We know that experiencing homelessness is a systemic issue, one that often stems from historical marginalization and generational and family trauma. For this story, our goal was to highlight not only the systemic causes that lead young adults to experience housing instability in order to inspire more honest reflection from the audience, but also to demonstrate the spectrum of wraparound services that Cocoon House offers to support diverse ages and needs.

Individuals experiencing housing instability often face significant trauma, in addition to the trauma of living unhoused. As a result, telling these intimate and vulnerable stories requires strict adherence to ethical storytelling practices. While not a challenge per se, these practices do signify a necessary level of intentionality. They include hosting a pre-interview conversation to discuss off-limit topics, inviting interview subjects to consent to creative decisions during production and post-production, and building a relationship that feels mutually beneficial rather than extractive.

Upon first meeting Ysa, Junie, and Cesar in person, we felt an immediate, and understandable, distrust. Knowing that, we flexed the production schedule to create more space for getting to know each other, cracking jokes, and generally building a trusting relationship. During the interview, we allowed each sibling to share for as long as they wanted, less concerned with capturing the next shot and more concerned with their emotional well-being and offering adequate space for them to share whatever was on their hearts. Tears were shared, laughs were had, and in the end, we were able to build a relationship that concluded with hugs and thank-yous all around.