A DEEPER LOOK
ABOUT OUR STORY
We’re a group of Seniors from the University of Dayton studying Media Production, and this is our year-long documentary project, where we take a story from concept all the way to premiere. We’ve decided to focus on the foster care system—its impact, its challenges, and the voices that are often unheard. From research to interviews to editing, everything is done by us, the students.
SYNOPSIS
Placed: The Journey Through Foster Care explores the reality of the Foster Care System that is hidden in plain sight. By going into the homes of foster parents, and asking social care workers for answers, this student documentary sheds light on the real voices and untold stories of the Foster System.
Everyone was a child once, and at the core, all people share the same basic need: love, care, and a sense of belonging. Change is not only possible—it is necessary.
MISSION
As students of this documentary course, we are learning how to effectively communicate our ideas through the power of storytelling. Our story is focused on the realities of the foster care system, specifically in the Ohio and Dayton area.
Though our focus is local, our themes reflect the broader systemic issues at play, with the goal of raising awareness and encouraging meaningful change. We aim to shed light on the topic of foster care and gather personal experiences to bring awareness on this issue.
GOALS
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Educate: Inform ourselves and our audience about the realities of the foster care system
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Uplift: Shed light on the untold stories of individuals and organizations
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Inspire: Motivate others to consider becoming a foster parent or support others within the system
WHY
When we first chose this topic, we really had no idea what we were getting ourselves in, but we could not be more grateful for it. Through this project, we’ve learned that Foster care is a deeply complex issue, and that it’s too often discussed only on a surface level.
The truth is, foster care touches more lives than we realize—people all around us have been affected in one way or another. We want to dive deeper into the realities that so many children and families face within the system. We hope to open an intentional conversation, so that all of us can work to create a reality where every child is given the chance to thrive.
