Rich Brimer Rich Brimer is a Camarillo artist and social justice advocate who will bring his two loves together in "Without Shelter," a documentary about the homeless.

"My passions are both to tell stories and . . . to help others see there is something to be captured in every single person that is wonderful and beautiful," the 46year-old graphic designer and former pastor said.

On May 21 ArtsLIVE will award a total of nearly $40,000 to Brimer and seven other artists for community projects that unite the artist with a nonprofit to demonstrate how the arts can be used to advance the nonprofit's goals. The Ventura County Community Foundation and the Ventura County Arts Council launched the $450,000, three-year ArtsLIVE initiative last year.

Margaret Travers, Ventura County Arts Council executive, said the review panel chose Brimer's project because it embodies the goals of ArtsLIVE— bringing the arts and nonprofits together for their mutual benefit.

"Rich is a very good artist, and he really understands this program," Travers said. "Certainly homelessness is one of the important messages of the day."

Brimer will receive $5,000 to produce "Without Shelter" in collaboration with the ACTION Foundation of Camarillo

Brimer, a graphic designer for Amgen in Thousand Oaks, said he wants the film to define homelessness but also offer hope. He'll incorporate themes that appeal to people everywhere, those of hope and human dignity.

"I'm always looking to find the beauty in every situation," Brimer said.

He plans to shadow a homeless person, perhaps someone who sleeps in their car or comes from a family with a history of poverty, for several days to depict the challenges they face.

"Nobody understands the plight of someone who is homeless unless you sit down with them and see how human they are," Brimer said. "Everyone has a unique position, a unique situation."

A painter with a bachelor's degree in art, Brimer spent 20 years as a graphic designer before taking two years off to become a fulltime associate pastor. He returned to graphic design three years ago but retained his desire to help the downtrodden.

Brimer has made short promotional films for five years for political causes and organizations, including the faith-based nonprofit ACTION Foundation.

"He's a really talented guy," said Rob Orth, ACTION executive director, who will collaborate on "Without Shelter." "He's got a heart for what I'd call social justice or kingdom issues."

ACTION, or Area Christians Taking Initiative On Needs, is a network of Ventura County churches that connects volunteers with community service activities and those in need with agencies that help them.

Brimer has volunteered for ACTION in the past.

ACTION will help finance Brimer's documentary and will try to find among its homeless clients one who would be willing to let Brimer shadow him or her.

Orth said he wants the film to emphasize that it takes more than money to get someone homeless off the streets. A homeless person needs the emotional and moral support and encouragement of a friend; they need a oneon-one enduring relationship with someone in the community, Orth said.

He also wants the film to depict the challenges faced by someone who used to be homeless.

"Once you're out, then what? For each family it's different," he said.

Brimer said he plans to begin shooting next month and finish "Without Shelter" by October. He'd like to have the film premiere in county homeless shelters and a Westlake Village church and then make it available on the Internet and for distribution outside the county. He may enter the documentary in film festivals, he said.

Brimer and his wife, Samantha, a grant writer for a nonprofit, have three teenage children.