By Alice Kenny
Otis Hampton who lives at Create, a shelter affiliated with Catholic Charities for homeless young men, along with a group of fellow young people with big hearts, big challenges and big dreams had an afternoon to remember.
As CBS 2′s Cindy Hsu reported, they got a real taste of Hollywood in Chelsea at the School of Visual Arts, complete with a red carpet before their movies were screened.
All the participants struggle with disability, abandonment and adoption. Otis, for example, was born with cerebral palsy that makes it difficult for him to walk. His sister, who had a tracheotomy and was separated from him by adoption, also participated in the project.
They are channeling their challenges by creating mini movies about their lives. Otis appeared in his sister’s movie and starred in his own movie as well. The movies and the celebration were the result of a partnership between two groups: New Alternatives for Children and the Make a Film Foundation.
Growing up, Mr. Hampton was often teased by classmates and was stigmatized both for his disability and for the time he spent in the foster care. He was adopted at age 8, but his adoptive father died after a stroke two years later. His profile was published last year as a New York Times Neediest Case.
Otis’ life at Create freed him from worries about living on the street. While there, he has worked towards a college degree, is mastering the steps he needs to live independently and following his passion in film making.
Whether you have applied for FEMA or not — even if you were not eligible or were denied assistance — there may be local
