Last December, the city of San Jose razed the country’s largest homeless encampment located on the banks of Coyote Creek and displaced over 300 homeless people who had created a community neighborhood of tents and makeshift structures they called “the Jungle.” The Jungle’s closure was a heartbreaking scene that made national headlines with its stark contrast of abject poverty amid high-tech wealth. Housing was found for 175 people as part of a pilot project by the city but, as they watched their belongings bulldozed, many of the Jungle’s remaining inhabitants tearfully spoke of having nowhere else to go. Since that time, there has been some criticism among community members that closing the Jungle only dispersed the homeless into their neighborhoods, and others have continued to advocate for the homeless with the city and county for more permanent housing solutions for all in Silicon Valley.

A new documentary, “Exodus from the Jungle,” tells the story of that December day and the community that will never be the same. We invite you to a showing of the film followed by conversation with some of the homeless community and their advocates. Please come and learn more about the need for housing and the work to create places for everyone here in Silicon Valley.

Sponsored by Building Hope: a mission team of the Willow Glen, Almaden Hills and Cambrian Park UMCs, and the Housing for All Alliance in Silicon Valley.