In the shadow of Silicon Valley’s booming technology industry, a growing number of people remain out in the cold.

Skyrocketing housing prices and an astronomical cost-of-living in America’s hub of innovation have pushed many onto the streets, straining policymakers to find solutions to a homelessness problem that directly, or indirectly, impacts everyone in the community.

Batman of San Jose and Crimson Fist work anonymously to provide a lifeline to those who sleep without shelter on San Jose’s sidewalks, camp in tents along the Guadalupe River or retreat to the subterranean darkness of the city’s storm drain tunnel system.

Lights in the Shadows follows the two superheroes as they hand out water and food to those in need, provide outreach for those who live on the margins and help Gretchen, a woman in the midst of a domestic violence crisis.

During their missions they discuss their views about what is leading to the rapidly growing homelessness crisis in their area, the common misconceptions other citizens have about the unhoused and what policymakers can, and should, be doing to help the most vulnerable in their districts.

The project was produced by nine participants and two staff members during the 2024 MediaStorm Storytelling Workshop.

The complete project, which was produced using the MediaStorm Platform, includes a written story, extended interviews with 18 subjects, a still image slideshow, behind-the-scenes coverage, various ways to get involved and a making-of education module.