There's Hope in the Fight

A film series by Overlap Associates

The Better is Possible Project is an Overlap Associates initiative that aims to remind us what it means to be human. 

Stories are how we learn, understand, empathize, and connect with one another. By sharing these stories, we're shedding light on the people in our community who are quietly bringing about real change—the unsung heroes who believe better is absolutely possible.

There's Hope In The Fight is a moving volume of films in the Better is Possible Project. It's a series of intimate and inspiring mini-documentaries about five very different people facing their own personal struggles and how they are using their experiences to fuel change. These are people who have inspired us—we invite you to hear their stories.

Clarence

“To be broken is to be ordinary. Some more than others. Once I came to terms with my brokenness, the shame was lifted and I was able to come to terms with my issues. With a lot of support from people in this community.”

Umi

“I always tried to figure out what my religion is about. Why do I have to live this way? What should I take from it? And how can I implement it and include it in my life in a way where I don’t feel like I’m being forced to do anything that I don’t want to do? And to be honest with you, the more I learned about my religion the more I realized it was peaceful and beautiful.”

Rada

“I strongly believe that a child that feels there is love other than coming from parents, from other people, that child will grow to be a better adult. And that child will carry that giving to someone else because you inherit this desire to pass on the good that was given to you. Somebody provided this fun for you, this joy, somebody put a smile on your face, and when you grow up you will look back and think I can do that too.”

Zahra

“For me a key part of building that social infrastructure in a city is seeing and feeling. If you experience someone living in poverty, experience or interface with someone negotiating with their children on the subway, issues or things you read about become things you know, and so it doesn’t become so otherly.”

Lisa

“I’ve always written about my mental health issues and my other issues. I think it’s magical — to me anyways. It’s almost like your pain or happiness, your sadness or loneliness somehow becomes more real because you’ve written it down…With all the stuff I deal with in my life, I’m actually still here and that surprises me. I honestly thought I’d never live past my 27th birthday and I am now 31. ”