VIDEO: New series shatters social services stereotypes

The District of Sault Ste. Marie Social Services Administration Board worked with local film production studio Village Electric to produce a series of five videos that were developed to help change the way people view social services and the people in the community who make use of them.

The videos were created through random interviews with community members who use different types of social assistance. The individuals tell their stories in their own words. Those interviews were then used as the basis of animated videos. The interviewees share personal stories and circumstances that led them to be in a position to use social services.

The videos are meant to put a human voice behind these stories and shatter the many stereotypes that people who use social services often face. Each video shows individuals who are on a journey, that often includes going to school, working various jobs, and raising families. Social services is part of that journey as opposed to being a destination.

Each week, SooToday will be airing one of these videos. The first video, “Erica’s Journey”, begins with an interview with Mike Nadeau, CAO of DSSAB, to discuss the origins of the project.