Ellie Walton and Hawah Kasat/2015/59 min/People-Culture
CHICAGO-AREA PREMIERE. FILM DESCRIPTION: When a group of DC teens pack into a bus and head into the mountains of West Virginia for 8 days, they embark on a journey to break the cycles of violence and rewrite their future. For the first time in their lives the youth play in mountain streams, sing under the stars, and confront the entrenched abuse, violence and neglect cycles of their past. As the healing power of nature works its magic, each teen becomes filled with new plans and ideas. But when the group return home, the specters of poverty, violence and homelessness confront them. This award-winning film is a darling of the film festival circuit. Its hopeful vibe chronicles the youths’ struggle, but also their strength.
Teens and young adults encouraged to attend.
May contain heavy themes, graphic images, and strong language.
Saturday, March 3, 12 to 2:30 p.m. [West]
Chicago Public Library, Austin Branch, 5615 W. Race,
Auditorium, Chicago
Nature has a strong and subtle power that helps us see ourselves -- not as our parents, teachers or the powers that be see us – but as we are: free and perfect with our own unique vision for what our life could be, what it should be, what we want and will it to be.
Teens, young adults and folks of all ages: please stay and talk with us about equity, nonviolence and the power of nature with Fly by Light producer, Hawah Kasat, who also is executive director of One Common Unity, the group that organized the youth’s trip to the mountains. Other guests include Burrell Poe, Nonviolence Trainer at the Institute for Nonviolence Chicago. After the program, please sign up with Laura Derks of Flybird Experience for a nature walk in Columbus Park. Facilitator: Stephanie McCray, Executive Coach, Executive Material. Refreshments available.
Doors open 30 minutes before start time. Arrive early to avoid lines and get best seats. ADA compliant accessible venue.
Sunday, March 11, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. [South]
St. Benedict the African Parish, 6550 S. Harvard, The King Room, Chicago
As the film so beautifully illustrates, nature is powerful. Let’s stay after the film to talk to Vincent Gomez, horticultural therapist, and a member of the Bodhi Spiritual Center. We’ll have a warm and engaging discussion with Lorena Lopez of Faith in Place about the ways we can bring more nature into our neighborhoods and motivate ourselves to go out into nature more often. Facilitator: Toni Anderson of Sacred Keepers Sustainability Lab.
Doors open 30 minutes before start time. Arrive early to avoid lines and get best seats. ADA compliant accessible venue. Refreshments available.