Arkansas PBS > Engage > Pressroom > 'Hidden in Plain Sight: Homeless in Arkansas' to air on AETN June 21
Posted 15 Jun 2011
The Arkansas Educational Television Network (AETN) will address homelessness in Hidden in Plain Sight: Homeless in Arkansas airing Tuesday, June 21, at 7 p.m.
Hidden in Plain Sight: Homeless in Arkansas focuses on the rise in homelessness among Arkansass population. According to the National Coalition for the Homeless, two trends are responsible for the rise in homelessness over the past 20 to 25 years: a growing shortage of affordable rental housing and a simultaneous increase in poverty. Arkansass poverty rate is approximately 18.5 percent, almost four percent higher than the national average of 14.3 percent, according the U.S. Census Bureau.
The National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty estimates between 2.3 and 3.5 million people experience homelessness, while the Kaiser Family Foundation estimates 2,852 Arkansans were homeless in 2009. However, measuring homelessness is difficult because of the fluidity of the homeless population.
The program will feature the documentary Bridge to a New Life, the Story of Miss Malen and the Couch Surfers, produced by Sarah Moore and Cheryl M. Sybrant of Fayetteville, about a transitional living program for 18 to 22-year-olds in the Fayetteville area.
A panel discussion will follow the film and feature Carolyn Turturro, co-chair of the Arkansas Homeless Coalition; Dennis Beavers of the SOAR Network; and John Woodward, executive director of 7 Hills Homeless Center.
Jancey Sheats of KARK Channel 4 will host.
The Arkansas Educational Television Network (AETN) is Arkansass statewide public television network that enhances lives by providing lifelong learning opportunities for people from all walks of life. AETN delivers local, award-winning productions and classic, trusted PBS programs aimed at sharing Arkansas and the world with viewers. AETN depends on the generosity of Arkansans and the State of Arkansas to continue offering quality programming. For more information, visit www.aetn.org, or follow the AETN blog at www.aetn.org/engage. AETN is broadcast on KETS (Little Rock), KEMV (Mountain View), KETG (Arkadelphia), KAFT (Fayetteville), KTEJ (Jonesboro), and KETZ (El Dorado).