Film Screening: “This Is Home”

Community Room

This Is Home is an intimate portrait of four Syrian families struggling to find their way in America. The screening will be followed by a brief discussion facilitated by Bassem Gayed, Multicultural Services Coordinator at Otis Library.

Only twenty-one thousand Syrian refugees out of five million have been accepted into the United States since 2011. This is Home follows four families sent to resettle in Baltimore in 2016. They have just eight months to find jobs, learn English, and become self-sufficient. The clock starts right when they land. Despite good intentions, a vast cultural divide prevents the new arrivals and the Americans trying to help them from truly understanding each other. For Syrians like Khaldoun, who was tortured and left physically disabled, and children like Mohammad, who suffers from PTSD, their needs extend far beyond lessons in proper job attire.

This program is free and open to the public.  Refreshments will be served.