When people have access to safe and stable housing, it benefits everyone. To help build public and political will to ensure homelessness a rare, brief, and never-again experience, a partnership of leading organizations is inviting community members to join a national conversation at the first screening in the region of a new documentary “Beyond the Bridge.”

Mayor Jeff Harmon of the City of Auburn will offer opening remarks and filmmakers Don Sawyer and Tim Hashko will answer audience questions during a “talk back session” at the event. A panel discussion featuring Representative Traci Gere, House chair of the Maine Legislature’s Housing and Economic Development Committee; Cheryl Harkins, Advocate, Homeless Voices for Justice; Ali Lovejoy, Vice President of Mission Advancement, Preble Street; Greg Payne, Senior Advisor, Housing Policy, State of Maine; and Mike Sauschuck, Commissioner, Department of Public Safety and moderated by longtime News Center Maine anchor Pat Callaghan, will follow the screening. This free event will be held on Thursday, March 13 at the Hannaford Hall, USM Portland. Attendees will focus on developing a comprehensive solution to homelessness in Maine. Doors open at 5:30 pm and the screening begins at 6:00 pm.

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From Boston to San Diego, thousands of community leaders and concerned citizens have already seen the film and participated in a nationwide impact campaign focused on reshaping how society views people experiencing homelessness and solutions to the housing crisis, inspiring communities to develop a unified approach based on Housing First throughout their homelessness and supportive housing service system, building unity among homeless advocates, and expanding public involvement on the issue of homelessness.

From the award-winning team of producer/director Don Sawyer and cinematographer/editor Tim Hashko, Beyond the Bridge is a powerful documentary that explores solutions to homelessness through a journey to 12 American cities. The film highlights the importance of a coordinated effort that engages law enforcement, judicial systems, business leaders, service providers, volunteers, and local government leadership within a unified homeless response system based on the Housing First model which includes the availability of supportive services.

This special evening is presented by A Bigger Vision Films, with support from Together Films and a local steering committee:

• Ryan Fecteau, Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives
• Jane Field, executive director of the Maine Council of Churches
• Cheryl Harkins, Advocate, Homeless Voices for Justice
• Auburn Mayor Jeff Harmon
• Dean Klein, executive director, Maine Continuum of Care (CoC)
• Ali Lovejoy, Vice President of Mission Advancement, Preble Street
• Courtney Pladsen, nurse practitioner at Greater Portland Health and the Mainecare Medical Director
• Nakesha Warren, Homeless Response Service Hub 2 Coordinator housed at the United Way

Event Details:

• Date: Thursday, March 13, 2025
• Time: Doors open 5:30 pm, Remarks and screening begin at 6:00 pm
• Venue: Hannaford Hall, USM Portland
• Address: 88 Bedford Street, Portland, ME

• Opening Remarks:  Auburn Mayor Jeff Harmon

• Moderator:  Pat Callaghan, longtime local news anchor
• Panelists:
  • Representative Traci Gere, House chair of the Maine Legislature’s Housing and Economic Development Committee
  • Ali Lovejoy, Vice President of Mission Advancement, Preble Street
  • Greg Payne, Senior Advisor, Housing Policy, State of Maine
  • Mike Sauschuck, Commissioner, Department of Public Safety
• Admission is free but registration is required. For information and to register visit https://beyondthebridgemaine.eventbrite.co.uk/