Private Project

Helpers

Helpers is a documentary that weaves director Kelly Clendenon's story of recovering from heroin addiction, homelessness, and incarceration with the inspiring work of the 13 Salmon Shower Project, a volunteer driven shower program located in downtown Portland. The film addresses the twin crises of fentanyl addiction and homelessness, told through the lens of Kelly's personal journey and people working on the front lines in Portland.

  • Kelly Scott Clendenon
    Director
  • Joshua J Kirby
    Director
  • Kelly Scott Clendenon
    Producer
  • Daniel Bloomfield
    Key Cast
    "Young Kelly"
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short, Student
  • Genres:
    Portrait, Punk, Recovery, Community
  • Runtime:
    21 minutes 36 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    July 9, 2025
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    4K
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    Yes - University of Oregon
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
Director Biography - Kelly Scott Clendenon, Joshua J Kirby

Kelly is a recovering heroin addict with 10 years clean/sober. After being released from prison in 2019 he turned his life around. After graduating summa cum laude from Portland State University in 2023, he then co-founded the 13 Salmon Shower Project serving his unhoused neighbors in downtown Portland. He then received his Master's in multimedia journalism from the University of Oregon in June of 2025, and is committed to continue making films that address the issues surrounding the fentanyl and housing crises in Oregon.

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Director Statement

I'm committed to documenting the people struggling through the addiction and housing crises in Oregon. By centering the voices of those directly involved in the struggle to find solutions, I hope to shift public perceptions about addiction and homelessness, and give a platform to some of Portland's most vulnerable communities.