Reserve Free Tickets for March 11 "Beyond the Bridge” Documentary Viewing and Local Panel Discussion Event
The City of Ann Arbor is inviting community members to a free event at the Michigan Theatre (603 E. Liberty St.) Tuesday, March 11, at 6 p.m. to celebrate and screen the new documentary, “Beyond the Bridge.” The documentary examines root causes of homelessness and explores comprehensive solutions, including a coordinated homeless response system engaging law enforcement, judicial systems, business leaders, service providers, volunteers and local leadership. The film chronicles visits to 12 cities, covering more than 40,000 miles, and the film team’s meetings with dozens of service providers and policymakers.
One of the film’s directors, Don Sawyer, will be in attendance and will participate in a local panel discussion following the screening. The engaging panel will be moderated by University of Michigan School of Social Work Dean Beth Angell and City of Ann Arbor Mayor Christopher Taylor and will also feature the following panelists: Roshanak Mehdipanah (UM School of Public Health), Jennifer Hall (Ann Arbor Housing Commission) and Molly Smith (Avalon Housing). Prior to the event, UM faculty research on poverty and homelessness will be featured in the lobby.
“Hosting this event locally is an opportunity to jump start discussions and spark collaboration here in Ann Arbor to collectively address homelessness in our community,” said Ann Arbor Housing Commission Executive Director Jennifer Hall. “We invite everyone who shares our interest in and concern for the growing issue of homelessness will join us for this important event.”
Event co-sponsors with the city include University of Michigan School of Social Work ENGAGE, Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy and Poverty Solutions; and Washtenaw County and Washtenaw Housing Alliance. Contributors include the University of Michigan School of Social Work and Public Health; the Ann Arbor Housing Development Corporation (Ann Arbor Housing Commission); and Avalon Housing.
Free tickets, while available, are required for entry and can be reserved now online. For documentary details, visit https://asolutiontohomelessness.com.
Beyond the Bridge Documentary Viewing and Panel Discussion Event
Date: Tuesday, March 11, 2025
Event time: 6–8:30 p.m.
5:15–6 p.m. UM faculty research on display in the lobby
6–7:30 p.m. Screening of the documentary
7:30–8:30 p.m. Panel discussion
Venue: Michigan Theater, 603 E. Liberty St., Ann Arbor, 48104
Admission: Free! Please RSVP to reserve your spot at https://bit.ly/BeyondTheBridgeA2
More information on the film: visit https://asolutiontohomelessness.com/
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Media Contacts
Jennifer Hall, Ann Arbor Housing Commission Executive Director, 734.794.6721 | jhall@a2gov.org
Renee Tambeau, Director of Marketing and Communications, University of Michigan School of Social Work, rtambeau@umich.edu