Ain Al-Hilweh is known as the "Capital of Palestinian Shatat."  

 The term might not stir many emotions among those who do not fully understand, let alone experience the harrowing existence of ethnic cleansing and perpetual exile - and the tremendous violence which followed. 

 'Shatat' is roughly translated into “exile” or “Diaspora”. However, the meaning is much more complex. It can only be understood through lived experience. Even then, it is still not easy to communicate. Perhaps, the Kafkaesque blocks of concrete, zinc and rubble, towered one on top of another and serving as ‘temporary shelters’ for tens of thousands of people, tell a small part of the story.  

We have less than one week remaining in our August Challenge to raise $5000 to match a potential gift by an anonymous supporter. We currently sit at $3661.00 raised.

DONATE HERE

Kent Beittel's vision opened The Open Shelter in 1983 and thanks to the grassroots support of caring supporters like YOU, we have continued "Staying Behind With Those Left Behind."; homeless and marginally housed men, women, children, and families who have nowhere else to turn.

As of August 1st, we have assisted 1,915 of your neighbors in 2023 with food, clothing, hygiene products, items to survive outdoors, Birth Certificates, State IDs and so much more. We have been there for the most vulnerable for nearly half a century. We saw a 27% decrease in financial support during the first half of this year while our number of guests served continues to increase. Please help us meet the match so we can receive much-needed funds.

Thank You.

A gay couple’s marriage is thrown into crisis when one of them begins a passionate affair with a younger woman.

After completing his latest project, filmmaker Tomas (Franz Rogowski) impulsively begins a heated love affair with a young schoolteacher, Agathe (Adèle Exarchopoulos). For Tomas, the novelty of being with a woman is an exciting experience that he's eager to explore despite his marriage to Martin (Ben Whishaw). But when Martin begins his own affair, the mercurial Tomas refocuses his attentions on his husband. Set in contemporary Paris, "Passages" charts an escalating battle of desire between three people, where want is a constant and happiness is just out of reach. The film creates an insightful drama exploring the complexities, contradictions, and cruelties of love and longing.