Making Ends Meet is a play that dives into the everyday realities of poverty through personal stories. Creator Sage Cannon interviewed three young adults who have experienced poverty, weaving their stories together with her own. The result is a powerful exploration of what it feels like to experience poverty. The play aligns with a core principle of the Enough for All poverty reduction strategy, which is to amplify the voices of lived experience of poverty. Since the play's debut in early 2024, Vibrant Communities Calgary has worked with Sage to create an audio version of the play with more than 100 community voices. The project has also been adapted into a short animation and now, a new film production. 

Poverty isn’t easy to talk about, but plays like Making Ends Meet get at the heart of the impacts of poverty on people and communities. The exploration of poverty through this medium of art shows how poverty is complex and rooted in systems. 

The film delves into the ways people experience poverty quietly, carrying its weight beneath the surface. As one participant shared, “It’s not always extremes; there’s always someone closer to you than you think.” 

Through powerful personal stories, this film is relatable and challenges narratives about poverty. Watch and listen to a story that is deeply human and helps build understanding of poverty to incite us to act. To work together on solutions that disrupt the systems that keep poverty in place. 

The play will soon be on screen at the Central Library’s Create Space, where VCC is taking over the space to share real stories, spark dialogue, and shine a light on the impact of collective action on poverty reduction in Calgary. Until then, you can hear 100 community voices in the audio play below, watch the short animated video or view the all-new full-feature film production above.