Stories from the line

Stories from the Line provides an accessible window into the lives of families responding to the challenges of poverty in America

Stories from the Line presents bold, honest, and effective documentary portraits produced by Impact America Corps Members that navigate the complexities and nuance comprising the experience of millions of families struggling to rise and remain above the poverty line in America. Although each sketch stands alone, taken as a whole, they provide a counter narrative to the over-generalized and often prejudiced stereotypes of poverty frequently presented in the media. Stories from the Line is no longer an active initiative at Impact America.

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Memphis Area Legal Services assists Demetria, who was taken advantage of when trying to buy a car.

UAB student Dylan Adams shares how the Home Stretch Scholarship will help him continue his passion for nursing.

Xavier strives to inspire kids in his Memphis neighborhood to see that they do not have to be defined by the negative stereotypes used to describe their community.

A migrant worker moves with the seasons, working hard for his children to have opportunities he never had.

A series of misdemeanors eventually landed Terrence Bowen in Juvenile Court. But now, after working with a positive male mentor who saw his potential, he is on the path to a high school diploma and a promising career.

The Memphis Stories from the Line team follows the story of how being undocumented affects a local family.

Kaleidoscope Kitchen strives for a community that comes together regardless of race, ethnicity, and religion to celebrate identity and diversity through food and storytelling. Meet four of their entrepreneurs.

Explore Our Resources for Educators >

A More Honest Conversation about Poverty on Campuses & Online

Most college students – the majority of whom were raised in socioeconomically homogeneous, suburban neighborhoods – and many college graduates around the country have virtually no personal knowledge of the challenges faced by the majority of families in America who are living paycheck to paycheck. Most of them have grown up and live in communities as adults completely disconnected from what the majority of families deal with every day. Ultimately, we see that reflected in the media and in the way that many of our politicians talk about programs and policies that affect lower income families. Those misperceptions do a disservice to the incredible sacrifices that parents all over this country make for their children.

Impact America Corps Members from all backgrounds can play an important role in raising the level of discourse about families living at or near the poverty line in America.

Corps Members in our Memphis- and Birmingham-based programs have the opportunity to learn how to use professional video, audio, and lighting equipment and to edit in professional filmmaking software. Learn more about the Corps Program >

IMPACT UNIVERSITY

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POVERTY FACT SHEET

EDUCATOR RESOURCES

For your classroom >

Stories from the Line benefits from the support and guidance of Michele Forman, a nationally recognized, award-winning filmmaker and the Director of the Media Studies Program at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Impact America is an AmeriCorps Program.