Teen A Hero To The Homeless

Her Homemade Documentary Gives Dignity, Breaks Stereotypes

(CBS)  Edited on a laptop computer with the help of a friend, the film was completed in seven months. Hard work was rewarded with brisk ticket sales.

Says Karle, "The night of the premiere, there was about 1,100 people, and we sold the tickets for $25."

Theatre space, food and drinks were donated, with proceeds going to organizations like the local Coalition For The Homeless.

"It's just been an unbelievable happening," coalition director Larry Musick says.

He believes Karle's film has accomplished much more than raising money or awareness.

"For those in the film," Musick says, "I think it's given them a great sense of dignity. I think they feel like they've accomplished something, and indeed they have. They've accomplished something for their own cause, and there's dignity in that."

Which may explain why several of the people featured in the documentary have moved away from the riverbank.

Larry Roberts is one of them. For over a year, he's had a place to live. For that, he credits Karle.

"She's been an inspiration to me," Roberts says. "She's been with me every step of the way. She's an angel. She doesn't just help me, she helps a lot of people out here. She brings them clothes. If they need anything, all they got to do is say, 'I need it,' and she gets it.

What does Karle think of being called an angel?

"He's an angel too," she laughs. "He's been a really good friend."

After its premiere, Huntington's historic Keith Albee Theatre continued screening "On The River's Edge" for area high school students, with Karle appearing to answer questions.

She's not about to become a director.

"I'm not a filmmaker or anything like that," she says. "It just kind of came together. And I think it had a purpose. And God had a purpose for it."

Karle is heading to college this fall, hoping to become a doctor.

No matter what, she plans to keep visiting her friends by the river, without the camera, but with her continued compassion.

Her film has garnered an award from Ohio University and a scholarship offer from the Marshall University School of Journalism.

She's probably a shoo-in for the Girls Scout's Gold Award as well.