I couldnt have hoped for a better start (first of all, a great way to conquer jetlag and let my mind catch up with being in the US was to watch my family play kickball in a floodlit park and then eat pizza) - After an extremely promising meeting about partnering with both city and state-wide coalitions which are working towards ending homelessness and increasing affordable housing, I was excited to be invited to speak at UNC Charlotte with a community-based film class, pictured here, along with a journalism class. They all had some great questions about the film, the process of filmmaking on a shoestring, and the ethical responsibilities involved. It was then time for the Charlotte Film Lab screening at UNC Charlotte Center City! The photo outside shows awesome filmmaker and lecturer Will Davis of Charlotte Film Society holding the barrel to fill with canned goods which people were asked to bring in place of an admission fee. This was so heavy by the end that it was a struggle to transport it to Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina! The screening went really well with engaged discussion, and some fascinating insight from Liz Clasen-Kelly at Urban Ministry Center, Charlotte and Matt Shaw at Speak Up, both of whom really inspire me and I hope to continue working with. I do believe that theres a certain proactivity about the Charlotte-based organizations that Ive connected with which Im drawn to. Liz had then invited us to meet some people and tour the innovative concept that is Moore Place, Charlottes first permanent supportive housing apartment complex based on the philosophy of Housing First. A big thank you to Caroline and Stephen for patiently discussing the impact of such an incredible set up on society and reduction for taxpayers, along with drastically changing the lives of people who are most at risk after years of being chronically homeless and almost given up on. Powerful and thought-provoking: urbanministrycenter.org/moore-place-success-captures-national-local-headlines Next stop, Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
Posted on: Sat, 25 Oct 2014 10:08:42 +0000