00:11:20For a couple of nights.
00:11:22For as long as you'll let us.
00:11:25Miss, you didn't think there'd be a bed just waiting for you, did you?
00:11:29Those beds are very precious.
00:11:31People start lining up for them at 4 o'clock.
00:11:34Oh.
00:11:35Most of the time there's a waiting list.
00:11:38I didn't know that.
00:11:40Rosalie Davis hasn't shown up.
00:11:43It's 20 minutes past curfew.
00:11:45We can let you have her space.
00:11:47You're a very lucky young woman.
00:11:49Thank you.
00:11:50There's a two-week limit.
00:11:52The shelter is for women and children only.
00:11:54There's no smoking, no alcoholic beverages, no weapons,
00:11:57and you're responsible for your own meals.
00:11:59And we have a very strict curfew.
00:12:01You must be in by 7 o'clock at night
00:12:03and out by 7 in the morning with all your belongings.
00:12:06That's no problem.
00:12:07I have to get my daughter to school
00:12:09and then I have to be at work at 8, so...
00:12:12You have a job?
00:12:14Mm-hmm.
00:12:1630 hours a week.
00:12:18And you have money?
00:12:20These beds are for people who have no place else to go.
00:12:23You can get a room of your own.
00:12:28If you make me go to a hotel,
00:12:30I'll be back in two weeks and I won't have anything.
00:12:33I'm just trying to get a little bit ahead.
00:12:36I'm trying to find us a home.
00:12:48You want to see Carrie downstairs?
00:12:50She's wearing a red sweater.
00:12:52She'll show you where your bed is.
00:12:54Thank you very much.
00:12:56Do you have your money on you?
00:12:58Yes.
00:12:59Keep it close to you. Don't let anybody see it.
00:13:01Okay.
00:13:03Good night.
00:13:10I had to take two buses all the way across town,
00:13:13an hour and a half each way.
00:13:15He said he had a job to talk about. He never even showed up.
00:13:18I'm sorry, Mrs. Davis, but your bed has been reassigned.
00:13:21You gave it away? You gave away my bed?
00:13:24You know the rules on curfew.
00:13:26I don't care about your damn curfew. Where am I supposed to sleep tonight?
00:13:28Mrs. Davis, this is a church.
00:13:30What kind of church throws women out into the streets?
00:13:33You people got no right.
00:13:35That was my bed! That bed was mine!
00:13:46Excuse me.
00:13:48They said you'd show me where my bed is.
00:13:56What's wrong?
00:13:58I can't sleep. There's too many people.
00:14:01I can't sleep. There's too many people.
00:14:31It's time for bed
00:14:34All the scary things that happen in the world
00:14:40All through the night
00:14:44All through the night
00:14:47All through the night
00:14:50All through the night
00:15:01All through the night
00:15:19Hi. Hi.
00:15:22Would you like an apple?
00:15:24Help yourself.
00:15:27You didn't sleep here last night.
00:15:29I only do that a couple of nights of the week.
00:15:31Last night I stayed home.
00:15:33You had a house?
00:15:35In Willowbrook, about six miles from here.
00:15:38My mom still hasn't found us a place to live.
00:15:41Maybe we can come stay with you.
00:15:44Oh, I wish you could, sweetheart.
00:15:47I wish I could open up a big hotel and take in every kid who doesn't have a home.
00:15:50But I can't. I'm sorry.
00:15:55You know what would make your mom real happy?
00:15:57If you would take this washcloth and go to the bathroom
00:16:00and get yourself all cleaned up before she got here.
00:16:06Thanks for the apple.
00:16:07You're welcome.
00:16:28Good evening.
00:16:30Hi.
00:16:39Where's Mary Beth? She likes to eat with me.
00:16:42She's in my suitcase.
00:16:45I'll take her out later.
00:16:48She's having sandwiches.
00:16:50Well, we're going to have something else.
00:16:52Hillary, I've had a really hard day today in the hospital.
00:16:55I've had a really hard day today and the last thing I need is your complaining.
00:16:58Okay?
00:17:08Come over there.
00:17:12Poor soul.
00:17:14I spent all morning talking to the welfare lady.
00:17:16She's probably having a better conversation than I did.
00:17:19They cut off my food stamps.
00:17:21Said I needed an address to prove I was a resident.
00:17:24I said, how can I give you an address when I ain't got a home?
00:17:26They said you gotta have a stove to cook on.
00:17:28I said, I may not have a stove, but I still got a stomach.
00:17:31Me and my boy still gotta eat.
00:17:33Two hours of that and I was ready to talk to a light bulb.
00:17:38Hey, you! Get away from those kids!
00:17:47I guess when you're living in a shelter,
00:17:49it can't be too fussy about who your neighbors are.
00:17:53I never figured it'd be this expensive.
00:17:56Buying all your meals out,
00:17:58taking two or three buses to get anywhere,
00:18:00using pay phones all the time.
00:18:02Can't keep any money in your pocket.
00:18:04I know.
00:18:06Was that your husband? Out by the truck?
00:18:09Ed. We used to have a farm.
00:18:12Banks got it now.
00:18:14Came here trying to get set up again.
00:18:16It's been hard, though.
00:18:18Especially for Kenny.
00:18:20One day he's got a home and friends,
00:18:22his own way of life.
00:18:24Next day, nothing.
00:18:26It's hard for him to understand that.
00:18:28Yeah.
00:18:31And your husband, he sleeps in the truck?
00:18:33Sometimes.
00:18:35Sometimes he just walks the streets.
00:18:38Can't tell you how much that scares me.
00:18:41During the day, though, Ed and I, we go looking for work.
00:18:44Kenny, he just goes to the park.
00:18:47Sits there by himself, thinking and brooding.
00:18:51I'm not sure what I'm gonna do about Hillary.
00:18:54I'm supposed to go to work on Saturday.
00:18:56Usually she's in school.
00:18:58Kenny could watch her.
00:19:00No, really. He's very good with children.
00:19:02He's very responsible.
00:19:05If he had someone else to take care of,
00:19:07it would help take his mind off his own troubles.
00:19:17We used to have a lot of animals.
00:19:19Chickens and rabbits and a pig that won prizes.
00:19:23There's a creek in the backyard,
00:19:25woods to play in.
00:19:27I even have my own treehouse.
00:19:30Now I don't even have a house at all.
00:19:32We used to have an apartment, but they made us move out.
00:19:36My mother used to give stuff to the poor.
00:19:39Now we are poor.
00:19:42I don't know how that happened.
00:19:44We ran out of money.
00:19:46We're sitting around in the back of the truck,
00:19:48and people look at us like we're pumps.
00:19:51Like we're not as good as they are.
00:19:54I'm not gonna let this happen to me.
00:19:56When I grow up, I'm gonna get a good job.
00:20:00I'm not gonna let this happen to me.
00:20:05I better go. It's getting late.
00:20:12Mrs. Johnson?
00:20:15Mrs. Johnson, the ladies upstairs asked me to remind you
00:20:17that you only have three days left here.
00:20:19Your bed will be reassigned on Sunday.
00:20:21Okay. Thank you.
00:20:30Where you're staying right now, this here's the Hilton.
00:20:33Clean sheets, room to move around,
00:20:35space for the kids to play.
00:20:37You ain't gonna find anything better than this.
00:20:39Salvation Army gives you your own room.
00:20:42They only got 15 of them.
00:20:44Good luck getting them.
00:20:46Now, the Lenox housing, too bad.
00:20:48That's a neighborhood shelter over in Boston.
00:20:50They give you five nights.
00:20:51Don't just show up at the last minute.
00:20:53You gotta go down there around about 3.30, 4.00.
00:20:55Get your name on the list.
00:20:56Don't get off work till 5.00.
00:20:58Those beds go fast.
00:21:00Harvest Mission has the last place you wanna go.
00:21:02They give out beds one night at a time.
00:21:04They ain't give them out to anybody.
00:21:06Who's that?
00:21:08Outreach worker.
00:21:10If you need some eyeglasses or something,
00:21:12if you can't figure out your weather form,
00:21:13see, he'll help you out.
00:21:14He's all right.
00:21:15Hey, little lady, what you got there?
00:21:17Let's see.
00:21:19Looks to me like maybe a space capsule
00:21:21getting ready to go to the moon.
00:21:22Nope, it's a turtle.
00:21:24Oh.
00:21:25Where'd you get those?
00:21:26Oh, I got these in New Orleans.
00:21:28They have a big parade there,
00:21:29and people in beautiful costumes
00:21:31throw these out to the crowd.
00:21:32They're pretty.
00:21:34Sorry.
00:21:36Look what he's wearing on his knee.
00:21:39I go to Mardi Gras every year,
00:21:41and I like to bring these back for the children.
00:21:43Is it okay to give her one?
00:21:46Sure.
00:21:48It's okay.
00:21:50Little blue one, baby.
00:21:51Yeah, there you go.
00:21:53Thank you.
00:21:55You're welcome.
00:21:56I'm gonna go show Kenny.
00:21:59I'm Calvin Reed.
00:22:01I'm an outreach worker for a group of churches.
00:22:03They pay me to help people.
00:22:05Is there anything I can do for you?
00:22:07Can you find me an apartment for $2.25 a month?
00:22:10Those are pretty hard to come by.
00:22:12I know.
00:22:13But every now and then one of them pops up.
00:22:15It won't be anything too luxurious, though.
00:22:17Four walls and a roof sound just about right.
00:22:20And your name is?
00:22:22Teresa...
00:22:24Johnson.
00:22:26Okay, Miss Johnson.
00:22:28I'll keep my eyes open.
00:22:29Thank you.
00:22:31Good night.
00:22:32Good night.
00:22:37Come on!
00:22:55What's the matter?
00:22:56Why'd you come to school?
00:23:00I lost my job.
00:23:04I called early yesterday to sign up for another shelter,
00:23:06and they found out.
00:23:09When I came in today, they said I was fired.
00:23:15I can't do anything right.
00:23:20I can't keep a job.
00:23:22I can't keep a husband.
00:23:25Mom, it's okay.
00:23:27Don't cry.
00:23:28It's not okay, sweetie.
00:23:29What are we gonna do?
00:23:32Please, Mom, don't cry.
00:23:34It's okay.
00:23:36What are we gonna do?
00:23:39Oh, sweetheart, what are we gonna do?
00:24:01Come on.
00:24:31Come on.
00:25:02What are we gonna do today?
00:25:04After the clothes are done, maybe we'll go over to the park.
00:25:07The park? We always go to the park.
00:25:09Why can't we go somewhere else?
00:25:11You never took me to the zoo.
00:25:13That costs money.
00:25:15We're gonna have to watch our pennies for a little while.
00:25:17Well, tomorrow's school.
00:25:18We got to show them we're a catch class.
00:25:20I think we're gonna let you miss school for a little bit.
00:25:23But I like school.
00:25:25All my friends are at school.
00:25:26Let's go to school.
00:25:28But I like school.
00:25:30All my friends are at school.
00:25:31Let's go to school.
00:25:32I don't want to go with you.
00:25:33Hillary, I'm not sure where we're gonna be staying tonight.
00:25:37When they want us in, when they want us out,
00:25:39how we're gonna get back and forth,
00:25:41what buses we have to take,
00:25:42let alone how you're gonna get to school.
00:25:44It's just too much for me to figure out.
00:25:46But I'm doing good in school.
00:25:48And you can go back when we find a place.
00:25:50But I'll be behind everybody and everybody will make fun of me.
00:25:55When I was a little girl, I had to miss a lot of school, too.
00:25:58It ain't so bad.
00:26:00You'll catch up.
00:26:01Come here.
00:26:06I hope we find a place soon.
00:26:08I don't like living like this.
00:26:25I'm Teresa Johnson.
00:26:27I signed up for a bed a few days ago.
00:26:29Oh, yes, Mrs. Johnson.
00:26:31You know, we're co-ed here.
00:26:33Men on the first floor, women on the second.
00:26:35No men are allowed upstairs.
00:26:37I understand.
00:26:38Your bed's up that way.
00:26:39Far room on the left.
00:26:40Thank you.
00:26:45I'm sorry.
00:26:46I'm sorry.
00:26:47I'm sorry.
00:26:48I'm sorry.
00:26:49I'm sorry.
00:26:50I'm sorry.
00:26:51I'm sorry.
00:26:52I'm sorry.
00:26:53I'm sorry.
00:26:54I'm sorry.
00:26:55I'm sorry.
00:26:56I'm sorry.
00:27:02Put me on the phone.
00:27:03Don't you know how long I've been here?
00:27:04I said give me the phone.
00:27:06Excuse me.
00:27:07Could you hang on?
00:27:08What the hell?
00:27:09Is your girlfriend here?
00:27:10Can't you see I'm on the phone?
00:27:12I'm telling you!
00:27:13You'd better get out of here.
00:27:14I'm telling you!
00:27:15I'm telling you!
00:27:16I'm telling you!
00:27:17I'm telling you!
00:27:18I'm telling you!
00:27:19I'm telling you!
00:27:20I'm telling you!
00:27:21I'm telling you!
00:27:22That bed belonged anybody
00:27:38Is this okay with you you do the pillow
00:27:52Do you have any savings accounts checking accounts stocks bonds jewelry or other items of cash value no
00:27:59Have you been looking for another job? Yes, ma'am. I've been looking all week and how's that going?
00:28:05It goes fine up until they asked me my address
00:28:08Nobody wants to hire you if you're moving every two weeks if they're not sure they can get a hold of you
00:28:14Some of the shelters are all the way across town and I'd get there too late to make curfew. I
00:28:19Can't work
00:28:21Nights afternoons or weekends because there's no place for me to leave Hillary except school. I
00:28:27Can't leave her in a shelter all by herself
00:28:31It's like I can't get a job unless I have a place and I can't get a place unless I have a job I
00:28:37Need to ask you a few questions about your husband
00:28:40We came out here together with Hillary
00:28:44He was looking for factory work
00:28:46Something better than we had back home
00:28:49He'd get jobs off and on
00:28:52Then it just all kind of dried up
00:28:54That's when you left
00:28:56Are you divorced?
00:28:58Not that I know of so it's a case of desertion
00:29:03Yes
00:29:05Do you have a boyfriend or is there any other man in your life right now?
00:29:08No, is there likely to be in the near future? I
00:29:13Don't think so
00:29:15Well, you are required to notify this office should that situation change
00:29:23Okay, it would seem you're eligible for AFDC
00:29:28How much with one child about two hundred and forty dollars a month I'll put your papers through this afternoon
00:29:35And we should have a check ready for you in about four weeks
00:29:39Weeks
00:29:44Miss I got barely $100 in my pocket
00:29:49How are we supposed to get by for four weeks
00:29:54Salvation Army church kitchens
00:29:59I'm sorry
00:30:09You
00:30:20Is there anything else I'm still hungry we'll go over to st. Paul's later on we're gonna be serving spaghetti
00:30:28What just a couple hours?
00:30:31Why don't you throw those away?
00:30:39Excuse me, miss. Is there a problem? What?
00:30:43You're sitting on this bench for an hour. You're waiting for a bus. No, just sitting here resting a little
00:30:49This isn't a place to be hanging around with your daughter
00:30:53Maybe you should go over to the park or playground. Yes, sir
00:31:08See the guy with the clip-on man
00:31:18I've got a seven-year-old girl. You've been walking all day. We can't go no further
00:31:23We used up our time at most of the other shelters. We're real tired
00:31:28We need a place to sleep
00:31:31See the guy with the clip-on
00:31:38I
00:32:08Don't want
00:32:26Don't you ever walk away from me again?
00:32:29Yeah, I was just watching until I tell you different you stay next to me every minute
00:32:39Oh
00:32:59It's okay it's just for the night I'll find us a better place tomorrow
00:33:08I
00:33:32Sit up tonight you can sleep on my lap
00:33:38I
00:33:55Come here, baby
00:34:02Here
00:34:08I
00:34:21Hate tonight got a lay down in a place like this
00:34:29Hate the day
00:34:31You gotta keep on moving
00:34:34scrounging a little bit of food
00:34:38I'm hungry. I was tired
00:34:44God forgive me
00:35:08I
00:35:10I
00:35:36Can't go around with no shoes
00:35:40Jefferson you can get a pair of shoes there for three dollars
00:35:56Just like you snake that piece is better stop training. Thank you
00:36:03I
00:36:07Should go now you go use the bathroom. It's right back there. I'll pay the bill. I'll meet you outside
00:36:19Mommy you're not gonna leave me are you?
00:36:23I
00:36:25Would even ask because I'm things go bad before daddy baby. I never leave you
00:36:34What keeps me going from day to day the one and only thing that makes me smile
00:36:43If I ever lost you
00:36:48I love you, okay
00:36:51Hey back into your business wash your hands, and I'll meet you right
00:37:13Move away from the door, please
00:37:20I'm sorry
00:37:50I
00:38:20Warm enough
00:38:50I
00:39:01Wish I was smarter. I wish I knew how to take care of you better
00:39:20You
00:39:50I
00:40:21You don't want anymore
00:40:24You
00:40:49She's still got my beads
00:40:54Hey, how you doing, I'm Calvin Reed don't you remember me the outreach worker
00:41:01I've been looking all over for you. I think I found you a place
00:41:07All my money's gone
00:41:10I don't worry about that come on. Let's go take a look at
00:41:23You
00:41:27Water pressure's not too good ceiling leaks, and you're gonna have to deal with some roaches. It's better than the doorway
00:41:35That's right, it's definitely better
00:41:38This is the bedroom. I think I can get you a blanket and some sheets for that
00:41:42Let me get you a couch for this room over here. Maybe even a end table and a lamp
00:41:49How much is the rent 180 a month no deposit I talked to the landlord
00:41:53He said he'll wait for you a FDC check take first month's rent out of that
00:41:58That only leaves me $60 a month well plus food stamps and that ought to give you another $100 or so
00:42:04I'll help you with the applications. All right over. Here's the kitchen
00:42:09now believe it or not this
00:42:11It's all refrigerated work pretty good. I don't know what we're gonna do about a stove lady
00:42:16I used to work with this holding some things of mine. I got a hot plate. There you go
00:42:20There you go see how sometimes things just gonna fall into place
00:42:24Here just write down your friend's name and address
00:42:27Yeah, it's right over in my van pick up this stuff for you
00:42:30I'll bring you a couple boxes of food to get you started my outreach centers. Just up the street
00:42:35I'll work it out of my house, so if you find yourself in trouble just stop on by
00:42:40Might be able to help you out
00:42:42Why are you doing this? That's my job?
00:42:46Are you doing this for me?
00:42:48Most people don't understand about poverty
00:42:51probably like a
00:42:53like a disease
00:42:55Grabs a hold of you don't let go it just keeps on beating you down
00:43:00You want to break free of it so bad, but you don't know how for too long it just crushes all the hope out you
00:43:06Yeah, I've gotten so I can look in people's eyes
00:43:09And tell who's giving up who's still trying
00:43:13You want to work
00:43:15You're not an alcoholic you're not a dope addict you got a chance to make it
00:43:23I'll bring this stuff back in an hour
00:43:26Mr.. Reid
00:43:31Thank you, you're welcome miss Johnson
00:43:45You
00:44:15You
00:44:45You
00:44:59Come on
00:45:07Hi, I'm Teresa Johnson. I moved into the house right back there. Hi. I'm Sheree
00:45:15My daughter was wondering if she could play with your daughter sure
00:45:23We've been moving around a lot
00:45:25She hadn't had much of a chance to make any friends
00:45:29What are you doing? Are you drawing something?
00:45:34What's your name her name's Keisha, what's yours Hillary? I know a song
00:45:40Yeah
00:45:45Here put these in a hair she likes these
00:45:48That's right, baby, you look real pretty
00:46:18Don't want to put more in okay
00:46:32You keep doing that baby like that she gonna puke all over the floor and I ain't cleaning it up
00:46:37I
00:46:45Got an 82 on my book report
00:46:53My spell wasn't too good what am I gonna get a dictionary I
00:46:57Get a job. Oh, yeah, and when I grow wings. I'm gonna fly to Tahiti and drink coconut
00:47:03You don't even know where Tahiti is
00:47:06They got a dictionary at the library you can study there, I guess you're right is the toilet still broke
00:47:12Yeah, I use that bucket over there by the sink to flush it with
00:47:23Your brother's graduating in a few weeks he's graduating midterm, yeah
00:47:29And I want you to talk to your husband see can he spare a few dollars?
00:47:32We're just gonna need some new clothes mama you think Thomas has money. He don't need
00:47:37Richards a proud boy if he's got to sit through that graduation in them same old rags everybody else in a new coat and tie
00:47:44He just won't go I didn't go to my eighth grade graduation, and you quit school two years later
00:47:50That's what happens when you can't keep up you give up
00:47:53Now your brother's a bright boy. He's got a good head on his shoulders
00:47:58He's got a chance to make it out of here
00:48:01I don't want him having any excuses to quit Thomas is out in his car waiting for you mama
00:48:06Did you wash my blue blouse? Oh? It's hanging out there on the line Tracy
00:48:12Chandra don't forget to ask Thomas
00:48:31Oh
00:48:34Richard
00:48:36Bobby
00:48:38You okay
00:48:41My dad came home drinking
00:48:44My mom made me get out of the house
00:48:46Could I stay with you tonight? Was he hitting her he was yelling why makes him crazy. Can't tell what he's gonna do
00:48:55Last time you put a face to a window. She was all cut up and bleeding man. You guys should just leave
00:49:00I mean get away
00:49:03Sometimes I wish I was a cop and I could stop him
00:49:07Well, that's you wouldn't kill me wound him in the arm of the neck just to stop him
00:49:13hook
00:49:15Come by after supper. I leave my window open for you
00:49:18Thanks, man
00:49:20I
00:49:27Was it mm-hmm? Yeah, thank you. She does well. We'll give her more
00:49:37It's nice having a home again, huh?
00:49:40Am I gonna go back to school now? I talked to mr. Reed. He said the new term will start in a few weeks
00:49:46I'll get you in then
00:49:49Are you gonna get a job soon as you start school
00:49:56I'm tired
00:49:58Last couple months have wore me down. I
00:50:02Like to rest a little
00:50:05Take a little time to settle in
00:50:08Then I'll start looking for a job
00:50:10Something that pays decent money
00:50:13Let's me set a little aside
00:50:16I
00:50:17Maybe then we can get us some nice things
00:50:20Bicycle for you. Mm-hmm new clothes for me
00:50:26Something I look good in
00:50:29Maybe somebody laughs me out
00:50:33To a movie or to dinner
00:50:35You
00:50:44Sweetheart
00:50:48Your daddy left us honey
00:50:53And he's not coming back and I don't want to go through this life alone
00:50:59I
00:51:04Think your vegetables makes your Mary Beth inserts, too
00:51:14Okay today we're gonna do pancake put your hands up like this
00:51:21Pancake pancake no keep your hands up ready
00:51:29Pancake pancake
00:51:31Baker's man
00:51:33Roll them up. I put him in a pan bake me cake. That's as you can
00:51:45Me and Bobby gonna go scrapping over on his own. Okay, but watch yourself people drive crazy over there
00:51:51I
00:51:54Had his dream last night. Yeah, I was living on this farm
00:51:59Lots of space lots of fresh air
00:52:03Veg vegetables anytime you want to eat
00:52:07Yeah, and I had my old horse it's a big great one we were riding around all over it was pretty
00:52:18You
00:52:21Look at clothes
00:52:29Big match
00:52:32Dad heard
00:52:35Cut a lip
00:52:37Nothing too bad
00:52:39Hey
00:52:41Look at that
00:52:52Someday
00:52:54Someday I'd like to work in a place like that
00:52:58Come on man still a couple more blocks
00:53:00I
00:53:25Told Hillary not to go in the many more the best thing to do is keep all your food in the refrigerator
00:53:29Can't we do something can't we tell the landlord well with these houses everybody's got to put up with something
00:53:34I mean some people don't have water some people don't have electricity just about everybody got rats
00:53:40They hate through everything
00:53:42The bread the rice the macaroni all we got left is a few cans of vegetables
00:53:50I can't give you much this time. We're coming into the fourth week
00:53:54Fourth week food stamps only last about three weeks now getting through that fourth week. That's the killer
00:54:01People live on cornbread and ketchup. Maybe a cup of coffee and one egg a day
00:54:05Maybe a box of oatmeal for a whole week
00:54:08And when that runs out they come to me
00:54:12It seems like it's getting worse every month
00:54:16Whatever you can give me
00:54:19Let's see what I can do
00:54:231,000
00:54:26If they gave me what it costs to build just one of those need more people than that missile could kill
00:54:32I
00:54:51I'm sorry Hillary, but your mama should be here soon, okay?
00:55:00I'm sorry
00:55:03I wasn't expecting to be so long
00:55:14Caesar you got food on your own plate leave Keisha supper alone
00:55:32So as that
00:55:34Momentous day draws even closer
00:55:37I'd like to make a toast to the bride and groom to Alyssa and Alex
00:55:43May their union bring happiness and good fortune to us all
00:55:47I
00:55:59Should tell mama I should tell the police that boys too old for you
00:56:04Can I tell you something what?
00:56:06Curtis has been pressing me. He wants to have sex with me
00:56:11You make sure that boy keeps his pants on
00:56:15You tell him to keep his business to himself
00:56:17But he's so handsome, and he's not poor he could be with anybody he wants what if he gives you a baby
00:56:24Maybe we'll get married did he tell you that I?
00:56:29Could always get on welfare girl. What is wrong with you?
00:56:34Don't you see how it is around here. You got your eyes closed
00:56:38That welfare is a trap
00:56:42Gives you enough to get by but not enough to get out
00:56:46Once you're on it you never get off. She's still got your babies
00:56:51You got somebody to love you. Yeah
00:56:54And when you hear him crying at night
00:56:56When they look up at you and say mama, I'm hungry, and you can't beat him
00:57:02Love will tear you apart
00:57:05What you gonna do if you have a baby like Keisha
00:57:09You know that child ain't right and that ain't a thing I can do to help her
00:57:13Curtis pays attention to me
00:57:17Special then hold his hand
00:57:20Go for a walk and look at the stars
00:57:23But you don't have to be giving him no sex. It's all I got to give him
00:57:32Just don't know
00:57:43I
00:58:02See check don't forget you gotta get soap toothpaste and toilet paper. I know honey. I know
00:58:09Mommy said you get maybe next month Tracy. You gotta try to hold on to some of this for your brother's graduation clothes
00:58:16Richard your father's here
00:58:18Okay
00:58:26Hey Richard look I'm going over to Jefferson Street, and I'm gonna meet up with some of your friends
00:58:31I'm gonna meet up with some of your brothers
00:58:33I'm gonna meet up with some of your brothers
00:58:36Hey Richard look I'm going over to Jefferson Street to watch some boxing you want to come
00:58:45Let me tell you something train punches, that's all they were doing train punch that went boxing that was ugly
00:58:51Hey, you wanna get something to eat?
00:58:53Let's go down this way here
00:58:57Let me tell you something now when I fought
00:59:00Whether it was in a gym or in the streets, man. I was smooth
00:59:04See I knew how to move man, and I had this right it's right that came out of nowhere it came out the sky
00:59:10Hey
00:59:11Raymond walk and said hello
00:59:15I'm surprised you ain't put the gloves on you seem to be pretty quick
00:59:27He probably wouldn't even let me in the school
00:59:29Now me and school ain't never got along too good
00:59:33They'd let you in
00:59:34So you got two A's huh? Yeah?
00:59:37That's real good. I had a buddy of mine used to get A's all the time his name was a
00:59:42Rainbow Bennett yeah
00:59:46Okay ended up on the corner like the rest of us start messing with them needles took himself right out of the picture
00:59:53see sometimes
00:59:55Being smart to hurt you I mean, don't you see how bad things are
01:00:01Ain't me fool no joke
01:00:03That plants my future mm-hmm
01:00:06Gonna finish school. I'm gonna get a good job, and I can be hanging on the corner
01:00:12Gonna be somebody talking about me
01:00:15Talking about getting out of here
01:00:18I took every job anybody ever offered me factory work
01:00:24hauling
01:00:25painting houses
01:00:27Hey look just cuz you want to be somebody don't mean somebody gonna let you
01:00:31Your mother gets a check right now cuz I'm not there
01:00:33I'm worth more to her gone than I am being in the house. They do know what that does to a man
01:00:38Huh, oh, but you got two ways, so you gonna beat all that look. I'm gonna be poor for rest of my life
01:00:43Okay, I'm gonna fight. I'm gonna fight till I get out of here
01:00:45Yeah, well you must be a pretty tough little kid cuz you're gonna fight the streets. You're gonna fight the man
01:00:49You're gonna fight history
01:00:51Come back and see me in ten years. Let me see how much fight you got left
01:00:53I'm not hungry anymore. Can I go home now the cars back that way?
01:01:15You're okay, baby. You're okay because they're gone. They're all gone. They're gone honey. Did they bite you did you feel him bite you?
01:01:45Honey, I don't see any marks look at me. I don't see any more
01:01:53Your mommy's got you
01:01:59Richard Richard there's an ambulance down by Bobby's house
01:02:15Oh
01:02:46Oh
01:03:09They were all around her
01:03:12The biggest fats I ever seen
01:03:14They weren't afraid of the light. They weren't afraid of Hillary. They weren't afraid of me. I had to go after him with a broom
01:03:20Living in this neighborhood every evening brings a new nightmare
01:03:24I want to talk to that landlord. I want him to do something. I already spoke to him
01:03:29He says the house comes as is his position is if you don't like it. You don't have to stay there
01:03:36Well, that ain't right
01:03:38Can't we do something can't we tell somebody well if you want you can report him to the public health department
01:03:46Okay, then
01:03:47Yeah, that's what I want to do. I could bring even bigger problems. Mrs. Johnson. You don't want your landlord
01:03:55Crawling on my little girl
01:04:00All right, all right, I'll get the number we can call from here. Thank you
01:04:09You all right, you look tired
01:04:17We lost one of our children last night
01:04:22A little boy Bobby Gifford
01:04:28His parents were having an argument he stepped in between
01:04:31His parents were having an argument he stepped in between
01:04:43People die in these neighborhoods name I
01:04:46Died from cold. I got from hunger that died from rage and violence
01:04:57Home and when a child dies
01:05:02That's when I can't sleep
01:05:13Here's the number let's see if they're
01:05:32Okay, I
01:05:50Got a letter from the power company today
01:05:53I've been holding back a little bit on their bills each month trying to save some money
01:05:58Now they say I got to pay the whole thing are they gonna cut the lights off
01:06:05I'm not gonna be able to get you your graduation clothes
01:06:11Okay, but I'm thinking about talking to miss Marsha that lady I used to so for she got a boy about your age
01:06:20I'm sorry, baby
01:06:24When she saw them change
01:06:27What I have to do you get to stay in school you get to study I do that already
01:06:35And it doesn't seem to make any difference because every day's the same I
01:06:41Wake up feeling shame and
01:06:46It never goes away
01:06:50Sometimes I
01:06:53Feel like
01:06:55You ever talk like that your life is a precious gift
01:07:02Mama we ain't got a chance
01:07:07Me and Bobby we used to talk about we used to talk about getting out
01:07:14But we knew it was just a dream
01:07:23And now Bobby's gone
01:07:27She got out here, but
01:07:30She had to tie to do it
01:07:39Any fear moment just a fear
01:07:52You
01:08:00You Teresa Johnson, yes, I'm Harold Mathias I own this place I
01:08:06Want you out of here by Friday?
01:08:08What?
01:08:10You got a hell of a nerve lady. I'll let you in here without a deposit. I
01:08:15Wait for your welfare to start up you turn me into the health department
01:08:19That's real gratitude there's rats running all over here, but what do you want for a hundred and eighty a month?
01:08:24That's a problem with you people you want everything handed to you welfare checks food stamps cheap housing and even then you bitch
01:08:32Well, I've had my fill of it. I want you off these premises by noon Friday. You can't do that
01:08:39You have to give me 60 days or 90 days
01:08:43You're gonna get killed
01:08:46Well, I'll tell you what I'm gonna do
01:08:48Friday afternoon, I'm gonna have one of my people come by and take the doors off the hinges
01:08:53You want to live in this neighborhood without doors?
01:08:56It's up to you
01:09:02You know landlords all around here are burning these places down for the insurance
01:09:06I can't say they blame them. The people are more trouble than you're worth
01:09:16We have to go back in the shelters, I don't know maybe for a little while
01:09:36I
01:09:55Richard
01:09:59Your mama came by my place today told me about Bobby
01:10:06He was a good kid
01:10:08I gotta get home. She also told me having some problem with your wardrobe. You're not going to your graduation
01:10:14It's no big thing
01:10:16Still get my diploma
01:10:19And mail it to me
01:10:21You know, I never did get mine
01:10:24No, I was in the 10th grade
01:10:26Hilliard construction company was offering jobs paying six dollars and fifty cents an hour
01:10:32And that diploma seemed far away, you know, it was out there somewhere
01:10:37But nobody I knew had a diploma
01:10:41But that job was real it was right there
01:10:45But you had to be 18 years old to work for him so I lied about my age about the work laying concrete
01:10:53I've been doing that same kind of work ever since
01:10:58Working with my hands
01:11:01Working with my back
01:11:04And you know man sometimes I wonder what it would be like to work with my brains
01:11:14Here
01:11:18Take this put in your pocket
01:11:23Put it in your pocket tell your mother I said to take you shopping get your nice jacket and tie for your graduation
01:11:29Because i'm going to be there man i'm going to be watching you
01:11:35I want my son to look good
01:11:49Hey, let's get this party moving they gonna hold up graduation for y'all raggedy butts
01:11:54They gonna hold up graduation for y'all raggedy butts
01:11:57Oh
01:12:28Keisha get in there
01:12:33Andre turn around
01:12:57So
01:13:05I got kicked out of my house. All the other shelters are full. I got my name on the waiting list
01:13:11You know where the beds are
01:13:14So
01:13:28Right there
01:13:36Mommy I don't feel good. My head hurts my stomach hurts
01:13:44Let me see
01:14:01Okay
01:14:03Okay
01:14:06Okay
01:14:07Okay, come here
01:14:09Come here. Let me put some cold water on your face
01:14:13Okay
01:14:15Hillary hillary
01:14:27Blood poisoning
01:14:30How'd she get that
01:14:32Paint window putty even the dust in your environment
01:14:38You've been staying in the shelters
01:14:40Yes
01:14:41Some of those older buildings are loaded with it
01:14:44same with a lot of old houses
01:14:46Can take some time to accumulate in the child system unless you've been staying in one place
01:14:49It's very difficult to pinpoint the source
01:14:54The important thing is this
01:14:56You can't let it happen again. You have to watch her closely. You have to be very very careful about everything
01:15:01She puts in her mouth
01:15:03What am I supposed to do?
01:15:06We have to stay wherever there's room any reoccurrence can lead to very serious consequences
01:15:12neurological damage
01:15:14learning disabilities
01:15:16Right now your daughter's in good hands
01:15:18We'll keep her here on the ivy for about a week and then schedule some follow-up examinations
01:15:24Just let her rest and go get some sleep yourself come back tomorrow
01:15:42I have to go now, baby
01:15:48The doctor says you're gonna be okay
01:15:53I'll be back in the morning
01:16:04I love you
01:16:11So
01:16:42So
01:16:44So
01:17:11Okay
01:17:15Hi
01:17:27Hi
01:17:29How are you feeling today?
01:17:31Mommy, look what I painted. Here's the hospital. Here's the doctor and here's the nurse and when i'm all done
01:17:37We're gonna hang it up on the wall. Yeah, is that you with a big smile? Uh-huh, great
01:17:42Guess what I have for lunch what?
01:17:45hamburger french fries
01:17:48And chocolate pudding for dessert chocolate pudding boy. Are you lucky?
01:17:52Did you see this?
01:18:07I talked to the doctor a little while ago
01:18:10He said you've been doing real good
01:18:13He says you can leave here day after tomorrow. I don't want to leave here. I like it here. I have my own bed
01:18:19Everybody's nice to me. This is the best place I ever stayed. I don't want to go
01:18:27Well, let's see what the doctor says
01:18:35Brought you candy. No, I don't want candy
01:18:40Well, i'll hold on to it for you
01:18:44You might want it after supper
01:18:50Go back to your paints, honey, they're gonna dry up
01:19:09So
01:19:40So
01:19:43Come on get back here
01:20:09So
01:20:28This is johnson I need to talk to you
01:20:35I want you to take hillary
01:20:40I want you to find her a home
01:20:46Are you sure about this
01:20:51We stay in places where you're afraid to fall asleep we eat food nobody else wants
01:21:01We spend all day on the street walking with no place to go
01:21:07People look at us like we're trash
01:21:10They don't want us
01:21:12They don't want to stand next to us
01:21:16They don't want to talk to us
01:21:19They don't even want to know we're there
01:21:24It's the loneliest kind of life
01:21:29It's no way for a child to live others can give her better can they love her as much as you no
01:21:36No
01:21:41She needs more than love
01:21:45She needs
01:21:47Other kids to play with friends who aren't going to be leaving every two weeks. She needs decent clothes
01:21:54Food that don't make her sick
01:21:59She needs a roof over her head and a safe place to sleep she needs a home
01:22:07So
01:22:09This is johnson, please
01:22:20The first thing we'll need to do is contact the juvenile court
01:22:25They'll assign a counselor to see if there's any way you and hillary can remain together
01:22:31If that doesn't seem to be in her best interest
01:22:34They'll begin court proceedings
01:22:36They'll need to
01:22:37Talk to hillary's father
01:22:40Father I don't know where he is
01:22:43Well, they'll try to track him down
01:22:45in the meantime
01:22:47You'll be assigned an attorney to help you with the hearings
01:22:51How long is all this going to take it could take six months. It could take six months
01:22:57That's too long
01:22:59She can't live like this another six months
01:23:02What if she gets sick again?
01:23:05What if she gets hurt
01:23:08There's only one way they'll take a child immediately how if she's been abused or abandoned
01:23:19Abandoned
01:23:21You tell me where you tell me when
01:23:25I'd call a woman from the juvenile court
01:23:28We'd come get her
01:23:30They'll put her in a children's shelter for two weeks then place her in a foster home
01:23:36After that they'll start working on her adoption
01:23:43There's no easy answer mrs. Johnson if you do this
01:23:48It's going to affect hillary for a long time to come
01:23:52She'll have a hard time trusting people and more than likely she'll blame you
01:23:58So I have to choose between keeping her on the streets or having her hate me
01:24:08I can't think about me right now
01:24:13I have to think about
01:24:18I have to think about her future
01:24:28And my family has always been poor mr. Reed
01:24:33my mother
01:24:35My grandmother and her mother before that
01:24:39We worked hard and we sweated but we ain't never been anything but poor
01:24:46I don't know how stop that for hillary. I don't know how
01:24:52How
01:24:56And except to give her to somebody else
01:25:11Her doctor's name is dr. Chain
01:25:14She has to go back for a checkup once a month. That's the medicine. She has to take
01:25:19Don't worry. Mrs. Johnson will
01:25:21They'll take care of this
01:25:24It's the best thing I can do isn't it mr. Reed
01:25:32Maybe she'll grow up to be healthy and smart
01:25:38And maybe one day she'll forgive me for what I've done
01:25:44I love my daughter
01:25:47I love my daughter. I love her so much
01:25:51I love her
01:26:05Sit down a minute. Okay. I got something I want to show you
01:26:12Over there
01:26:21You
01:26:23You were so good while you were in here
01:26:27You did everything the nurses told you to and you never cried once
01:26:33You made me so proud
01:26:37That I got you a present a present
01:26:44See if you like it
01:26:51Do you like it? Yes
01:26:57Here let's put it on you first we'll take this one off
01:27:15There oh it looks beautiful
01:27:22It looks pretty
01:27:25You know what that heart means
01:27:31It means your mommy loves you
01:27:35And whenever you look at it, that's what I want you to remember
01:27:43Your mommy loves you
01:27:45I love you, too. Mommy
01:28:10Come on let's go to the park
01:28:15So
01:28:35Excuse me, can you tell me what time it is?
01:28:37Okay
01:28:43Honey
01:28:44It's almost lunchtime
01:28:46I'm gonna go get us some sandwiches. You think you can stay here and play by yourself for a little while?
01:28:51Yeah, I want to go on the swing good
01:28:57No, wait
01:29:00So
01:29:04Don't forget very fast, okay
01:29:29So
01:30:00So
01:30:14Hillary hi. Hi. Could you come over here, please?
01:30:21Mom's gone
01:30:23She went to get sandwiches
01:30:25I know she asked me to come get you take you over my house
01:30:29Why shouldn't you be there?
01:30:31That hillary you and I are gonna have to talk about some things. Who's that?
01:30:36Her name is mrs. McCurdy. She's a very nice lady. She's gonna come with
01:30:42I know sweetheart, but this time's different
01:30:46It's okay, it's okay. She's gonna go to my house. Why can't we wait for we'll talk about all that later come to the car
01:30:52Come on, sweetheart
01:30:59Here we go
01:31:10Please pick up your dog
01:31:17Pick up your dog
01:31:30Mommy good. Hillary your dog. There you go. There you go
01:31:43Mommy
01:31:59So
01:32:29You