Single mother Theresa Johnnson becomes homeless, loses her job, and tries to survive with her young daughter Hillary through charities and public shelters.Single mother Theresa Johnnson becomes homeless, loses her job, and tries to survive with her young daughter Hillary through charities and public shelters.Single mother Theresa Johnnson becomes homeless, loses her job, and tries to survive with her young daughter Hillary through charities and public shelters.
- Awards
- 2 wins & 1 nomination
Photos
- Richard Watkins
- (as Dante Terrell Smith)
- Chandra Watkins
- (as Charlain Woodard)
- Charlesletta
- (as Akuyoe)
- Director
- Writer
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- GoofsWhen Theresa first looks at her low-income apartment, lots of holes and other damage are visible in the walls; the damage changes and even disappears in later scenes.
- Quotes
Theresa Johnson: [to Hillary] Honey, it's almost lunchtime. I'm gonna go get us some sandwiches. Do you think you can stay here and play by yourself for a little while?
Hillary Johnson: Yeah, I wanna go on the swings.
[as she runs towards them]
Theresa Johnson: Good.
[pause]
Theresa Johnson: No, wait!
[she beckons Hillary back over]
Theresa Johnson: Don't forget Mary Beth!
[hands Hillary her doll]
Hillary Johnson: [happily] Okay.
[she runs back to the swings, Theresa walks off to a large tree in the park and hides behind it, watching Hillary swing as Reed's van pulls up. He exits the vehicle with a social worker]
Calvin Reed: Hillary!
Hillary Johnson: [happy to see him] Hi!
Calvin Reed: Hi! Could you come over here, please?
Hillary Johnson: [getting off the swing and walks to him] Mom's gone. She went to get sandwiches.
Calvin Reed: I know. She asked me to come get you, take you over to my house.
Hillary Johnson: Why? Is she gonna be there?
Calvin Reed: [patiently] Now Hillary, you and I are going to have to talk about some things.
Hillary Johnson: [pointing to the social worker] Who's that?
Calvin Reed: Her name is Mrs. McCurdy, and she's a very nice lady. She's going to come with me.
Hillary Johnson: [protesting as Calvin leads her to his van] But I'm not supposed to go with anybody but my mommy.
Calvin Reed: [as Theresa watches from behind the tree, crying] I know, sweetheart. But this time is different.
Hillary Johnson: [frightened] My mommy told me to stay here.
Calvin Reed: [soothingly] It's OK, we're just gonna go over to my house.
Hillary Johnson: [crying] Why can't we wait for her?
- ConnectionsFeatures The Price is Right (1972)
Not only does this movie show how someone can fall into homelessness and poverty and how that devastates a family, it actually inspired someone to DO something about homelessness.
An Ursuline sister, Margaret Scheetz, in Youngstown Ohio, saw the movie and was inspired to start a program for homeless women with children. The program, Beatitude House, provides transitional housing for homeless women while they pursue a full-time education. It also provides counseling, parenting programs, case management, group counseling and budgeting education.
The program started in 1991 with one apartment; it now has 24 apartments in Youngstown and 7 in Warren, Ohio. Beatitude House now includes an education and career preparation program for disadvantaged women, and has added a permanent supportive housing program for disabled homeless women or women who have disabled children. (More information is available at www.beatitudehouseonline.org.)
So, Thank You Mare Winningham, D. Michael Nemec (the writer), and everyone who produced or acted in this movie. Your work has truly changed lives.
Details
- Release date
- Countries of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Children of Poverty
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro