Lotus House Women's Shelter documentary -Inspired by Images and Voices of Hope

It was  September 11, 2008, which is   a year and 3 months ago  that Images and Voices of Hope held a conversation on the arts in Miami. Over 100 artists and arts leaders participated in this conversation that was held at the Margulies Art Warehouse where real estate developer  Martin Margulies houses his  acclaimed contemporary art collection. Martin is considered one of the biggest collectors in the country. When Martin spoke, I expected him to talk about his art and its impact on society. Instead, he talked about his wife Constance  Collins Margulies, who founded and runs Lotus House , a shelter for homeless women. I was so moved by Martin's description of what takes place at Lotus House that I went to meet Constance the next day. From that conversation, the documentary Lotus House... A Place for New Beginnings,  was born. It is the story of this homeless shelter in one of South Florida's poorest neighborhoods that is truly changing the lives of the women and children who reside there. I have spent the last year seeing how these women's lives are transformed through creative writing, self-esteem, job training,  a great deal of love, and much more. The  program is now running on WLRN Public Television in Miami.  I know that this documentary would not have happened if it weren't for the Images and Voices of Hope conversation that day. It was at that gathering that something stirred within me, and called out to move forward with this thought. I feel that this is one of the many ways that Images and Voices inspires us  to seek out  stories that are  bringing benefit to society.