News & Stories

New Short Film: “I Want to Come Home”

December 9, 2025

Calgary Drop-In Centre Launches Raw Video Campaign, “I Want to Come Home” to Spread Awareness About Homelessness, Addiction, and Going Home for the Holidays

As housing prices rise and accessible housing supply remains low, the Calgary Drop-In Centre (the DI) is faced with a bottleneck when it comes to serving people experiencing and at risk of experiencing homelessness.

Though we have seen great success housing an average of 50 individuals per month, we are also seeing a monthly average of 150 new people entering the shelter for the first time. This is particularly true for people with unique needs, including those unhoused individuals in active addiction.

The challenges of economic pressures are very real for guests of the Calgary Drop-In Centre.

As part of the DI’s advocacy and educational efforts, the team has collaborated with community members to produce a raw and powerful short film, “I Want to Come Home” to help the community understand the complexity of the current state of homelessness in our city.

We share the story of how economic pressures heighten people’s difficulties and how homelessness, trauma, health, family, and housing are deeply interconnected. The film has been described as raw, realistic, and the most powerful film the DI has ever produced.

Content warning: The film alludes to a drug poisoning and its medical response. 

In response to the lack of accessible housing, this is a story about what it takes to reconnect with family, friends, and community – and in this case, a widowed father who fell out of touch with his son, “Jamie,” after a tragic car accident that took his wife’s life but spared his son’s, the driver of the car.

This is a story about reconciling a relationship badly bruised by unresolved trauma, resentment and abandonment.

We acknowledge that social supports, and the concept of home, looks different for everyone, and it’s important to name that some people truly have no one to reconnect with. Yet, “I Want to Come Home” asks the questions:

Can burned bridges be repaired?

Is it ever too late to reconnect with the people you love the most? 

If our film moves you, please consider sharing it on social media and tagging us at @CalgaryDropIn and using the hashtag, #ComeHome.

If you or someone you know is struggling with substances, there is help available.

To get involved, learn about the various ways to contribute at calgarydropin.ca/give.

The short film was created in collaboration with people with lived and working experience including DI front-line employees, Calgary-based filmmakers, local singer/songwriters, and local volunteer actors, as well as support from the University of Calgary.

All characters are actors and the story is representative of several individuals with varying lived experience. We use this storytelling approach to preserve the dignity and privacy of guests in our care, past and present.

Written, Produced and Directed by: Christopher Cutler & Kala Servansingh with Calgary Drop-In Centre

Filmed by: Lucid Light Studios, Filmmaker – Nathan Rogers

Supported and Advised by: Calgary Drop-In Centre ROSC, Emergency Shelter, and Free Goods Program staff

Lyrics and Song Written and Performed by: WHEELS Feat. Mike Stack www.thesoundofwheels.com

Song Produced and Recorded at: The Rabbit Hole Recording Studio, Turner Valley, AB

Thank you to our actors: Troy Greenwood, Mel Chislett, Terri Leslie, Leizl Conway, Julie Supple, Bill Zheng, Austen Aveyard, Herman Gao

Opening scenes includes footage from “Low” courtesy of UTI Limited Partnership. Copyright (C) 2023, All rights reserved, used under license.