Monae: A Charlotte Family Housing Story

Charlotte Family Housing is a nonprofit based in Charlotte, NC, dedicated to helping working families transition from homelessness to stable, independent living. Their mission focuses on breaking generational cycles of poverty through housing, support services, and empowerment.

CFH needed a powerful centerpiece video for their annual fundraising gala—one that would do more than explain their work. They wanted to move hearts, deepen understanding of their impact, and encourage action from donors. The challenge: how do you tell a story about homelessness that’s honest but not exploitative, emotional but not manipulative—one that centers dignity and hope?

At Crux Films, we lead with empathy and strategy. For CFH, we designed a story-first approach grounded in three pillars:

• Authenticity — We interviewed real families and staff, allowing their unfiltered voices to guide the narrative.
• Intimacy — Filming on-location with a lean crew allowed us to capture quiet, emotional moments that felt natural and unscripted.
• Respect — Every storytelling choice was made with the dignity of CFH families in mind—from the lighting and pacing to the edit and sound design.

The concept we created— “Home is Possible” —focused on transformation, resilience, and the belief that everyone deserves a place to belong.

• 2 shoot days across shelter and housing locations
• Documentary-style direction for natural emotion and pacing
• Cinematic visuals using natural light, handheld camera work, and soft soundscapes
• Collaborative scripting with CFH team for accuracy and alignment

The film debuted at CFH’s gala to a round of applause from a room of donors, stakeholders, and community leaders. It quickly became the emotional heartbeat of the evening.

• CFH met their fundraising goals for the event
• Donors and staff praised the film for its emotional depth and authenticity
• The video is now being used year-round across CFH’s digital platforms and fundraising campaigns

"Crux Films helped us say what we couldn’t find the words to say. The video captured the heart of our mission and honored the people we serve."

— Angela Woods,