What If… Film Series presents “Gaining Ground”

• by Urban CNY News
• April 9, 2014

The Gifford Foundation & the Urban Jobs Task Force present  “What If…” Film Series production of Gaining Ground.  The Urban Jobs Task Force is a collaboration of community groups; faith based organizations and concerned citizens in Syracuse, N.Y. Working to create a local economy that provides good jobs and job training for low and very low-income families and more opportunities for local woman and minority-owned enterprises to receive work on publicly financed development projects. This year the Urban Jobs Task Force partners with the Gifford Foundation to present the film, “Gaining Ground” Wednesday, May 14, 2014 at ArtRage & Monday, May 19, 2014 (time and place TBA) Each film is followed by a moderated discussion. Gaining Ground In the midst of the economic meltdown, “Gaining Ground” explores the innovative, grassroots organizing efforts of the Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative (DSNI) in Boston. Over the course of two years, we watch a new generation of leaders working to prevent foreclosures and bring jobs and opportunities for young people to one of the city’s most diverse and economically challenged neighborhoods. DSNI was created 25 years ago when the community had been devastated by bank redlining, arson-for-profit and illegal dumping, and has become one of the preeminent models for community-based change. To view the movie trailer click here: http://vimeo.com/40607882 Foreclosures. Unemployment. Childhood poverty. All these problems have hit American cities hard since the Great Recession. Gaining Ground, a follow-up to the award-winning documentary Holding Ground (1996), shows how one diverse Boston neighborhood has stemmed the tide against enormous odds. In the midst of the economic meltdown, Gaining Ground explores the innovative, grassroots organizing efforts of the Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative (DSNI) in Boston. DSNI was created 25 years ago when the community had been devastated by bank redlining, arson-for-profit and illegal dumping, and has become one of the preeminent models for community-based change. Over the course of two years, we watch a new generation of leaders working to prevent foreclosures and bring jobs and opportunities for young people to one of the city’s most diverse and economically challenged neighborhoods. Join The Urban Jobs Task Force If your organization supports the goals of the Urban Jobs Task Force–see contact information:  sun@sunaction.org UJTF Outreach Committee c/o Syracuse United Neighbors 1540 S. Salina Street Syracuse, NY 13205