Watch Videos from the 2011 Video Institute

Photograph by Chioke Brown

Each summer the continuing education program at the Center for Documentary Studies (CDS) at Duke University develops an intensive video institute around a specific theme. In previous years topics have included democracy, environmental issues, and life a variety of Durham neighborhoods. This year CDS partnered with DurhamCares, a local faith-based nonprofit that helps to fund specific goals of other nonprofits and matches volunteers with organizations. The resulting video projects were created with the help of DurhamCares and their partnering organizations. CDS gratefully acknowleges their help in making this learning experience possible for our students.

The videos are also available to watch on CDS Vimeo.

Click here for more information about CDS workshops and institutes

City of Samaritans
Laura “Cookie” Arky and Colleen McKeel
Uninsured Durham resident George McKinney found the help he needs to control his medical condition at Good Samaritan Health Care.

The Devil & the Stem: Cheryl’s Story
Wayne Johns and Kim Williams
Cheryl, a grandmother and professional nurse, shares her story of crack addiction and finding herself homeless in Durham. Housing for New Hope assisted her in securing her own home and rebuilding her life.

From There to Here
Teddy Denton and Martin Lang
Interfaith Hospitality Network helps single mothers like Syria achieve their dreams of becoming self-sufficient and providing a bright future for their children.

Third and Goal
Chip Howell and Doug Nicholas
Football is a beloved American pastime, but for the at-risk youth of the Durham Eagles team, it may also be the key to an otherwise unattainable college education. Scott Stankavage and Don Jones coach their team in not only field goals but also life goals, and encourage them to dream big.

Right Up His Alley
Victoria Bouloubasis and Kitty Rosati
Fleeing persecution in Iraq, Ali Mejeed sought refuge in the United States and found a home in Durham through the assistance of Church World Service and World Relief refugee resettlement programs – he feels he is now living the American dream.

The Part of the Blanket That Keeps You Warm
Claudia Johnson and Virginia Scruggs
Many elderly people living with health conditions, such as Durham resident Josephine Hailey, are unable to afford rising prescription costs. The innovative program at Senior PharmAssist provides not only medication but also information and resources.

Learning to Live
Danielle Hinesley and Eleanor Wu
Before seeking help, Anita Cash found herself at the mercy of her drug addiction. She knew that in order to live life she wanted, she needed help. The Durham Economic Resource Center supported her in developing the skills she needed to get a job.

A Leap of Faith
Josiah Goff and Laura Hatmaker
Horses have a way of inspiring hope and change for all people. Kim Tschirret, founder of Hope Reins, pairs rescued horses with youths living with emotional problems.

Help Wanted
Kate Butler and Kim Leddy
An unlikely friendship developed when World Relief volunteer Vic Wallace hired Nepali-refugee Passang Tamang at his car wash. With the help of World Relief, Passang has found employment and an apartment nearby other Nepali immigrants.

Getting it Done
Laura Deutch and Valeria Elliot
Volunteers at the Durham Literacy Center provide free tutoring in reading and English as a second language. Dacia Odum sought help to overcome her dyslexia and to advocate for her three young daughters who are now in school.

About Face
Elizabeth Davis and Ilene Hadler
A recurring theme in addiction recovery stories is the need to establish normalcy in daily life. Triangle Residential Options for Substance Abusers (TROSA) helps former drug and alcohol users, many of whom are military veterans, get back on their feet.

Brothers
Nina Pankovic and Cathy Panozzo
In the spirit of building people, and helping the community, a YMCA branch director befriends a troubled neighborhood kid.